There has been a lot of talk in the air purification arena about the sustainability of HEPA filters. HEPA filters capture pollutants and airborne contaminants. So the argument is: is trapping this stuff really enough? Is there a better way? What about filtration technology that doesn’t rely on capturing contaminants but actually eliminates them? It’s a valid argument and companies have taken notice. Today there are a growing number of air purifiers on the market that have been designed to change the way we purify our indoor air. So in today’s article, we will be taking a look at two such companies: Molekule and Airdog. Specifically, we this is an Airdog X5 vs Molekule Comparison Article.
Airdog X5 vs. Molekule Comparison Ratings
#1
| Specs | Rating |
|---|---|
| Value | ★★★★★ |
| Power | ★★★★★ |
| Features | ★★★★✩ |
| Performance | ★★★★✩ |
| Specs | Rating |
|---|---|
| Value | ★★★★✩ |
| Power | ★★★★✩ |
| Features | ★★★★✩ |
| Performance | ★★★★★ |
| Specs | Rating |
|---|---|
| Value | ★★★★★ |
| Power | ★★★✩✩ |
| Features | ★★★★✩ |
| Performance | ★★★★✩ |
Molekule vs. Air Dog X5 Reviews
The method that Airdog uses to eliminate pollutants like dust, viruses, pat dander, bacteria and pollen is static electricity. There are 5 filters in the Airdog X5 and one of them is a specialized electrostatic filter that kills bacteria, viruses and mold on contact. The other filters are pretty standard mesh filters that ensure that only the smallest particles make it through to the electrostatic filter.
You can control the settings and modes of the Airdog X5 via remote control or by downloading the Airdog App on your phone. You can actually wash and reuse some of the mesh filters as well. We set this air purifier in a room about 600 square feet and didn’t even notice it was on when it was on its lowest setting. It runs very quiet and is also useful for eliminating odor caused from moisture saturation and mildew.
Benefits:
- Captures particles down to 0.0146 microns
- Has a child lock mode so kids can’t switch the settings
- Good for managing cooking smoke
Molekule makes their standard air purifier to not just trap airborne pollutants; but to oxidize them out of existence. They use photo electrochemical oxidation filtration to eliminate bacteria, volatile organic compounds, dander mold spores viruses and more. It also features a pre-filter that does need to be changed every 3 months.
Benefits:
- Suitable for medium to large rooms (600 square feet)
- Works quickly to freshen air in rooms
- Quite compact for the area that it can work in
This is the little brother of the standard Molekule Air Purifier. It is half the size of the Molekule Air Purifier and it is rated to treat air in rooms 250 square feet and smaller. It sports a convenient felt strap that makes it easy to move from place to place. We found ourselves using this air purifier on our desk, kitchen counter and on the bookshelf of our office. The PECO filtration system uses free radicals and a coated catalyst to break down bacteria.
Benefits:
- Easy to deploy in multiple rooms
- Kills bacteria as opposed to just trapping it
- It can even kill harmful ozone in your indoor living spaces
Air Dog vs. Molekule Company Comparison
Air Dog
Airdog is a company founded in and based in Silicon Valley. Their headquarters is in San Jose, CA. They are a company predicated on eco-friendly air purification solutions. This is evident in the design of the Airdog X5 which utilizes reusable filters thereby eliminating waste. After using the Airdog X5 for a few months, we came to the conclusion that it stacks up very well against standard air purifiers from long-standing companies that rely on HEPA filtration.
Molekule
Molekule hasn’t been around for very long but their PECO filter technology is really making a mark in this industry. It was developed specifically to reduce asthmatic symptoms but has been found to work for many other applications. They opened their doors in 2014 and today, their air purifiers are sold all around the world.
Final Thoughts
Are HEPA filters on their way out? Probably not but their market share is surely going to dwindle in light of the fact that people are becoming more eco-conscious. And now that there are companies like Molekule and Airdog making more sustainable air purifiers, HEPA filters may soon become passé.
All three of the air purifiers we reviewed would be great investments in your and your family’s health. We highly recommend checking them out if you are in the market for a HEPA air purifier alternative.
Also, check out our other comparison articles below:
Frank is the chief editor and director at Specialty Air, where he oversees testing, research, and editing for all air quality-related articles. Frank is an expert in the air quality space with extensive experience testing, researching, and reviewing air purifiers, air conditioners, air filters, air fresheners, fans, and more. He also has over 4 years of experience with issues surrounding mold remediation, radon mitigation, moisture management, air duct systems, HVAC, and insulation.