The 7 Best Air Quality Monitors of 2021

Best Overall: Airthings Wave Plus Radon & Air Quality Monitor

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Have you tested the radon levels in your home lately? Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in virtually all homes, and it can be potentially toxic at high levels. The Airthings Wave Plus is the first-ever air quality monitoring system is able to detect radon. But that’s not all—the smart monitor also checks carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), temperature, humidity, and air pressure. If you're in an area affected by wildfires, you'll want to keep an eye on the VOC levels when it comes to deciding when you run your air purifier.

This battery-operated device holds a charge for up to 16 months and can be installed anywhere in your home. It connects via Bluetooth and syncs to the free Airthings Wave app to give you a comprehensive readout and total control over your home’s air quality. The monitor itself has color-coded indicators that tell you the status of your indoor air. It’s also compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT smart home devices. Once the indoor air quality monitor is installed and set up, a week-long radon calibration period will begin—which is about how long it takes to get an accurate radon reading.

Best Budget: EG Air Quality Monitor

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For a more affordable option that gets the job done, consider the Air Quality Monitor from EG Air. This reliable monitoring device accurately measures TVOCs and formaldehyde concentration (CH2O), as well as super-fine dust particles measuring under 2.5 microns in size. When this microscopic dust matter (which can include soot from cigarette and wildfire smoke) enters the lungs, it can aggravate asthma and make people more prone to illness. 

A standout feature of the EG Air Air Quality Monitor is its built-in fan, which continuously measures ambient air for real-time readouts. This portable indoor monitor can be set up and moved around to any area of your house, and it’s also ideal for on-the-go testing in cars, hotel rooms, and rental homes. It runs on a rechargeable lithium 2200mAh battery or a DC 5V power cord. Readouts are displayed on the device’s easy-to-read LCD screen.

Best Splurge: uHoo Indoor Air Sensor

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Airborne dust and mold particles can aggravate allergies, cause asthma flare-ups, lead to headaches, and result in several other negative health side effects. With the cutting-edge uHoo Indoor Air Sensor, you don’t have to wonder about the invisible pollutants lurking in your home. While it’s certainly not the cheapest air quality monitor on the market, the advanced device has a whopping nine built-in detectors. It checks your carbon dioxide levels, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), TVOCs, PM2.5, temperature, humidity, ozone, and air pressure.

The Indoor Air Sensor from uHoo has a sleek design and it’s surprisingly compact—not much bigger than a standard coffee mug. This high-tech gadget is powered by a multi-core processor and encrypted with 128-bit SSL. You can sync it with your smart home hub and pair it with an air purifier or thermostat for automatic air quality control. The uHoo app is easy to use and offers personalized alerts, tips, and room-to-room insights about the air in your home. If you want to invest in improving your indoor air quality, this is the product to get.

Best Battery-Operated: ECOWITT WH0290 Air Quality Monitor

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Are you partial to wireless tech? If so, you'll want to check out the Ecowitt WH0290 Air Quality Monitor. The device runs on two rechargeable batteries (which come included) and the display screen indicates the unit's battery level. It also has a nifty solar panel that can be used as a backup power source.

This monitoring system uses a Honeywell HPM Series particle sensor to accurately measure PM2.5 and instantly tells you where you stand by rating your current air quality as good, moderate, poor, unhealthy, severe, or hazardous. It also measures your indoor temperatures and relative humidity levels. In addition to homes, this air quality monitor can be used in cars, offices, hotels, rental homes, and virtually any other indoor space.

Best Smart Monitor: Awair Element Indoor Air Quality Monitor

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Awair's Element Indoor Air Quality Monitor is a wonderful smart home-compatible option for an air quality monitor. This compact device can integrate with Alexa or Google Assistant for easy use. It measures your home's temperature, humidity, VOCs, and CO2 levels, compiling its findings into one succinct, overall score and alerting you when levels are unhealthy.

Its ability to track changes over time helps you better understand what exactly impacts your home's air quality, while its corresponding app provides you with tips and feedback on how to make improvements to your home's conditions. You can even customize the type of feedback you receive based on your wellness goals, like getting a better night's sleep or reducing allergens around the house.

Best Design: Eve Room Indoor Air Quality Monitor

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When it comes to air quality monitors, design might not be your top concern. If you want something that blends in, though, the Eve Room is for you. This device accurately measures and displays the total volatile organic compounds, temperature, and humidity in your home on a high-contrast, customizable screen. You can also review your air quality on the Eve app, which analyzes and presents your data in detailed graphs. This allows you to see how your daily activities and indoor environment influence the air quality in your home.

The Eve Room is powered by a rechargeable battery that lasts up to six weeks. Once you need to recharge, you can do so via a USB power supply. If you want to take full control of your indoor air quality, this is the device to get. Its smart design and sophisticated tracking features make it easy to see not only what you may need to adjust to improve your air and make your home safer, but also the impact your adjustments make over time.