Ionizers and ozonators are two types of air purification systems that are used to improve air quality. While they both work to reduce pollutants in the air, they do so in different ways. An ozone generator produces ozone that attacks the source of the gases that cause bad smells through a process called oxidation and permanently removes the odor. This is very different from a negative ion generator, or ionizer, whose main purpose is to reduce particles, such as dust and pollen, that float in air spaces. The main difference between an ionizer and an ozonator is that ozone generators deliberately produce ozone, while ionizers can sometimes produce ozone as a by-product.
An ionizer works on the principle that negatively charged ions adhere to allergens and dust, which are positively charged particles. Then, allergens and unwanted particles fall to the floor or nearby surfaces, ready to be cleaned. Negative ions are believed to have a number of health benefits and can be found naturally in the environment in places like the beach and after a storm. Ionizers can be a cost-effective option, but they usually aren't as effective as air purifiers that trap particles in a filter (or destroy them completely). Nor can they reduce levels of VOCs or chemicals in the air.
Ions are electrically charged atoms or molecules, while ozone is a gas produced by ozone generators. Ionizers release negatively charged ions to neutralize contaminants, but they don't remove particles. Ozone generators release ozone to neutralize pollutants, but they can harm human health.
