What is an Electrostatic Air Cleaner and How Does it Work?

The most important component of an air-cleaning device is definitely the filter, and there are several different types of it.

In this article, I will explain what an electrostatic filter is, how it works, and share my experience with air purifiers that use this type of filtration technology to clean the air.

The main difference between traditional HEPA filter air purifiers and electrostatic ones is that the second one catches airborne particles using electromagnetism. These particles attach to the filter media and remain there until you clean or wash the filter.

However, the question is: does this type of air filtration work effectively? Do they produce any harmful gases, or could they potentially harm your health? Without further ado, let’s move on and find answers to these and many other questions.

How Does an Electrostatic Air Filter Work?

There is nothing revolutionary about these filters; they perform the same function as traditional filters but get less clogged and use a different technology for filtration.

These filters use electrostatic electricity to attract dust, pollen, and other airborne particles as they pass through. There is an electric charge near filter plates, so as the air moves through, particles stick to them. Essentially, an electrostatic filter works like a magnet for dust, pollen, and other particles floating in the air.

To simplify this further, it’s similar to the principle of electrostatic attraction applied when you rub a balloon on your head and then stick it to the wall.

What I really like about electrostatic filters:

• They are washable, easy to clean, and often permanent, making them easy to maintain.
• Since this filter type is permanent, you don’t need to replace it as you would with HEPA and other similar filters, making it more cost-effective in the long run.
• Electrostatic filters are effective in capturing airborne particles, as confirmed by many performance tests.

However, there are some things that could be improved:

• This type of filtration is very ineffective at neutralizing bad odors, meaning you would need an additional activated carbon filter if you want to tackle these effectively.
• If you don’t regularly maintain and clean the filter plate, it may become dirty and lose its efficiency over time.
• The electrostatic filtration may produce ozone as a byproduct.

Overall, this is an interesting filtration technology, especially for those looking for a washable and permanent filter solution.

Do Electrostatic Air Purifiers Actually Work?

Now, having learned how electrostatic filters work, the question is: do they actually work? This is a legitimate question, especially because this filtration technology isn’t as common as HEPA.

Luckily, I had the opportunity to use and test several air purifiers that use electrostatic filtration technology. The devices I’m referring to are the Airdog X3, Airdog Pro, and OneLife X air purifiers.

What’s most common among these devices is that they are all very expensive but also don’t require almost any further investments or filter replacements. The only filter you would need to replace is an activated carbon filter, which is included in all these air purifiers, and its purpose is to help in bad odor neutralization.

Not only that, all three of the electrostatic air purifiers I tested showed outstanding results in performance tests. The only drawback I found is that these devices produce ozone as a byproduct. I’m strongly against this and usually don’t recommend devices that produce ozone.

So, yes, electrostatic air purifiers do work, and I can confirm that these devices are as effective as traditional air purifiers that use HEPA filters, and sometimes they are even more efficient.

FAQ on Electrostatic Air Cleaners

Final Thoughts

Electrostatic filtration is an interesting technology that requires no filter replacement, but only regular maintenance and cleaning.

Not many air purifiers on the market use this technology, but a few that I had the opportunity to test showed outstanding results. Also, there are many positive thoughts and experiences with such a technology. 

The biggest drawback here is the production of ozone as a byproduct, which is why I strongly recommend purchasing only electrostatic air purifiers that are CARB-certified. This ensures they don’t produce an unallowed amount of ozone.

If you have any questions about electrostatic filtration technology, feel free to ask in the comment section below.