Molekule Air Purifier Review: This Appliance Eliminates Even the Toughest Kitchen Odors

I love my kitchen, but it’s missing one important feature: ventilation. I don’t have an external window or a range hood over the stove. Not only is it annoying to deal with lingering food odors from frying bacon and broiling salmon, but the particulate matter and smoke are downright dangerous.

In fact, the EPA estimates that indoor air quality can be two to five times worse than outdoor air quality. One of the main contributors to poor indoor air quality? The kitchen. Eek! Fed up with smelling Sunday’s meal prep well into Tuesday and nervous about breathing pollutants, I priced out the cost of a kitchen renovation and the numbers quickly hit four digits. Double eek!

Instead of hiring a contractor, I decided to try the Molekule Air Purifier first, to see if it could eliminate food odors and kitchen pollutants.

What is a Molekule Air Purifier?

Like the best product recommendations, I heard about Molekule Air Purifiers from a trusted friend. My cousin has one in her Portland apartment to filter gasses, dust and odors from new paint and pet dander. Molekules are also used in luxury hotels, like the Ocean House in Rhode Island.

Most air purifiers use traditional HEPA filters, but Molekule spent 25 years researching their own filtration system, called PECO, or photoelectrochemical oxidation. It’s very technical, but it just means free radicals break down pollutants, allergens, mold, bacteria and food smells (yes!) at a molecular level—something a HEPA filter can’t do.

Even better? A 2021 study showed that Molekule’s PECO technology also inactivates flu and coronavirus strains at a rate of 99.99%. Nanotechnology allows PECO to destroy pollutants 1000 times smaller than the standard filters must meet to qualify as HEPA. And yes, it’s cleared by the FDA.

Which Size Molekule to Choose

There are two versions of the Molekule Air Purifier. The main difference is size. Since I needed air purification in the kitchen (and wanted to check out the app), I chose the Air Mini+.

Molekule Air Mini+

The Molekule Air Mini+  covers up to 250 square feet of space, making it ideal for kitchens and nurseries. With this model, there’s a particle sensor and an auto protect mode. Connect it to Wi-Fi to monitor your particle levels and adjust the speed remotely. That means you can watch TV in the living room and turn up the speed to clear out kitchen odors from the couch. The vegan leather handle is easy to transport if you want to move it from room to room to clear the air.

Molekule Air Pro

Want to filter the air in your entire house? The Molekule Air Pro works up to 1,000 square feet! It also has auto protect modes and a particle sensor for maximum safeguarding.

Molekule Bundles

You can also choose from three purifier bundles for full-house coverage. Choose from an Air Pro and Air Mini+, an Air Pro and two Air Mini+ or two Air Pro and two Air Mini+. Each bundle offers substantial savings compared to buying each purifier separately.

How We Tested the Molekule Air Purifier

I received my Molekule Air Purifier in September 2021. Unboxing the Air Mini+ was easy. The unit arrived already assembled in a stylish cloth bag. I simply had to remove plastic wrapping, twist the base on and plug it in. I downloaded the app and connected it to my home’s Wi-Fi.

This is the only step in the process where I had a bit of trouble. I had to install and reinstall a few times to get the air filter to read my Wi-Fi connection. But it was worth it. I enjoy monitoring the kitchen’s air particles on the app, so I know when to turn the speeds up and down to clear the air.

The Molekule has five fan speeds. The lowest fan speed is barely audible, and the speed I keep the unit on throughout the day to clear pet dander and dust from the air. When I turn on the oven or saute garlic, I crank it up to five. It’s quieter than a vacuum but not something you’d want to listen to all day.

I’ve tested the Molekule for one year and it’s on 24/7 (though I do unplug it when I go on vacation). It lives permanently on the kitchen counter, about two feet from the stove. The white shade and clean lines look minimalist and blend in with the subway tile. I’m not ashamed to have it displayed (unlike some less aesthetically pleasing air filters on the market.)

