Pure-Ion Pro Air Purifier

I purchased Brookstone's Pure-Ion Pro air cleaner for the following reasons:

1. It doesn't require much space. The size (25.5" high x 11.5" deep x 7" wide) is suitable for my bedroom and the location I had in mind.

2. I wanted an air cleaner that does not require costly replacement filters. The Pure-Ion Pro contains one single filter which is designed to be used for the life of the product. I wash the filter under a shower (aided by a spray bottle of liquid cleaner. A flashing LED signals when a wash is due).

The filter is a principal part of the unit and must be protected at all times. An impaired filter will impede your unit. Consequently, DO NOT WASH YOUR FILTER IN A DISHWASHER. Although the idea of it may sound convenient the reality is going to be somewhat different. For instance: (1) Your filter can be damaged as you lower it onto the loading rack. (2) Even if the filter is alone in the dishwasher bits of food (debris from previous washes) can adhere to the filter and "cement" there during the drying cycle. (3) Still worse, callously placing the filter among dirty dishes will surely subvert the filter even quicker. Been there, done that and had to exchange my unit for a new one.

3. I wanted an air cleaner with three fan speeds. This one has five. (Fine with me). There's WHISPER, LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH and TURBO. Quite obviously, this sleek product contains all the bells and whistles.

4. I wanted an ion emitting air cleaner. Press the ION button atop the Pure-Ion Pro and an LED illuminates letting you know that the ION function is activated.

5. I wanted a quiet device that would allow me to fall asleep. On WHISPER setting I can still hear the fans, but the sound is minimal enough so as not to be a problem. It was surprising to us that at bedtime my wife and I actually prefer MEDIUM speed. The sound is not the type of sound to keep us awake.

6. The unit has an automatic timer which I use occasionally. Choose 2, 4, 6, 8 or 12 hours of operation.

This air cleaner has definitely made a difference. We breathe through the night with clear nasal passages. My wife has asthma and is greatly relieved, more so than with our previous air cleaners which embodied the HEPA filtration technology. (HEPA: High Efficiency Particulate Accumulation).

Brookstone's Pure-Ion Pro cleans the air in two ways: Besides catching dust and allergens in its filter, the continuous emission of negative ions bring airborne contaminants to the ground. Consequently, you may need to vacuum and/or dust a bit more often, but considerably less irritants shall find sanctuary in your air. As I alluded to in #4 (above), the ion emitter can be turned on or off at your discretion.

Detractors of ion emitting devices point to the fact that they produce unwanted ozone. I tested the Pure-Ion Pro with an ozone detector card from Ozone Solutions of Hull, Iowa. Finding absolutely no visible reading I contacted Brookstone in this regard. I was informed that the Pure-Ion Pro produces less than .05 parts per million of ozone (well within the limits of Federal EPA, California EPA and FDA standards) and would therefore be detectable only on the most sophisticated detection equipment.

Detractors also claim that walls will soon become filled with dust. Well, after eight months I have yet to find any, but I promise to keep an open mind and will update if I do.

For those who are skeptical about what they cannot see, an "Ion Stick" is available for ion testing. Ion Stick(TM) I tested the Pure-Ion Pro on MEDIUM speed holding the Ion Stick two feet off the front grille. Readings fluctuated widely and rapidly in the air flow, but the highest reading I caught was in the 1,900's; this was on the Ion Stick's scale from "000" to "1,999".

Brookstone's Pure-Ion Pro has not disappointed. An excellent product made in China.

For further information about air purifiers in general I would suggest Consumer Reports Magazine. Consumer Reports (1-year auto-renewal) See also "Consumer Reports: Expert product reviews and product Ratings..."