Last Updated on March 9, 2020 by Ash
When it comes to devices that impact the air quality in our homes, we’re obliged to be selective. After all, the atmosphere we breathe can impact our health for better or worse.
Our IonPacific IonBox review covers all the facts you need to know to make an informed decision about this negative ion generator. We also discuss the safety and usefulness of these gadgets in general.
In our IonBox review, you’ll find out:
- IonPacific IonBox pros and cons
- How the IonPacific IonBox works
- Is a negative ion generator safe?
- Do negative ion generators produce ozone?
Table of Contents
What Does a Negative Ion Generator Do?
Let’s kick off with a few definitions—what does a negative ion generator do and what is it for?
Also known as ionizers, these devices aim to tackle indoor air pollution, whether in your home or office. They can serve as an alternative to or complement other purification methods like air filters.
Let’s quickly explain the scientific terms. Ions are atoms or molecules that hold either positive or negative electrical charges.
The generators we’re talking about produce the latter. Through the power of electricity, they negatively charge oxygen or other fine particles in the air to emit high quantities of NAIs.
Negative vs. Positive Air Ions
The main difference between positive and negative ions is the electricity they contain in the form of electrons. Positive ions are the result of losing one or more electrons, whereas negative ions are the opposite.
If you want to understand how ions form, you can watch this video:
NAIs were discovered roughly 100 years ago and have garnered attention for their air-purifying and supposed health-boosting properties.
In large enough quantities, NAIs can attach to and weigh down invisible floating particles you wouldn’t want to inhale, such as mold spores.
A few possible effects worth mentioning include:
- Promote plant growth
- Stop or slow the growth of harmful microorganisms
- Repel bacteria from plastic surfaces
- Relieve allergy symptoms by reducing airborne pollutants
- At high levels, combat depression
- Improve cognition—however, the study on this was small
In contrast, positive air ions may be detrimental to our mood and well-being. An increase of these molecules in the air is associated with higher rates of car accidents, crime, irritability and suicide.
Remember that chemistry-wise; opposites attract: for instance, the opposing poles of a magnet. A high-density negative ion generator could overwhelm any positive air ions by force of numbers.
Now that you know the advantages of negative ion generators we dive into the review portion of the article.
IonPacific IonBox Review
We can’t do much about the air quality outdoors, but we do have the option to control inside our homes. If you invest in a negative ion generator, you want to know that it’s doing the job to eliminate or significantly minimize indoor air pollution.
We’ve done exhaustive research on the IonPacific IonBox to help you make an informed decision as to whether or not it could work for you.
Who Makes It?
The IonBox is a product of IonPacific, a company with experience in the field of military technology. The founding engineers of the project worked on addressing bad air quality in submarines through negative ion therapy.
Eventually, the company wanted to make the same technology available to the public. The traditional large, cumbersome negative ion generator underwent a redesign.
The IonBox is the end result: a high-density negative ion generator that’s portable and compact to suit the average household. This device can fit in the palm of your hand.
What Does It Promise?
This negative ion generator claims to generate up to 20 million negative ions per second to purify the air within a 400 to 500 square foot space. This depends on your ceiling height, as well.
The IonBox is rated against the following particle-matter pollutants and allergens:
- Smoke
- Unpleasant odors such as residual smoke and mildew
- Mold spores
- Pollen
- Airborne bacteria
- Dust
- Pet odors and dander
How Does It Work?
The negative ions get made in the generation chamber, which is the size of a microchip. In turn, they’re pushed through the external emitter brushes and, from there onwards, into the air.
You have the choice to run the IonBox via USB cable (e.g., to your laptop or inside your car) or through the wall outlet connector.
Once you’ve connected it, press the button at the top of the box. A blue light will signal that the IonBox is on and operating.
What About Maintenance?
As the IonBox does a dirty task, it’ll need cleaning every so often. IonPacific recommends cleaning it at least once a month.
