Ozone generators make up a subclass of air purifiers that rely on their namesake ozone to combat odors and inhibit germs, mold, and mildew.

Ozone generators are considered best-in-class when it comes to deodorizing spaces as they’re able to neutralize all sorts of malodorous smells easily, but ozone is known to be harmful to humans and animals.

Ozone generators can be a gold mine if used correctly. To help you pick the right model, this article lists the best ozone generators available on the market.

Following this list is a brief Buyer’s Guide explaining the strength of these machines and how to safely use them as well as some frequently asked questions and our pick for the best option in this category.

Read on to find the ozone generator that is right for you!

  • 10,000 mg/hour of ozone production
  • Strong fan provides excellent heat dissipation
  • One-knob operation
  • 2-Year Warranty

  • Variable output between 3,500-5,000/mg/hour
  • Rugged industrial design
  • Simple large particle filter included
  • 3-Year Warranty

  • Modern, unassuming design
  • Two ozone plates included
  • Residential unassuming design
  • 3-Year Warranty

  • Uses long-lasting ozone plate rated for 6,000 hours of use
  • Covers up to 5,000 square feet of space
  • Easily transportable with an ergonomic design
  • Year Warranty

  • Highly unique adjustable ozone output
  • Comes with long-term 12-hour timer
  • Purchase comes with access to consulting service
  • Comes with a 5-year Warranty


Our first ozone generator offers the highest overall output, as well as the best coverage.

The VIVOSUN Industrial Commercial Air Purifier boasts a whopping 10,000 mg/hour of ozone production, which will quickly enable homeowners and small business owners to purify their spaces in a far shorter amount of time than options with smaller outputs. Because of this, the VIVOSUN can also tackle rooms and spaces up to 4,500 square feet.

Plus, at well under $100, This ozone generator is one of the cheapest on our list. Aside from a short timer length and some issues with the quality of the housing, VIVOSUN proves to be a formidable player in this field, and more than capable of providing for your ozone needs.

Pros

  • High capacity
  • High room coverage
  • Hold feature
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Short timer length
  • Some quality control issues with housing


If you need the air purification options included in the VIVOSUN model but need a more affordable design, the Concise Home CH-0021 offers many of the same features and purification options at a reduced price.

Using the included two hour timer, you can expect up to 5,000 mg/hour ozone production–and while the manufacturer doesn’t offer a specific room size capacity for this model, it’s safe to assume that you’ll be able to cover smaller homes and apartments with relative ease. Plus, the included cotton filter will provide some basic filtration as well as air purification.

We appreciate the sturdy, heavy-duty design that’s sure to outlast this product’s three year warranty. However, the lack of hold feature can be a bit of a health concern–as you’ll need to re-enter the space every two hours to get the generator back up and running.

Otherwise, for the cost, this generator will do just nicely for low-volume needs.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Sturdy design
  • Good warranty
  • Basic filter included

Cons

  • No hold feature
  • No extra ozone plates or features

For a more residential option that comes with more than one ozone plate for extended use, Airthereal WA600 comes in an unassuming design and offers everything you need to keep your home odor-free.

Airthereal WA600 seems to be designed like a basic space heater, but boasts a modest 600 mg/hour of ozone production and has the timer and fan to purify up to 4,000 square feet of space. And while the production level is lower than we’d like, the design of this product makes it easy to leave in the home and have running while out at work.

While the hold feature is quite appreciated, we do find it a bit frustrating that no timer is given. Therefore, unless you have a way of remotely removing power from the product, you’ll need to hold your breath and turn the product off when coming home–which can be a bit of a health hazard.

Otherwise, this ozone generator is well-warranted and certainly worth considering for apartments or other residential spaces.

Pros

  • Great design
  • Good warranty
  • Hold feature included
  • Variable ozone output

Cons

  • A bit expensive
  • No timer

In spite of its comparably-low ozone production rating of 3500 mg/hour, the Mammoth Commercial Ozone Generator packs the most weight. Regardless, it is still a compact and portable unit that is easy to carry around the house.

With the ozone production capacity that it has, it’s probably best used for homes and small commercial spaces. You can, in fact, use it for areas up to 5000 sq. ft.—just like it claims—but you’d have to be prepared to vacate the space to be treated for a longer time.

Although its 6000-hour ozone plate lifespan isn’t as formidable as the one found on the Ozone Power OP3500, that figure still equates to around two years of use without having to do any replacements. It’s also worth mentioning that the replacement plate is quite affordable at only $20as of this writing.

