Molekule Air Purifier Review

This product was reviewed by Consumer Rating and gave Molekule a
9.8 out of 10 rating.

9.8 out of 10 rating.

What is the Molekule Air Home Air Purifier?

It’s stylish—that’s for starters. With its cylindrical shape, touch-screen display and (vegan) leather strap for easy transport, the Molekule Air is an aesthetically-pleasing contrast to the bulkier, more boxy purifiers on the market. But beneath that sleek design is a revolutionary air purification technology that’s more than two decades in the making and unique to this brand, which is yet another reason we consider the Molekule Air one of the best air purifiers on the market. Molekule’s patented PECO (or Photo Electrochemical Oxidation) technology removes and destroys a broad spectrum of pollutants—from the larger particles, like pollen and dust, to the stuff you can’t see, such as mold spores, odors, bacteria, viruses and airborne chemicals.

The “destroy” part is what makes the Molekule’s process so innovative. Unlike many air purifiers that use HEPA filters to collect particulates from the air, Molekule actually captures, oxidizes (or breaks down) and then destroys pollutants—including gaseous volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are about 1,000 times smaller than what HEPA filters can capture, according to company claims. Some manufacturers use carbon filters in their purifiers to reduce VOCs; the way they work is the gaseous pollutants stick to the outside of the tiny carbon particles as air passes through. Molekule’s technology, however, breaks down the molecular structure of these organic compounds, destroying the toxic VOCs instead of just collecting them.

As impressive as the technology sounds, what matters is how well it works. Independent laboratory testing conducted in a sealed chamber shows the Molekule Air removes 79 percent of pollen from the air in 10 minutes, 84 percent of dust in 20 minutes, and 85 percent of smoke in 22 minutes. Similar tests on VOCs found the Molekule Air removed more than 99 percent of the compound D-Limonene (a citrus fragrance found in many lemon-scented cleaning products) in three hours. It also removed 90 percent of formaldehyde in eight hours. In your home, the Molekule Air can effectively clean a 600 square foot room, providing a full air replacement within one hour. Plus, PECO technology doesn’t generate ozone, as some purifiers do. In fact, research has shown Molekule air purifiers actually reduce background concentrations of ozone.

Some other cool techy features: The Molekule Air is Wi-Fi enabled, so you can control the purifier and view filter status with the Molekule app and your smartphone. It’s also designed with a 360-degree air intake (so air enters from every angle); and when set to “silent” mode, it runs no louder than a whisper.

How it Works

The Molekule Air operates on a two-filter system: First, the Pre-Filter captures large allergens, like dust and pet hair. Then the air makes its way to the PECO-Filter—and this is where the patented Molekule technology happens. Low-energy ultraviolet (UV-A) light shines onto the PECO-Filter that’s specially coated with proprietary nanoparticles. This activates a chemical reaction on the surface of the filter that breaks down and destroys pollutants to their most basic molecular components. The purifier then releases the now-harmless molecules back into the air, thus reducing the presence of harmful pollutants. Because Molekule’s technology is not limited by particle size, it can destroy the full spectrum of pollutants, including airborne viruses and the most microscopic VOCs.

When the Molekule starts the purification process, it performs an initial air cleanup—how long that takes depends on the size of the room you select when you first set up the purifier (under 200 sq. ft, 200 to 400 sq. ft. or over 400 sq. ft.). Put the Molekule Air on “auto,” and it will maintain the room’s air quality. “Boost” mode runs the purifier at maximum speed for a stronger cleanup, and “silent” sets the lowest (and quietest) speed. When the purifier is running, the PECO process emits a blue light—select “dark” mode to turn that UV light off if it bothers you while you sleep. The Molekule will continue to filter pollutants, but without the light, it can’t destroy them.

Only when you connect the Molekule Air to WiFi will it indicate the status of your Pre-Filter and PICO-filter (both on the display and in the app). The Pre-Filter needs to be replaced every three months, and the PECO-Filter every six months. Molekule doesn’t recommend vacuuming or washing either filter for a few reasons: Vacuuming can release and re-introduce pollutants back into your air, and washing could potentially cause mold to grow if the filters are not dried fully. Instead, the company offers filter auto-refill plans, where replacement filters are automatically sent every six months (to help take the remembering out of reordering).

How Much is a Molekule Air Purifier?

The Molekule Air will cost you $799, and the company offers flexible payment plans for qualified buyers.

Molekule also offers a money back guarantee: Try the purifier for 30 days, and if you’re dissatisfied, send it back for a full refund, including shipping charges.

When you purchase a Molekule Air, you are automatically enrolled in a filter auto-refill plan. Every six months, you’ll receive two Pre-Filters and one PECO-filter for $65 (shipping is free). Auto-refills are charged at the time of shipment; you can cancel or make changes at any time. You can also purchase replacement filters individually: One pack of Pre-Filters (contains two) is $60 and one PECO-Filter is $80. Bundle filter packages are also available for a discount.

Keep an eye out for special promotions, which can include discounts on purifiers, savings on bundles, and free shipping.

How Does it Compare

With so many air purifiers on the market, how do you know which is best for you? Here’s how Molekule Air compares:

Where to Buy Molekule Air Purifier

Ordering your Molekule Air is just as easy as using it: Order online or call to purchase.

Most orders ship the next business day (though on occasion, it may take two to three business days). Once it ships, you’ll receive a shipping confirmation email with a tracking number.

Your Molekule Air will arrive with filters in place (plus one additional Pre-Filter to change after three months), and can be placed anywhere you need. At night, it’s recommended you put the Molekule close to your bedside to create a clean, sleep breaking zone.

More Molekule Home Air Purifiers

Molekule Air is the company’s flagship purifier, but other models—all equipped with the PECO technology—are also available, including:

Molekule Air Purifier Mini: This is similar to the Air in terms of features, but is better suited for smaller rooms up to 250 square feet, stands about one feet tall, and is designed to sit on a table or counter. Plus, it was recently cleared by the FDA for medical use to destroy bacteria and viruses, including the testing of proxy viruses for novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza. While it hasn’t been tested on SARS-CoV-2 specifically, it does meet the performance criteria outlined in FDA guidance for use in reducing exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Cost: $399.

Molekule Air Purifier Mini+: It’s the same size as the Air Mini, covers the same 250 square feet of space and also earned FDA clearance for medical use, but the plus means it comes with some added benefits, including a sensor to detect the concentration of particulates in the air, a particle level indicator and “auto protect” mode that adjusts fan speed based on pollutant levels. Cost: $499.

Molekule Air Pro: Perfect for extra-large spaces, this professional-grade purifier covers up to 1,000 square feet and includes a particulate matter sensor, particle level indicator and “auto protect” mode. Cost: $1199.

Accolades

The Molekule Air earned special honors over the years, including:

• TIME magazine: 25 Best Inventions, 2017
• Popular Science magazine: 10 Greatest Innovations of the Year, 2016

About the Company

Molekule was founded 2014 with a mission to deliver clean indoor air to everyone, everywhere. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, Calif.