Outdoor air enters your home by natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation, and infiltration. If little outdoor air enters your home, pollutants will accumulate in your indoor air. These pollutants pose a health problem to you, your family, and your pets.
To trap pollutants and ensure clean, fresh air in your home, you need a reliable air purifier. Molekule has become quite popular in recent times with its innovative air purification technology.
In our Molekule Air Mini review, we discuss the specs, features of the air purifier as well as its pros and cons. We also answer a few questions about the air purifier.
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Molekule Air Mini Specifications:
Filtration: Compact Pre-filter and PECO filter
Filter life: 6 months
CADR: N/A
Coverage: up to 250 square feet
Sensors: No (particle sensor available on Air Mini+)
Number of manual fan speed: 5
Automatic mode: No (available on Air Mini+)
Size: 8.3″D x 12″H
Device weight: 7.3 lbs
Noise level: 39 – 62 dBA
Rated Power: 55 Watt
- Molekule Air Mini uses Photo Electrochemical Oxidation (PECO) nanotechnology to destroy viruses, VOCs, allergens, bacteria & mold.
- Designed for small rooms up to 250 sq. ft. Ideal for studio apartments, kids’ bedrooms & home offices.
- Smart & Connected – Molekule Air Mini is easy to control using its one-touch interface. For added convenience, you can connect it to...
- Optimal – With 5 fan speeds to choose from, you can customize your purification needs, from whisper quiet, to boost.
- Portable – With its natural wool felt handle, Molekule Air Mini can be easily carried and placed anywhere in the home.
In-depth Review of Molekule Air Mini:
PECO Filtration: Unlike traditional HEPA air purifiers, the Molekule Air Mini used PECO technology as its primary filtration method.
Molekule claims, this patented filter works at the molecular level to trap and kill airborne pollutants. PECO stands for Photo Electrochemical Oxidation, which is an advanced method of the well-known PCO (Photocatalytic Oxidation) technology, which is very useful at neutralizing gases and VOCs.
The PECO filter is treated with nanoparticles as the catalyst which forms free radicals (OH−) in the presence of UV-A light. The generated free radicals then oxidize the pollutants in the incoming air and convert them into harmless chemical elements such as Water, Nitrogen Carbon Dioxide, etc. These pollutants include airborne bacteria, allergens, viruses, and VOCs.
How PECO Filtration Works
Thanks to the use of nanotechnology, PECO can destroy airborne pollutants of 0.1 microns. This is unlike True HEPA filters or medical grade filters, which are only capable of trapping pollutants of 0.3 microns and above and don’t capture gases or VOCs.
What we liked about the PECO process is that it’s able to destroy both particulates and gaseous pollutants without releasing any ozone. Also, there is no chance of off-gassing, which is pretty common in the activated carbon filter.
In a 2018 study, researchers sought to find out the effects of PECO on ocular and nasal allergy symptoms. The study involved 46 participants with self-reported allergies. They were each given a portable PECO air purifier to use for four weeks.
What they discovered after four weeks is a significant change in self-reported allergies. The use of the PECO air purifiers helped to decrease nasal and ocular allergy symptoms.
The company recommends replacing the PECO filter after 6 months of normal use.
Check out our review >>> The 7 Best Air Purifiers for VOCs
360-Degree Air Intake: The Molekule Air Mini has a 360-degree air intake. As such, it sucks air from all angles drawing in the airborne pollutants for elimination by the PECO filter. The air intake sucks air passing it through the integrated pre-filter.
Here pollutants of 1 to 3 microns get trapped before the air reaches the PECO filter. This filter removes 99.99% of pollutants in the air before allowing the air to pass through the outlet at the top and back into the room.
CADR and Room Size: Molekule has not released the CADR data of the Molekule Air Mini. What we can confirm is that the air purifier can clean small rooms of up to 250 square feet. As such, this air purifier is best for home offices, studio apartments, and even your kid’s bedroom.
Thanks to its thoughtful design and easy cable management, you can place it on your nightstand or office desk. It has a natural felt handle that allows you to carry the air purifier from room to room with ease.
Connected and Smart: What you also like about the Molekule Air Mini is that it’s connected and smart. Basically, you can track and control your air purifier using your smartphone and tablet. This is because the air purifier is WiFi-enabled. As such, you can download the app, which is compatible with Android and iOS devices, to control the air purifier remotely.
Besides controlling the air purifier remotely, the app allows you to check the filter status. As you already know, the Molekule Air Mini has a PECO filter. While it’s excellent at trapping and destroying air pollutants, you need to change it.
Molekule Air Mini Operating Costs:
Annual Filter Replacement: ~ $150 based on 6-month use per filter (check availability & filter price)
Monthly Energy Consumption: ~ $4.8 on the highest speed, $1.7 on the lowest speed (based on 12 cents per kWh and 24 hours use per day). Use our Energy Consumption Calculator to find out the bill based on your usage and the local energy rate.
Pros & Cons:
Molekule Air Mini vs. Air Mini+:
Molekule Air Mini vs. Blueair Blue Pure 211+:
Both the Molekule Air Mini and the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier are fantastic products. They work as advertised and help to purify your air. One significant difference between the two air purifiers is the filter.
The Molekule Air Mini has the PECO filter, which traps and destroys airborne pollutants. The Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier has a 3-stage filtration system. It’s composed of a pre-filter, particle filter, and activated carbon filter.
If you compare both filters, the PECO filter traps and also destroys 99.99% of pollutants while the 3 stage filter traps 99.97% of pollutants.
Another difference is the smart features. The Molekule Air Mini is WiFi-enabled while the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier is not. As such, you can remotely control the Molekule Air Mini, and check the filter status on your smartphone.
Complete review >>> Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier
FAQs
Q. Does the Molekule Air Mini have a UV-C light inside to kill bacteria and viruses?
A. No, the Molekule Air Mini does not have a UV-C light inside. Instead, it has a low energy UV-A light, which activates chemical reactions on the PECO filter. As a result, the filter generates free radicals that help in destroying airborne pollutants such as viruses and bacteria.
Q. Can the Molekule Air Mini get rid of tobacco smoke?
A. Yes, it can. The pre-filter traps visible particles such as soot and ash, while the PECO filter destroys the gaseous pollutants. These gaseous pollutants include benzene and others.
Q. Is the PECO filter washable?
A. No, the PECO filter is not washable. You need to change the filter every 6 months. Always buy a replacement PECO filter from the Molekule store.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for an air purifier that will destroy air pollutants rather than just trapping into filters, then you can go for Molekule Air Mini. Although the PECO filtration is a slower process, it can help to reduce pollutants such as dust mites, airborne bacteria, viruses, and black mold from a small room.
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