It’s a little frightening to know that 96% of houses will battle with at least one indoor air quality issue. If you or someone in your household has asthma, bronchitis or just has sensitive lungs, this is an issue that can easily be fixed or avoided completely if you take the right steps. Having an indoor air quality monitor with show you what the air conditions are in your house at all times as well as showing you the pollutant levels that could be irritating you and your loved ones.
Whether it’s something as common as dust, or something more serious such as mold, having an indoor air quality monitor can be incredibly beneficial to your health. Today you’ll be reading about some of the best indoor air quality monitors on the market along with a buyer’s guide. We even added in a FAQ (frequently asked questions) section so that any questions you may have get answered.
Quick Summary
Feel free to use this comparison table to see which products we’ll be covering today. To get the best item for your money, please read the entire buyer’s guide below. Here are the products we’ll be reviewing, along with some comparisons between them to help you get a better idea of what you may want or need in an indoor air quality monitor.
Buyer’s Guide: What to Look for in an Indoor Air Quality Monitor
Before you spend any of your hard earned money (whether that’s online or in person), there are a few things to look for in indoor air quality monitors. Take some notes in this section to make your shopping experience a bit easier. This will allow you to quickly find which products will or will not work for you.
A few of the things you’re going to want to keep your eye out for are the following:
- ​Humidity and Temperature
- ​VOC
- ​Wi-Fi Connection
- ​PM
- ​Price
- ​CO2​
Let’s talk about each one of these sensors in a bit more detail.
Humidity and Temperature
When it comes to indoor air quality, the humidity and temperature in your home play a big part and monitors that test these two things are some of the most commonly found products. The monitor will be able to tell you if it’s too humid which can make mold grow or cause dust mites which can cause allergies or asthma attacks. The monitors that test the humidity and temperature also save you money from having to buy extra sensors to test those things. If you suspect humidity to be low – or verify it with a monitor! – consider purchasing a whole house humidifier or a cool mist humidifier to resolve this issue.
VOC
​Some monitors tests Volatile Organic Compounds (or VOC). These are gaseous pollutants that can be very harmful to our overall health. Have you heard of Formaldehyde? This is one of the more popular Volatile Organic Compounds and can be found in things like glue and garden fertilizer. Monitors with this type of sensor are some of the best on the market.
Wi-Fi Connection
​Having an indoor air quality monitor with Wi-Fi connection can be a big plus if you’re a fan of electronics. This way, you’ll be able to see the results of the monitor right at your fingertips using your smartphone, tablet or laptop. This is merely a preference but a lot of folks like the convenience.
​PM
​Some monitors will test particle matter or PM. Particle matter is something you can’t get around, it’s quite literally everywhere. Things like dust or pollen are considered particle matter. When we inhale these things, it can affect our lungs and breathing. You’ll find that the monitors that read PM give you a concentrated number for a specific time period. These are best used for things like seasonal allergies.
Price
​Just like most other things you purchase, price can play a factor. Luckily there are monitors available at just about every price range. Some have features others don’t but it’s good to keep in mind that just because an idea is cheaper, doesn’t mean it isn’t good quality. Just like how more expensive items won’t always have features the more inexpensive ones do.
CO2
​Though CO2 is found naturally in the air, when levels are too high it becomes dangerous. There are air quality monitors that use a Carbon Dioxide sensor to help show you the levels for air quality purposes. These could double as C02 monitors, saving you money from buying another product.
​​​Indoor Air Quality Monitor FAQ Section
​Q: How does an air quality monitor work?
A:Â Air quality monitors work by using specific sensors to measure specific things in the air to show you the air quality. Above you read four of the most common types of sensors and what their benefits are. Some monitors will show you the results right on the machine, while others have apps available so you can view on your phone.
Q:Â How do you monitor air quality? What different ways are there?
A:Â There are several different ways but the most popular are by testing the following things in the air: Carbon Dioxide, Volatile Organic Compounds, Particle Matter and Humidity or Temperature.
Q:Â What are some ways I can improve the air in my home?
A: There are several things you can do to improve the air in your home. Things like avoiding smoking indoors, vacuuming your carpets weekly or using air filters are some of the more common ways. You could also fix leaks so mold doesn’t grow, make sure you don’t have food or garbage lying around and of course, keep the humidity at a proper level all year round.
Top 5 Indoor Air Quality Monitors
Without further adieu, here are the best indoor air quality monitors that money can buy you. We’ll give you a few pros and cons along with some of the features each monitor has. Let’s get into it!
​Awair Glow Air Quality Monitor
This is a modern looking air quality monitor that plugs right into a wall outlet. It monitors CO2, humidity, Volatile Organic Compounds and temperature. It doesn’t monitor particulate matter, which may be important to some.
It will cover around 1,000 square feet and can automatically manage your indoor air quality if you’d like and will turn on the necessary devices to improve the air quality when it’s too low. There is an outlet on the front of it so you don’t lose a plug-in by plugging it in.
