AirSource 3000 Review

What the reviewers like:
The AirSource 3000 air purifier has its fans, who like this machine’s unique ionic air-cleaning system (which, however, is not recommended for occupied rooms because it produces so much ozone).

What the reviewers don’t like:
One source who’s tried out the AirSource 3000 air purifier says it’s not nearly as effective as the manufacturer claims, because it doesn’t move enough air to effectively clean large rooms.

AirSource 3000 review highlights

The AirSource 3000 works differently from other air purifiers, in that it emits a steady stream of negative ions that attach themselves to positively charged particles of pollen or mold -- which then drop to the floor and can be vacuumed up. (In other words, this machine is meant to be run for short periods of time in unoccupied rooms.) Shaklee, which manufactures the AirSource, claims it can clean 3,000 square feet, but Dan Schilling at ModernSolutionsInc.com points out that this machine doesn’t move much air, which limits its effectiveness. For the money, the IQAir HealthPro (*est. $700), which uses plain old HEPA filtration, has been proven effective in controlled tests.

The AirSource 3000 air purifier has yet to be subjected to rigorous testing by the likes of Consumer Reports or Air-Purifiers-America.com -- and it also hasn’t attracted any reviews from owners at sites such as Epinions or Amazon.com. Fortunately, though, we were able to find two writeups of this ionic air cleaner, a critical essay at ModernSolutionsInc.com and a more cheerleading piece at Associated Content. Overall, there's not enough unbiased data out there on the AirSource to draw major conclusions.

Also see full report: Air Purifiers

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. ModernSolutionsInc.com
Air Source 3000 by Shaklee
Dan Schilling

Dan Schilling, who’s billed as a "building inspector and indoor air specialist," analyzes what he calls Shaklee’s "spin language" in promoting the AirSource 3000. He also disparages Shaklee’s claim that the AirSource produces beneficial amounts of ozone. However, this website sells air purifiers, so may have ulterior motives in disparaging the AirSource.

2. AssociatedContent.com
Choosing an Air Purification System
D.B. Cressman
Aug. 22, 2005

Once you get past the lack of paragraph breaks, this article provides a fairly helpful overview of ionic air purifiers. The author says that unlike The Sharper Image Ionic Breeze Quadra -- which adds a negative charge to air molecules that enter the machine -- the AirSource 3000 emits a steady stream of negative ions, which attach themselves to particles of dust or pollen and cause them to drop to the floor (where they can later be vacuumed up).

Also see full report: Air Purifiers