XJ-2000: more bang for your buck compared to the Ionic Breeze

Like the reviewers of 03/30/04 and 04/25/05, I too own or owned both the XJ-2000 and Ionic Breeze. However, my findings were significantly different. Rather than focus on the manufacturer's pricing strategy or ones ability/inability to remove a collection grid and replace it, my comparison concentrates on the technological merits of each unit.

Since the amount of debris captured by the grid is due, in part,to the number of negative ions produced my the unit, I found the Ionic Breeze's two needlepoints insufficient to offer even marginal ion generation. If fact, after using two Ionic Breeze's for more than three weeks, there was nothing more than a thin film of dust on the collection grid. Even if one takes into consideration that the majority of negative ions, those outside of a three or four foot radius of the unit, will attach themselves to items in the room rather than the collection grid itself, the Ionic Breeze's capacity to generate the necessary volume of ions to offer any of the theoretical benefits attributed to negative ions is simply inadequate.

On the other hand, the XJ-2000 uses 16 needlepoints to generate negative ions, which has the exact opposite outcome. The collection grid over a two week period required cleaning due to the large scale deposits. Even if we take into account the difference in the surface area of the XJ-2000's collection grid as compared to that of the Ionic Breeze, the XJ-2000 performance was measurable superior. I should also add that the amount of debris on the collection grid is not necessarily a sound indication of a unit's performance since, as mentioned earlier, most of the negative ions attached themselves to other items in a room. The grid's primary purpose, in my opinion, is to prevent "black wall" in the vicinity of the unit.

Another key component of the effectiveness of this type of systems is positioning. The Ionic Breeze was designed as a floor based unit. Not to say it cannot be placed higher up, however, aesthetics become an issue at this point. At any rate, negative ions are distributed via air circulation in a room - they are not self propelled. The XJ-2000's form factor is much more conducive to positioning the unit on a shelf or cabinet to optimize the distribution of the ions throughout a room by utilizing the higher air flow rates at the ceiling. A unit such as the Ionic Breeze is, for all practical purpose, confined to the floor where its already limited capacity (low negative ion count) is further reduced.

Now just to be fair about it, the XJ-2000's 16 needlepoints do have the potential negative, no pun intended, ramification of increased ozone production. Ozone production is an inherent consequence of negative ion generation. The more needlepoints the more ozone. The goal here is to minimize ozone production, which can affect one's health, while realizing the benefits of the negative ions. Frankly, if you place any negative ion generator in a closed area (no air circulation) with nothing present in the air for ozone to combine with, over time levels are going to exceed any established health guidelines. Obviously, the XJ-2000 with its higher needle count will hit these levels in a shorter span of time than the Ionic Breeze.

This is where the XJ-2000's interval mode (2 minutes on/3 minutes off) works perfectly. Contrary to comments in other reviews, this function works extremely well. Since the unit is only on a fraction of the time in interval mode, less ozone is produced. One should realize that production of negative decreases as well. Nonetheless, the XJ-2000 still produces a significantly higher number of ions in this mode than the Ionic Breeze running full tilt.

One final note on ozone relative to my aforementioned comments on positioning of the two units. Because the Ionic Breeze is a floor based unit, I had to place it close to my bed to realize any benefit from it at night. However, at that point the ozone became an irritant. Whereas, the XJ-2000 is placed on a shelf some eight feet from my bed where, again, the negative ions are distributed throughout the room via normal air currents. And, its running in interval mode to boot...ozone production well below established guidelines.

Last, but not least, I will address the quality and cleaning of the XJ-2000. The ABS plastic is not flimsy or otherwise inferior to the Ionic Breeze. The unit is of solid construction. I have been using them for over three years now without issue. Unlike the Ionic Breeze, they are small enough to be placed in a location where they benefit from natural air currents and are virtually invisible. I have a simulated wood grain unit that blends right into the shelf on which it rests. The Ionic Breeze, on the other hand, cannot be concealed at all. To get any benefit whatsoever from the unit requires placing it in the most intrusive of locations. This coupled with its performance and price were sufficient to move me to the XJ-2000 and return my two Ionic Breezes. Cleaning the XJ-2000 is easy if you are capable of turning to thumb screws. Yes, you do have to insure the thumb screws are evening torqued as you replace the collection grid. Else, it will get wedged a bit and require repositioning. Don't worry, I don't see anyone taxing their mental wherewithal to clean the unit as compared to the Ionic Breeze.

Whether or not one opts for this type of system is a personal decision which should be based on research. The benefits of negative ions are theoretical and ozone is definitely a known irritant which may affect one's health. But, if you have made the choice, save your money and go with the XJ-2000. Simply insure you shop for the best price. A fool and his/her money are soon parted.