We may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website. Our Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services.
Ozone generators are highly effective at removing stubborn odors like cigarette smoke, mold, and pet odors from all areas of your home. Since they neutralize odors rather than masking them, we find that ozone generators are one of the best ways that you can help remove air pollution in your home.
To help you select the best ozone generators for you, our team researched a variety of models on Amazon. We also put together this generator buying guide to help you make the best purchasing decision.
Top 5 Ozone Generators
*Links below open to product retail page.
- Best Plate Longevity: Enerzen Ozone Generator
- Most Portable: AIRTHEREAL Ozone Generator
- Longest Runtime: OdorStop Ozone Generator
- Highest Ozone Output: Enerzen Commercial Ozone Generator
- Best Decorative: Ivation Ozone Generator
Compare Top Ozone Generators
| Product | Ozone Output | Filter | Weight | Overall Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enerzen Ozone Generator | 11,000 mg/h | Washable | 5 pounds | 6.8 x 8 x 5.8 inches |
| AIRTHEREAL Ozone Generator | 5,000 mg/h | Washable | 3.5 pounds | 6.7 x 7.4 x 6.8 inches |
| OdorStop Ozone Generator | 1,200 mg/h | Washable | 10 pounds | 14 x 11 x 10 inches |
| Enerzen Commercial Ozone Generator | 20,000 mg/h | Washable | 5 pounds | 6.8 x 8 x 5.8 inches |
| Ivation Ozone Generator | 360 mg/h | Not washable | 12 pounds | 12.5 x 11 x 15 inches |
| Product | Ozone Output | Filter | Weight | Overall Dimensions |
Best Plate Longevity
Enerzen Ozone Generator
- $99.95
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has easy-to-access ozone plates that provide approximately 6,000 hours of runtime
✔ Includes a large fan with a washable stainless-steel filter
✔ Is lightweight at 5 pounds
✘ More suitable for one specific room instead of the entire home
✘ The cord is somewhat short
What Customers Are Saying
We found that those who were happy with this ozone machine said that it was simple to operate, good for small spaces, and effective on odors such as cigarette smoke and pet waste. However, we also found that those who were unhappy with this ozone generator said that it produced a strong, noxious smell, while others claimed it became less effective the more it was used.
Most Portable
AIRTHEREAL Ozone Generator
- $79.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Includes “hold” setting that keeps it on past the timer
✔ Has an output of 5,000 mg/h level
✔ Has a removable, washable filter
✘ Has less coverage than some other ozone generators
✘ Not available in California
What Customers Are Saying
Those we found who gave this ozone generator positive reviews said that it was easy to use, was durable, and that it worked quickly. However, those who gave this product negative reviews said that it sometimes stopped working after minimal use, while others claimed that it was not powerful enough to remove tough odors.
Longest Runtime
OdorStop Ozone Generator
- $279.99
- $399.99
- 30% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Equipped with a UV Air Purification System
✔ Has two high-output ozone plates and a 110 CFM fan
✔ Has variable zone output up to 1,200 mg/h
✘ More expensive than most other ozone generators
✘ Not the best for mold
What Customers Are Saying
Customers our team found who gave this product positive reviews said it was excellent at eliminating difficult odors, was made from durable materials, and that it was long-lasting. They also said that the unit worked well as an air purifier. However, we noted that customers who gave this ozone generator negative reviews said the timer often did not function properly, while others said that it stopped working properly after only a few days or weeks of use.
Highest Ozone Output
Enerzen Commercial Ozone Generator
- $99.95
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a 20,000 mg/h output with adjustable fan speed
✔ Contains washable stainless-steel filter
✔ Weighs just 5 pounds
✘ May leave a strong smell after use
✘ Has fewer timer settings than some other generators
What Customers Are Saying
Our research showed that customers who were happy with this product said that it was made from sturdy materials, was highly effective in large spaces, and that it had a compact size but still produced powerful results. However, those who were unhappy with this ozone generator said that it left bad-smelling fumes well after it was no longer running, while others claimed that it was ineffective at deodorizing smells from cigarette smoke.
Best Decorative
Ivation Ozone Generator
- $149.99
- $159.99
- 6% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Comes with a ceramic plate and an A/C adapter
✔ Has adjustable fan speeds
✔ Also works as an ionizer
✘ Cannot be shipped to California
✘ Heavier than many other generators
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who gave this product positive reviews on Amazon liked that it was effective at sanitizing tobacco smoke, had a strong power output, and had an attractive design. However, we saw some customers who gave negative reviews saying that this ozone generator was not long-lasting and that it was overly loud.
Buying Guide to Ozone Generators
While many ozone generators function similarly, there are notable differences. Consider these factors to make an educated decision and enjoy superior air quality in your home for years to come.
