Air Sanitizer Vs Air Purifier: What’s The Difference?

When you want healthier and cleaner indoor air, investing in a device that can do the job for you will be a great relief. Thus, two devices will suit your purpose superbly. It includes, firstly, an air purifier and, secondly, an air sanitizer.

At first glance, you might consider both the air purifier and air sanitizer as the same device. But, they have a difference in their filtering process, functioning, and subtle design. That’s why you should understand the difference between air sanitizer vs. air purifier to know which will fit your necessity better.

Usually, an air purifier will use a pre-filter, HEPA, or activated carbon to clean dirty air. On the contrary, air sanitizers will use ozone, UV-rays, or ionizers to filter the dirty air. You need to assess your requirements and preference to select which air cleaning machine will match your necessity better.

We will discuss the basic differences between these two machines and their pros and cons so that you can finalize your decision. Also, we will share our expert opinion on who is the real winner based on your research and discussion.

So, are you ready?

Air Sanitizer Vs. Air Purifier – Which is the Best?

Air sanitizer and air purifiers accomplish almost the same task. Yes, both devices are designed to clean your home air to provide a healthy indoor. However, they have different filtering processes and subtle differences in efficiency, durability, and maintenance.

Air sanitizers Overview

Air sanitizers are an excellent investment to enjoy pollutant-free indoor space. These devices need the least maintenance as it doesn’t work with filters. Plus, air sanitizers will work for an extended period without affecting the moisture level of your home.

What are Air sanitizers & what does it do?

As the name suggests, air sanitizer sanitizes or neutralizes the contaminant elements and particles from the air. The device may use any technology, appliance, or sanitizing substance to kill or disinfect airborne pollutants effectively.

Air sanitizers don’t trap the air to filter it, unlike the air purifier. Instead, it uses sanitizing technology or substances to work directly on the airborne contaminants to kill or disinfect them. Thus, it doesn’t affect the humidity level of the air.

Air sanitizer will use the following techniques to clean your indoor air.

• The ionic air sanitizer releases ions into the environment. The ions will bond with the pollutants and sterilize them to purify the air.
• UV Air cleaners will produce shortwave ultraviolet rays to kill the germs and micro-particles. These machines through light-carrying UV-ray to cleanse the air.
• Ozone air sanitizers use ozone gas to kill and disinfect the contaminants. Its working procedure is similar to ionic air cleaners. It is also known as ozone generators.

The benefit of Air sanitizers

Air sanitizers are a popular home remedy to kill germs and eliminate pollen and allergens. You will also find the machines pretty long-lasting without any extensive maintenance. The key advantages of an air sanitizer include the following ones.

• Air sanitizers are exceedingly brilliant at cleansing the air. Its success ratio is quite impressive as it kills or disinfects the pollutants instead of trapping them.
• Air sanitizers effectively kill germs, including bacteria and viruses. Thus, it reduces the chance of different diseases at home.
• As the machines kill micro-organisms and pollutants, they effectively eliminate foul odor from the indoor air.
• Air sanitizers are affordable and need the least maintenance as they don’t use filters. Also, it boosts their lifespan superbly.

The disadvantage of Air sanitizers

Air sanitizers deliver outstanding benefits to cleanse the home interior and improve your living standard. But, it has a few drawbacks as well. It includes:

• Although air sanitizers will remove pollutants from the air, it doesn’t work against larger pollens, allergens, and dust. Thus, it isn’t a great option if you suffer from allergic symptoms.
• Some air sanitizers such as ionic and ozone air cleaners produce ozone gas. It is harmful to both human beings and the environment. Also, long exposure to UV rays can affect your health badly.
• Air sanitizers are usually noisy. Thus, it isn’t a good investment for sound sleep.

Air Purifiers Overview

Air purifiers mostly work with different filters to trap the indoor air inside the device and then purify it as the trapped air passes through the filters. It works with HEPA or activated carbon to filter the air instead of sanitizing the pollutants like the air sanitizer.

Air purifiers can be battery-operated or corded. If you work in an office and need to filter the air, you may invest in a battery-operated air purifier for desk use for the best results.

What is Air Purifier & what does it do?

An air purifier will work with multiple filters to cleanse the indoor air and remove contaminants from the air. The machine usually has a fan that draws the air inside, and then the air passes through the filter. Consequently, the air gets purified and then is released into the environment.

• Air purifiers often come with pre-filters. It is used to catch large pollutants such as dander and pollen.
• HEPA filters are the most popular air purifiers. You will see its application in hospitals and other health institutions for their fine filtering capacity.
• Activated carbon-based air purifiers work best against VOCs. The main material is activated carbon or charcoal.

To know more about air purifiers, you may watch the following video.