If your household environment is highly dusty, you may need to step up your cleaning frequency. The same applies to users with higher levels of indoor pollution overall—for example, high-shedding pets or people who smoke regularly.
How to Clean an IonBox
Fortunately, getting it spic-and-span again is a straightforward process:
- Make sure the IonBox is unplugged before you begin
- Wipe off debris and dust from the exterior with a damp cloth
- Clean the fan with the included electrostatic discharge brush (EDB)
- Use the EDB to clean the carbon emitter brush—be gentle
You can also use canned air to blast any dust buildup out of the nooks and crannies. Avoid submerging the IonBox in water, or drenching it with cleaning products.
Technical Specifications
At a little under 5 ounces, the IonBox has a low power demand of only 1.5 watts. There’s a built-in dual-voltage converter, meaning you can use it with both 110V and 220V outlets if you’re traveling abroad.
The IonBox meets the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) standards as an ozone-free device and is CE-compliant as well.
The former specifies safe limits for ozone production, among other hazardous substances. The latter certification means it conforms to European health, environmental and safety standards.
Warranty and Lifespan
IonPacific offers a one-year warranty from the date of purchase covering any defects. However, if you drop it or otherwise mishandle it, the company won’t take responsibility.
Make sure you register your warranty on the official website to benefit from it. You can anticipate the IonBox lasting for around 10,000 hours of continuous use.
Warnings
The IonBox isn’t dangerous in and of itself as far as home appliances go, but like all electrical appliances, you should still keep it away from curious little ones and furry companions.
What We Like
Here’s where we sum up the top features of this negative ion generator:
- Works in most areas (e.g., vehicles, RVs, homes, etc.) up to 500 square feet
- Convenient and portable
- Simple to maintain
- Dual-voltage for international travel
- USB cable and wall outlet included
- Twenty million negative ions generated per second
- One-year warranty
- Meets RoHS and CE standards
- Reputable manufacturer
Bear in Mind
Our IonBox review is all about transparency. You need to know the cons, as well, which are as follows:
- Some buyers report the IonBox gets noisy after several months
- Short power cord
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ll round up our IonPacific IonBox review by answering a couple of common questions. If you’re switching your air filtration method completely, you may be wondering about these aspects:
Is a Negative Ion Generator Safe?
You should be aware that NAIs can occur as a result of natural phenomena. Discharges during thunder and lightning storms, sunlight and even waterfalls can generate this type of molecule.
Understandably, you might still be concerned about the artificially generated sort. Still, is a negative ion generator safe?
One study demonstrated that negative ions didn’t have any harmful effects on respiratory function.
Do Negative Ion Generators Produce Ozone?
Ozone can be therapeutic in a medical setting, but a harmful pollutant otherwise. As the gas can be a byproduct of any electricity-generating process, you might be concerned—do negative ion generators produce ozone?
Since not all generators are created equal, you’ll want to look for a generator that specifies zero or low-ozone generation. The IonPacific IonBox is ozone-free.
Will an Ionizer Kill Mold?
Studies have shown air ionizers to have fungicidal effects, meaning they could work against some species of mold spores. You’re likely curious how potent these effects are—will an ionizer kill mold?
However, further research has to be done on the topic. If you do have a case of mold in your home, don’t rely exclusively on an ionizer to kill it off.
Final Verdict
Hopefully you’ve found our IonPacific IonBox review helpful. In our opinion, this device is the best negative ion generator to suit a wide variety of needs.
For one, IonPacific is upfront about the number of negative ions produced. It’s also ozone-free and RoHS-compliant.
Next, the small build allows you to move it from place to place without a hassle. Since it works with 110V and 220V currents, you can bring it with you on trips.
It can distribute negative ions in a space up to 500 square feet in size. At the same time, it’s not an electricity drain at 1.5 watts worth of power.
Finally, each device gets tested for effectiveness and ozone emissions after production.
Click here to see the current price of the IonPacific IonBox.
