There’s a lot of misinformation online about which air quality tools work best, so we decided to test a range of popular devices to help you find the best indoor air quality meter for you. We researched various devices and put them through a series of tests to determine if they were easy to use, accurate, and durable enough for long-term use.
Read on for our list of the best indoor air quality meters.
Our Editor’s Best Indoor Air Quality Meters Reviews
- ✅ [PROTECTS EVERY BREATH] – When it comes to the health of your family, AirKnight knows that every breath counts. Our 9-in-1 air quality monitor is equipped with powerful sensors that detect the main 8 kinds of air pollution (CO2, VOCs, Formaldehyde, AQI, PM2.5 & PM10 Dust Particles, & more) in REAL-TIME, all displayed on one sleek, clear LCD screen.
- ✅ [SIMPLE, FAST SETUP] – No complicated app, badly written instructions or Wi-Fi required for one of the most premium indoor air quality meters. Our device was specially designed to be operated by anyone, anywhere, so you can keep your space safe without a tech-induced headache. An instructional video is included also, just in case.
- ✅ [PORTABLE FOR EVERYWHERE, ANYTIME USE] – Featuring a heavy-duty 3000 mAh rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery, your AirKnight AK1000 portable air quality monitor is designed to travel with you, monitoring your air quality for hours at a time on a single charge. Never go unprotected again!
- ✅ [WILDFIRES & WOOD-BURNING APPLIANCES] – The Airknight AK1000 is perfect if you are near a wildfire – or if you depend on old or wood powered appliances in your home. The 9 in 1 AK1000 is also a carbon dioxide monitor and guards your air quality by letting you know when particulate matter and VOCs are unusually high.
- ✅ [2 YEAR WARRANTY AVAILABLE] – AirKnight is an American company that works tirelessly to ensure the overall quality of each indoor air quality monitor with rigorous testing. Simply put: if you are not happy, we will replace your AirKnight AK1000 or give you your money back – no questions asked!
- 【Award-winning Multifunction Air Quality Detector】Qingping Air Monitor shows a full picture of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) by monitoring PM2.5, CO2, TVOC, temperature, and humidity. It provides real-time data of weather forecast, AQI, and UV index (forecast of AQI and UV is not available in the US). You can also check the date, calendar and time on the screen (need to connect it to the network to access the right time zone). The product with elegant design has won an iF and a Red Dot design awards.
- 【Accurate and Reliable Measurement】The product is fast-responding and sensitive with a 1.2GHz 4-core A7 chipset. The product has top-level sensors built-in, along with the multi-mode compensation algorithm, the measured data is accurate and reliable. The innovative design of the vents enables sufficient contact between the air and the sensors to improve efficiency. The evaluation and colorful bar under readings help you to interpret the indoor air quality.
- 【High-resolution Touch Screen】The 3.1'' IPS touch screen with 328 PPI is ultra-clear. The brightness can be adjusted automatically. Each metric is with a color indicator under the number, so you can understand the indoor air quality and the temperature/humidity level of your room at a glance. You can touch the numbers or slide to switch the interfaces, all the operations are smooth and easy.
- 【Smart Wi-Fi Device, Supports Qingping+ app】You can monitor the 5 metrics remotely in Qingping+ app when the device is connected with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (it doesn't require a hub). You can also check or export the historical data of the last 24 hours and 30 days. The product has a smart operation system, it supports firmware upgrades for new features and optimization. Please download the English version user manual from the product description page to get more details if needed.
- 【Important Notes】1) the product cannot measure Formaldehyde; 2) for the first time use, the initialization of TVOC may take around 4 hours; 3) the product is powered by a supplied USB-C charging cable, it can work for 4 hours after fully charged, so please keep it connecting to the power supply in daily use. The charger is not included in the package, the power input should be 5V ⎓ 1A; 4) the product may have faint sound when the fan is working to accelerate the air exchange.
- MULTIFUNCTIONAL & SCIENTIFIC – As our newest model, this indoor air quality monitor accurately assesses temperature in Celsius, humidity level, and multiple measures of air quality including concentrations of formaldehyde, total natural & synthetic volatile organic compounds causing most odors (TVOC), and fine particulate dust matter (PM2.5/PM1.0/PM10) which travel deeply into the respiratory tract, reaching the lung alveoli.
- PORTABLE TESTING – Spot check indoor air quality anywhere or leave device on for continuous monitoring. This easy-to-carry air quality tester can help monitor air quality at home, in the car, and in hotel rooms. The lithium battery provides portable power when DC 5V micro USB charging is not available. Information is displayed on a clear 2.8” 320 x 240 pixel color LCD display.
