ASUS now sells an Air Ionizer computer monitor. Available in three sizes, the monitor should remove odor and fine particulates, such as pollen, from the air around your desk.

This monitor is not an “air purifier.” Rather, it contains an integrated, filterless air ionizer—a small machine that releases positively or negatively-charged ions into the air. These ions attach to airborne particles like pollen or dust, leaving them with a static charge. Then, like a balloon that’s been rubbed on a wool shirt, the airborne particles become attracted to surfaces. They’re pulled out of the air.

There are several different types of air ionizers. ASUS is using a nano-ion system for water-based ionization, which should provide better deodorizing effects than other consumer-grade ionizers.

However, the Air Ionizer Monitor has a very limited range. It’s hard to find any exact measurements here, but ASUS claims that the monitor can “remove up to 90% of airborne dust” after three hours in “an enclosed 1m space.” Unless your office is the size of a shoebox, the monitor is unlikely to provide any noticeable deodorizing or dust-busting effects beyond your desk.

And because the monitor lacks an integrated filter, it doesn’t get rid of dust. It just makes the dust cling to surfaces like your wall, your desk, and your floor. There’ll be less dust and pollen in the air, but you’ll need to wipe things down more often.

Okay, but Is It a Good Monitor?

Gimmicks aside, the ASUS Air Ionizer Monitor is pretty typical for a monitor in the $100 to $350 price range. The 23.8 and 27-inch models utilize a 1080p IPS display, while the 34-inch version boasts a 1440p resolution, VA panel, and ultrawide 21:0 aspect ratio.

Each version of the ASUS Air Ionizer Monitor is locked to a 100Hz refresh rate. They also support VRR and have a 1ms response time, so they’re genuinely reasonable options for gaming, and they’d be more than fine in an office environment.

ASUS also includes some nice quality of life features with the Air Purifier Monitor. Video inputs include HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C. Connecting a laptop via USB-C unlocks a pair of USB ports on the back of the monitor, which you can use for mice or other accessories. The monitor’s stand is also quite nice, with an elegant cable passthrough and hight-adjustable arm.

A Note About Ozone

Before we wrap things up, I should note that air ionizers produce ozone, an odor-neutralizing gas that, with prolonged or excessive exposure, can harm your respiratory system. Consumer devices are designed to generate less than 0.05ppm of ozone per FDA regulations, and small air ionizers typically produce an undetectable amount of the gas. Nano-ion systems, such as the one utilized in this ASUS monitor, are specifically marketed for their minimal ozone emissions.

I can’t find an ozone emissions rating for the ASUS Air Ionizer Monitor, but given its “effective coverage area of 1m” and use of a nano-ion system, its output is likely negligible. In any case, ≤0.05ppm of ozone shouldn’t be a concern in a room with decent ventilation. And if your room is poorly ventilated, then ozone is really the least of your concerns—crack open a window or do something else to improve airflow. (For reference, air purifiers and ionizers do not provide ventilation, they simply remove particles from the air.)

The ASUS Air Ionization Monitor is an interesting product that may appeal to people with allergies, the parents of stinky teenagers, or those who work in shared office environments. That said, a dedicated air purifier with ionization technology is probably a far better option.

You can buy the ASUS Air Ionization Monitor today. The 23.8-inch model costs $130, while the 27-inch and 34-inch versions are $160 and $360, respectively.

Source: ASUS