Air purifiers have become increasingly popular in recent years as more people look for ways to improve the air quality in their homes. Two of the top brands on the market are Molekule and Levoit, but they use very different technologies to clean the air.
This makes choosing between them tricky. To help you decide, here is a detailed comparison of Molekule and Levoit air purifiers.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Molekule | Levoit |
| Technology | PECO destroys pollutants at molecular level | Uses filters to trap pollutants |
| Coverage | Up to 600 sq ft | Up to 161-322 sq ft |
| Noise Level | Silent | 25-46 dB |
| Filters | PECO photochemical filter lasts 6 months | Prefilter lasting 6 months, HEPA filter lasting 1-2 years |
| Air Quality Feedback | Air quality ring shows real-time info | LED display shows pollutant levels |
| Smart Features | App control, auto-protect mode | Timer, auto mode |
| Cost | $799+ | $89-$169 |
Overview of Molekule
Molekule air purifiers use a patented technology called Photo Electrochemical Oxidation (PECO) to destroy pollutants at a molecular level. This goes beyond traditional filter-based purifiers that can only trap pollutants.
Key features of Molekule air purifiers:
- PECO technology breaks down pollutants into harmless components rather than just collecting them on a filter. This includes VOCs, mold, bacteria, allergens, and viruses.
- The PECO filter lasts around 6 months and does not need replacement, just cleaned. There are no other filters.
- Coverage up to 600 sq ft so good for large rooms.
- Extremely quiet operation, virtually silent even on the highest setting.
- The air quality ring around the purifier shows real-time readings of particulate matter via colors. The Molekule app also provides more detailed air quality feedback.
- App allows full control, scheduling, and tracking of air purifier from your phone. Has an auto-protect mode that boosts fan speed when toxins are detected.
- High price point, with most models costing $799+. But uses innovative technology not found in traditional air purifiers.
The Molekule philosophy is that clean air is a basic human right. Their PECO technology aims to completely destroy indoor air pollutants rather than just collect them on a filter. But this cutting-edge technology comes at a premium price point.
Overview of Levoit
Levoit air purifiers use more traditional filtration methods to remove pollutants from the air. Their compact designs make them budget-friendly options for small to medium sized rooms.
Key features of Levoit air purifiers:
- Use a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and activated carbon filter to trap various pollutants. The filters need replacing every 6-24 months depending on model.
- Offer room coverage from 161-322 sq ft. Ideal for offices, bedrooms, and living rooms. Not equipped for large open spaces.
- Noise levels from 25-46 dB on low settings, but can get loud on high.
- LED display shows real-time readings of particulate matter, VOCs, humidity, and temperature. Different color lights indicate air quality level.
- Settings include auto mode, sleep mode, and timers. Some models have touch and WiFi controls.
- Affordably priced between $89-$169. But ongoing filter replacement costs required.
Levoit air purifiers use proven filtration technology to remove pollutants without destroying them completely. The filters trap particles, gases, allergens, and bacteria until they are washed or replaced. Quiet operation and small footprint make them great for personal spaces.
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Key Differences Between Molekule and Levoit
Now let’s dive into a detailed feature-by-feature comparison of these two brands to see how they stack up.
Cleaning Technology
The biggest difference between Molekule and Levoit is the technology they use to clean the air:
- Molekule – Uses patented PECO technology that destroys pollutants at a molecular level by oxidation. This breaks down VOCs, mold, bacteria, viruses and allergens into harmless components. The PECO filter lasts around 6 months.
- Levoit – Relies on a traditional filtration system to capture airborne particles. Air is pulled through a prefilter to trap larger particles, a HEPA filter to capture small/fine particles, and an activated carbon filter to adsorb gases and odors. Filters require replacing every 6-24 months.
Molekule claims its PECO technology provides complete destruction of pollutants, whereas filters can only trap particles until they are washed or replaced. However, Levoit filters are proven to effectively remove most indoor air contaminants.
Room Coverage
The size of space an air purifier can effectively clean differs between Molekule and Levoit:
- Molekule – Can cover large rooms up to 600 square feet, making it suitable for open concept living areas and master bedrooms. The highest airflow can circulate air 5+ times per hour in rooms up to this size.
- Levoit – Ideal for small to medium rooms of 161-322 square feet. Their compact, portable designs are made for personal spaces like offices, nurseries, and bedrooms. Airflow can exchange air 2-4 times per hour for these room sizes.
Molekule air purifiers win for whole home air purification, while Levoit is better suited for cleaning the air in individual rooms. Larger models are still compact enough to have on a desk or nightstand.