- ADVANCED FAN & SENSORS – This air quality monitor has a built-in fan to quickly draw in ambient air to allow REAL-TIME measurements. It incorporates a laser sensor to measure levels of dust particles and has a second electrochemical semiconductor sensor to test air quality including formaldehyde and natural/synthetic organic compound levels.
- HEALTHY HOME? – Is your family suffering from sick building syndrome? This air quality tester detects organic compounds like formaldehyde which has suspected links to nasal cancer and lung cancer emitted from many household materials. By measuring particulate pollution, an air pollution monitor can also help you know when asthma may worsen and when to change your home’s air filter.
- ORIGINAL DESIGN & USA BASED SUPPORT – We have Midwest-based technical staff including a chemist to answer any questions you have. Also included will be a 20+ page eBook on Gas and Air Quality Hazards. We have worked with the supplier that holds this air quality detector’s design rights so you can be confident this item is tried and tested.
- 4-IN 1 AIR QUALITY MONITOR - Particulate matter (PM 2.5), humidity, temperature and time. PM2.5 is a major component of air pollution, and fine particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) can move deeper into the respiratory tract when inhaled. You need to have an indoor air quality monitor for your family.
- PROFESSIONAL PRECISION DESIGN - This indoor air quality meter has advanded high-quality sensor that reflects air quality by detecting PM2.5 particulate matter. Reasonable inlet and outlet duct design enables internal sensors to accurately analyze each particle. Update PM2.5 index every 5 seconds and temperature and humidity every 30 seconds, more comprehensive understanding of the air quality.
- FULL VA-LCD COLOR SCREEN - Multi-color screen adopts omni-directional viewing angle technology, from any angle you can clearly see the PM2.5 indicator, temperature, humidity and time displayed by this air quality monitor indoor. The screen brightness can be adjusted through the buttons on the back.
- EASY TO USE - This indoor air quality tester only use 4 buttons achieve all operations. The air quality detector is plug and play, it uses a MicroB USB port, plug in the data cable to get PM2.5 index, temperature, humidity and time (unplug the time will change to the default time 12 :00)
- PACKAGE INCLUDES - 1 × air monitor, 1 × User Manual, 1 × Micro USB Cable ( Input: 5V, 500mA; Length: 3.3 Ft ). Updated version: updated USB port, more durable; The detection accuracy of PM2.5 index and temperature and humidity is optimized. If you have any quality problems, please hesitate to contact us, we will try our best to help you selve problems.
- [4 in 1 Multifunctional Monitor] This smart air quality meter provides accurate monitoring of PM2.5, AQI, HCHO, TVOC. Conveniently offer measures 4 important indexes for indoor air quality.
- [Professional High Tech Components] Adopting Temtop core technology industrial-grade PM2.5 laser sensor, British Dart formaldehyde sensor. Professional high-tech components to ensure the ultra-precision and professionalism for detecting needs.
- [Easy to Use] Only use one single button to realize ON/OFF, interface switching, and auto-loop function. 3 color led light to indicate the air quality from healthy to unhealthy. The calibration function for HCHO sensor is also available.
- [Why Temtop] Professional air quality expert with 10 years R&D in PM2.5 sensor and cooperates with other professional sensor suppliers worldwide such as Senseair/Sensirion/ Renesas.
- [What You Get] M10 air quality monitor, charging cable, reset pin, user manual, Temtop 12-months warranty & 24/7 customer support access via email and phone.
- FINE PARTICLE DUST LEVEL -- Laser air quality sensor can measure indoor dust level in real time. 6-channel tiny particle number detection (Number of particles/liter)--PM0.3, PM0.5, PM1.0, PM2.5, PM5.0, PM10; 3-channel particulate matters quality detection (μg/m³)--PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10
- CO2 & HCHO SENSOR -- NDIR Non-Spectral Infrared CO2 Carbon Dioxide Sensor with self-calibration, Absorption chamber Optical Coating; Electrochemical formaldehyde HCHO sensor with automatic calibration, double platinum catalytic electrode, strong anti-interference ability
- TVOC CHEMICAL POLLUTION -- Semiconductor TVOC meter can test a variety of volatile organic compounds TVOC VOCs, such as benzene, toluene, xylene, aromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, hydrogen sulfide etc., captures the change in molecular concentration of organic compounds at the thousandth level
- DATA LOGGING UPGTADE -- Smart air quality monitor indoor upgrade in 2021: Support data storage and export of all 12 testing items, with date and time, frequency: once every 1 minute. MAX storage capacity can be expanded to 8G, which can store up to 400 days of records
- PROFESSIONAL & ORIGINAL -- air quality alarm base on US standard; 2200 mAh rechargeable lithium battery; stereo air convection sampling and active air interactive system; Silent fan without noise; Anti-fall PE soft shell
- 【A 5-in-1 Multifunction Air Monitor】Qingping Air Monitor Lite tests 5 major factors of the indoor air quality: PM2.5 (the result of secondhand smoke), PM10, CO2, temperature and humidity. By knowing the real-time air quality, you can turn on the air purifier or open the window when needed.
