Frequently asked
Your questions, answered.
What the device is, how you use it, who it is for and how it reaches you.
35 questions7 sections
The basics
What the device is — and what it is not.
01
What is Forest Air, exactly?
A tabletop device that works with light. Inside sits a photocatalyst. Certain light frequencies excite it, it passes that energy on to the oxygen in the room, and this activated air reaches you through a thin nasal cannula. You simply sit there and breathe calmly through your nose.
No added oxygen from a bottle, no ionisation, no ozone, nothing introduced into the body. The model is photosynthesis: when a leaf takes in more sunlight than it needs, it passes the surplus to the oxygen beside it, which holds that energy for a very short moment. Forest Air recreates that exchange — indoors, on a table.
02
Is it an air purifier?
No. An air purifier cycles the air of a whole room and traps particles in a filter — dust, pollen, smoke. Forest Air has only a small dust filter at the intake, to keep the chamber clean; it does not clean the room.
It is about something else: the air you breathe through the cannula during a session. If you want to remove particles from a room you need a purifier — Forest Air does not replace one, and a purifier does not replace this.
03
How does the device work?
In five steps, all inside the housing:
- Intake — room air enters through a dust filter.
- Light — two light sources inside emit in the near-infrared part of the spectrum, from above and from below.
- Catalyst — a photosensitiser between them absorbs that light and is itself left unchanged.
- Excitation — it passes the energy on to oxygen molecules. One of their two parallel-spinning electrons flips its spin; that excited state sits 0.98 electronvolts higher and lasts nanoseconds.
- Release — the air leaves the device through the cannula.
No ozone is produced. The excited state is so short-lived that it does not leave the device as a gas — and the oxygen content of the air stays as it is: around 21 per cent.
04
How is it different from an oxygen concentrator or an ioniser?
An oxygen concentrator raises the oxygen content of the air. An ioniser puts an electrical charge on air molecules. Forest Air does neither: nothing is added and nothing is charged. It works only with light and with the oxygen already in the room.
It also differs from related devices in one respect: some carry the energy through water. Forest Air runs dry — nothing to refill, nothing standing around to go stale.
05
Is Forest Air a medical device?
No. Forest Air is a wellness device. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease — that sentence is on the first page of every manual, and it is there for a reason.
So you will not find a claim on this site about what the device does inside the body. What we can describe: the physics behind it, how it is built, how it is used — and what owners tell us of their own accord. If you are under medical care, raise it there.
Using it
A session from setting up to switching off.
06
How do I use it?
The routine takes five minutes to learn:
- Place the device on a flat, stable surface with air around it. Not in direct sunlight, not next to a heat source.
- Connect the power supply at the back.
- Attach the nasal cannula to the nozzle. With a new cannula, let the device run for a minute or two before you put it on.
- Switch on, sit comfortably, breathe calmly through your nose.
- Switch off afterwards and stay seated for a moment.
There is nothing else to do. Some read, some carry on working, some pair the time with a steady breathing rhythm — the manual describes coherent breathing for exactly that.
07
How long, and how often?
The manuals suggest at least 30 minutes a day; many settle at half an hour to an hour. In practices and studios, 30 to 60 minutes per session is common, once or twice a week per person.
The time of day follows your rhythm — morning or evening both work. A break between two sessions is recommended.
08
Should I leave it running all the time?
No. Forest Air is built for sessions, not for running in the background all day. For the Home the manual is explicit: after an hour of use, let it cool down for an hour before switching it on again.
The Pro is built for higher throughput and repeated use — but the same principle applies: one session after another, not the whole day at a stretch.
09
What can I expect?
We cannot promise you anything, and we will not try. What we can tell you is what people write to us: many describe the air as clearer and the half hour as a quiet break in the day. Others mainly notice that they sit down once a day and do nothing.
How it goes for you depends on the room, the day and on you. The stories page carries 54 accounts word for word — unabridged, with all their shades.
10
How soon will I notice something?
It varies a great deal. Some describe a difference after the first session, others only after several weeks of regular use — and some notice nothing in particular. That belongs in an honest answer too.
If you would like to try before buying: practices and studios in several countries work with Forest Air. You can sit down there and see for yourself.
11
Can I use essential oils?
Yes, and it is entirely optional. The order matters, otherwise oil gets into the device:
- Switch the device on first, so air is flowing outward.
- Put a few drops on the end of the cannula — never into the device.
