Best Air Quality Monitor

We researched the best air quality monitors to detect CO2, CO, VOCs, particulate matter (PM), and more.
Best overall
uHoo
  • pro
    Tracks 9 air quality factors
  • pro
    Has app
  • pro
    Uses a visual indicator
Best for radon
""
Airthings 2960 View Plus
  • pro
    Tracks 8 air quality factors
  • pro
    Has app
  • pro
    Uses a visual indicator
Budget pick
Yvelines
  • pro
    Tracks 4 air quality factors
  • con
    No app
  • pro
    Uses color display
Best display
IQAir
  • pro
    Tracks 5 air quality factors
  • pro
    Has app
  • pro
    Uses color display
Best for Apple users
Eve Room
  • pro
    Tracks 3 air quality factors
  • pro
    Has app
  • pro
    Uses a b/w display

SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review

No matter if it's wildfires, pollen, or pollution that has you worried about air quality, there's a monitor that fits your needs. We researched the best air quality monitors and found the uHoo Smart Air Monitor to be our top pick. This top air monitor can detect nine different air quality factors and provide tips to make your home’s air quality better.

Don’t miss our other picks, though. We found the best air quality monitors to detect carbon dioxide (CO2), formaldehyde (HCHO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), and more.



Compare air quality monitoring devices

Air quality monitor
Best for
Price
What it detects
Display
Smart home
Learn more
Best overallTemperature, humidity, CO2, VOC, CO, NO2, PM, ozone, pressure
Icon No  LightNo
Alexa, Google, IFTTT
Best for radonTemperature, humidity, PM, radon, CO2, VOC, air pressure, pollen
Icon No  LightNo
Alexa, Google, IFTTT
Budget pickCO2, VOC, HCHO, PM
Icon Yes  LightYes
None
Best displayTemperature, humidity, CO2, AQI, PM,
Icon Yes  LightYes
IFTTT
Best for Apple usersTemperature, humidity, VOC
Icon Yes  LightYes
Apple HomeKit

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

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Best air quality monitor reviews

1. uHoo Smart Air Monitor: Best overall

Best overall

 *Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

We picked the uHoo Smart Air Monitor because it detects more air pollutants and air quality factors than any other top air quality monitor we reviewed. It tracks temperature, humidity levels, changes in air pressure, CO, CO2, NO2, and VOC.

pro
Pros
pro Tracks the most air quality factors
pro Provides tips for improving air quality
pro Graphs air quality over days and months
con
Cons
con Doesn’t detect radon

Another thing we love about the uHoo is its app. This indoor air quality monitor is user friendly, with all of the air quality stats laid out in an easy-to-read way. The app also provides tips on how to improve your air quality.

If you don’t want to open the app, a glance is all you need. The indicator light will tell you if the air is clean (green light) or if the air quality is poor (red light).

Even better, the app links with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or IFTTT. When the app senses indoor air pollution, it can use these home automation services to turn on your air purifier. Or, if it gets too humid, it can switch on the air conditioner.

2. Airthings 2960 View Plus: Best for radon

Best smart radon detector
""

*Amazon.com prices as of post date. See full disclaimer.

Airthings 2960 View Plus is the only top air monitor on our list that detects radon. If you live in an area that is susceptible to radon, this is a key feature. If you’re not, it has a bunch of other nifty features you may like.

pro
Pros
pro Detects pollen
pro Easy to use
pro Wire-free
con
Cons
con Doesn’t detect CO
con Doesn’t detect PM

Other than radon, Airthings Wave Plus detects pollen. This is good news for allergy suffers. Airthings Wave Plus also detects CO2, VOC, humidity, temperature, and changes in air pressure.

Like uHoo, this air checker can be added to your home automation. It’s compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT.

The drawback of the Airthings 2930 is that it doesn’t detect the deadly gas CO like the uHoo. If you already have a CO detector, then this really isn’t a problem. You can also buy one separately. Check out our top carbon monoxide detectors list.

3. Yvelines: Budget pick

Budget pick
Yvelines
$64.99

 *Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The Yvelines air monitor is less than a fourth of the price of our top pick. But the lower price means there are some missing features, like an app and smart home connectivity.

pro
Pros
pro Big display
pro Easy to use
pro Detects formaldehyde
con
Cons
con No app
con No smart home connectivity
con Doesn’t detect CO or radon

While it’s missing a few features, the Yvelines still has a couple of perks. It’s the only monitor on our list that detects formaldehyde. It also detects lots of different air pollution, including CO2, HCHO, VOC, and PM.

It also has a big screen that displays all of the air quality factors and their current levels in real time. The rechargeable battery is nice, too, since you won’t need to buy new batteries.

4. IQAir: Best display

Best display
IQAir
$289.00

 *Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The IQAir makes a point of displaying information in a way that is easy to understand while being easy on the eyes. It takes the Yvelines’ boring display design and amps it up with user-friendly air quality data graphics.

pro
Pros
pro Large, easy-to-read screen
pro Detects CO2, AQI, PM, temperature, and humidity
pro Compares indoor and outdoor air quality
con
Cons
con Doesn’t detect CO or radon

Besides the cute graphics, we like that the IQAir compares indoor air quality to outdoor air quality for more than 10,000 locations. In places prone to high pollution or inversions, this info is important to your daily plans.

The larger screen makes reading the stats easier when you’ve misplaced your reading glasses too.

