We tested the best air quality monitors for two months to find the ones that will help you and your family breathe easy all year.
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5 Best Air Quality Monitors to Keep a Healthy Home, Tested and Reviewed
Published on Oct. 18, 2024
Best Overall Air Quality Monitor
IQAir Air Quality Monitor
Pros:
- Built-in air quality coach provides suggested remedies
- Provides info on indoor and outdoor air quality
- Lightweight and compact
- App-compatible
Cons:
- Pricey
The IQ Air AirVisual Pro Indoor Monitor is our top pick for indoor air quality monitors because it gives you tips on how to improve your air quality. The built-in air quality coach lets you know if you should run an air purifier—such as the NuWave OxyPure Air Purifier— or open/close your windows depending on your environment so you can be proactive about the changes you see on the monitor and the app.
To be honest, none of the monitors I tested ever picked up concerning levels of particulate matter, carbon monoxide or volatile organic compounds. The only time the IQ Air AirVisual Pro Indoor Monitor ever recommended any action was when I was cooking, and even then, it was just to open the window for a few minutes.
Another great feature is the ability to monitor outdoor air quality on the same monitor and app, similar to the air quality forecast on a weather app. I also like that it easily provides you with historical data to track changes in air quality over time, though, to be honest, the smartphone app was janky and unresponsive at times. Luckily, you can read your data simply by logging onto the company’s website and logging into your account.
Other than that, it checks all the boxes you’d want in an air monitor: lightweight, compact, accurate, easy to understand and app-compatible.
Best Budget Air Quality Monitor
Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor
Pros:
- Affordable
- Very small device
- Can be synced with other Alexa devices to improve air quality
- App data is digestible
Cons:
- Must use a smartphone or Alexa to view data
The Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor is proof that good things sometimes come in budget-friendly packages. For under $75, you get an air monitor capable of tracking particulate matter, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, temperature and humidity.
On top of being affordable, the Amazon air quality monitor is one of the simplest options out there. There’s an LED light on the device that’s green when air quality is good, yellow at slightly elevated levels and red when there’s cause for concern. While I never saw a red light, I like that the Amazon Alexa app and Alexa devices can let you know if there’s ever any major change in your air quality. I would’ve liked a monitor similar to the ones found on other air quality devices, though I suppose that’s one of the ways they keep costs down.
If you live in an Alexa household, you’ll be happy to know the Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor can sync with other Alexa devices to improve your indoor air quality, such as turning on an air purifier or crawl space dehumidifier when needed. I don’t own any Alexa-enabled fans or purifiers, but from reading customer reviews, it seems pretty simple to set up and reliable.
Most User-Friendly Air Quality Monitor
SAF Aranet4 Home Wireless Indoor Air Quality Monitor
Pros:
- Easy to operate
- Four-year battery life
- Portable
- Highly accurate sensors
Cons:
- Only monitors CO2, temperature and humidity
The SAF Aranet4 Home Wireless Indoor Air Quality Monitor doesn’t require any fancy tech integrations or complicated setups. You simply put in two AA batteries, and they are ready to do their job, which is primarily monitoring your environment’s carbon dioxide levels.
Most air quality monitors monitor carbon monoxide, but carbon dioxide should also be on your radar. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says mild exposure to CO2 can cause headaches, and high concentrations can result in elevated blood pressure, breathing issues, heart problems and, in extreme cases, death by suffocation.
The SAF Aranet4 Home simply tells you the current carbon dioxide levels in your room in parts per million (PPM). Ideally, you want to keep that number under 1,000. While it’s not much of a multitasker, it can also read a room’s temperature and humidity.
At first, I was confused by the high price tag (above $150), but after doing some research, I learned that SAF uses lab-grade sensors, so you’re getting a high-quality monitor. Plus, the two AA batteries last up to four years, and it can easily fit into a bag if you want to take it with you.
Best Portable Air Quality Monitor
Temtop Air Quality Monitor
Pros:
- Portable
- Accurate sensors
- Charges quickly
- Easy to read
Cons:
- App required to see all data
For those who want to check their hotel’s air quality, we recommend the Temtop Air Quality Monitor. It weighs less than half a pound and is about three inches long on each side, so it can easily fit in your backpack or suitcase. It has four sensors: particulate matter, air quality index, volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is a colorless gas that’s classified as a carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancers, and can be found in nature as well as in man-made products like wood resin, insulation and fertilizers, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Despite being small, the Temtop Air Quality Monitor display is very readable. You can view one reading at a time or put it on “loop mode” and have it automatically toggle between the four sensors. I like to keep it in loop mode to get a full picture of my indoor air quality.
My one complaint with Temtop is that you cannot tell how much of one compound is too much unless you have the smartphone app. There is an indicator light that gauges overall air quality, but you’ll need the app to tell what’s causing the issue. Once you find out, you can use a device like the Blueair Air Purifier to clean the air.
Best Air Quality Monitor for Bedrooms
Alen Air Quality Monitor
Pros:
- Easy app setup
- Very small
- App tracks historical data
- Compares your conditions to local area
Cons:
- Only one sensor
The Alen Air Quality Monitor lives in my bedroom mostly because it requires a wall outlet to operate, but beyond that, it’s tiny and has the capability of pairing with Alen air purifiers to eliminate airborne particles to ensure you always get a good night’s sleep.
This is another air monitor that requires an app for you to see data, though I have to say it was the easiest setup I had while testing these devices. The whole process took under five minutes and the most complicated part was remembering my Wi-Fi password. The app allows you to track historical data, though you’ll need to keep the device plugged in at all times, or the information won’t be comprehensive.
The one big downside is the Alen AQM only has one sensor for particulate matter, though it does a good job of that. The upside is that Alen lets you know how your bedroom compares to your local area, so you can see if your reading is on par with what your neighbors are likely experiencing.