Just like with the Enerzen model, this ozone generator’s warranty period only runs for a year. Mammoth Home has exerted effort to assure consumers of this machine’s durability though by housing it in a cast metal case. Overall, this Mammoth air purifier is a great option for budget-conscious folks who don’t really need heavy-duty, industrial-scale air purification.

Pros

  • Portable
  • Long-lasting
  • Easy and affordable replacements
  • Simple to use
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Could be more powerful
  • Short warranty
  • Relatively heavy

Our final pick is considerably more expensive than most of the other options on our list, but the higher price allows for some of the best features out of all of our other picks.

The OdorFree Villa 1000 is the only ozone generator on our list to offer adjustable ozone output. The unit can offer up to 1,800 mg/hour, which is considerably lower than many of the others on our list.

At the same time, offering consistent operation seems to be the focus here, as the built-in timer allows for up to 12 hours of continuous output. A hold feature is also included, so while the OdorFree Villa 1000 may not run quickly, it will run efficiently and for longer than others on our list.

This unit is heavier and more expensive than all others on our list. However, if you need a powerhouse of a unit with complete control over ozone output, then there’s simply no better option.

Pros

  • Adjustable ozone output
  • Long-term timer
  • Great warranty
  • Long-lasting
  • Good room coverage

Cons

  • Heavy construction
  • Low overall ozone output
  • Expensive

Comparison Chart

FEATURESVIVOSUN Industrial Commercial Ozone GeneratorConcise Home CH-0021Airthereal WA600Mammoth 3500-OGOdorFree Villa 1000
TypeCompact, plug-inCompact, plug-inCompact, plug-inCompact, plug-inCompact, plug-in
Size11.2 X 11 X 1012.8 X 11.7 X 9.38 X 8.1 X 9.58.75 x 10 x 7.7514.5 x 11.1 x 10.9
Weight7.65 lbs8.5 lbs9.15 lbs6.75 lbs9.25 lbs
Filters/
Technology
Ozone generationOzone generationOzone generationOzone generationOzone generation
Room Coverage Up to 4500 sq ftN/AUp to 4000 sq ft.Up to 5000 sq ft.Up to 4000 sq ft.
Production capacity 10000 mg/hour3500-5000 mg/hour600 mg/hour3500 mg/hour150-1800 mg/hour
TimerUp to 2 hrsUp to 2 hrsNoneUp to 2 hrsUp to 12 hrs
Hold FeatureYesNoYesYesYes

Buyer’s Guide:

Ozone Generator for Odors

Still not sure how to decipher the differences between these five models?

We don’t blame you. Perhaps more so than many other home products, ozone generators can appear to be the same from a distance. However, when you get into how these products work to make your life easier and purification simpler, you can begin to see what models may be right for you.

Aside from the usual factors like price, materials, and size, there are other features to look out for when shopping for an ozone generator.

Ozone generators don’t work like conventional air purifiers where air is sucked into the unit, purified, and released back into the atmosphere. This is why you won’t find CADR ratings for these machines. Instead, they have ozone production ratings that tell you how much ozone is produced per hour. As a rule of thumb, the higher the ozone production capacity, the more effective they are for larger spaces and the faster they can get the job done in smaller rooms.

Moreover, specs concerning coverage area aren’t as definitive in the ozone generator category as they are with conventional air purifiers. Sure, manufacturers often quote figures connected to this, but the ozone production capacity is really the most important thing to consider. Here’s the thing: ozone generators can handle even very large areas; it’s really just a matter of how long you leave the machine running.

It’s also helpful to choose a model with a timer that suits the particular space you’re planning to treat with ozone. For example, if you’re looking to deodorize a large room, then the longer the timer in the unit, the better it is for you.

The other major consideration for ozone generators is one of the features most shoppers look over–and that’s the timer.

Timers are the crucial centerpiece of ozone generators–allowing you to turn on the unit and vacate the room while the product purifies air and turns itself off, which allows for the harmful ozone to revert back into oxygen.

Each of our picks also comes with a hold functionality. This allows homeowners to circumvent the limits of the timer and run the ozone generator as long as possible.

However, buyer beware–as this feature should only be paired with an outlet on a timer or otherwise remote operation. We’ll talk more about ozone in a moment, but it is imperative that you not enter a room while an ozone generator is in operation or has recently ceased operation.