5. Eve Room: Best for Apple users

Best for Apple users
Eve Room
$69.95

 *Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Eve Room is one of the only indoor air quality monitors we found that works with  Apple HomeKit. While it doesn’t test for as many other air contaminants as the others on our list, it has some unique perks.

pro
Pros
pro Large display
pro Small size
pro Detects VOC, temperature, humidity
con
Cons
con Doesn’t detect CO levels or PMs

With Apple TV or HomePod as a hub, the Eve Room can automatically turn on your air purifier, humidifier, or air conditioner when it senses that the conditions in a room aren’t up to your standards. All you have to do is set up a scene.

At about half the height of your phone, the Eve Room is tiny, so it’s easy to stash anywhere in your house. Since it’s wireless, you can even carry it from room to room.

We also like the bright, e-ink display that lets you see the air quality of a room at a glance. In addition to VOC levels, you can track the temperature and humidity levels in a room by checking the companion app.

More air quality monitors we considered

Airthings-292 Wave Mini

The Airthings-292 Wave Mini is the little sibling of the Airthings 2930. This puck-sized air pollution detector is the budget version of its bigger sibling at under $80. With the low price come some limitations: it only detects VOCs, humidity, and temperature.

Temtop M10 Air Quality Monitor

The Temtop M10 Air Quality Monitor detects HCHO, VOCs, PM, and AQI. While that’s great, the display is small and hard to understand. We may have been able to overlook the confusing display if the Temtop had an app to clear things up, but it doesn’t.

Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor

The Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor detects PM, VOCs, CO, humidity, and temperature. It also has a nifty app that’s easy to use. Overall, it isn’t a terrible choice for a budget air quality monitor. The downsides? This air quality sensor is only compatible with Alexa, has a tiny indicator light, and has no display.

Things to consider before you buy

Before you buy an air quality monitor, you need to understand how to test air quality, and become familiar with the types of contaminants found in the air so you can decide which one you’re most concerned about.

  • Pollen: Pollen is an allergen created by trees, grasses, and weeds. The levels of pollen in your home can vary depending on the time of year.
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2): This gas is what your body breaths out. In small doses, it’s no big deal. If the CO2 levels in your home get more concentrated, it can mess with your sleep or give you a headache. High levels of carbon dioxide can be deadly.
  • Carbon monoxide (CO): CO is an odorless, colorless gas created by fuel-burning devices like stoves, heaters, and furnaces. This gas is deadly. You can learn more in our carbon monoxide guide.
  • Formaldehyde (HCHO): Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable chemical with a strong smell. It’s commonly found in plywood and other pressed wood products, car emissions, and tobacco smoke. Exposure to high levels of the chemical can lead to cancer. Casual exposure can cause eyes, skin, nose, and throat irritation.
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOC): Volatile organic compounds are gases that can cause short- or long-term health problems. They can come from paints, turpentine, office furniture, cleaning products, glues, building materials, and much more.
  • Particulate matter (PM): These are microscopic solids or liquid droplets. When inhaled, these fine particles can cause health problems. Some types of particulate matter include dust, dirt, smoke, and some pollen. When shopping for air quality monitors, you’ll see PMs measured as PM10 (10 micrometers) or PM 2.5 (2.5 micrometers). Look for an air monitor that will detect PM 2.5. This means the device will detect a PM that is 30 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair.
  • Radon: Radon is a gas byproduct of uranium and a major cause of lung cancer. Some areas are more susceptible to radon than others. You can learn more in our radon detector guide.
  • Nitrogen dioxide (NO2): This noxious gas is formed by kerosene, wood, or gas heaters and stoves. NO2 can irritate the lungs, cause breathing problems, and may cause cancer.
  • Air quality index (AQI): Some air quality monitors just list that they measure the air quality index. It’s unclear what indoor air quality monitors are measuring for their indoor AQI rating. For the EPA’s outdoor standards, AQI is a measurement of how polluted the air is by particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide. An AQI of less than 100 is considered good. Check out the EPA’s Air Quality Index for outdoor forecasts.

Final word

Our research found that the uHoo Smart Air Monitor is the best air quality monitor on the market. It detects nine air quality indicators, has a user-friendly app, and it has a large indicator light that’s easy to see across the room. If you’re looking for radon detection, the Airthings Wave Plus is the way to go.

How good is the air where you live? Check out the 5 Cities with the Best Air Quality in the U.S.

FAQ

Too much humidity in the air can promote the growth of mold, but too little can make your skin dry and your nose bleed. It’s important to keep humidity levels around 30% to 50%.

Most home air quality monitors do not detect mold. You’ll need a mold detection kit for that.

They make your home safer, so they’re definitely a good idea. Air quality monitors can keep you safe from a range of deadly gases and can help keep your allergies in check.

Yep. Look for a model that will detect particulate matter of 10 micrometers and smaller.

It depends on what's causing poor air quality, but here are some common solutions:

Learn more about improving indoor air quality

Yes, they can detect a wide range of air quality issues, like dust, pollen, smoke, radon, and CO2 and more

How we reviewed the best air quality monitors

""

Image: SafeWise. 

To create our air quality monitor review, we scoured user reviews, product stats, and device reviews. We combined our research with our dozens of years of safety experience to determine the best air quality monitors for your home. To learn more about how we review products and services, please visit our methodology page.

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Disclaimer

Amazon: *Product prices and availability are accurate as of post date and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

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Alina Bradford
Written by
Alina Bradford
Alina is a safety and security expert that has contributed her insights to CNET, CBS, Digital Trends, MTV, Top Ten Reviews, and many others. Her goal is to make safety and security gadgets less mystifying one article at a time. In the early 2000s, Alina worked as a volunteer firefighter, earning her first responder certification and paving the way to her current career. Her activities aren’t nearly as dangerous today. Her hobbies include fixing up her 100-year-old house, doing artsy stuff, and going to the lake with her family.

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