Review of Pionair Air Purifiers Models

Pionair air purifiers review: Summaries and Detailed Reviews.

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Pionair Air Purifier Summaries


Model: Pionair 350/Pionair Smart Pointe 350
- Both Fair Rating
Up to 350 sqft
MSRP $389.95/$489.95
Conclusion: The least cost effective of the three sizes.
Detailed Review Below

Pionair Purifier Detailed Reviews

Summary: The Pionair 350 uses an active UV oxidation process to reduce odors, gases, VOCs, and microorganisms. The Pionair Smart Pointe 350 uses the same active process as the Pionair 350 and adds sensor limited negative ions for particle removal. If you are attempting to decide between the two versions, ask yourself how important particle removal is. If it is important, then choose the Smart Pointe version. I'm not a big fan of negative only ionization, but this unit has a limiter built in that shuts off the ionizer when a balance is achieved between negative and positive ions. This is mostly good, however if your space has mostly negative ions to start with your particle control will be limited. If you are buying this unit and you are concerned about a surplus of negative ions, The best way to test that balance would be to run the unit. If the ionizer runs most of the time, your balance is ok, if it hardly runs, the technology may be under utilized. Although this is better than most negative ionizers, I still prefer the few models that offer balanced positive and negative ionization. One last comment about air flow. This unit does not have a fan and requires proper placement and some external air flow to work efficiently. It will work "ok" in most situations. This Pionair Air Purifier is a Fair Value.

Basic Specifications:

• Designed for spaces up to 350 sqft
• Active purification technology
• Version 350: UV PhotoCatalytic Oxidation Process
• Version 350 Smart Pointe: Adds sensor limited negative ionization
• UV Lamp Modules interchange allowing larger space cleaning
• Low Maintenance
• 1 color - black
• Pionair Air Purifiers are made in the USA
• Yearly Operating Costs $193.09
• 3-year basic warranty; 1-year pro-rated on UV Lamp Module

Rating Factors:

1) Value: 12/24 points and 12/24 points - The MSRP is $389.95. The estimated square footage cleaned is 350 sqft. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 - ((($389.95 initial + $193.09/year)/350 sqft)/6 removal points)) = 72.24. 72.24 = 12 points - Fair Value. The MSRP is $489.95. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 - ((($489.95 initial + $193.09/year)/350 sqft)/8 removal points)) = 75.61. 75.61 = 12 points - Fair Value.

2) What is Removed: 6/16 points and 8/16 points - Removal of Larger Particles >0.3 microns - Poor Removal, 0-points/Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Smaller Particles <0.3 microns - Poor Removal, 0-points/Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Odors and Gases - Very Good Removal, 3-points. Removal of VOCs - Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Basic Microorganisms - Good Removal, 2-points, Removal of Advanced Microorganisms - Poor Removal, 0-points.

3) Yearly Operating Costs: 6/15 points - The only consumable is the yearly UV Lamp Module replacement which costs $99.95/year. Calculating electricity usage: 120 watts/1000 x $.0886/kwh x 24 hours/day x 365 days/year = $93.14/year. Total cost $193.09/year. Above Average to operate.

4) Quality: 7/12 points - Made in the USA. Basic design. Fit, Finish, and Workmanship - Good Quality, 3-points. Cleaning Technologies - Good Quality, 3-points. Support Material - Good Quality, 1-point.

5) Warranty: 4/8 points - The base unit has a 3-year warranty. The UV Lamp Module has a 1-year pro-rated warranty. Good Warranty.

6) Maintenance and Cleaning: 6/6 points - The only routine maintenance is replacing the UV Lamp Module every year. This is an easy change. Easy Maintenance, 3-points. The only cleaning would be dusting the outside plastic cabinet. Easy Cleaning 3-points.

7) Look and Feel: 4/6 points - This is a basic looking (a little generic) square tower purifier available in black. Looks Good, 2-points. This unit has and on/off switch. Weighs 3 lbs and measures 4" W X 11" H X 5" D. Feels Good, 2-points.

8) Years in Business: 2/5 points - Pionair has been in business for over 4 years. They are located in McDonough, GA.