This could be great if you need to use something like a dehumidifier or air purifier to improve the air quality of your home. It does have a light that will be emitted if you leave it plugged in, so make sure to put it in a room where that isn’t bothersome.
PROS
- ​Excellent job at getting air quality levels
- ​Has a plug for other devices
- Wi-Fi capable
- ​Can automatically manage the air quality
- ​It’s small and compact
CONS
- ​Doesn’t track particle matter
- ​App is iPhone only (at the time this is written)
​Eve Room – Indoor Air Quality Monitor
If you’re looking to save money, you may want to go with the Elgato Eve Room monitor. It will measure temperature, humidity and VOC. You can easily move it from room to room since it’s battery-powered (using three AAA batteries) and is a Bluetooth monitor.
This unit is incredibly small and simple which would benefit someone who isn’t into technology too much. On that note, you will need an iPhone or iPad to use this indoor air quality monitor. You can easily charge it via USB cable without needing a bridge or gateway!
PROS
- ​Small
- ​Bluetooth capable
- ​Charges via USB
- ​Relatively inexpensive
CONS
- ​Doesn’t measure particle matter
- ​Doesn’t measure CO2
- ​Requires iPhone or iPad
​Igeress Portable Indoor Air Quality Monitor
If you didn’t know, there are portable air quality monitors available and this is the best one on the market. It will test particle matter, Volatile Organic Compounds and Formaldehyde. It is safe to note that just because it detects Formaldehyde does not mean it can detect CO2.
If you’re looking for something to test VOC at a decent price, this may be the monitor you’re looking for. It’s easy to operate, as it only has three buttons and a screen that displays the reading. It can easily be charged for travel by plugging it into a USB port.
PROS
- ​It’s portable
- ​Easy to use
- ​Great at tracking VOC
- ​Charges via USB
CONS
- ​Doesn’t monitor CO2
- ​Doesn’t monitor temperature
- ​Doesn’t monitor humidity
​Airthings 2930 Wave Plus Indoor Air Quality Monitor
Are you wanting a monitor that covers almost everything? This machine will not only cover VOC, CO2, temperature and humidity but it also monitors radon and pressure as well. Radon is a gas that comes from the ground and can cause lung cancer if not controlled properly.
It does take two AA batteries and can easily be set up anywhere in your home. There is a lit up ring in the center of the device that alerts you on how the air quality is in your house based on a three color system. Green means the air quality is good, yellow is giving you a warning and red means danger.
When you connect to your smartphone, tablet or laptop via Bluetooth, you will be able to see everything it monitored and what the readings are right at your fingertips. Lastly, you can connect it to things like your Amazon Alexa or your Google Home devices.
PROS
- ​Monitors extra things like Radon and pressure
- ​Easy to read lit up ring
- ​Connects via Bluetooth
- ​Can be connected to other devices
CONS
- ​Doesn’t monitor PM
- ​Takes batteries / isn’t chargeable
​Foobot Indoor Air Quality Monitor
The Foobot is one of the only indoor air quality monitors that covers VOC, CO2, PM, temperature and humidity. It’s easy to set up and connects right to most Wi-Fi networks. It does take 6 full days to get calibrated, so make sure you have that time available before purchasing. It’s used by professionals in the HVAC industry to improve air quality, so you know it’s great.
It does emit a blue rectangle of light if the air is clean and orange if it’s of poor quality and the device comes in a minimalist, modern design. You’ll be able to easily see what the readings say straight from the Foobot app available for most smartphones. If you rent your home, this could be a great option as it does require to sit on a desk or table and won’t harm your walls by needing to be nailed in.
PROS
- ​Relatively inexpensive for the quality
- ​Small and lightweight
- ​Light telling you air quality
- ​Easy to travel with
- ​Monitors the top 5 air concerns
- ​Used by professionals
- ​Wi-Fi capable
CONS
- ​Can’t mount it to the wall
- ​6 day calibration time
Recap: The Best Indoor Air Quality Monitors
After everything you’ve read, including the buyer’s guide, FAQ section and the reviews, you’re much better off making your purchase for an indoor air quality monitor. Whether you need something that can easily monitor all the important things like humidity and CO2 or if you’re looking for something that’s portable and great for travel, there’s something for you on this list.
Remember there are crucial features to look out for when buying an indoor air quality monitor that can be found in our buyer’s guide including things like the price and if it’s Wi-Fi capable. Consider taking a look at what your home needs to be monitored for most and what health issues could be addressed by getting one of the monitors listed above.
There are plenty of options out there that will fit your needs! Hopefully you find a monitor that fits your needs and price range so you can be one step closer to having a healthier home.
Mike Nikko is a blogger with over 15 years of experience. I will bring you the best product reviews and other useful life experiences, tips to increase height, tips to improve health… If you have any questions, feel free to ask Mike Nikko!