Indoor air in recent times has reached some staggering pollution levels. Reports state that indoor air pollution can be up to 10x worse than outdoor air pollution. As a result, more and more people have started investing in air purifiers, which deal with this increasing issue. Companies are striving to produce more advanced and better air purifiers all the time. So in my Edenpure Oxileaf II Thunderstorm Review, I am going to take a look at Edenpure’s latest air purifier release.
As usual, I am first going to take a look at product features, move on to a detailed pros&cons section, and finish off the review with my conclusion. You can expect quite a bit of text, as I try to elaborate on each part as best as I can. My aim is to give you enough information to see if this unit is a good fit for you. Let’s dive right in.
Source: edenpure.com
Edenpure Oxileaf II Thunderstorm – Features
Edenpure Oxilieaf II Thunderstorm comes with some very unique features, as it is not your typical air purifier with a filter. These are:
Safe Ozone Technology. This device belongs to a very special group of air purifiers. It is classified as an ozonator/ozone generator, which means that it uses ozone to purify the air. So instead of pulling the air inside and cleaning it via a filtration system, an ozonator releases ozone molecules into the air. These molecules then attach themselves to contaminants/air pollutants and destroy their cell walls. Basically, ozone molecules destroy air pollutants while revering ozone back to oxygen. An ozonator is therefore effective against bacteria, fungus, germs, odors, and other air pollutants. The Oxileaf II unit is also twice as fast as the original Oxileaf I (discontinued).
Dual vent technology. Two vents (one on each side) ensure an even distribution of the purification process. By doing this you eliminate any worries or requirements on how you would otherwise have to turn the device in order to achieve optimal purification results.
Simple and clean interface. You only get a built-in indicator light for effectiveness and an adjustable knob for ozone. You can adjust the ozone output from 0.4 – 0.8 ppm. I will touch more on this subject later.
Added USB port. In addition to a normal plug, this unit also comes with an 8′ USB Cord. This increases flexibility and ease of use.
Effective for medium-sized rooms. I did not find any information about an actual room coverage number, but based on reviews and similar devices I estimate the maximum (of one unit) to be around 200 square feet.
Edenpure Oxileaf II Thunderstorm – Pros & Cons
In this section, I am going to break down some of the positives as well as the negatives of Oxileaf II. As I do in my other reviews, I am going to elaborate on these pros & cons individually. By doing this, I aim to give you a better understanding and ultimately help you decide if this device is a good fit for you.
Pros
Excellent air cleaning capabilities. Ozone molecules are one of the most effective ways of air purifying. One of the main uses of ozone generators is for the following contaminants:
–Mold and mildew, with mold being especially harmful to our respiratory system. Asthma and allergy sufferers also benefit a lot from mold and mildew removal, as they are one of the main causes of asthmatic attacks and allergies.
–Odor. I have a lot to write about ozone generator and odor, for which I will dedicate an entire section, after pros & cons. All you need to know, for now, is that many people use ozone specifically for odor issues.
–Bacteria, germs, and viruses. This is a big one, since these organisms are often smaller than 0.3 microns. I mentioned 0.3 microns because that is the smallest harmful particle size that HEPA filters can effectively remove. Ozone, on the other hand, is not limited by the size of these microorganisms, as it destroys them on a molecular level. In this way, it is more effective than HEPA filters.
In addition to this list, ozone also completely removes the most common house contaminants: dust, pollen, smoke, pet dander, carbon monoxide, and dust mites…basically pretty much all organic and inorganic pollutants.
Cost-effective. Another big plus about this device is that you have no additional costs associated with it. Edenpure Oxileaf II Thunderstorm does not use any filters or fillers, which saves you quite a bit of money over time. There are also no parts that need to be replaced, so you have an almost non-existent maintenance cost.
Portable. With dimensions of 5.125” H x 4.3” L x 2” D and a weight of less than a pound, Oxileaf II can be taken with you basically anywhere. Its very compact size makes it an ideal traveling companion.