- Attach the cannula to the nozzle while the device is running.
Use good-quality oils intended for aromatic use. Not every oil suits children or sensitive people. And to be clear: Forest Air does not nebulise oils and is not an aromatherapy device — the oils are purely for the senses.
12
How do I make energised water?
Cut the end off a cannula, stand it in a glass or bottle of water and let the device run for about ten minutes. Then remove the cannula and drink the water within the hour. The manual advises against tap water.
Some owners describe the water as softer or fresher afterwards. The procedure is written up in the Home manual.
Who it is for
Who works with it — and who should ask first.
13
Who is Forest Air for?
For people who spend a lot of time indoors and would like to change something about that — at home, at the office, while travelling. And for practices, studios and wellness rooms that want to offer their guests a quiet half hour.
No prior knowledge is needed. If you can plug it in and sit still, you can use Forest Air.
14
What should I pay attention to when using it?
Forest Air is built for everyday rooms, and the manuals describe it as suitable for all ages when used responsibly. A few rules are firm: do not open or modify it, unplug it before cleaning, do not look into any light source inside, use only the supplied or a compatible cannula, and never connect the device to medical oxygen or any other gas source.
As with any change to indoor air, some people take a moment to get used to the feeling.
15
Should anyone ask first?
During pregnancy the manual recommends discussing use with a doctor beforehand — especially if essential oils are involved. Anyone under medical care is best raising it there. Children should use the device only with supervision, and out of reach of small children and animals is where it belongs anyway.
We do not give a health assessment on this — that is not ours to give. We only tell you what the manual says.
16
Can several people share one device?
Yes, one after another always. At the same time it depends on the model: the Home serves one person, the Pro two — it has six catalysts and balances them automatically, three per person, as soon as both outlets are running.
For hygiene the same rule applies to both: each person has their own labelled cannula, stored clean and dry, replaced every three months.
17
Can I use it in my practice?
Yes. The Pro is built for exactly that — two seats at once, designed for repeated use. For smaller practices the Home is often enough; the manual describes client sessions explicitly, but recommends the Pro where volume is higher.
Devices are also available to rent for client-use programmes. And if you would like to work with us long term: practices and studios in several countries are partners.
Home or Pro
Two devices, one principle — the difference is throughput.
18
What is the difference between Home and Pro?
Both work the same way and use the same process. They differ in how many people they serve at once and in the kind of room they were built for.
- Forest Air Home — £819 · two catalysts · one person at a time · compact and portable · for home, office and travel.
- Forest Air Pro — £2,799 · six catalysts · two people at once · built for practices, studios and repeated use.
Both come with portal access and guidance, and both are dispatched within one to two working days.
19
Which one fits me?
As a rule of thumb: if you are at home and usually use it alone, the Home is the right device. If two people should sit at once, or several sessions a day are planned, the Pro is built for that.
If you are unsure, describe the room to us and how many people use it. Five minutes settles it — and if neither device makes sense, we will say so.
20
Can I try a device first?
Yes. Practices and studios in several countries work with Forest Air. The partner page has a map and a searchable list — get in touch with them directly and try a device in person.
Ordering & delivery
Price, shipping, returns, warranty.
21
What does Forest Air cost?
Forest Air Home is £819, Forest Air Pro £2,799. These are net prices in pounds sterling; at checkout the amount is converted into your local currency automatically.
For orders outside the United Kingdom, import VAT and customs or handling fees may be added. Those are charged by the carrier — they are not part of our price.
22
How does it reach me?
Orders are usually processed within 1–2 working days and shipped with FedEx; the tracking number arrives by e-mail. Transit then takes roughly 5–7 working days — in the UK, in Europe and worldwide alike.
Shipping costs: free within mainland UK, £9.95 to Europe, £50 outside Europe. The amount that applies is shown before you confirm the order.
23
What is in the box?
For setting up, the manual names three parts: the device, the power supply and the nasal cannula. Keep the box — for transport, storage or a return it is the best packaging you will have.
Manual and video walkthrough are on this site, in English and German. If you would like to know exactly what ships with your order, just ask us.
24
And if it turns out not to be for me?
As a consumer you have 14 days to withdraw, without giving a reason, from the day the device reaches you. Beyond that we voluntarily grant 30 days to return — for that voluntary return the items should be unused and in original condition.
Better still, write to us first. Often it comes down to a small detail in how it is used, and a conversation settles it.
