vicwang's Full Review: Surround Air XJ-2000 Air Purifier
I've had a Sharper Image Ionic Breeze Compact Quadra (IB) for a couple years now (and been very happy with it), but when I heard about the XJ-2000--which appeared to be a comparable product but for about half the cost--I figured I might as well pick one up and see how it compares. For only $79 from www.surroundair.com, I figured it was a pretty low-risk buy, and I needed a separate air purifier for downstairs anyway.
Unfortunately, when I opened the box the first thing I noticed was the obviously low quality of the materials. The plastic was really light and flimsy, practically the opposite of the far more dense and robust material used in the construction of the Ionic Breeze. It was also much smaller than I imagined; it's hard to compare the XJ-2000 to the IB due to the different dimensions (horizontal vs vertical), but I would say it's about half the size (Note that I have is the "Compact" version of the IB, which is about 2/3 the size of the Regular IB).
The first thing I did was check out the collection grid (the metal "plates" which actually catch the dust) to see how large the grid was and get an idea of how easy it was to clean. I quickly discovered the biggest difference between the XJ-2000 and the IB: Instead of a quick, one step process of pulling out the IB's collection grid, cleaning it, and sliding it back in, the XJ-2000 requires you to unscrew the grid via two thumbscrews, then replace the grid and screw it back into place.
Not only is removing it a pain, getting it back in is even more of a pain: You have to make sure you're screwing in both thumbscrews with both hands simultaneously to prevent it from going in crooked, and if it doesn't go in perfectly straight you have to unscrew it and screw it back in again. Very awkward and annoying to say the least.
In terms of the actual time required, it's less than one minute to remove and replace the grid, but for someone who's accustomed to the IB--which literally takes less than one SECOND to remove and replace the grid--it's pretty freaking annoying. Especially since I like to pull out the grid and check it periodically to see if it needs to be cleaned. That's not practical with the XJ-2000.
As for the actual grid itself, it's even smaller proportionately (compared to the IB) than the actual unit. In other words, while the unit is roughly half the size of the IB, the collection grid is roughly 1/5 the size. But does that mean it's roughly 1/5 as effective? Not necessarily, but in this particular base I would say the answer is yes.
From a purely subjective standpoint, judging from the amount of dust which has actually collected on the XJ-2000's collection grid since I've purchased it (which is very little), it simply does not appear that this unit is very effective. The amount of dust actually removed from the air is not nearly what I expected and not nearly as much as the IB collects.
A few other problems with this device.
1) The amount of ion/ozone production is FAR greater than the IB. Ozone production in very small amounts can be a good thing, since it reacts with airborne particles to help remove them from the air, and may also kill germs. Some also find the smell of very small amounts of ozone to be pleasing. However in excess it can be bad for your health and unpleasant to be around due to the noxious smell. It's important to note that the XJ-2000's ozone production is within legal limits, but believe me, the ozone levels produced by this device are far greater than any other air purifier I have been around, and it is not pleasant to be within a few feet of the unit. The IB, on the other hand, produces only very mild amounts of ozone which has never been a problem for me.
Of course, the XJ-2000 website touts its excess ion/ozone production as a good thing, equating it to increased effectiveness. But if that's the case, why is the amount of dust actually collected on the grid far LESS than that collected by the IB, despite outputting MORE ions/ozone? Something doesn't add up.
2) For a unit that touts itself as a "silent" purifier, the XJ-2000 is LOUD. It basically produces a constant "hiss" at a pretty high frequency, easily loud enough to be heard from about 10 feet away. If you're going to put one in your bedroom, you'll want it as far away from your bed as possible due to the noise and the aforementioned ozone smell.
As you can tell, I'm not terribly pleased with the XJ-2000, and if I paid more than $79 I would have returned it by now. But is it worth the $79 price I paid? It's hard to say. Sharper Image is currently selling the Ionic Breeze Compact Quadra for $250, but if you buy two they average out to $187.50 each. For twice the cost (per unit) vs the XJ-2000, you would definitely be getting something more than twice as good.
Now it's important to note that on eBay, you can buy older models of the XJ-2000 for $30-40. I believe the difference is the collection grids are not polished stainless steel but a different kind of metal. These might be worth checking out for such a low price, but then again you can also buy Ionic Breeze's from eBay for a significant discount as well (for refurbished or returned units).
Oh and one more thing, I've noticed that occasionally they mark up price of the XJ-2000 (at www.surroundair.com) to an astronomical $150 EACH. It's obvious what they're trying to do: reduce the price to $79 a few days later, and say it's "ON SALE" for almost "50% off". Of course you would have to be certifiably insane to actually pay $150 for one of these things.
The "$50 lowest price" listed on this site (Epinions) is also misleading. The company selling them for $50 is selling the older version, while the $59 price listed for SurroundAir.com is only if you buy multiple units.
The bottom line is, between the XJ-2000 and the Ionic Breeze Quadra, there is really little reason to get the XJ-2000 unless you're just seriously strapped for cash. Spend a little more money for an IB and you're getting a far superior product for only a moderate difference in price.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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