A product should live up to its advertisements. I have found that with most if not all Sharper Image products the main dish is mostly sizzle, and not much real product. Todays health conscious boomers demand clean water and clean air. So I have a RO (reverse osmosis) system for clean water and I got the Ionic Quadra Breeze for clean air. I felt good not paying retail by using the Sharper Image Auction site (this is guaranteed to fill your e-mail in box with junk ads as well as snail mail catalouges that seem to come weekly now). It was 165 ducats plus mailing.

It looks sharp and worked noiselessly for a week. Then the sizzle began and has stayed. I have cleaned the thing numerous times, moved it around and still the sizzle. I had cleaned it so much the plastic cleaning tab has worn or burned away. And did I tell you it sizzles, even louder than a bug-zapper. If you are a light sleeper this thing has to be at least three rooms away. Unfortunately the sound it makes reminds me of electrical short circuit that cause fires. The machine appears to be safe in that respect, but the noise is frightening if you wake up at night and think your Xmas tree has caught fire.

The machine does work to some extent. However, in a match between my 32 inch color television screen which also collects dust in a high tech electro-static fashion, the TV screen collects as much dust as does the Ionic Breeze.

If you have cash to burn and want to impress your friends with your good taste then this machine is for you. While in the long run a true HEPA air/cleaner filter is more expensive, it probably is worth it if you really need cleaner air.

Update: The tag on the Quadra machine says don't insert the core when wet, and I did. The result was a burned off the yellow plastic scraper tab. To fix this, I cut a duplicate out of exposed 35 mm film and super glued it to the stub. It works. Well after lots of experimenting I found you can reduce the sizzle. Always wipe the exterior rungs on the back as they collect dust. The particles seem to get electrocuted when drawn into the machine. Keep the back clean!

And thoroughly clean the core insert, each layer, and the end plastic also. It must be squeaky clean. Then let it dry at least 24 hours lest you burn your tab off also. It will now make less noise but a few days to a week later, its back again.

I have to admit it may be starting to overtake the TV screen in dust collection effectiveness.

Recommended: No

Amount Paid (US$): 165.00
Noise Level: Somewhat loud