- 【High Accuracy and Fast Responding】Inside the air monitor, there are reliable, fast responding and stable sensors from top level sensor manufacturers. The 5 readings refresh ever second. The air inlet grille design at the back enables sufficient contact between the sensors and the air. The product is NOT waterproof/dustproof, please do not place this product in environment with humidity higher than 90% for long term use.
- 【Works with Apple HomeKit and Qingping+ app】As this is a Wi-Fi device (2.4GHz Wi-Fi ONLY), you can check data remotely/export historical data on Qingping+ app (available on App Store/Google Play). For Apple Home app users, check the 5 metrics remotely or set automation with an Apple home hub; for automation on temperature/humidity, the iPhone needs to be upgraded to iOS 15.1 or later, and the hub should be upgraded to the latest version.
- 【Clear OLED Display and Sensitive Touch Bar】Pixel style UI design shows on a clear OLED screen, enables bigger visible angle and more fun. Through the multi-colored indicator, you will know the air quality, the temperature and the humidity level of your room, with a glance from a distance. You may tap or slide the touch bar on the top to switch the readings as smoothly as to operate a touch screen.
- 【Rechargeable Lithium Battery with 7-hour Battery Life】The built-in 2000mAh Lithium battery is with up to 7 hours battery life. We recommend plugging it into power all the time. There is a USB-C cable supplied. IMPORTANT: When running on battery, the default setting is to turn off the product automatically after a few minutes, you can change settings in Qingping+ app to let it stay on without power supply if needed.
- Multiple Detectable Gases - BIAOLING upgraded indoor air quality monitor built in DART electrochemical sensors that can accurate detect air of Carbon Dioxide(CO2), Formaldehyde(HCHO), Volatile Organic Compound(TVOC), Particle Matter(PM2.5/PM10). This new mode can offer real time data and mean value, it is recommend you to focus on mean value of each gas after testing enough time because long-term monitoring, the real-time data exist instability.
- Know Your Air Clearly - For everyone,It's necessary to know the air quality of the place where you live.This air monitor have LCD Digital Color Screen, large and easy to read. This air monitor will offer color indication to show overall environment quality which have Good(Green), Mild Pollution(Yellow),Severe Pollution(Red) three grade. You can directly to know the overall environment quality and track on each gas mean value to know what gas in air is unsafe and take accordingly actions.
- Easy Operate - This air monitor is easy to operate which just pressing the functional button and one full page design make everyone can easy to read all the real time readings at the same time. Size about 5.83” * 2.76” * 1.18”. It's easy to carry the intelligent air quality monitor that can help us detect the air quality in household, kitchen, bedroom, office, school, car, hotel, travel, camping, party etc...especially in which has baby,child and pregnant woman.
- 3000mAh Rechargeable Battery - BIAOLING Air Quality Detector has a 3000mAh rechargeable lithium battery and packed with USB cable that can last up to 8-12 hours. It is recommend you to charge 6 hours before first use and do not use it when charging or in lower battery because the data may not so accurate. Built-in low power consumption processing chip, can carry on long time uninterrupted monitoring to air quality. It will always take care of you and your family health.
- Kindly Note - Please be aware this air quality monitor is for home indoor place, please kindly close door and window before testing. We do recommend using the monitor as a stationary unit and focus on long time(at least 60 minutes) mean values and overall environment quality indication.If you have any questions regarding monitor functionality or you need any assistance on how to re-calibrate the sensors, please contact us via email.
- [4 in 1 Multifunctional Monitor] This smart air quality meter provides accurate monitoring of CO2, HCHO, TVOC and temperature. Conveniently offer measures 4 important indexes for indoor air quality with very small errors and very precise.
- [Easy To Use]: View your environment data anytime, anywhere, with the free XiaoMei Smart app (iOS/Android) and with graphs, notifications and insights
- [Indoor Air Quality Sensor]: For people living in cities, wildfire areas, or experiencing asthma or allergy issues, monitors the health of the air your breath, also measures temperature
- [Portable and Widely Application] : The smart portable air quality monitor easy to carry , widely used in, home interior, car ,office etc.
