Molecule designs its mattresses with athletes in mind and claims to be able to help promote better sleep and recovery for active people — but you don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from one.
To find out what’s different about the brand’s approach, I tested the Molecule 2 AirTEC mattress, which has four layers of the company’s AirTEC foam to promote airflow, with a plush top that provides a cool sleep surface. I slept on this mattress for a little under a month and found everything you need to know to decide if it’s right for you.
You don’t need to be recovering from tough workouts to love the Molecule 2 mattress. The AirTEC foam kept us cool and comfortable, with a supportive feel superior to many traditional foam beds we’ve tried.
What we liked about it
It’s airy and helps prevent overheating
It was clear from the moment I unpacked it that the Molecule mattress is one of the lightest mattresses I’ve tested to date. The brand says that their proprietary AirTEC open-cell foam has the support and responsiveness of latex, with more breathability than memory foam, and while I can’t see inside the mattress, I did find it more breathable than other foam mattresses I’ve owned that are denser and feel warmer.
The AirTEC mattress doesn’t have any innersprings, but unlike with other foam mattresses that mold to your body, I didn’t find that I sunk into this mattress. I even found it a touch too firm for side sleeping, which makes sense as Molecule classifies this as a medium-firm mattress, but in case you worry about the foam not being supportive enough —?one of the main issues facing any sleeper struggling with how to choose a mattress — you can put those worries aside.
I would recommend this mattress for a side or back sleeper who wants something more supportive. If you have a larger frame, you may sink into the bed more (for reference, I’m 5 feet, 2 inches tall and 135 pounds), so it will likely feel somewhat less firm.
The mattress is free of odors
Typical of mattresses I’ve tested over the past year, this mattress did not emit a chemical smell. Foam smelling like chemicals was a common complaint when foam mattresses came to the market, but manufacturer’s seem to have made improvements, as it doesn’t seem to be a problem any longer since most mattress manufacturers have adopted sustainable practices.
The foam used in the three AirTEC foam layers is CertiPUR certified, which means it’s made without heavy metals, carcinogenic or allergenic dyes or phthalates and has low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). According to the brand, the top “biocharge” layer is not CertiPUR certified, which is disappointing considering it’s the first layer of foam, but even so, I didn’t notice a chemical smell while sleeping.
The mattress is easy to set up
As is typical for a mattress in a box, the Molecule 2 AirTEC comes rolled up and vacuum sealed. Unpacking is a matter of letting it unfurl and getting it into place on your bed frame. That’s easier done with the AirTEC than with many of the other mattresses we’ve tested, since the materials Molecule uses mean the AirTEC is quite lightweight, weighing just 78 pounds for a queen. Many other queen mattresses we’ve looked at weigh upwards of 120 pounds.
What we didn’t like about it
White-glove delivery service is not offered
Molecule doesn’t offer in-home setup for those who do not want to or can’t set up the mattress themselves. However, as discussed above, since the bed is relatively lightweight, I found this bed easier to set up than most. It’s certainly possible for a single healthy adult to set up the Molecule 2 AirTEC alone.
The Molecule 2 AirTEC has soft edge support
This mattress has good edge support once you get past the first layer of foam that sinks in. Squishy feel aside, the edge felt sturdy and durable, so this is unlikely to pose a durability problem.
The mattress is relatively slim in profile at 12.25 inches thick, so if you do like to sit ion the edge of the bed as you get dressed or just prefer a taller mattress with more spring, you may want to skip this one.
Bottom Line
The Molecule 2 AirTEC mattress is comfortable to sleep on, and it delivers on its promise of increased airflow. The feel is medium-firm, and the increased air circulation was noticeable as it kept me perceptibly cool. Whether this is due to the overall level of support or the large open cells of the foam is difficult to determine, and I’d guess that I didn’t overheat partially due to the fact I wasn’t sinking in the bed as much.
It is difficult for us to assess the company’s claims about specific benefits for athletes. While I slept well on the mattress after working out, I can’t say with scientific proof that it “promotes proper cell function, increases oxygen consumption and improves circulation to help your body recover while you sleep,” as the brand states. I didn’t notice a large difference in my recovery after working out; however, I felt good after waking.
The AirTEC is very breathable and less expensive than the majority of mattresses I’ve tested. Side and back sleepers who like a medium-firm feel will find this bed comfortable, but those who like a plush or very firm bed will want to look elsewhere.
