Review: I tested Vitesy’s strange little air freshener – and it actually works (aff)
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With no plugs, no scents and no maintenance, the Vitesy Deo sounds too simple to work – but this clever anti-odour gadget quietly won me over
I've reviewed plenty of gadgets over the years that promise to freshen the air. Most of them either plug into the wall, need expensive refills, or simply mask bad smells with something even stronger.
The Vitesy Deo, which I've been living with for several weeks, takes a very different approach.
In fact, when it arrived, I wasn't entirely convinced it was doing anything at all. It's a small, unassuming lump of metal and plastic that's roughly the size of a large mug. There's no power cable, no battery, no app, no buttons, no flashing lights and absolutely no setup. You simply put it where you want it to be and leave it alone.
According to Vitesy, the Deo uses catalytic technology to break down odour molecules rather than covering them up with fragrances.
The company claims it can eliminate up to 99% of odours, lasts for up to 10 years and never needs refills, batteries or maintenance. It's designed for enclosed spaces such as fridges, wardrobes, shoe cupboards, cars and under-sink cabinets.
The problem for a reviewer is that it's very difficult to test something that's supposed to work silently in the background.
There's no fan whirring away, no filter to inspect, no scent to tell you it's doing something. You can't even glance at it and see whether it's active.
What I can say is that after a couple of weeks in a particularly pungent shoe cupboard, the usual waft of stale trainers seemed noticeably reduced. The same happened when I moved it into a cupboard under the sink that normally carries a faint but persistent drain smell.
I can't scientifically prove the little gadget was solely responsible. But I also can't ignore the fact that the spaces I tried it in seemed fresher than usual.
It's also worth adding that I've been living with another of Vitesy's products, the Shelfy, for a few years now - it's an active, rechargeable fridge purifier, and it's excellent.
What I particularly like about the Deo, though, is the concept. Most odour solutions are disposable. You buy a spray, a gel pot, a charcoal bag or a scented diffuser and eventually it needs replacing. Vitesy says the catalyst inside the Deo doesn't get used up, allowing it to work for up to a decade without maintenance.
If that's true, the maths starts to make sense. Because it costs around £25 per unit. And while that's hardly expensive, it's significantly more than a box of baking soda or a scented candle. You're paying upfront for something that promises to save money in the long run.
The Vitesy Deo isn't exciting. It won't transform your life. It doesn't have an app, RGB lighting or AI. What it does offer is a refreshingly low-maintenance solution to everyday smells.
Put it somewhere unpleasant, forget about it, and chances are that space will smell a bit better a few days later. I guess you really can't ask for more than that.