Ionic air purifiers are not filter systems. Ionic air purifiers work by sending out negatively charged ions into the air of your home. The ions latch onto chemicals and particles such as dust, tobacco smoke, and pollen, causing them to become attracted to each other and to the interior surfaces of your home. The result is that they drop right out of the air. You wipe, mop, and vacuum the precipitant as part of your regular chores. This may seem like a dirty way to purify the air, but many machines are highly effective at it.

Some ionic air purifiers have fans and others don