Persistent allergy sufferers may be surprised to learn that even the tidiest indoor spaces can be full of pollutants. From dust and fungi to chemical fumes and dander, inside air carries so many allergens that determining the cause of your discomfort can be a challenge. To take a scientific look at what irritants may be floating around inside your home or office, and to decide the most effective manner by which to reduce them, you need an air quality monitor.
What can air quality monitors detect?
Air quality monitors can detect the following issues, any of which can adversely affect allergy sufferers:
- Excessive carbon dioxide. This results from poor ventilation. Too much carbon dioxide can cause headaches, dizziness and nausea.
- Volatile organic compounds. VOCs are gases emitted by everything from carpets and shower curtains to cosmetics and cleaning products. They can build up quickly and lead to illness.
- Radon. Long-term exposure to this naturally occurring radioactive gas can cause lung cancer.
- Particulate matter. Particulate matter, or PM, is the mixture of tiny solid and liquid matter that collects on surfaces and floats in the air. The most common offenders, with regard to allergic reactions, are pet dander, dust and pollen.
- Improper humidity. Too much indoor moisture allows mold, dust mites, insects and other sources of allergens to thrive. Too little, however, can cause otherwise harmless particles to dry out and become airborne irritants.
- Virus and mold-friendly conditions. Some monitors can use the data they collect to let you know directly how conducive the conditions in your home are to the survival and spread of germs and fungus.
Air quality features to consider
- Pollutants detected. Make sure that the monitor you select is designed to detect a wide range of pollutants so you can make an educated assessment of your air quality.
- Smart home integration. Many monitors work with Amazon, Apple or Google smart homes and assistants. If you want to integrate your monitor, make sure you select one that is compatible with your preferred platform.
- Battery life and power options. Most air quality monitors have a short battery life. To keep your monitor on at all times, purchase one that can be powered via USB.
- Easy to read. While most monitors feature a simple display and color-coded air quality indicators, some show more data than you may be interested in parsing through. Make sure that the monitor you purchase lets you make quick, easy observations.
- Alarms. Some monitors let you set up alarms that will sound when certain pollutants reach dangerous levels.
- Air quality tracking. If you want to keep a record of your air quality over time so you can see progress or work on improving it with a purifier or other means, buy a monitor that stores its readings in the form of charts and graphs.
Best air quality monitors
This monitor detects radon, carbon dioxide, VOCs, humidity, temperature and atmospheric pressure, giving you a broad understanding of the quality of the air in your home. You can read its findings via an app on your smart device and it also provides live, local pollen data.
Temtop Air Quality Monitor Indoor
With its large display, single-button operation and three-color LED air quality indicator, this monitor offers a simple way to take a look at what irritants may be floating around you. It’s small enough to place discreetly on a shelf or desk and charges via USB.
Assess the particulate and dust levels in your home with this monitor, which features a built-in fan for accurate analysis. You can monitor your air in real-time and set alarms that will sound if a dangerous pollutant level is reached.
This minimalistic monitor integrates seamlessly with Apple Home and its readings can be checked via an elegant app. It works wirelessly and can last up to six weeks after fully charging its battery via a USB cable.
IQAir Air Quality Monitor Indoor
This monitor uses advanced laser technology to provide the most scientifically accurate readings available in a consumer appliance. It provides forecasts for the outdoors as well, so you can plan to enjoy time outside when pollen and pollution are at their lowest.
This tiny monitor can analyze your home’s humidity and temperature to assess how at risk your property may be for potentially dangerous mold growth. You can observe VOC levels as they rise and fall throughout the day to determine what may be affecting your air purity.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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