9) Noise Level: 5/5 points - This purifier is virtually silent. Very Quiet Noise Level.

10) Set-Up: 3/3 points - Locate the unit per instructions and turn it on. Easy Set-up.

total = 55/100 and 57/100 points

Conclusion: The least cost effective of the three sizes.
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Summary: The Pionair 750 uses an active UV oxidation process to reduce odors, gases, VOCs, and microorganisms. The Pionair Smart Pointe 750 uses the same active process as the Pionair 750 and adds sensor limited negative ions for particle removal. If you are attempting to decide between the two versions, ask yourself how important particle removal is. If it is important, then choose the Smart Pointe version. I'm not a big fan of negative only ionization, but this unit has a limiter built in that shuts off the ionizer when a balance is achieved between negative and positive ions. This is mostly good, however if your space has mostly negative ions to start with your particle control will be limited. If you are buying this unit and you are concerned about a surplus of negative ions, The best way to test that balance would be to run the unit. If the ionizer runs most of the time, your balance is ok, if it hardly runs, the technology may be under utilized. Although this is better than most negative ionizers, I still prefer the few models that offer balanced positive and negative ionization. One last comment about air flow. This unit does not have a fan and requires proper placement and some external air flow to work efficiently. It will work "ok" in most situations. This Pionair Air Purifier is a Good Value.

Pionair Air Purifier Basic Specifications:

• Designed for spaces up to 750 sqft
• Active purification technology
• Version 750: UV PhotoCatalytic Oxidation Process
• Version 750 Smart Pointe: Adds sensor limited negative ionization
• UV Lamp Modules interchange allowing smaller/larger space cleaning
• Low Maintenance
• 1 color - black
• Pionair Air Purifiers are made in the USA
• Yearly Operating Costs $253.09
• 3-year basic warranty; 1-year pro-rated on UV Lamp Module

Rating Factors:

1) Value: 16/24 points and 16/24 points - The MSRP is $449.95. The estimated square footage cleaned is 750 sqft. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 - ((($449.95 initial + $253.09/year)/750 sqft)/6 removal points)) = 84.38. 84.38 = 16 points - Good Value. The MSRP is $549.95. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 - ((($549.95 initial + $253.09/year)/750 sqft)/8 removal points)) = 86.62. 86.62 = 16 points - Good Value.

2) What is Removed: 6/16 points and 8/16 points - Removal of Larger Particles >0.3 microns - Poor Removal, 0-points/Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Smaller Particles <0.3 microns - Poor Removal, 0-points/Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Odors and Gases - Very Good Removal, 3-points. Removal of VOCs - Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Basic Microorganisms - Good Removal, 2-points, Removal of Advanced Microorganisms - Poor Removal, 0-points.

3) Yearly Operating Costs: 3/15 points - The only consumable is the yearly UV Lamp Module replacement which costs $159.95/year. Calculating electricity usage: 120 watts/1000 x $.0886/kwh x 24 hours/day x 365 days/year = $93.14/year. Total cost $253.09/year. Expensive to operate.

4) Quality: 7/12 points - Made in the USA. Basic design. Fit, Finish, and Workmanship - Good Quality, 3-points. Cleaning Technologies - Good Quality, 3-points. Support Material - Good Quality, 1-point.

5) Warranty: 4/8 points - The base unit has a 3-year warranty. The UV Lamp Module has a 1-year pro-rated warranty. Good Warranty.

6) Maintenance and Cleaning: 6/6 points - The only routine maintenance is replacing the UV Lamp Module every year. This is an easy change. Easy Maintenance, 3-points. The only cleaning would be dusting the outside plastic cabinet. Easy Cleaning 3-points.

7) Look and Feel: 4/6 points - This is a basic looking (a little generic) square tower purifier available in black. Looks Good, 2-points. This unit has and on/off switch. Weighs 3 lbs and measures 4" W X 11" H X 5" D. Feels Good, 2-points.

8) Years in Business: 2/5 points - Pionair has been in business for over 4 years. They are located in McDonough, GA.

9) Noise Level: 5/5 points - This purifier is virtually silent. Very Quiet Noise Level.

