For many reasons, air pollutants can build up in your home and cause many health issues for you and your loved ones. Whatever the cause, you can detect these unhealthy particles with an air quality monitor.
Here, we’ve reviewed some of the more popular products on the market to help you find the best one for your home.
After looking at dozens of indoor air quality monitors, we think the BIAOLING Air Quality Accurate Tester is the best. That’s because it unifies accuracy, functionality, portability, and convenient readability all in a single package.
Our Picks for Best Air Quality Monitors
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Best Indoor Air Quality Monitors Reviewed
1. BIAOLING Air Quality Monitor—Best Overall
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This BIAOLING indoor air quality monitor integrates every kind of toxin detection into a compact, easy-to-carry package.
Being a detector of CO2, TVOC, PM2.5, PM10, and HCHO, this unit provides long-term protection for your loved ones. It can also identify various types of gases, such as carbon monoxide, dust, and smoke.
It comes with an instruction manual, USB charging cable, 3000mAn lithium battery, and an LCD color screen.
Once fully charged, you can use the device for up to 12 consecutive hours. So, it’s excellent for testing at different places of your house. Besides, it has smart electrochemical sensors that take less than an hour to test formaldehyde levels. The device notifies you when it detects toxic substances in the air.
What’s more, there’s a 30-day free return option. So, you can get your money back or replace the product if you’re unhappy with the quality.
Pros:
- Capable of identifying most toxins.
- Alarm sound for dangerous particles.
- Digital screen.
- Rechargeable battery.
- Small and portable.
- Guarantee and return possibility.
Cons:
- Inaccurate readings in some cases.
2. General Tools MMD4E Digital Pin Type Moisture Meter—Most Readable
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If you’re in the market for the fastest and most accurate readings, then we suggest you take a look at this model.
The MMD4E Digital Pin Type is a straightforward moisture tester that can detect moisture content in your home furniture, and as a result, prevent molds from growing.
It’s equipped with first-class pins that recognize any dampness resulting from storms, broken pipes, or roof leakages. It also has a backlit LCD that displays the results almost instantly.
The device has green, yellow, and red lights to show the humidity level for low, medium, and high mode. It also displays them in percentage for more accuracy.
There are no limitations to using this device, meaning that you can detect endless areas as many times as you wish.
As for downfalls, although the pins are stainless steel and the protective cap is high quality, the building parts of the body are plastic. So, it’s not as durable as one might expect. Plus, you can only use it to test the moisture level. For the price, however, it’s still a fair trade.
Pros:
- Instant results.
- Accurate readings.
- Both numerical and visual alerts.
- Able to detect invisible moisture.
- No limitations for use.
- Inexpensive.
Cons:
- Only for moisture testing.
- Not very durable.
3. Awair 2nd Edition Air Quality Monitor— Good Looking
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This Awair air quality monitor is one of the most popular air monitoring devices in the market due to its chic and elegant design. The wood frame and white surface can blend seamlessly with most home decor.
This monitor includes sensors to detect 5 different air quality factors. By connecting with the App, this product can automatically track the air quality changes for you. It is also compatible with lots of smart assistants. You can get useful tips on the App.
Moreover, you can choose which indicator you’d like to show on the device. The numbers shows on the surface is big but still beautiful.
However, you may hear some fan noise after a few months of use.
Pros
- Beautiful look.
- You can control it by smartphone.
- Specific app to track air quality change.
- Easy to use.
Cons
- It may cause some fan noise.
4. IGERESS Indoor Air Quality Monitor—Most Competent
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With seven types of air pollutant tests, this model is the most competent air quality monitoring device on our list.
This home air monitor has several duties. It monitors humidity, temperature, and formaldehyde. It also checks volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other tiny particles such as PM2.5, PM1.0, and PM10.
With its colorful LCD screen, the air quality monitor is easy to read. As another bonus, it’s a very lightweight, portable device, which you can bring everywhere. You can quickly recharge the batteries with a USB cable and then use it outdoors.
The IGERESS air quality tester records, analyzes, and reports the outcomes in a 24-hour format, and therefore, provides real-time service to its owners.
As for the downside, however, we can point to the problematic recalibration process. Every time you observe the pollutants, you should readjust the device for the next time. In addition to that, you may find the manual a little hard to understand.
We also found some devices have a very loud, disturbing noise from the alarm function—which is not a considerable downside since you can easily turn the feature off.
Pros:
- Capable of inspecting seven air quality elements.
- Portable.
- Easy-to-read results.
- LCD screen.
- Real-time answers in a 24-hour timeframe.
- Suitable for outdoor monitoring.
- Rechargeable batteries.
Cons:
- Noise-making alarms.
- Hard-to-understand manual.
- Readjusting requirements.
5. EG Air Quality Pollution Monitor—Best Battery Life
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The EG Air Quality Pollution Monitor is an excellent choice for those looking for a comprehensive option with good battery life.
The model accurately measures synthetic and natural compounds, formaldehyde, and many microscopic droplets (such as PM2.5, PM1.0, and PM10).
It features an advanced fan that quickly pulls in air particles, allowing for real-time testing. It has a durable lithium battery that provides portable power when disconnected from the USB. We also like the 2.8-inch LED screen, on which you clearly see the results and won’t need to squint your eyes.
To assist the users, the manufacturer offers active customer support where you can freely ask your potential questions to a professional chemist. They also include an eBook about air quality hazards.
However, the manual lacks full instructions about calibrating the unit, e.g., calibrating PM2.5 particle counter.
There are two other issues with the calibration process. First, you should read the whole manual to learn how to do it. Second, the device doesn’t come pre-calibrated from the factory, making it a little slow to get ready for first use.
Pros:
- Multifunctional.
