Best For
- Perfect for small-sized rooms
- Excellent purification built into a small package
- PECO-HEPA air filter that helps capture gasses and other pollutants
- App connectivity for remote control
Considerations
- Expensive filter replacement costs for a purifier with small coverage
- Very loud on maximum fan speed.
Our Verdict
The Molekule Air Mini+ is an updated version of the Molekule Mini and the smaller version of the Molekule Air Pro. This model comes with app connectivity, excellent air purification, and an aesthetically pleasing look for any home decor. However, there are some drawbacks to this new model.
The filter replacement cost is expensive for such a small air purification system. Additionally, it’s quite loud while running on the max fan speed. That said, purification performance is solid and the form factor is both compact and aesthetically pleasing.
Filter Type: PECO-HEPA
Coverage Area: 250 sq. ft.
CADR: 80 CFM
In This Review
Purification Performance | Ozone Test | Filters | Coverage | Build Quality | Noise Test | Usability | Maintenance | Size | Specs | Product Evolution | Comparison | FAQs
Performance Summary
At Modern Castle we test 11 different factors that impact the performance, build quality, and usability of the air purifier. Below is a complete list of our testing categories and their performance.
| Test Type | Test Data |
|---|---|
| PM2.5 (1 hour test) | 0.6 ppm |
| PM10 (1 hour test) | 0.9 ppm |
| Particles (1 hour test) | 104 |
| AQI (1 hour test) | 2 |
| Ozone Detected | 0.0 ppm |
| Filter Type | HEPA, Carbon, Pre-Filter, PECO |
| Coverage Area | 250 sq. ft. (23 sq. m.) |
| CADR | 80 CFM |
| Max Wind Speed | 10.3 mph (16.6 kph) |
| Noise Test | 73.4 dB |
To test the purification performance of the Molekule Air Mini+, we placed it in a medium-sized room in our office (~14’ x 10`). Next, we lit incense to introduce smoke and other particulates into the air for 30 seconds. After, we use a professional air quality detector to take a measurement of the smoke filled air.
Next, we run the air purifier on the highest fan speed for 2 hours, taking measurements of the air quality at the one hour mark and the end of the test. Here is what we found:
| Performance Metric | Starting Measurement | After 1 Hour | After 2 Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 | 20.1 ppm | 0.6 ppm | 0.1 ppm |
| PM10 | 33.3 ppm | 0.9 ppm | 0.2 ppm |
| Particles | 4354 | 104 | 15 |
| AQI | 67 | 2 | 1 |
In our air purification tests, the Air Mini+ was able to reduce PM2.5 to 0.60 ppm. This is 0.11 ppm PM2.5 higher than the average of 0.49 ppm PM2.5, based on all of our air purification tests to date.
Below, we’ve included information on the testing criteria and what defines good vs. bad air quality. Simply, the lower the numbers the better.
At the two-hour measurement, The Air Mini+ was able to reduce the PM2.5 to 0.1 ppm, beating our current testing average to 0.04 ppm for PM2.5. Additionally, the Molekule Air Mini+ was able to reduce the number of particulates from the base measurement of 4354 to 15 after the two-hour test.
Ozone Test
With most air purifiers ozone generation isn’t an issue. That said, some that use negative ion generators have the potential to create ozone. To test this, we run the Molekule, letting it run for 1 hour and measure the levels of ozone before and after with an ozone meter device.
Pre-test Ozone
0.0 ppm
Post-test Ozone
0.0 ppm
In our ozone tests, the Mokelue Air Mini+ generated 0.0 ppm.
Filters
The Molekule line of air purifiers features a unique style of filter that they claim captures more than the standard True-HEPA filter. The Air Mini+ has a PECO-HEPA filter.
Pre-Filter – Pre-filters are designed to catch larger particulates and debris before it makes its way to the primary filters. This can include hair, lint, and more.