Type
Ozone generators use different operating mechanisms that affect qualities like ozone output, energy usage, and size. Our research showed that there are four primary types of ozone generators on the market: cold plasma, corona discharge, electrolytic, and ultraviolet.
Cold plasma
To split oxygen molecules and emit ozone, these ozone generators create an electric field using cold plasma. The cold plasma is created using two adjacent neon tubes. Though bulky, cold plasma ozone generators produce relatively little heat compared to other types of generators.
Corona discharge
A powerful and efficient ozone generation method, corona discharge involves splitting oxygen molecules with an electrical current. The current splits these molecules into single oxygen atoms, which instantly recombine to form ozone gas.
Electrolytic
Engineered to treat water, electrolytic ozone generators create ozone by pumping water into the generator, which splits the oxygen molecules.
Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet ozone generators are the least efficient and powerful. They work by emitting UV light to create ozone and split oxygen molecules. Ultraviolet ozone generators are typically suited for smaller spaces such as a bedroom.
Ozone output
An ozone generator with a higher output will sanitize larger areas like a basement in a shorter amount of time. Measured in milligrams per hour (mg/h), ozone generators may produce as little as 300 mg of ozone per hour, with industrial-sized models producing up to 12,000 mg of ozone per hour.
Size and weight
Most ozone generators are relatively compact and weigh less than 7 pounds—portable ozone generators can weigh less than a pound. This makes many ozone generators discreet, able to sit quietly in the corner of a room or even in a car interior. Large, commercial-grade ozone generators tend to be much heavier, albeit less common.
Maintenance
For optimal performance and extended lifespan, periodically clean the ozone plates inside of your unit. These plates are usually accessed easily in most ozone generators.
Controls
Most ozone generators have a fairly simple dial mechanism to control how long you want the unit to operate. The on/off switch should also be easy to locate and press. Additionally, your ozone generator should have a timer that automatically turns the unit off once it’s done emitting ozone.
Tips For Using an Ozone Generator
While using an ozone generator can be a highly effective way to eliminate harsh odors and rid your home of pollutants, they can cause damage if they are not used properly.
There are several important things you need to keep in mind when using an ozone generator, including:
Clear the room before use
Before using an ozone generator, you should make sure that the room in question is unoccupied. When people are exposed to ozone, it can cause respiratory problems, including throat and lung irritation.
It’s especially important that elderly people, pets, and children aren’t in a room when an ozone generator is running. You should also remove things like indoor plants.
Don’t run it longer than needed
Ozone generators typically need to run between 3-10 hours to be fully effective, depending on the size of the room. However, it’s better to undershoot that estimate and turn the generator back on for another run than to overestimate and leave it on too long. An ozone generator that’s been left on can leave a noxious odor that could cause irritation or illness and could last in the air for days or even weeks.
Always run your ozone generator in a well-ventilated space with minimum humidity to reduce the risk of leaving a noxious smell after use. Opening windows after the machine is done running can help dissipate the ozone faster.
Wait until it dissipates before re-entering
After an ozone generator runs, ozone can stay in the air for several hours, with a specific amount of time depending on the power level of the device and the size of the room.
Generally, a good rule of thumb is to wait at least four hours before reentering a room after using an ozone generator. If you need to manually turn off the device and it doesn’t have a timer setting, you should cover your nose and mouth before entering the room.
Ozone Generator FAQs
Do ozone generators use a lot of electricity?
Compared to other household appliances, ozone generators don’t use very much electricity. You should also consider that you’re only operating your ozone generator as needed to clean the air in different areas of your home, which won’t be that often.
Are ozone generators safe for home use?
It’s important to note that ozone gas is a pollutant. This gas is harmful to your health, and exposure can produce coughing, chest pain, and respiratory issues. Make sure you and others, including pets, leave the area before operating your ozone generator.
To make this easy, ozone generators have timers that allow you to enter and exit the space without having to manually turn the unit on or off.
Can I use an ozone generator to “soften” water?
Do not use an ozone generator to remove calcium or other metallic elements in your water supply. While there are plenty of safe and effective options to soften water, an ozone generator will not remove calcium or substantially desalinate water.
What’s the difference between an ozone generator and an ionizer?
An ozone generator attaches to oxygen molecules for odor removal. Ionizers are designed to remove particulate matter in the air, such as dust or pollen. While ozone generators intentionally emit ozone, ionizers will emit lower ozone levels as a byproduct.
Our Methodology
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, including power tools, outdoor equipment, major appliances, kitchen gadgets, electronics, and more that focus on product quality and helpfulness to our readers.
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of garbage disposals with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we compared each model’s feature set to create a final shortlist, selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
Questions or Comments?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.