{"id":6602,"date":"2025-05-13T21:53:13","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T13:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/?p=6602"},"modified":"2025-05-14T19:14:36","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T11:14:36","slug":"is-molekule-air-purifier-worth-it-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/is-molekule-air-purifier-worth-it-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Is the Molekule Air Purifier Worth It? [2024 Update]"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over this last Christmas, I was at home on the couch, and my dad asked me if I\u2019ve seen this new Molekule air purifier he saw an ad review for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He asked because I\u2019ve been building and testing DIY air purifiers<\/a> ever since a Beijing airpocalypse in 2013 had me coughing for weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lesson I\u2019ve been learning throughout my testing is that big purifier companies actually love smoke. That smoke comes in the form of claims that we need filters imported from Switzerland (learn more about that ‘fancy’ Swiss company I’m talking about here<\/a>), not because they\u2019re high profit margin, but because the technology is better.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"cost<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

That\u2019s the backdrop that was in my mind as my dad handed me his iPad, and I clicked on the Molekule air purifier ad. So let me do a Molekule air purifier review and look at what they claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molekule Air Purifier Claim #1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Immediately, I saw this claim.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Molekule<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This shocked me, because the first paragraph on the Wikipedia page about HEPA filters<\/a> says how HEPA filters can capture particles smaller than 0.3\u00b5m. If the people making this graphic had read the Wikipedia page, they would\u2019ve learned that HEPA filters are actually fantastic at capturing particles under 0.3 microns.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"HEPA<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

See, the problem is our intuition is to think of HEPA filters like a net. If a particle is smaller than the holes in the net, it gets through. So the smaller the particle, the harder it is to capture. Makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Air<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

That logic works for objects as big as marbles. But when we get to really small particles\u2014like particles under 0.3 microns\u2014things start getting weird. Particles that small have so little mass that they actually get bounced around like a pinball when they hit gas molecules (known as Brownian Motion<\/a>). So they move in random zigzag patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Brownian<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Why that matters is that tiny particles are small enough to fit through HEPA filters\u2014if they flew straight. But because they fly in zigzag patterns, they end up hitting the fibers and getting stuck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OK, that\u2019s a lot of theoretical explanation. Is there any test evidence for this? There\u2019s lots! One test I like is this thesis<\/a> on duct filters (never thought I\u2019d say that about a thesis on duct filters).<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Air<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

That\u2019s the percentage of particles the filters captured at different sizes. See how the effectiveness goes down, but then starts to go up again? That\u2019s below 0.3 microns\u2014the particles Molekule claims that regular purifiers can\u2019t get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the way, this study was on furnace filters, which are lower grade than HEPA filters. But the principle works for any fiber filter. It works for the HEPA filters that are in purifiers (see this guy\u2019s tests down to .01 microns<\/a>) and even masks (I describe mask tests down to .007 microns here<\/a>). That means you don\u2019t even need a fancy HEPA filter for Brownian motion to work its magic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So why is Molekule claiming HEPA filters can\u2019t capture any<\/strong> particles below 0.3 microns?<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Molekule<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Either they don\u2019t know this basic fact about purifiers (in which case, I\u2019m highly skeptical of their claims of being experts), or they\u2019re straight up lying about purifiers to sell you a more expensive one (in which case, I don\u2019t trust them).<\/p>\n\n\n

Bottom Line<\/div>
Molekule Purifier Claim #1: Busted<\/div>
\nThe Molekule Air Purifier claim to superiority about particle sizes is false.<\/div>
Smart Air<\/div><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molekule Air Purifier Claim #2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Their second big claim is about bacteria. They claim that bacteria will grow on regular HEPA filters and then get released back into the air, so you need their Molekule ‘PECO’ technology to kill that bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Molekule<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

I\u2019ve used HEPA filters in my Chinese apartments for years. I\u2019ve also shipped 40,000 of these low-cost DIY purifiers<\/a> to people all over China and India through my social enterprise Smart Air<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Smart<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

That includes lots of people in hot and humid Shanghai and Shenzhen, not to mention basically all of India (which qualifies as hot and mostly humid). I\u2019ve never once<\/strong> seen or heard of mold or bacteria growing on these HEPA filters. That\u2019s despite the fact that I had a mold problem in my Beijing apartment before I started using purifiers.<\/p>\n\n\n

Bottom Line<\/div>
Molekule Purifier Claim #2: Busted<\/div>
\nIs it theoretically possible for bacteria to grow on a HEPA? I suppose so. But even in these extreme environments, I\u2019ve seen absolutely zero evidence that it actually happens. If it were a problem, I don\u2019t see why airplanes and hospitals use HEPA filters to trap bacteria <\/div>
Smart Air<\/div><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molekule Air Purifier Claim #3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Molekule says HEPA filters can\u2019t capture viruses because they\u2019re too small. Instead, to capture viruses you need the PECO technology from Molekule!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Molekule<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This gets back to point #1. HEPA filters (and really most filters) are great at capturing viruses<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"HEPA<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Viruses are solidly in the range of very, very high efficiency for HEPA filters and even masks.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Air<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Bottom Line<\/div>
Molekule Purifier Claim #3: Busted<\/div>
\n HEPA filters (and really most filters) are great at capturing viruses<\/a>. <\/div>
Smart Air<\/div><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molekule Air Purifier Claim #4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

About allergens, Molekule says HEPA filters \u201conly traps larger allergens\u201d and then releases them back into the air anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Molekule<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

They don\u2019t release them. Unless you\u2019re shaking them or cutting them open, they\u2019re not going to release those particles back into the air.<\/p>\n\n\n