What to Look for When Buying an Air Quality Monitor
Want to know what you need in an air quality monitor? Check out the top things you should keep your eyes peeled for:
Sensor Accuracy
Not all air quality monitors are created equally, so it’s important to look for one that has highly accurate sensors. “High accuracy ensures reliable data for making informed decisions,” Fouz says.
That’s easier said than done, especially if you’re someone with little to no knowledge of air quality. Luckily, if you can find the exact type of sensor an air quality monitor uses, there are numerous research papers and scientific studies on its accuracy. These studies are typically conducted by organizations like Aerosol and Air Quality Research or the Journal of Sensors.
Type of Sensor
James Wilton, director of Absolute Climate Solutions, says air quality monitors use three types of sensors.
- Optical Sensors: “These use light scattering to detect particulate matter,” James says.
- Electrochemical Sensors: “These are used for gasses like CO2 and VOCs, where a chemical reaction produces a measurable current.”
- Metal Oxide Sensors: “These are often used for detecting VOCs through changes in electrical resistance.”
Pollutants Detected
Some air quality monitors detect just one type of pollutant, while others will track five or more. Generally, the more types of pollutants an air quality monitor can detect, the higher the price. Here’s a quick guide on the most common types of pollutants detected by air quality monitors.
- Particulate matter (PM2.5): PM2.5 refers to the size of particulate matter or microscopic airborne particles that can be harmful if inhaled in large concentrations. This includes emissions from smoke, gas, wildfires and industrial factories.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): VOCs are compounds that turn into a gas at room temperature, which could cause health complications. According to the EPA, VOCs can be traced to “petroleum fuels, hydraulic fluids, paint thinners and dry cleaning agents,” among other things.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2): Carbon dioxide is emitted from burning fossil fuels or wildfires, and while it can be found in your blood, too much of it can cause health defects.
- Carbon monoxide (CO): Carbon monoxide is created by burning kerosene, gasoline or another fuel source and can reduce the amount of oxygen your blood can carry if inhaled in large concentrations. While some air quality monitors can detect this odorless, colorless gas, it’s still a good idea to have a dedicated carbon monoxide detector somewhere in your home.
- Temperature and humidity: While they’re not pollutants, temperature and humidity can have a big impact on your overall air quality.
Connectivity Features
We like to file this under “nice to have but not necessary,” but some air quality monitors require a smartphone to read specific data. There are plenty of options with a standalone display, but if you want to go the tech route, make sure it has reliable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Some air quality monitors also connect to air purifiers, dehumidifiers and even your home to activate certain actions based on indoor air quality. For example, some models will turn on an air purifier or open the ventilation system in your house to fix an issue. If you opt for one of these, make sure all your appliances and relevant equipment are compatible with the air monitor.
Power Source
Check to see if the air quality monitor is battery-operated or needs to be plugged into an outlet.
Ease of Use
Make sure you can understand what the air quality monitor displays. Based on the device, it should be easy for the average person to decipher whether their air quality is poor, fair or excellent. You should be able to get quick results either by looking at the monitor or a smartphone app.
Why Trust Us
As someone who has allergies and lifelong respiratory issues, I’m always cautious of the air I’m breathing. And as a native New Yorker who’s inhaled more car fumes than I care to admit, I’m hyper-aware of how my environment can impact my air quality.
I tested seven air quality monitors, eventually landing on the top five based on my experience. Additionally, I spoke with two air quality experts: Al Fouz, owner of Abaco Air Experts, and James Wilton, director of Absolute Climate Solutions.
How We Found the Best Air Quality Monitors
We tested seven of the most popular air quality monitors on the market today for more than two months, and we have been using them in bedrooms, offices, living rooms, and hotel rooms while traveling. We judged each one on its accuracy, ease of use, tech features, and range of detected pollutants.
For accuracy, we read through multiple research papers on the types of sensors used by these monitors to determine if they’re on par with professional-grade equipment. After that, we consulted multiple air quality and HVAC experts to gain a deeper understanding of air quality, what features we should look for in a monitor and get their take on today’s most popular devices.
FAQ
What is the best way to test the air quality in your home?
The best way to test the air quality in your home is to use an air quality monitor capable of detecting particulate matter, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), temperature and humidity. These devices can give you further insight into what’s in the air and may provide suggestions on how to remedy any issues.
How do you fix poor indoor air quality?
Poor indoor air quality can be fixed by running a dehumidifier or air purifier or simply opening a window, depending on the gasses or particulate matter in the air. Before taking any action, you should find out what’s causing the air quality issue and whether you need to evacuate the area, such as in the case of a wildfire.
Sources:
- Al Fouz, owner of Abaco Air Experts
- James Wilton, director of Absolute Climate Solutions
- Badura, M., Batog, P., Drzeniecka-Osiadacz, A., & Modzel, P. (2018). Evaluation of Low-Cost Sensors for Ambient PM2.5 Monitoring. Journal of Sensors, 2018(1), 5096540. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/5096540
- Jayaratne, R., Liu, X., Ahn, K.H., Asumadu-Sakyi, A., Fisher, G., Gao, J., Mabon, A., Mazaheri, M., Mullins, B., Nyaku, M., Ristovski, Z., Scorgie, Y., Thai, P., Dunbabin, M. and Morawska, L. (2020). Low-cost PM2.5 Sensors: An Assessment of their Suitability for Various Applications. Aerosol Air Qual. Res. 20: 520-532. https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2018.10.0390
- Environmental Protection Agency. What are volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-are-volatile-organic-compounds-vocs
- Environmental Protection Agency. Facts About Formaldehyde. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde/facts-about-formaldehyde