Carbon Filter – Carbon filters are able to remove smells, odors, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
PECO-HEPA Filter – The HEPA filter is the primary filtration layer. It removes ultra small particulates including dust, pollen, mold, and more. The PECO layer that works through light-based reactions that helps target specific gasses and helps break down the molecules to capture within the filter
Coverage
The Molekule Air Mini+ has a coverage area of 250 sq. ft. It is best suited for a smaller room like a bedroom, entertainment room, or home office. While the CADR isn’t stated specifically by Molekule, the previous version of the Molekule had a CADR of 80 CFM and we estimate the Mini+ to be similar.
Coverage Area
250 sq. ft.
CADR
80 CFM
Wind Speed Test
Our wind speed test uses an anemometer placed directly on the air vents of the Molekule Air Mini + to measure the fan speeds in miles per hour. We run it on the lowest and highest fan speeds and record the speed of the air coming out of the device.
Minimum Wind Speed
0.7 mph
Maximum Wind Speed
10.3 mph
In our wind speed test, the Mini+ was able to generate a maximum wind speed of 10.3 mph. This is 1.99 mph lower than the average of 12.29 mph, based on all of our wind speed tests to date.
Additionally, we measured an extremely slow and soft 0.7 mph while on its slowest fan speed setting. This is 3.29 mph slower than our current testing average of 3.66 mph.
Build Quality Test
Our build quality test is a subjective test where we examine and assess the major material and design components of the air purifier. Specifically, we are looking for build and design issues that are more likely to break and/or be difficult to use.
The build quality of the Molekule Air Mini+ was exceptional. Its design, its feel, its overall assembly, gave it our highest rating for build quality. First, the design is simple yet elegant with its cylindrical shape and off-white color. It doesn’t look like an air purifier at first glance, which in our opinion helps the system blend in with the room.
| Part | Build Quality |
|---|---|
| Overall | Exceptional |
| Body | Exceptional |
| Fan | Exceptional |
| Filters | Exceptional |
| Controls | Exceptional |
| Display | Exceptional |
| Remote | n/a |
| Wheels | n/a |
Second, when handling the Mini+, the plastic feels firm and well-balanced, and the carrying handle is securely mounted to the side of the unit.
Noise Test
To determine the level of noise that the Molekule Air Mini+ creates we use a sound meter and measure the decibel levels on both the lowest and highest fan speeds. In addition, we measure the ambient noise levels of the room as a baseline comparison.
Ambient Noise
41.3 dB
Min Noise
42.7 dB
Max Noise
73.4 dB
In our noise tests, the Mini+ generated 73.0 dB of noise on the max fan speed. This is 10.6 dB higher than the average of 62.4 dB, based on all of our noise tests to date.
For such a small air purifier, it is loud at its maximum fan speed. Typically we see the larger air purifiers produce this level of noise. However, when placed on the lowest fan speed, the Air Mini+ only produced 1.4 dB more than our ambient room noise.
Usability
Overall, this is a useful compact air purifier with its size and purification performance.
Setup
The Molekule Air Mini+ comes ready to plug in straight out of the box. All we had to do was remove it from the packaging, remove the plastic that was covering the filter, pair it with the app, and it was ready to purify.
Controls & Display
The controls on the top touch screen are simple and have a minimalistic design. The buttons are not flashy and have small LEDs to keep the control panel light pollution to a minimum. On the touch screen, you can:
- Turn on / off
- Adjust Fans Speed
Wireless Controls
Molekule has its own app for wireless control. The app expands the remote control functionality by giving more advanced settings, Alexa integration, and Air Quality Stats.