Finally, you may want to consider that the speed at which the ozone generator creates ozone may not be the speed best for your home.

The more output your ozone generator has, the faster it will fill a room with ozone. However, more output often means less efficiency. At the same time, a more dependable generator with a fan and lower output may be able to more effectively fill a room with ozone. It may just take longer.

For quick reference, here are the pros and cons of high and low-output ozone generators:

ProsCons
High-Output Ozone Generators
  • Fills rooms with ozone faster
  • Best for larger spaces
  • Faster overall operation time
  • Great for commercial use
  • Can unevenly disperse ozone
  • Less efficient
  • Can be more expensive
  • Burns through ozone plates quicker
Low-Output Ozone Generators
  • Often more affordable
  • Best for smaller spaces
  • More energy efficient
  • Often disperses ozone evenly
  • Great for private use
  • Takes longer to operate
  • Struggles in larger spaces
  • Often less durable
  • May require more frequent operation

People who are in need of heavy-duty deodorizing will find ozone generators extremely helpful. If you have incredibly smelly pets, live with a chain smoker, experience a house fire or left trash around too long to decay, using an ozone generator can help you manage these predicaments. Air purifiers for smokers may also be an option you want to consider.

Shop owners who need to maintain their commercial spaces can also benefit from ozone generators. Since a single machine can handle wider areas, they’re a more cost-effective solution compared to using multiple standard air purifiers.

  • How do ozone generators purify air?
  • Oxygen gas—the type that we breathe—exists as a combination of two oxygen atoms, O2. This is also the most stable form of oxygen. Ozone molecules (O3), on the other hand, are made up of three oxygen atoms. When air purifiers produce ozone, they’re pretty much producing a type of gas that isn’t as stable as normal oxygen. Because of this instability, they react very easily with organic material.
    This reactivity makes ozone perfect for breaking down odor molecules and airborne germs. Ozone can easily attach to and disrupt these unwanted compounds. Running an ozone generator for a few hours can completely neutralize odor-causing bacteria, viruses, mold, or other unpleasant fumes like chemical vapors and cigarette smoke.
  • Why should I get an ozone generator over other types of air purifiers?
  • There’s virtually no odor that an ozone generator will not be able to handle. As mentioned above, the secret to ozone’s odor-neutralizing power is its high reactivity. But since this is true for undesirable molecules, it could also apply to other organic materials, such as cells in the human body. This is where the main disadvantage of using ozone generators comes in, as they can be harmful to your health if not used correctly.
    Moreover, while ozone generators can’t be touched when it comes to neutralizing odors, they don’t do much against dust and particle pollutants. This is their biggest disadvantage compared to some of the best air purifiers with HEPA, carbon, and/or other physical filters.
  • What are the harmful side effects of ozone?
  • Your internal organs can potentially suffer from ozone damage if you’ve been over-exposed to ozone in the atmosphere. This particular substance can also worsen asthmatic and emphysema symptoms.
    Minor exposure to ozone can also potentially cause chest pains, coughing, throat irritation, and respiratory inflammation. As such, it’s really important that you minimize your exposure to the substance.
  • How do I avoid the harmful effects of ozone?
  • Ozone generators should only be used in empty rooms.
    After turning on your machine, make sure to vacate the space for the entire duration of the treatment. You should also wait a couple more hours after treatment to make sure that all of the generated ozone has reverted back into safer compounds.
    Unused ozone particles don’t really retain their form for a long time. Because of their instability, unreacted molecules eventually get converted back to normal, breathable oxygen after about an hour.

Final Thoughts

If you don’t mind the absence of HEPA or other similar filters to fend off dust and other particles, ozone generators are the most powerful and cost-effective solution when it comes to air purification, especially in larger spaces.

When it comes to the best overall pick, there is little competition. The VIVOSUN ozone generator excels in output, room coverage, and provides it all for a fair price. For something a little more affordable and with more than enough ozone production for rooms and smaller homes, the Concise Home CH-0021 fits the bill and costs even less than the VIVOSUN.

Otherwise, we greatly appreciate the Airthereal for a residential-focused design, the portability and the durability of the Mammoth Commercial Air Generator, and the long-term timer offered on the OdorFree Villa.

There are hardly any malodorous compounds that can stand up to the potency of ozone, and if you follow the right instructions you can easily take advantage of this fact.

Further Reading

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