Cons
Ozone is a health hazard. One of the main negatives of ozone generators in general…is ozone itself. We consider it dangerous because it is a very reactive chemical, that stays reactive even when we inhale it. Ozone can cause irritations and other respiratory problems in our lungs, even in smaller quantities. It affects anyone with respiratory problems (namely asthmatics and people with allergies) even more. Ironically, people who workout are especially exposed if they are near an ozone generator during workout. This is because as you workout, your air intake goes up, together with inhaled ozone. Edenpure Oxileaf II Thunderstorm emits 0.8 ppm of ozone on max settings, which is more than the recommended limit by FDA.
Possible strong initial smell. Ozone comes with a very distinct, somewhat strong odor. When you activate this device you can experience a very specific odor coming from the device, which gradually moves across the room over the course of 2-3 hours. It is similar to a metallic smell which, as mentioned above, loses intensity over time.
Can be a bit noisy. Some users report the device emitting a bit more noise than expected. The manufacturer lists 26-34 dB SPL (sound pressure level). In general, sleep can get disturbed by noise which is above 45 dB. 34 dB could possibly be a small issue for light sleepers – but in that case, you can always use the control know to lower the output setting. By doing that, the noise should go down.
How effective is Oxileaf II against common odors?
I wanted to touch on this topic in a separate section of my Edenpure Oxileaf II Thunderstorm review, because the question is very broad and the answer is very specific. All odor molecules are classified as volatile organic compounds (VOC). Despite that, ozone interacts a bit differently with each of them.
- Pet odors: the most common reason for the specific scent that our beloved pets emit is pet dander, which is challenging to remove by traditional methods. In general, an ozone generator successfully masks any pet odors due to dander. The other source of strong pet odor is urine. Since urine does not oxidize, you have to first deal with the source of this smell (carpet stain etc.) and then turn on the ozone generator.
- Cigarette smoke: smoke, in general, is one of the most harmful air pollutants and consequently one of the hardest to remove. Ozone generators are very effective when used to remove (cigarette) smoke and often used when everything else fails.
- Large car odors: since Oxileaf II is so small and portable, I decided to include it here as well. This section is especially relevant for trucking companies or for anyone that deal with a lot of transportation, where the smell (depending on cargo) sometimes requires frequent odor removal. In this case, you would have to keep the ozone generator running a couple of hours, which is typically enough to give you good results.
- Human smells/body odor: ozone generators are also effective at masking and removing them any body odor. People usually try airing out the room, which is mostly ineffective, whereas an ozone generator provides a good solution. Many experts recommend trying a traditional air purifier with filters first, before jumping straight to an ozone generator (due to the negative side of ozone).
Edenpure Oxileaf II Thunderstorm review- conclusion
All in all, Edenpure Oxileaf II Thunderstorm is a great air cleaning device. It cleans the air more effectively than the highest-graded HEPA filters, you can almost fit it in your pocket, and the affordable pricing almost makes it a steal. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for premium cleaning capabilities above all else. It is effective against most smells, smallest bacteria, and viruses too. This gives it an advantage over traditional HEPA filters. Also, I love that there are no additional costs with this device – no filters or other parts that you would need to replace. The size, weight, and a USB connector also make it a great and portable travel companion.
Despite that, my recommendation comes based on a few conditions. Firstly, the high ozone output means that you do not want to keep this device turned on all the time. When it is on the highest settings, I would even recommend not being very near the device (in order to limit your exposure to ozone). If you are a heavy asthmatic or have severe allergies…then I would look at an ozone-free ionizer instead of an ozone generator. This is because anyone with respiratory issues is much more sensitive to even smaller amounts of ozone. Also, if you happen to workout at home – make sure the Edenpure Oxilieaf II Thunderstorm is turned off during that time.
Overall a very great performing air purifier with a very affordable price tag, suitable for most air cleaning needs.
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I hope you enjoyed my Edenpure Oxileaf II Thunderstorm review.