In The Box
- 1 x Molekule Air Mini+
- 1 x PECO-HEPA Filter
Maintenance
The Molekule Air Mini+ has an estimated yearly maintenance cost of $80. Molekule recommends changing the filter every 6 months, however depending on the air quality the Mini+ is operating in, it could be replaced every 8-12 months. The following are the major maintenance tasks for the Air Mini+.
| Task | Description | Est. Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| PECO-HEPA Filter | Replace every 8-12 months | $79.99 (All-In-One) |
| Carbon Filter | Replace every 8-12 months | $79.99 (All-In-One) |
| Pre Filter | Replace every 8-12 months | $79.99 (All-In-One) |
Size & Dimensions
The Air Mini+ is a compact air purifier. It’s small enough to be placed on a desktop, dresser, or counter. Compared to the previous version, the Mini, it has identical dimensions.
| Attribute | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | 12.0″ (30.5 cm) |
| Length | 8.3″ (21.0 cm) |
| Width | 9.3″ (23.5 cm) |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs. (3.3 kg) |
Specifications
The following table details the product specifications according to the manufacturer.
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Molekule |
| Model | Air Mini+ |
| Height | 12.0″ (30.5 cm) |
| Length | 8.3″ (21.0 cm) |
| Width | 9.3″ (23.5 cm) |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs. (3.3 kg) |
| Filter | HEPA, Carbon, Pre-Filter, PECO |
| Noise Levels | 73 dB (max) |
| Coverage Area | 250 sq. ft. |
| CADR | 80 CFM |
| Wi-Fi Compatible | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Price | Check Price |
Product Evolution
From our testing, the Mini and the Air Mini+ had identical PM2.5 and PM10 measurements after the first hour of testing. The major difference is that the Mini+ has app connectivity and remote controls, whereas the standard Mini does not.
Molekule also has a larger version of the Air Mini+, which is the Molekule Air. That purifier is designed for spaces up to 1000 sq. ft. and has larger dimensions than the mini.
How does Molekule Air Mini+ compare?
Below is a complete list of our air purifier tests and critical product data compared side by side to the average based on all of our air purifier tests to date.
| Test Type | Test Data | Avg. Data |
|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 (1 hours) | 0.6 ppm | 0.49 ppm |
| PM10 (1 hours) | 0.9 ppm | 0.74 ppm |
| Particles (1 hours) | 104 | 62.48 |
| AQI (1 hours) | 2 | 1.9 |
| Ozone Detected | 0.0 ppm | 0.0 ppm |
| Filter Types | HEPA, Carbon, Pre-Filter, PECO | n/a |
| Coverage Area | 250 sq. ft. | 742 sq. ft. |
| CADR | 80 CFM | 288 CFM |
| Max Wind Speed | 10.3 mph | 12.2 mph |
| Noise Test | 73.4 dB | 62.5 dB |
Overall, the Air Mini+ is an excellent compact air purifier. However, we generally like to see air purifiers reduce the PM2.5 and PM10 to 0.1 within the first hour. The Mini+ didn’t quite reach that mark, but it wasn’t far off.
When looking at other air purifiers with similar dimensions and coverage, the Molekule Air Mini+ remains around the testing average. What does stand out for an air purifier of this size is the cost of filter replacements. We typically see larger coverage air purifiers with expensive replacement filters, not compact small coverage systems.
Other Air Purifiers to Consider
For Filter Replacement Costs
Levoit Core 300s
The Levoit Core 300 air purifier is a basic air purifier with 3 fan speeds, a timer, and a sleep mode.
The 300s is a perfect alternative with a lower filter replacement cost with a slightly smaller coverage area of 215 sq. ft.
For Coverage
AirDoctor 2000i
The AirDoctor 2000i is a fantastic update to the base model. The big change is the WiFi-connected app that allows the user to control every aspect of the AirDoctor 2000i purification.
The AD2000i is a larger coverage area purifier built in a smaller compact system.
For Purification Performance
Winix 5500-2
The Winix 5500-2 air purifier is a mid-size purifier that can clean the air in rooms up to 360 sf.
If you can accommodate a slightly larger system, the Winix will deliver exceptional purification performance within the 1st hour of run time.
FAQs
Molekule recommends you replace the air filter every 6 months. However, our general recommendation is to replace 8-12 depending on the air quality. The Molekule app will alert the owner when the filter needs to be replaced.
No, you cannot wash the filter and put it back into the purifier. Doing so may cause damage and / or break the system.