I bid on one of those USB Air Purifiers on eBay and won it for $11 + $7 shipping. Here’s a quote from the auction description:
This ionizer purifies air, kills bacteria, removes smoke, emi free, improves immunity.
The new technological is brilliant and unique usb plug based ionizer, which by the consistent release of negative ions (more than 2,000,000 per c) via the application of corona discharge purifies and purifies the ambient air around the computer. Easy to use, with a footprint the size of usb flash memory drive, the ionizer eliminates static with no emi. With a low power consuption of less than 0.2w. Utilize the piezoelectronic transfer technology to produce a high negative ion concentration but with a very low ozone content-less than 0.48 ppm. The ionizer will substantly improve the air quality around the computer and its user, purify the air, killing bacteria, improving respiratory function with an increases sense of well being. Really small compact size. Very comfortable and convinient.
Help your healt - use this incredible product to keep your and close ones health and fitness for a long time.
Comes in a colorful attractive box. Makes an excellent gift.
eBay auction for USB air purifier
I received it today (or yesterday, rather, but we didn’t check the mail). Here’s my little review of it. So far, I’m quite impressed. It appears to be reasonably professionally made, and comes in a decent box. It even comes with a sort of instruction booklet with information about it. Although the box uses some awkward English, it’s not any worse than any other “Made in China” (or in this case, it appears it might be Hong Kong) products.
The package includes a USB extension cable (nice!), a brush for cleaning the filter, and the device itself. It’s got to have some credibility considering they pack these accessories with it.
I plugged the USB cable to the back of my Dell computer, connecting the other end to the air purifier. It has a cap on its connector, which I took off. When connected, the purifier has a blue light which illuminates. I’m not sure if this indicates whether the filter needs to be cleaned - the instructions only say “Remove the ionizer when the light goes off.”
The device itself is labeled EPI585 along with a logo consisting of three connected blue circles next to two connected blue circles. It does actually seem to be doing something - if you listen to it, it makes a distinct (but quiet) blowing noise (and I can feel some air blowing out of it). No fans, though - it should be completely electronic.
Anyone have any idea how to test air purifiers? I don’t suppose there’s any easy way to measure dust in the air…
The men who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try to do nothing and succeed.
I forgot to ask Jo for the ionizers she is referring to when she says that you can tell when they are working.
Some better ones are made by Wein (VI-2500 and VI-2000 at weinproducts.com) and Brookstone (ESP and other models). All of Wein’s are made in the USA; the Brookstone ESP is made in China. The Brookstone is much more attractive in appearance. It seems to have high output, but I have no ozone information on it. Wein says their ozone output is extremely low, below OSHA regulations, so that it should give no ill effects. The Brookstone ESP seems like it’s too much for use in a smallish bedroom, especially if you keep the door closed. It may be ozone, I can’t tell for sure.
The idea is that you could use one of these a few feet from the computer, and point the output toward you.
The Chinese outfit makes a piezo ionizer that is wearable. The postings here make me reluctant to buy that one on eBay for $30+.
Wein and Bookstone also make wearable ionizers. The Wein runs on a 3v lithium camera battery, and the Brookstone runs on a CR2032 lithium button battery. I have tried the Wein. It costs over $100 retail. The Brookstone costs $60, and is made in China. Brookstone claims super long life for their battery - many days of continuous operation. The Wein lasts maybe 40 hours hours on one battery, and over 10 hours on a rechargeable.
I have used ionizers before and know when one works. You WILL notice that the air feels fresh like it does after a thunderstorm. Reading what everyone says here about the Piezo, I reckon these items are useless.
That’s interesting. I’d have thought it would connect directly to the car instead of going through USB.
Thanks Dustin. Do you work for Cyberguys?