25
What warranty is there?
Every device carries a 24-month statutory warranty from the day you receive it. It covers defects in material and workmanship; where it applies, the device is repaired or replaced.
Not covered: damage from misuse or unauthorised modification, and ordinary wear — which includes cannulas and filters. To make a claim, proof of purchase and a short description are enough.
Placement, care & specs
Where it sits, what it needs over a year, what the label says.
26
Where should I put the device?
On a flat, stable surface with air around it — not in direct sunlight, not next to a radiator or stove, not in damp. Keep the air openings clear and put nothing on top of the housing.
If it stands on glass or metal, place a cloth underneath: it absorbs the vibration and makes the device audibly quieter. Keep cables away from edges and heat, and when it is not running, out of reach of small children and animals.
27
Do I need to maintain or replace anything?
Little, but regularly:
- After each session — wipe the housing with a soft, dry cloth. No harsh cleaners, no moisture.
- Once a month — take out the dust filter, rinse it under warm water and let it dry completely.
- Every three months — replace the cannula, sooner if needed. Each person has their own.
- Every five years — a professional maintenance check. Optional, but recommended.
Replacement cannulas and filters come through us; just write and tell us what you need.
28
How long do the devices last?
The technology behind them has been refined for more than two decades and is known for its durability. With the care above, devices last many years; the only wearing parts are cannulas and filters.
And if something does come up: after the purchase you have one named contact, not a queue.
29
What power does it need, and is it certified?
The power supply runs on 100–240 volts at 50/60 hertz and delivers 12 volts DC; current draw is 0.3 amps. That means the device works worldwide — it only needs the right plug adapter.
Forest Air carries the CE mark and complies with EU directives 2014/30/EU (EMC), 2014/35/EU (low voltage), 2011/65/EU (RoHS) and 2012/19/EU (WEEE). The manufacturer is SOE Health Ltd in Nottingham.
When something does not work
The six cases that reach us most often.
30
The device will not switch on.
In order: is the power supply plugged firmly into the socket on the back and into the wall? Does the wall socket carry power — try one you are sure about. And is it the supplied power supply? It delivers 12 volts DC; a third-party unit with a different voltage must not go near the device.
Abroad you only need a plug adapter, not a voltage converter: the power supply works from 100 to 240 volts. If it still will not start, write to us — you have a named contact for exactly this.
31
Hardly any air comes through the cannula.
It is almost always one of three things. First: is the cannula pushed fully onto the nozzle at the back? It has to be seated, not just resting. Second: is the tube kinked, pinched or under a chair leg? Two point one metres of tubing find a surprising number of edges. Third: when was the dust filter last rinsed?
The filter comes out once a month, goes under warm water and back in fully dry. A clogged filter is the most common reason for weaker airflow.
32
The device gets warm.
That is normal. Like a battery, the device becomes somewhat warm in use because of its light technology — it works with light, after all. Two things help: leave air all around it and put nothing on the housing.
The Home is built for sessions, not continuous operation. The manual gives a clear rule: after one hour of use, let it cool for one hour. Above 30 °C ambient temperature, choose a cooler spot.
33
The device hums or vibrates audibly.
Is it standing on glass, stone or metal? Those surfaces pass every vibration on and make it audible. A cloth or a felt mat underneath absorbs it — the manual says so too, and it is the simplest fix on this page.
Also check that the device stands level and that nothing is leaning against it.
34
There is an unfamiliar smell.
On a brand-new device this can happen during the first few sessions and settles. If you use essential oils, check the order: switch on first, then a few drops at the end of the cannula — never into the device. Oil inside the device is the one mistake that does not sort itself out.
If the smell stays, rinse the dust filter and let it dry completely. If that does not help, switch the device off and contact us.
35
The cannula presses or sits uncomfortably.
The standard length is 2.1 metres; longer versions exist if you need more freedom of movement. When replacing, look for soft medical-grade PVC or silicone — comfort depends on that more than on length.
And the rhythm: change it every two to three months, for hygiene and for comfort. Each person has their own labelled cannula. Cannulas are available from any medical supplier.
Still open?
Just ask.
If your question is not here, that is no sign it is unimportant. Write to us — we answer personally, usually on the same working day.
Not sure which device fits you?
Whether you practise or want Forest Air at home for yourself — good air does everyone good. Which of the two devices is right for that comes down to a few questions, and those take five minutes.