Bottom Line<\/div>
Molekule Purifier Claim #4: Busted<\/div>
\nThat\u2019s just not how filters work. They capture particles. They don\u2019t release them. <\/div>
Smart Air<\/div><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molekule Air Purifier Claim #5<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is one claim that strikes me as \u201ccould be true.\u201d It\u2019s their claim that the PECO technology that Mokeule use \u201cdestroys\u201d chemical gases known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). That includes stuff like formaldehyde and toluene, which come out of products that we buy, like carpeting.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Molekule<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

We\u2019ve seen the claim about small particles before, so we know that\u2019s wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The advertisement also claims that HEPA filters release pollen back into the air. It\u2019s not impossible for a particle to become dislodged from a HEPA filter, but that claim is hard to square with the randomized trials finding HEPA purifiers reduce allergy symptoms<\/a>. Researchers have even given people fake purifiers to rule out the placebo effect<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Bottom Line<\/div>
Molekule Purifier Claim #5:<\/div>
\nThe Molekule might be better at capturing VOCs, but they do not provide convincing evidence for it. The other information on their site is so bad that it makes me skeptical of this claim.<\/div>
Smart Air<\/div><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molekule Air Purifier Claim #6<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Molekule claims that their PECO technology \u201cdestroys\u201d chemical gases known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). That includes stuff like formaldehyde and toluene, which come out of products that we buy, like carpeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re right that HEPA filters don\u2019t capture gas pollutants. HEPAs are for particles, not gases. But does their machine actually \u201cdestroy\u201d VOCs?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dedicated nerds at Vacuum Wars tested the Molekule with ammonia VOCs <\/a>and found no detectable reduction.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In fact, VOC levels actually went up 800% during the Molekule test!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

With a different purifier using traditional activated carbon filters, VOCs went down during the test. That\u2019s similar to what I found in my tests with carbon filters<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wirecutter: \u201cWorst air purifiers we\u2019ve ever tested\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Wirecutter released a test<\/a> of the Molekule.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

They concluded that Molekule purifiers were \u201csome of the worst air purifiers we\u2019ve ever tested.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Consumer Reports: Third-lowest scoring air purifier ever tested<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third-party tests kept coming. Go science!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit Consumer Reports released a test of the Molekule <\/a>and found that it was the third-lowest-scoring air purifier they\u2019ve tested. Based on their data, it can only clean a room of 100 square feet (9.3 m2).<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

2021 Molekule Updates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This article was originally published in 2018. Since then, other companies have tested the Molekule air purifier with similar poor results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wirecutter: “Worst purifier we’ve ever tested”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Wirecutter <\/span>released a test<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span> of particulate reduction of the Molekule and concluded that it was the \u201cworst purifier we\u2019ve ever tested.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
<\/figure>
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Vacuum Wars: The Molecule actually INCREASED dangerous VOC levels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

So the Molekule scored poorly on removing particulate from the air such as PM2.5, but the real claim to fame is its ability to eliminate gases like VOCs. The nerds at Vacuum Wars <\/span>tested the Molekule with ammonia VOCs <\/a><\/span>and found no detectable reduction.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
<\/figure>
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In fact, VOC levels actually went up during the Molekule test.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
<\/figure>
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, a carbon filter significantly reduced VOCs (right side), which is what I found in my <\/span>tests with carbon filters<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consumer Reports: Third-lowest scoring air purifier ever tested<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The third-party tests keep coming. Go science! The non-profit Consumer Reports released a <\/span>test of the Molekule <\/a><\/span>and found that it was the third-lowest-scoring air purifier they\u2019ve tested. Based on their data, it can only clean a room of 100 square feet (9.3 m2).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
<\/figure>
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Molekule pays $1.3 million to settle class-action lawsuit over false advertising <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In October of 2021, Molekule agreed to pay $2.7 million falsely advertised the effectiveness of its air purifiers<\/strong><\/a>, including that they could outperform HEPA filters, get rid of all indoor pollutants, provide asthma and allergy relief, and destroy airborne pollutants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molekule filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on October 3, 2023. The company will keep operating during the process<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what\u2019s an air breather to do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After reading this Molekule air purifier review, you might be wondering where to turn to for clean air.  To answer our original question, it seems the Molekule purifier is not worth it and is full of false claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve been nerding out on purifiers ever since that 2013 Beijing airpocalypse. If I can sum up all of my testing into one message, it\u2019d be this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air purifiers are shockingly simple. They\u2019re a fan and a filter. Cheaper purifiers perform just as well\u2014and often outperform\u2014the ridiculously expensive machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So brush aside marketing claims, beautiful Nordic families living in all-white homes, and keep your money.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Air<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Instead, check out any one of several sources of independent purifier tests and choose the best combination of effectiveness and price. I outline several sources of tests here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the best air purifier on the market today?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breathe safe!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

P.S. I\u2019ve ranted for too long about Molekule\u2019s claims and their PECO technology, but please indulge me the claim at the top of their homepage.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Molekule<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Finally a purifier \u201cthat actually works.\u201d Click on the link above to see dozens of purifiers that cost far less and \u201cactually work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

View the original article on Quora here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Over this last Christmas, I was at home on the couch, and my dad asked me if I\u2019ve seen this new Molekule air purifier he saw an ad review for. He asked because I\u2019ve been building and testing DIY air purifiers ever since a Beijing airpocalypse in 2013 had me coughing … <\/p>\n

Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1035,"featured_media":8977,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"11976,13492,20657,22029,6631,12577","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17,190,264,257],"tags":[283,320,220],"class_list":["post-6602","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-air-pollution","category-air-purifiers","category-indoor-air","category-pm2-5","tag-air-purifier","tag-molekule","tag-test","resize-featured-image"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6602","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1035"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6602"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6602\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35829,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6602\/revisions\/35829"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8977"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6602"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6602"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6602"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}