- [Simple operation]: simple switch can easily obtain air data, which can be easily used by adults and children
- RELIABLE RADON RESULTS: As radon levels fluctuate daily, continuous long-term measuring is necessary. Airthings Wave Plus measures radon accurately and reliably
- CLEAN AIR SENSORS: Radon, Carbon Dioxide (CO2), toxins and chemicals (Total VOCs), humidity, temperature and air pressure sensors allow you to gain full visibility into six key indoor air factors
- EASY AND CLEAR RESULTS: Connect via Bluetooth to the Airthings App or log in to the Airthings Dashboard online for detailed insights into your air
- POLLEN LEVELS : Live and local pollen data right in your Airthings App
- EASY: Simply wave in front of the device to receive a color-coded visual indication of the overall air quality: Green (Good), Yellow (Fair), Red (Poor)
Best Indoor Air Quality Meters Buying Guide
Before choosing the best indoor air quality meter you should consider following options:
1. Accuracy: Look for a meter that offers accuracy that is either ISO or NIST traceable. Accuracy is an important factor when purchasing an air quality meter because it helps ensure that the readings you get are as accurate as possible.
Accuracy also ensures that it is easy to compare readings for different locations. If you have a home with two air vents, you can use a meter to compare the levels of mold in each room. If the levels are the same, then you can eliminate the vents from your remodeling plans.
2. Speed: The speed at which an air quality meter measures and displays results is also important. Faster meters allow you to take readings of the air in your home much more frequently.
This helps you track changes in the air quality, which can alert you to any potential problems. For example, if you begin to notice a significant buildup of mold in your home, you can take action before the problem becomes severe.
3. Cost: Air quality meters come in a wide range of prices. Some of the cheaper models are limited in their functionality, but others offer a full set of features at a reasonable price.
4. Portability: Air quality meters come in both handheld and non-portable options. Handheld meters are great for measuring the air quality in your home or business, but they don’t offer the same level of accuracy that non-portable units do.
Air quality meters come in a wide range of sizes and with a range of features. Use the information in this buyer’s guide to help you determine which features are most important to you and what is the best value for your needs.
5. Accuracy: Accuracy is an important factor when purchasing an air quality meter because it helps ensure that the readings you get are as accurate as possible.
Accuracy also ensures that it is easy to compare readings for different locations. If you have a home with two air vents, you can use a meter to compare the levels of mold in each room. If the levels are the same, then you can eliminate the vents from your remodeling plans.
6. Speed: The speed at which an air quality meter measures and displays results is also important. Faster meters allow you to take readings of the air in your home much more frequently.
This helps you track changes in the air quality, which can alert you to any potential problems. For example, if you begin to notice a significant buildup of mold in your home, you can take action before the problem becomes severe.
7. Cost: Air quality meters come in a wide range of prices. Some of the cheaper models are limited in their functionality, but others offer a full set of features at a reasonable price.
8. Portability: Air quality meters come in both handheld and non-portable options. Handheld meters are great for measuring the air quality in your home or business, but they don’t offer the same level of accuracy that non-portable units do.
Air quality meters come in a wide range of sizes and with a range of features. Use the information in this buyer’s guide to help you determine which features are most important to you and what is the best value for your needs.
9. Accuracy: Accuracy is an important factor when purchasing an air quality meter because it helps ensure that the readings you get are as accurate as possible.
Accuracy also ensures that it is easy to compare readings for different locations. If you have a home with two air vents, you can use a
What else you should know about indoor air quality meters
1. What are indoor air quality meters?
Indoor air quality meters are devices that measure the level of various contaminants in the air inside a building.
2. How do indoor air quality meters work?
Indoor air quality meters measure the amount of particulate matter in the air, as well as the temperature and humidity.
3. What are the benefits of using an indoor air quality meter?
Some benefits of using an indoor air quality meter include:
-Monitoring and improving air quality
-Detecting and reducing indoor pollution
-Improving comfort and health
-Saving money on energy bills
4. What are some of the features of indoor air quality meters?
Some indoor air quality meters have sensors that can measure a variety of different pollutants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. Others may only measure a single pollutant. Some air quality meters have digital displays that show the readings, while others have analog displays. Some air quality meters can be connected to a computer or other device for data logging, while others cannot.
5. How can I choose the right indoor air quality meter for my needs?
The first step is to identify the parameters that are most important to you. For example, if you are concerned about particulate matter, you will want to look for a meter that measures PM2.5 and PM10. If you are concerned about volatile organic compounds (VOCs), you will want to look for a meter that measures total VOCs. Once you have identified the most important parameters, you can narrow your search to meters that measure those parameters.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best indoor air quality meters. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best indoor air quality meters will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.