10) Set-Up: 3/3 points - Locate the unit per instructions and turn it on. Easy Set-up.

total = 56/100 and 58/100 points

Conclusion: Better cleaning value than the 350 model.
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Summary: The Pionair 1500 uses an active UV oxidation process to reduce odors, gases, VOCs, and microorganisms. The Pionair Smart Pointe 1500 uses the same active process as the Pionair 1500 and adds sensor limited negative ions for particle removal. If you are attempting to decide between the two versions, ask yourself how important particle removal is. If it is important, then choose the Smart Pointe version. I'm not a big fan of negative only ionization, but this unit has a limiter built in that shuts off the ionizer when a balance is achieved between negative and positive ions. This is mostly good, however if your space has mostly negative ions to start with your particle control will be limited. If you are buying this unit and you are concerned about a surplus of negative ions, The best way to test that balance would be to run the unit. If the ionizer runs most of the time, your balance is ok, if it hardly runs, the technology may be under utilized. Although this is better than most negative ionizers, I still prefer the few models that offer balanced positive and negative ionization. One last comment about air flow. This unit does not have a fan and requires proper placement and some external air flow to work efficiently. It will work "ok" in most situations. This Pionair Air Purifier is a Very Good Value.

Pionair Air Purifier Basic Specifications:

• Designed for spaces up to 1500 sqft
• Active purification technology
• Version 1500: UV PhotoCatalytic Oxidation Process
• Version 1500 Smart Pointe: Adds sensor limited negative ionization
• UV Lamp Modules interchange allowing smaller space cleaning
• Low Maintenance
• 1 color - black
• Pionair Air Purifiers are made in the USA
• Yearly Operating Costs $293.09
• 3-year basic warranty; 1-year pro-rated on UV Lamp Module

Rating Factors:

1) Value: 20/24 points and 20/24 points - The MSRP is $489.95. The estimated square footage cleaned is 750 sqft. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 - ((($489.95 initial + $293.09/year)/1500 sqft)/6 removal points)) = 91.30. 91.30 = 20 points - Very Good Value. The MSRP is $589.95. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 - ((($589.95 initial + $293.09/year)/1500 sqft)/8 removal points)) = 92.64. 92.64 = 20 points - Very Good Value.

2) What is Removed: 6/16 points and 8/16 points - Removal of Larger Particles >0.3 microns - Poor Removal, 0-points/Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Smaller Particles <0.3 microns - Poor Removal, 0-points/Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Odors and Gases - Very Good Removal, 3-points. Removal of VOCs - Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Basic Microorganisms - Good Removal, 2-points, Removal of Advanced Microorganisms - Poor Removal, 0-points.

3) Yearly Operating Costs: 3/15 points - The only consumable is the yearly UV Lamp Module replacement which costs $199.95/year. Calculating electricity usage: 120 watts/1000 x $.0886/kwh x 24 hours/day x 365 days/year = $93.14/year. Total cost $293.09/year. Above Average to operate.

4) Quality: 7/12 points - Made in the USA. Basic design. Fit, Finish, and Workmanship - Good Quality, 3-points. Cleaning Technologies - Good Quality, 3-points. Support Material - Good Quality, 1-point.

5) Warranty: 4/8 points - The base unit has a 3-year warranty. The UV Lamp Module has a 1-year pro-rated warranty. Good Warranty.

6) Maintenance and Cleaning: 6/6 points - The only routine maintenance is replacing the UV Lamp Module every year. This is an easy change. Easy Maintenance, 3-points. The only cleaning would be dusting the outside plastic cabinet. Easy Cleaning 3-points.

7) Look and Feel: 4/6 points - This is a basic looking (a little generic) square tower purifier available in black. Looks Good, 2-points. This unit has and on/off switch. Weighs 3 lbs and measures 4" W X 11" H X 5" D. Feels Good, 2-points.

8) Years in Business: 2/5 points - Pionair has been in business for over 4 years. They are located in McDonough, GA.

9) Noise Level: 5/5 points - This purifier is virtually silent. Very Quiet Noise Level.

10) Set-Up: 3/3 points - Locate the unit per instructions and turn it on. Easy Set-up.

total = 60/100 and 62/100 points

Conclusion: The best Pionair air purifier value.
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