Best Overall
Airthings Wave Plus
- It’s battery powered and has a user-friendly app that displays air quality information that can be easily analyzed at a glance.
It’s battery powered and has a user-friendly app that displays air quality information that can be easily analyzed at a glance.
- It doesn’t have a mold risk indicator.
It doesn’t have a mold risk indicator.
Our pick for "best overall" is the Airthings Battery Powered 2930 Wave Plus. This device can sense radon, carbon dioxide, and VOCs, and it displays the air quality information in an organized and user-friendly way.
To use this air quality monitor, you’ll need to download the accompanying app, Airthings. Once you have downloaded the app and connected it to your device, you’ll be able to view your air quality levels. The app also stores data so you can compare your air quality levels over the past days, weeks, months, or year to monitor any patterns.
While the app provides you with specific data, it also features a color-coded circle on the main screen so you can easily determine your air quality level at a glance. The circle will appear as green, yellow, or red, which indicates whether the air quality is good, fair, or poor, respectively. This air quality monitor doesn’t have a screen on the actual device, but it does have a light that displays the same color-coded information.
In addition to monitoring the quality of the air, the app also displays information about the temperature, humidity, and air pressure. We also appreciate that this device is battery powered using two AA batteries, so you can move it to different locations within your home.
Keep in mind that this device doesn’t have a mold risk indicator on the app like some models do, so if that is a concern for you, opt for a different air quality monitor.
Product Details: Dimensions: 4.7 x 4.7 x 1.4 inches | Weight: 0.48 pounds | Power Source: Battery powered | Sensor Type: Radon, carbon dioxide, VOC, temperature, humidity, air pressure
Best Budget
Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor
- This affordable monitor is compatible with Echo devices and it can detect PM and VOCs.
This affordable monitor is compatible with Echo devices and it can detect PM and VOCs.
- It won’t be able to detect radon levels.
It won’t be able to detect radon levels.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, check out the Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor. This device monitors PM, VOCs, and carbon monoxide levels in your home to help keep you safe and healthy. Additionally, it also provides information about humidity levels and temperature.
Like the Airthings Battery Powered 2930 Wave Plus, this device also has an accompanying app that displays air quality information. Similarly, the app uses the colors green, yellow, and red to help you easily determine the quality of your air.
We love that you can pair this air quality monitor with your Amazon Echo so you can be alerted when the air quality in your home drops below a certain level. If you don’t have an Echo, you can receive alerts on your phone instead.
This device does need to be plugged into a power source, so if you plan on moving it to different rooms, make sure there is an outlet it can plug into. Additionally, if radon levels are a concern for you, opt for a different monitor, like the SunRadon Lüft Air Quality Monitor, since this one can’t detect radon.
Product Details: Dimensions: 2.56 x 2.56 x 1.77 inches | Weight: 0.27 pounds | Power Source: Corded electric | Sensor Type: PM, VOCs, carbon monoxide, temperature, and humidity
Best Portable
Airthings Wave Mini
- It’s small and lightweight, plus it can detect VOCs and mold risk.
It’s small and lightweight, plus it can detect VOCs and mold risk.
- This device can’t detect as many gasses as larger, more expensive models.
This device can’t detect as many gasses as larger, more expensive models.
For those who plan on moving their device frequently, the Airthings Wave Mini Indoor Air Quality Monitor is the best portable air quality monitor. It measures in at 3.14 x 3.14 x 1 inches and weighs 0.3 pounds, so it’s easy to grab and move to a new location. You also don’t have to worry about finding an outlet to plug it into since it is powered by three AA batteries.
The user-friendly accompanying app allows you to easily see the air quality levels where your monitor is placed. If you don’t have immediate access to the app, you can simply wave your hand in front of the device, and it will display either a green, yellow, or red light to indicate the quality of your air.
While it can’t detect radon, carbon monoxide, or carbon dioxide like some other options on our list, it can monitor VOC levels as well as detect conditions that are favorable to mold growth. Additionally, it also monitors temperature and humidity levels.
Although it doesn’t have as many detection features as larger and more expensive models, this is a great option for those who have sensitivities to common allergens and need to move their device often. Because it’s battery operated and lightweight, it’s also easy to take with you when you travel.
Product Details: Dimensions: 3.14 x 3.14 x 1 inches | Weight: 0.3 pounds | Power Source: Battery operated | Sensor Type: VOCs, temperature, and humidity
Best Display
IQAir AirVisual Pro
- The user-friendly interface allows you to quickly interpret details about indoor and outdoor air quality, and it can be programmed to turn on your HVAC.
