Top Indoor Air Quality Monitors in 2024.

We have assessed monitors manufactured by Airthings, Amazon, Awair, Inkbird, Qingping, Temtop, and uHoo. The top-performing models can identify various indoor pollutants and are compatible with air purifiers and other intelligent devices.

The COVID-19 pandemic and recurrent wildfires have instilled worry among individuals regarding potential air quality issues within their households. To address this concern, affordable indoor air quality monitors can be utilized to monitor certain aspects of indoor air pollution. However, it is important to note that these compact devices differ significantly in terms of the measurements they provide.

Consumer Reports has conducted evaluations on monitors manufactured by Airthings, Amazon, Inkbird, Qingping, and other brands. Presented below are the top three models based on our meticulous testing procedures. For comprehensive information on all the models we assessed, members of CR can refer to our ratings on indoor air quality monitors.

The air quality monitors we reviewed are capable of detecting PM2.5 pollution, VOCs, and carbon dioxide, as well as monitoring temperature and humidity. Some models also can track additional substances.

It is important to note that certain air quality monitors can also measure carbon monoxide (CO) levels, although it is recommended to use a specialized CO detector for more accurate and reliable results.

Indoor air quality monitors often provide an overall air quality score, typically on a scale of zero to 100, with 100 indicating the best air quality. This score may differ from the Air Quality Index (AQI) used by the Environmental Protection Agency, which ranges from zero to 500, with zero representing the highest air quality level.

Some Best Indoor Air Quality Monitors

What is the purpose of Indoor air quality monitors?

Indoor air quality monitoring devices are capable of detecting a range of pollutants, while also measuring temperature and humidity. Below is a brief overview of the common substances they are able to monitor.

Carbon dioxide levels are important to keep an eye on within your household. Elevated levels can lead to mild symptoms like headaches and fatigue, signaling inadequate ventilation.

PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that is 2.5 microns or smaller in size, originating from various sources such as vehicle emissions and wildfire smoke. Inhaling these particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, contributing to health issues like heart disease, asthma, and low birth weight.

PM10, on the other hand, represents particulate matter around 10 microns in diameter, which can include dust, pollen, and pollutants from construction activities or wildfires. These particles can exacerbate respiratory conditions.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present in products like paints, cleaners, new building materials, dry-cleaning solutions, and more. Exposure to certain VOCs can result in symptoms like headaches, nausea, and even serious health conditions like kidney and liver damage, as well as cancer.

Our process for testing Indoor air quality monitors.

To assess the performance of air quality monitors, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation consisting of four distinct tests. Our team of engineers assesses the user-friendliness of these monitors, the range of air quality metrics they analyze, the presence of an overall air quality score, and the effectiveness of their screens in displaying air quality readings.

Our evaluation of user-friendliness includes an examination of the monitor’s application and its ability to easily present historical data. Additionally, we conduct a basic test on the sensors of each monitor to ensure their capability to detect particulate matter, VOCs, temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide.

However, we do not specifically evaluate the accuracy of these sensors. The results from all these tests are then compiled to generate an Overall Score for each model in our air quality monitor ratings.

Enhance the air quality in your surroundings by pairing air purifiers with Indoor air quality monitors.

If you own a smart air quality monitor, you have the convenience of automating your smart air purifiers to kick in whenever the air quality declines. All you have to do is connect both devices to a common smart home system like Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, or Google Home.

Once connected, simply open the respective apps and create an automation that links the two devices together. If you’re interested in learning more about air purifiers, we have you covered with our air purifier ratings, which include over 150 models, as well as our comprehensive air purifier buying guide.