Winix
Winix 5520
$259.99Cheaper
Released 2022
Best Air Purifiers · head-to-head
Winix 5520 vs Molekule Air Pro
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Winix 5520 is cheaper at $259.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Molekule
Molekule Air Pro
$1014.99
Released 2021
Which is better: the Winix 5520 or Molekule Air Pro?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Winix 5520 is the cheaper at $259.99.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Winix 5520 | Molekule Air Pro |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $259.99 | $1014.99 |
| Brand | Winix | Molekule |
| Released | 2022 | 2021 |
| Cadr smoke (CFM) | 253 | — |
| Coverage (sq ft) | 392 | 1000 |
| Hepa | Yes | Yes |
| Filter type | Fine Mesh Pre-filter + AOC Carbon + True HEPA + PlasmaWave (4-stage) | PECO-HEPA Tri-Power filter + Activated Carbon (PECO = Photo Electrochemical Oxidation, destroys pollutants) |
| Noise db min | 23.5 | 33 |
| Smart | Yes | Yes |
| Energy star | No | No |
| Release | 2022 | 2021 |
Sources — Winix 5520: winixamerica.com (verified 2026-06-15). Molekule Air Pro: molekule.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Winix 5520 and Molekule Air Pro?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Coverage (sq ft): Winix 5520 392 vs Molekule Air Pro 1000
- Filter type: Winix 5520 Fine Mesh Pre-filter + AOC Carbon + True HEPA + PlasmaWave (4-stage) vs Molekule Air Pro PECO-HEPA Tri-Power filter + Activated Carbon (PECO = Photo Electrochemical Oxidation, destroys pollutants)
- Noise db min: Winix 5520 23.5 vs Molekule Air Pro 33
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Winix 5520
Only one whitelisted tester (Wirecutter) hands-on tested the exact Winix 5520, and only in its dismissed-competition section: a capable purifier that tested worse and louder than Coway's Mighty 2, with a dark, monolithic form that stands out in most rooms, a display that shuts off only on the lowest and least effective fan speed, and an ionizer that reactivates on every power-on. No lab numbers were published for this model. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Capable air-cleaning performance.
Flagged: Tested worse than, and louder than, Coway's Mighty 2; Display only shuts off on the lowest, least effective fan speed; Reverts to its ionizing function on every power-on.
Molekule Air Pro
Three hands-on testers bench-tested the Molekule Air Pro — Tom's Guide (July 2025), Reviewed/USA Today (Feb 2024) and TechRadar (Sept 2024) — and agree it filters effectively, surfaces detailed multi-pollutant air-quality data on its screen and companion app, and looks premium, but is loud at high fan speeds and very expensive with costly proprietary filters. All three measured high-speed noise (65-78 dB) and confirm the ~$1,000+ price plus roughly $175 twice-yearly filters. FDA Class II medical clearance is confirmed by Reviewed and TechRadar. (3 sourced reviews, 3 lab-tested.)
Praised: Strong, effective filtration; FDA Class II medical clearance; Detailed multi-pollutant air-quality sensing/data via screen and app (VOCs, PM, CO2); Premium, striking aluminum design.
Flagged: Very expensive purchase plus recurring ~$175 filter cost; Loud at high fan speeds (65-78 dB measured across sources); Large, heavy and awkward to carry between rooms.