Are infomercial air purifiers overpriced?

I am not a consumer of infomercials.

Maybe it’s because, having co-produced an infomercial, I know that the markup on most air purifiers is 7-9 times the cost.

I’m also not a shopper (my girlfriend says I’m “frugal”), so when I buy something, I do my homework and find the best price. So when I decided to join the millions of Americans who have purchased an air purifier over the past year, it became a “clean air” journey in more ways than one.

Having been an asthmatic and allergy sufferer (now cured), I have owned many air purifiers for over 30 years. My two reasons for buying an air purifier this time were a layer of black soot that appears on my LA windows every week.

I quickly found 94 air purifier manufacturers (most in China, only a few in Europe) and 12 top technologies to research.

Air Purifier Infomercial Wars

78% of all air purifiers purchased in the US last year were purchased through infomercials. The Sharper Image Ionic Breeze led the way until consumer reports criticized them for overproducing ozone. Now Oreck XL Professional leads the pack.

Again, the profit margin is usually 7 times the cost. A small $449 home air purifier (Oreck’s best air purifier is $699) made of plastic, with several metal grills seems like a lot. Forks. You’re better off finding the exact same one on eBay or Craigslist for $90 after the person drives it home.

“Manufacturers debate whether ozone purifiers, ion purifiers, and non-replacement filter-type purifiers are best in consumers’ minds”

The truth is that they all work, just some better than others. Many companies practically say ozone is “evil”, other companies claim it’s the best thing since sliced ​​bread. Ozone in small amounts works very well, but causes problems at high levels. It’s a nice addition if you’re timed. Therefore, the truth is somewhere in the middle. (I like to “purge” my room several hours before bed, and for mold problems it’s best.)

5 things you should know before buying an air purifier

#1: Replacement filters are overpriced

In Japan, air purifiers come with 2-3 extra replacement filters. BECAUSE? Because the Japanese think about the future.

American manufacturers realize that Americans don’t think ahead, so they overcharge. Once you buy an air purifier, you will have to pay whatever they ask. (Reminds me of my $89 inkjet printer, replacement cartridges are $28!)

Resource: Ask first for the prices of the filters. Every 6-12 months you will need to change the filters. And anything over $25 is too much.

Buying advice: Ask for a discount on additional replacement filters before you buy.

#2: Avoid purifiers that say, “There are no replacement filters”

The idea sounds great, but once you’ve seen a dirty HEPA filter (HEPAs are cloth filters that trap dust and contamination), you realize that the ones without filters don’t trap much dust or pollen: NO! YOUR LUNGS!

“Models without replacement filter” includes:

ionic breeze

Oreck models (they contradict themselves on their website. You have to change filters, but they are not HEPA)

Resource – Get an air purifier that has affordable replacements. HEPA is important if you have allergies.

#3: “Fanless” Air Purifiers Don’t Move Enough Air

Ionic purifiers convince you how quiet they are and how little electricity they use. The problem is that they don’t move any air.

(Note: Due to this issue, Sharper Image went to the fans on their new models)

Resource: Avoid purifiers without fans.

#4 Avoid noisy fan motors

Some people have emailed me saying that after buying an air purifier they couldn’t sleep.

Resource: For a super quiet fan, ask for one with brushless motors. Read the box for decibel levels. 20-35 decibels is quiet enough to sleep.

#5: You Won’t Do the Box Square Footage

I called Oreck when their new $700 tower came up on the list with a floor area of ​​1100 square feet. “How many times does the air in the room change?” (meaning how many times all the air in that room will change).

They did not know. Finally, a technician said, “One per hour.” That is poor.

Resource: Be sure to request 4-9 “Changes Per Hour” per square foot. (You may need to call the manufacturer.) Square footage listed in the box is also based on an empty room.

How to choose the right technology

Here are some guidelines for matching core technologies to your needs:

#1 For Allergies and Asthma, Some Odors = HEPA, Pre-Filter, Neg/Ion, Plasma Grid

(HEPA is still the best for allergies)

#2 For Odors, Smoke, Animal Odors, Chemical Sensitivity, VCOs & Immune System = Charcoal, Charcoal, Ozone

#3 For the immune system (colds, flu, viruses, pathogens) and eliminate musty odors UV = TiO2, plasma grid, ceramic

new sensor technology

I just reviewed a very interesting new technology from Japan that detects pollen, odor and dust. Ideal for allergy relief. It also saves electricity and guesswork. [SEE THE VIDEO LINK BELOW]

So how much do I have to pay?”

Buying online will save you $100-200 dollars up front. You should also look for 5 or more technologies. I encourage you to get HEPA and UV as they do the best job with allergies and protect you from viruses etc.

For a large room, I wouldn’t spend more than $275-$350 for a multi-tech unit that includes HEPA. For a small bedroom maybe $200.

For me, I found a purifier with 9 technologies, including HEPA, UV, ion, sensor technology, washable filters, and carbon, for less than $350. Twice the technology for half the price of infomercials.

I guess I breathe easier knowing that I saved so much.