- Real-time observation.
- Portable.
- Widescreen.
- Advanced fan.
- Chargeable battery.
- Customer support.
Cons:
- Not enough instructions for calibrating.
- It doesn’t come calibrated for first-time use.
6. uHoo Indoor Air Quality Sensor—Most Advanced
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This uHoo sensor is perhaps the most high-tech air quality monitor in the world. It uses Wi-Fi to integrate with a mobile app and provide 24-hour insights on your home’s air quality.
Equipped with nine calibrated sensors, the product monitors a range of factors. These include temperature, humidity, toxins, and air pressure levels. It also checks CO, NO2, O3, CO2, and PM2.5/PM.25 particulate matter.
It uses data from your smart devices, like Alexa, to provide solutions on how to remove harmful materials. But your device has to be IFTTT-compatible.
Compared with other home air testers, it’s a little bit expensive. But the smart operation, effortless connection, customer support, and one-year warranty are worth it.
Sadly, the device doesn’t include a built-in screen. This means you should check the results on your mobile app. Another drawback is that it lacks a battery. So, you can only use it at home where you can plug it in.
Pros:
- Nine sensors.
- Auto calibration.
- 24/7 supervision.
- Capable of connecting to smartphones (both Android and iOS).
- Recommends fixing solutions.
- One-year warranty.
- Customer support.
Cons:
- Not portable.
- Expensive.
What to Look for in the Best Indoor Air Quality Monitor
Accuracy
The precision of an indoor air quality monitor depends on the power of its sensors.
To ensure accuracy, you can refer to the product reviews, or just use the products on our list. Check out the BIAOLING Air Quality Tester.
Also, note that calibrating home air monitor from time to time boosts their accuracy.
Ease of Use
No one wants to wrestle with lots of settings before they can use a device. The ideal home air quality monitoring device would need minimal human intervention to operate. Also, it should be initially calibrated from the factory.
To make things easier, go for units with auto-calibration—such as the uHoo Indoor Air Quality Sensor. Or pick one with comprehensive guidelines on how to calibrate the sensor.
Response Time
Home air pollutants affect your family’s health. So, when it comes to finding the best home air quality tester, the response time should be one of your priorities.
The sooner you get the results, the earlier you can come up with purifying solutions such as buying a purifier for pet or a 2 in 1 purifier and humidifier combo. So, you’ll have fewer hours of exposure for your family.
Many air quality monitors on our list offer real-time detection. These include the IGERESS Air Quality Monitor and EG Air Quality Pollution Monitor.
Portability
If you buy a portable device, you’ll be able to measure the outside air quality as well as the inside. So, your family remains safe in their office, car, or many various settings.
Look for compact, lightweight options that you can easily carry. They should also have a rechargeable battery.
The EG Air Quality Pollution Monitor and BIAOLING Air Quality Accurate Tester are two portable air quality monitors on our list that turn your outdoor air evaluation into a breeze. If you’re looking for a lightweight option, the IGERESS Air Quality Monitor is your best bet.
Functionality
There are many multi-task testers out there. For example, take a look at the IGERESS Air Quality Monitor and EG Air Quality Pollution Monitor. So, why should anyone pay any money for an inadequate unit?
The best air quality monitor is one that’s capable of measuring various air impurities. Here are the top indoor pollutants that an air tester should be able to detect:
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Permanent exposure to these compounds can lead to many health issues such as skin allergies, throat irritation, and damage to the eye tract, kidney, liver, and nervous system.
- Carbon monoxide (CO): Researchers have found that high concentrations of this pollutant can impair our decision-making performance.
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Although not toxic, if CO2 exceeds standard levels, it causes many problems. These include headaches, blood pressure, tinnitus, and even suffocation.
- Formaldehyde: Low levels of formaldehyde can disrupt the respiratory system while high levels may increase the risk of some cancers. It’s an essential chemical used in most building purposes, so chances are you can find some levels in your house.
- Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2): Another irritant that causes reactions in your respiratory tract. High levels of NO2 can lead to several diseases such as pulmonary edema, bronchitis, and lung injury.
- Particulate Matter (PM2.5, PM1.0, and PM10): These particles can cause many health problems, such as heart disease, lung cancer, and asthma.
FAQs About Air Quality Monitor
What Are the Symptoms of Bad Air Quality at Home?
Here are the symptoms of poor air quality in the home:
- Unexplained fatigue.
- Regular headaches.
- Irritation of the throat, eyes, and nose.
- Allergic reactions.
- Dizziness.
- Excessive skin dryness.
- Coughing.
How Do You Fix Poor Indoor Air Quality?
You can fix indoor air quality with the following steps:
- Buy an AC filter.
- Check pollutants with indoor air quality monitors.
- Install a hood vent in your kitchen.
- Keep your plants outdoors.
- Let fresh air inside from time to time.
- Clean often.
- Fix the leaky pipes or any other causes of dampness.
What Are the Causes of Poor Indoor Air Quality?
Here are the most common causes of poor indoor air quality:
- Lack of proper ventilation at home.
- High humidity due to unsolved leaks.
- Excessive use of cleaning supplies.
- Use of building materials such as painting.
- Contamination of cigarette smoke particles.
Why Does the Air in My House Feel Heavy?
The air in your house can sometimes feel heavy because of high humidity levels. This airlessness usually happens in houses with improper ventilation or windowless areas—but it also occurs when you have unattended moisture on your surfaces, walls, and ceilings.
Conclusion
Among many air quality monitors, the BIAOLING Accurate Air Quality Tester wins our top pick. Because it has high capability, precision, and portability.
The EG Air Quality Pollution Monitor and uHoo Indoor Air Quality Sensor are also valuable products when it comes to durability.