The benefit of Air Purifier

Air purifiers are incredibly popular for their efficiency in filtering and cleaning nearly all kinds of pollutants from the air. Their most common benefits include the following ones.

• Air purifiers can filter and trap large and small contaminants and chemicals from the air. So, you will get the most effective air cleaning service from these machines.
• The machine will remove foul odor from the indoors to offer you a nice pleasant feel. Some models even allow you to use essential oil as a fragrant source.
• Air purifiers don’t release any harmful gasses into the environment. Hence, it is 100% safe for humans and the environment.
• These machines will work almost quietly. So, you won’t experience any buzzing sound that could disturb your sleep.
• You can replace or wash the filters to improve their performance. Thus, you will never leave with a dissatisfactory performance from the air purifiers.

The disadvantage of Air Purifier

Air purifiers are great at filtering indoor air. But it comes with a few tradeoffs that you must know before buying it.

• Since you need to wash or replace the filters timely, it could be a costly investment. Also, the maintenance work is time-consuming.
• The filters will trap the pollutants inside them instead of killing them. Consequently, the filters will develop contaminants and become a breeding ground for the virus.

What Is The Difference Between An Air Sanitizers And Air Purifier?

We have discussed the benefits and disadvantages of air purifiers and air sanitizers. So, it’s time to look at the distinctions between these two devices. It will help you quickly know which device you should choose.

1. The difference in working procedure

Air purifiers will work with different filters to cleanse the air. It traps the pollutants inside the filters and releases the purified air into the environment. On the contrary, air sanitizers will work with UV light, ionizer, or ozone gas to kill and disinfect the pollutants. It doesn’t trap the contaminants, unlike the air purifiers.

2. Change in humidity level

Air purifier draws the air from the environment, clean it through the filters, and releases it back into the indoor surrounding—the humidity level of the surrounding space changes during this entire process. Although the change of humidity level is minimal, it might cause your nosebleed and sores. On the contrary, air sanitizers work directly to kill the pollutants. So, it doesn’t affect the humidity level of the surrounding.

3. Effectiveness

Air purifiers will trap viruses, bacteria, pollen, allergen, VOCs, and pet dander. On the contrary, sanitizers will work mostly with micro-organisms such as viruses and bacteria. It fails to trap or kill the larger pollutants and isn’t as effective as the air purifiers.

4. Maintenance and replacement

Air purifiers will use filters, and these filters have a definite lifespan. Therefore, you need to wash and clean the filters to help them continue their work. It means you need to invest time and money to clean and replace the filters of these devices. It can often be a costly investment.

On the contrary, air sanitizers don’t need any replacement and regular cleaning as these machines don’t use any filters. So, these devices are pretty much a one-time investment.

5. Health safety

Air purifiers will always stay ahead of air sanitizers when it comes to health safety. Activated carbon or HEPA filters don’t contain any health hazards. On the contrary, the air sanitizer’s UV rays or ozone gas can hurt both human health and the environment. So, many physicians discourage the use of air sanitizers.

Winner?

There’s no clear winner between air sanitizer vs. air purifiers. While air purifiers work better against pollen, pet dander, and allergens, their effectiveness against viruses and bacteria is questionable. On the contrary, air sanitizers will superbly kill and disinfect viruses and bacteria. Thus, it ensures healthier air without any micro-pollutants.

Nonetheless, you can’t have both devices at home as it will cost you severely. But don’t worry. The HealthSmart Air Purifier and Air Sanitizer will serve you with both purposes. The machine has UV rays to kill the germs, and its fan works to circulate the air for ventilation. It covers 300 square feet of space and is a great option for home and desk uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are UV C air sanitizers safe?

UV-C lights can kill germs, mold, and mildew with excellent efficiency. However, some UV-C light-based sanitizers might produce ozone gas as a by-product. It can be harmful to the environment.

Why are air purifiers bad for you?

An air purifier will often release drier air and affect the moisture level. It could be problematic if you suffer from sinusitis. Also, long exposure to the devices might hurt your nose to cause bleeding.

Is an air purifier with UV safe?

Air purifiers with UV rays are generally pretty safe unless it generates ozone as a by-product. UV rays effectively disinfect viruses and bacteria to save you from different diseases.

Do I need air purifier if I have AC?

Yes, you must use an air purifier even if you have an AC at home. ACS won’t purify the air. It only cools the indoor air during warm days. Hence, you must invest in an air purifier to enjoy cleaner and healthier indoor air.

Final Thoughts

The discussion between air sanitizer vs. air purifiers highlights that both devices are brilliant at killing, trapping, and removing pollutants of all kinds from the interior space. Henceforth, the final selection will depend on your requirements. Usually, air purifiers these days also include UV-rays. Thus, we suggest you get a HEPA-filter-based air purifier and UV-C function to meet both ends successfully.