Allergens, airborne pathogens, and dust–none of these are welcome guests in our homes. Thankfully, the best air purifiers will eradicate these things from the air, making our home’s air both cleaner and healthier.
To this end, one of the best models on the market is the Molekule Air Purifier. It can remove dust, pet dander, mold, and various other particles from the air that you breathe in your home.
But it is also one of the pricier options, so does it offer enough value to justify the price tag?
Key Point: In this Molekule Air Purifier Review, we explore the pros and cons of owning one of these air purifiers. Specifically, we endeavored to answer the question of whether they’re really worth the mid-to-high price range ($400+).
All in the Family
Molekule is a family-owned startup that began manufacturing their product for public use in 2016. But, the science backing this machine is at least 20 years old.
As the story goes, Dilip Goswami suffered from nasal allergies. His father, Dr. Yogi Goswami, was a prominent scientist who worked on solar energy. Dr. Goswami decided to do something to help his son find relief from his allergies.
After numerous attempts, as well as significant research and scientific patents, the Molekule air purifier was born. The company was formed in 2014, headed by Dilip and his sister Jaya, and now employs about 22 people.
Nanotechnology Filtration
The current industry standard for filtration is the high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA filter. These filters are very effective at removing particles that are 0.3 microns or larger in size. For comparison, the average size of a human hair is about 50 microns, and the unaided human eye can’t really see anything smaller than 40 microns. So these filters can get at very small particulates in the air.
But there are still problems. For one, there are obviously smaller items in the air than 0.3 microns. Second, filters of any type inevitably gather build up, which can become a breeding ground for things like mold.
What makes the Molekule air purifier unique is the way in which it not only collects smaller items, but also how it breaks down airborne particulates that are much smaller than 0.3 microns.
Molekule uses a light-activated nanotechnology which literally breaks down allergens, mold, pet dander, dust, and even viruses at a molecular level. Here’s how it works:
After air passes through the pre-filter, which removes larger particulates, it enters into the photo electrochemical oxidation (PECO) filter, which is the unique technology forming the basis for this machine.
In this filter, particles bond with nanoparticles which, when activated by light, cause a chemical reaction to break down the pollutant at a molecular level. The machine is capable of breaking down particulates that are 1,000 times smaller than HEPA filters are capable of filtering.
Once this process happens, the particles become harmless and fall to the bottom of the filter.
It is recommended that you replace the PECO filter once every six months or so, and the prefilter once every three months. These filters aren’t cheap to replace, but you can join a subscription program for about $130 annually.
Coverage and Noise
The Molekule is a relatively big machine, and weighs about 18 pounds. Because it uses a 360 degree air intake system, you can’t really place it in a corner. Luckily, it’s actually pretty stylish.
The machine is recommended for rooms as large as 600 square feet, and it features three different speeds. At the highest speed (turbo), it can get a bit loud. However, it is very quiet on either the medium or lowest modes.
Additional Features
This machine comes with a leather handle at the top, making it relatively easy to move. Molekule also has an app that enables you to set the various controls from your smartphone.
You can program the device for room size and then set it to auto so that it will run periodically at a given speed. The LED light on the panel also has a “nightlight” mode so that it won’t be annoying while you sleep.
This device is also energy efficient, though not Energy Star rated.
The Pros and Cons of Owning a Molekule Air Purifier
Molekule offers one of the most remarkable air purifier options on the market.
It is a machine that really brings science and style together so that form and function complement one another. At $799, some of the high-end models are definitely an investment, and with the replacement filters coming in at around $130 annually, the price tag may scare some folks away.
However, with its effectiveness – which has been independently verified – it is difficult to argue that there is a better use of your money, especially if you suffer from allergies. But let’s take a deeper look at these pros and cons:
Pros:
- Easy to set up and surprisingly easy to use
- Provides basic data on air quality that can help you monitor indoor quality without overwhelming you with numbers
- Eliminate contaminants that a HEPA filter cannot capture
- Advanced PECO technology that destroys allergen and airborne mold
- Provides instant indoor air quality
Cons:
- Not a friendly device; you can’t mix and match filters
- Because it depends on WiFi, there are glitches now and then
- The blue light is too bright
- Some users find this device challenging to carry around the house because of its weight
- The noise level considerably rises if the air quality plummets
- To purify the air more swiftly, the machine raises the fan speed
Who Should Own a Molekule Air Purifier?
The Molekule Air Purifier is great for everybody. However, people living in urban cities and those with severe allergy attacks or allergic rhinitis need this device the most.
Who Shouldn’t Own a Molekule Air Purifier?
The Molekule Air Purifier is expensive. People who don’t have the budget shouldn’t buy this air filter, especially since its filters are not user-friendly, meaning it only works with Molekule filters.
And needless to say, these filters are also expensive. Additionally, you shouldn’t buy this device if:
- you have back problems disabling you from lifting heavy devices, or
- you are easily irritated by blue light and noise
Conclusion: Molekule Air Purifiers are some of the most pricey models on the market, however they also employ some of the most effective technology at removing micro particles from the air–which will be especially valuable for individuals look at alleviate indoor allergies.
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