The user-friendly interface allows you to quickly interpret details about indoor and outdoor air quality, and it can be programmed to turn on your HVAC.
- It’s larger than other monitors on our list, and it doesn’t detect radon.
It’s larger than other monitors on our list, and it doesn’t detect radon.
Data and analytics can be difficult to read sometimes, but the IQAir Air Quality Monitor makes it easy to monitor your air quality levels. While most of the monitors on our list require an app to see in-depth information about air quality, you can conveniently see color-coded data regarding particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and more on the screen of this air quality monitor.
In addition to the color-coded information, we also love that this device displays helpful icons that can help you determine air quality at a glance. When the air quality is good, a green picture of a face will appear. When the air quality is poor, a purple picture of a face with a mask on will be displayed. This monitor also shows the air quality both inside and outside your home.
Although you can view all air quality information on the screen, you can also download the accompanying app on your smartphone or smartwatch to view the insights. The technology of this device stands out among others because it can be programmed to turn on your HVAC system when the air quality reaches a certain level.
This is helpful since air circulation and ventilation can help improve many poor air quantity conditions. Additionally, you can easily move this device from room to room since it can be recharged with an outlet or USB port.
Keep in mind that since it has a display screen, it is a bit larger than other options on our list, and it weighs more. It also can’t detect radon, so if that’s a concern you may want to opt for the Airthings Battery Powered 2930 Wave Plus instead. Still, if you’re looking for a device with an easy-to-read display, look no further.
Product Details: Dimensions: 7.25 x 4 x 3.25 inches | Weight: Not specified | Power Source: Rechargeable via outlet or USB port | Sensor Type: Air quality index, carbon dioxide, PM2.5, temperature, and humidity
Best with Alarm
Temtop Air Quality Monitor
- It can be used both indoors and outdoors, and the air quality data can be transferred to another device.
It can be used both indoors and outdoors, and the air quality data can be transferred to another device.
- The screen display isn’t as user-friendly as other options on our list.
The screen display isn’t as user-friendly as other options on our list.
Air quality monitors aren’t approved by the CDC or EPA to warn you of an urgent life-threatening situation (like smoke or carbon monoxide detectors), but many of them will alert you to changes in your air quality. The Temtop Air Quality Monitor features an audible alarm so you can quickly adjust your home conditions to improve air quality.
This handheld air quality monitor can be used both indoors and outdoors, and it’s equipped with a speaker that will sound an alarm when it detects high air quality levels. Additionally, an indicator alert will appear on the screen as the alarm sounds to let you know the condition of the air. The device is designed to monitor carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, particulate matter, temperature, and humidity levels.
Since this air quality monitor has a built-in screen, there is no need to download an app to use this device. However, you can export the air quality information from the monitor to a device using a USB cable if you want to analyze the data further.
Other air quality monitors with screens that we have featured on our list have a user-friendly interface, but this device is a bit more technical and professional grade. If you prefer a device that is easier to read, the IQAir Air Quality Monitor may be a better option for you.
Product Details: Dimensions: 2.8 x 8.8 x 1.4 inches | Weight: Not specified | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Sensor Type: Carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, particulate matter, temperature, and humidity
Best Plug-In
SunRadon Lüft Air Quality Monitor
- It can sense radon, and it has a mold risk indicator.
It can sense radon, and it has a mold risk indicator.
- Since it is powered by electricity, it won’t work in the event of a power outage.
Since it is powered by electricity, it won’t work in the event of a power outage.
If you have a small living space and don’t have much room for another device, try a plug-in. The SunRadon Lüft Air Quality Monitor simply plugs into an electrical outlet in your wall to monitor air quality in your home. Once it’s plugged in, it can be turned 90 degrees to accommodate other devices sharing the outlet, and it can be easily moved from room to room since it weighs less than a pound.
We love that this device can sense radon, carbon dioxide, VOCs, temperature, pressure, and humidity. There is an indicator light on the front of the monitor that displays either a green, yellow, or red light to let you know how good or poor the air quality is.
You can connect your device to the mobile app to view more in-depth insights about your air quality, such as specific levels of radon or the outside humidity. The app also has a mold level indicator that lets you know when conditions may be favorable for mold growth.
Additionally, you can opt to receive notifications on your smartphone or via email when air quality levels are poor so you can be aware immediately. Keep in mind that since it does require electricity (it isn’t battery powered or rechargeable), it won’t be able to work if you experience a power outage.
Product Details: Dimensions: 2.34 x 4.5 x 1.75 inches | Weight: 0.81 pounds | Power Source: Electric outlet | Sensor Type: Radon, carbon dioxide, VOCs, temperature, pressure, and humidity