Hey there! With all the buzz around smart home technology, you might be considering a wifi-enabled air purifier promising high-tech filtration. While the concept sounds intriguing, these flashy new models may not actually provide much extra value. Before running to the store, here are 6 downsides to keep in mind. I‘ll also suggest some simpler alternatives to cleaner air!
Smart Purifiers Often Don‘t Justify the Higher Price
Let‘s start with the reality that you‘ll pay $50-100 more for a smart purifier, mostly for the internet connectivity rather than improved cleaning. For many users, app controls don‘t add all that much convenience over just pushing a button on the unit itself.
Software Updates Risk the Purifier Becoming Obsolete
Like any internet-of-things gadget, smart models depend on the manufacturer continuing to update their software indefinitely. If they discontinue support for an older product, it could lose functionality when servers/APIs change. This fragility contrasts nicely with the mechanical simplicity of regular purifiers that can run for decades.
Lose Wi-Fi, Lose Purifying – Not Ideal
Here‘s an annoyance – smart purifiers tend to shut off without active internet connectivity. So if your home wifi goes down, as mine does more often than I‘d like, the purifier may just switch to standby mode instead of actively cleaning. For continuous operation, standard purifiers work fine offline.
Resting Too Much Can Cause Inefficiency
Let me explain – some smart models only power on when indoor contaminants pass a certain unacceptable threshold. This means lots of resting during periods of fair air quality. Allowing higher particulate fluctuations forces the purifier to work extra hard while playing catch-up after idling too long.
A Note About Potential Ozone Emissions
Now this only applies to a small minority of specialized models, but worth a mention. Some purifiers use negative ion generators which can emit ozone pollution as an unintended byproduct. Since ozone irritates airways, the EPA advises against using these types of devices. When researching any purifier, verify it doesn‘t generate ozone.
Data Privacy Issues to Consider
Finally, if network-connected monitoring devices make you uneasy about data privacy or security, that‘s understandable. By necessity, smart purifier apps request access to metrics on your indoor air quality. Their privacy policies often leave room for additional potential data gathering or selling too. While risks are generally low, it‘s one more thing to evaluate.
Let‘s Explore Some Solid Low-Tech Alternatives
Now, before discounting high-tech solutions entirely, smarter isn‘t always worse. But you can reduce air irritants without fancy app controls or algorithms too! Here are some simple and often more affordable options:
Simple Mechanical Purifiers
Sometimes the old ways just work! Focus on core features like high airflow circulation rates and quiet operation. Affordable non-smart models clean the air just as effectively, or even better in some cases than glitzy modern versions.
Natural House Plants
Did you know certain plants filter nasty gases like benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene right from indoor air? It‘s amazing – soil microbes facilitate the cleansing process. Some great choices are areca palms, English ivy, peace lilies, and snake plants. Go green!
Activated Charcoal Air Bags
Highly porous charcoal uses chemical absorption to magically trap odors, smoke, pet dander, mold and chemicals. A few small pouches replenished monthly by sunlight can passively freshen rooms for up to two years!
Himalayan Salt Lamps
Pretty pink salt crystals draw in floating microscopic allergens through natural moisture absorption. Studies confirm resulting reductions in indoor contaminants. A soft orange glow provides some nice ambiance as well.
Well, there you have it – 6 key reasons a spendy new smart air purifier may not be the miracle product marketed to be. Don‘t get me wrong, I love innovation. But sometimes companies take perfectly good products, complicate them unnecessarily, and bump up prices. Before jumping to any conclusions, consider giving some alternative cleaning solutions a try first! Let me know if you have any other questions.
