It is several years already I trying some Air Quality monitors. And I think it is time to post some of the results. So here it is. Overview of some Air Quality monitors tested so far.
For me perfect device is the one:
measure correctly
measure multiple parameters
display information locally
has a battery and can be used as a mobile tool
is an IoT device with Wi-Fi connectivity and mobile app
not cost a fortune
quiet
Some of the requirements are cannot (or at least not easy to) be met simultaneously. A lot of advanced sensors with Wi-Fi connectivity and good mobile application make the device expensive. Battery and battery charging circuits usually affect temperature and relative humidity measurements. Active airflow improves measurement speed and quality but makes devices noisy. So there is no single perfect device yet to cover all Air Quality Monitor use cases. That is why I choose some devices I like more by category.
IoT Air Quality Monitors
Best IoT Air Quality Monitor “award” goes to AWAIR 2
So as you can see above the device is not perfect. It is noisy, that is how good airflow and better measurement quality and speed achieved. Some Sensors are not the best in class, that is how the price is lower than 200$. For more details see AWAIR 2 Review.
IoT Alternatives
uHoo
✔️ quiet, more parameters (CO, O3, NO2), iPad app ❌ expensive (330$), cheaper sensors, no local display
AirVisual Pro (Node)
✔️ large display, outdoor data for PM2.5, battery, iPad app ❌ more expensive (280$), fewer parameters (no VOC)
Netatmo Smart Home Weather Station (Urban Weather)
✔️ quiet, weather station (external t/RH module), iPad app, 180$ ❌ fewer parameters (no PM2.5, no VOC), poor CO2 sensor
Again, as it was with the best IoT device, this one is not perfect. It is noisy, it has no Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/etc, humidity measurements may show -10% RH on high humidity tests, but still, it is better than some others and good for the price.
Old school device with separate analog temperature and humidity sensors, Old model of CO2 sensor. No other air quality sensors present. Need to be always plugged. But still one of the best in measurement quality.