To really see what the Molekule could do, I turned it up to five and fried a whole pound of bacon. Bacon is something I usually avoid making because it fills my entire kitchen and adjacent living room with smoke and intense odors. Not anymore. After cleaning the kitchen, I left the house for an hour and returned. Not even a whiff of bacon! Talk about products that’ll practically clean the house for you.

I’ve had the same stellar odor-eliminating results when grilling brats and roasting salmon. I’ve also noticed a significant reduction in accumulated dust. The only downside is Molekule works so well, it also blocks fragrance from scented candles! I unplug the machine when I want to have a candle moment.

After the first six months of constant use at a level one (cranked up to a three or four for about an hour if I’m cooking something odorous), it was time to change the filter. The display panel indicated a filter change, and I noticed that smells weren’t dissipating as quickly. Changing the air filter was as simple as swapping a water filter, and the old filter was filled with dust and debris. Satisfying.

Pros

• PECO Purification system destroys pollutants, odors and viruses
• Clean lines and minimalist aesthetic
• Strong size variety
• Portable
• Accessible smart phone app to control fan speed and check pollutant levels
• Easy screw-off base to replace filter
• FDA-approved

Cons

• One of the pricier air purifiers on the market
• The app can be glitchy to set up
• Filters are pricey and need to be changed about every six months depending on usage

FAQ

What does an air purifier do?

They remove pollutants like dust, bacteria, mold, allergens and viruses from the air. They also help remove odor, as in the case of greasy bacon smells that tend to linger for days. Whereas traditional air purifiers trap odors and pollutants, Molekule destroys them at the molecular level.

How long do Molekule filters last?

It’s recommended to replace the pre-filter every three months. The PECO-filter should be switched every six months. And if you lose track, the app lets you know when to replace the filter.

Does Molekule help with dust?

Yes! The PECO filtration destroys pollutants (not trap them), including dust particles.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

I’m not the only one in love with my Molekule Air Purifier review. Here’s why other reviewers swear by the miracle device:

“I’ve had dogs all my life and am allergic to dander,” writes Mike M. “I won’t give up the dogs, so I resigned my self to living with the allergy. The first night after I turned on the Molekule, I slept soundly for the first time that I can remember. Now, I have Molekules in every room.”

Karen K. shares, “The Molekule mini is a perfect size for my work room. It’s quiet during sessions with clients and I can elevate the speed when they aren’t present. It noticeably improves the quality of the air in the room. My clients felt safer with it present (when COVID-19 was at its peak).”

Product Comparison

For starters, Molekule quite literally destroys pollutants instead of trapping them. Unlike conventional air purifiers that are powered up to 100W, Molekule only uses 80W—even at the highest speed. It also doesn’t use traditional HEPA filters. The PECO filtration is truly what sets it apart. Molekule creates airflow and powers UV lights to activate PECO filtration, destroying pollutants up to 1000 times smaller than standard HEPA filters.

Final Verdict

I’ve tested my Molekule Air Purifier for over a year and I’m in awe of how well it removes odors, viruses, mold, dander and pollutants from the air. There’s significantly less dust and fewer odors in my kitchen and living room area. I keep it at the lowest setting when I’m not cooking, and dial it up to full strength when there’s something on the stove. It really does work!

Though it’s nice to have the ability to operate the air filter via the app, I find that I’m usually close enough to it to just press the buttons on top. I’ve recommended the Molekule to friends with new babies for better air quality and heard positive results, too. As for the price? Yes, it’s worth it. Investing in high quality cleaning devices (Dyson vacuum, anyone?) truly pays off, and you won’t have to buy another air purifier again after trying Molekule.

Where to Buy

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Rid dust, lingering odors and dander for good with a Molekule Air Purifier. Try it in your kitchen for 30 days, risk-free. If you still smell bacon (we don’t think you will), you can return it for free—even the shipping is covered. Molekule air filters and filter refills are available directly through Molekule.com.

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