Noise Levels
The noise output by air purifiers, measured in decibels (dB), is an important factor to compare:
- Molekule – Remarkably silent even at the highest fan speeds. Reviews measure noise levels at around 30 dB on low, below ambient noise in a quiet room. Virtually inaudible when running, making it excellent for bedrooms.
- Levoit – Produces 25-46 dB depending on model and fan speed. Quiet operation at lower speeds, but high speeds can be disruptive for sleep or work. The Core 300 model is the quietest Levoit purifier.
Molekule air purifiers win for silent operation even when ramped up to high speeds. Levoit units are quiet at low/medium settings but get progressively louder at higher fan speeds. But they remain within normal levels for household appliances.
Air Quality Feedback
Both Molekule and Levoit provide real-time air quality feedback, but they display it differently:
- Molekule – The colored LED air quality ring around the purifier continuously shows PM2.5 particulate levels via different colors. The Molekule app provides more detailed readings plus historical data and trends.
- Levoit – LED display shows numerical PM2.5, VOC, humidity, and temperature readings updated frequently. Colored lights around the panel indicate air quality level (blue for good, yellow for moderate, red for poor).
Molekule provides a quick visual indicator of particulate pollution levels via the ring. Levoit displays more metrics on its screen numerically. The app gives Molekule the edge for tracking air quality over time.
Also Read: Comparison Between the Coway Airmega 150 and AP-1512HH
Smart Features
Both brands offer apps and smart features for controlling and monitoring the purifiers:
- Molekule – App enables full remote control, air quality tracking, scheduling, and auto-protect mode that boosts fan speed when toxins spike.
- Levoit – App allows device control and scheduling. Some models have smart modes like auto, sleep, and turbo. Purifiers can also be controlled via touch screen or Alexa/Google Home voice commands.
The Molekule app has more robust air quality monitoring and auto-adjusting modes. But Levoit still covers the basics like run schedules and remote operation. Voice control makes it easy to switch modes without touching the purifier.
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Costs
There is a major price difference between these two air purifier brands:
- Molekule – The innovative PECO technology carries a premium price, ranging from $799 for the Molekule Air to over $1,200 for the Molekule Air Pro. Replacing the PECO filters every 6 months costs ~$130.
- Levoit – Budget-friendly models from $89-$169 plus around $40 per year for replacement filters. Owning a Levoit air purifier has much lower upfront and ongoing costs.
Molekule’s disruptive PECO technology greatly elevates the price over comparable Levoit models. But if you want the latest in air purification technology, Molekule provides an unparalleled clean. Otherwise Levoit is the wallet-friendly option.
Molekule air purifiers excel at completely destroying pollutants, silent operation, and smart controls – but cost a premium. Levoit focuses on affordability and offers solid air cleaning capabilities for smaller spaces.
Determine what factors are most important for your needs and budget. Both Molekule and Levoit improve air quality, just using different technical approaches.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are few air purifiers on the market that can claim to be definitively better than the Molekule. Its PECO technology offers complete destruction of pollutants that no other filter can match. However, the high price point puts it out of reach for many consumers. Comparable non-filter technologies like hydroxyl generators may provide similar benefits for less cost.
Some top competitors to Molekule air purifiers include Blueair, Coway, IQAir, Austin Air, and Rabbit Air. These brands offer high-quality traditional HEPA and carbon filtration that can effectively clean the air, if not destroy all pollutants. They are also more competitively priced than Molekule.
Blueair is considered a higher-end air purifier brand compared to Levoit. Blueair offers larger room coverage, lower noise levels, WiFi connectivity, and better longevity over Levoit models. However, Levoit air purifiers can still effectively clean smaller rooms of pollutants for a fraction of the price.
Yes, Levoit air purifiers display real-time readings of PM2.5 particulates, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), humidity, and temperature. Colored lights also indicate the current air quality. Connecting to the Levoit app allows you to track air quality trends over time.
Also Read: Comparison Between the Levoit Pet and Levoit Core 300
Final Thoughts
Molekule and Levoit take very different technology approaches to air purification, which is reflected in their pricing and ideal use cases.
Molekule’s revolutionary PECO system completely destroys pollutants for superior air cleaning, while Levoit offers time-tested filtration for smaller spaces at wallet-friendly prices.
Carefully consider the pros and cons before deciding if the latest technology or affordability is right for your needs and budget.
With clean air an increasing health priority, you can rest easy knowing both Molekule and Levoit effectively improve indoor air quality using innovative designs.