Head-to-head · Best Air Quality Monitors

AirGradient One vs Awair Element

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Awair Element comes out ahead by a clear margin (3.8 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about design-focused buyers — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Air Quality Monitors

AirGradient One

3.8

2 sourcesall derived$230as of Aug 3

The AirGradient One measures carbon dioxide, PM2.5, VOCs and NOx on an open-source board, sold assembled for $230 or as a $138 kit. It uses better-specified sensors than most consumer monitors at the price, exposes every reading to Home Assistant and ESPHome, and keeps the data yours. What it asks in return is a tolerance for setup work: a browser-based Wi-Fi handoff, Torx screws that strip, and no radon sensor at all.

Strengths

— Easy to assemble and configure with user-friendly instructions
— Integrates seamlessly with Home Assistant for full control and automation
— Provides accurate readings for CO₂, PM₂.₅, VOCs, and NOₓ sensors

Watch-outs

— Initial WiFi hotspot setup can be problematic for some users
— Lacks radon sensor compared to competitors like Airthings View Plus

$230 · Buy at airgradient.com Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Air Quality Monitors

Awair Element

4.2

3 sources$254.99as of Jul 1

The Awair Element gets credit for elegant design and reliable performance as an air quality monitor. Trusted Review called it 'simple, reliable, and above all, elegant,' and CleanAir Community named it the 'best-looking' unit while noting good responsiveness to pollution sources. Sensor accuracy drew questions, particularly the CO2 sensor's stated ±75ppm or 10%, which reviewers considered less precise than the price suggests. Buyers who want a straightforward, visually appealing air quality monitor are the fit; anyone chasing maximum accuracy may want to consider alternatives.

Strengths

— Equipped with five built-in sensors measuring temperature, humidity, CO2, TVOCs, and PM2.5
— Provides accurate PM2.5 readings with ±13.68% deviation in testing
— Intuitive setup process with seamless Wi-Fi connectivity

Watch-outs

— CO2 sensor accuracy of ±75ppm or 10% (whichever is greater) considered subpar for its price point
— Some sensors have limited lifespan, with one user reporting a short-lived PM sensor

$254.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

AirGradient One

The AirGradient One excels in ease of setup and Home Assistant integration, making it more user-friendly than the Airthings models, which use lower-tier sensors and lack radon detection. While it doesn't match the Qingping Gen 2's sensor accuracy, it provides a more affordable option with good performance across CO₂, PM₂.₅, VOCs, and NOₓ sensors, making it a strong alternative to the more expensive Airthings devices.

Awair Element

The Awair Element provides a visually appealing design and good PM2.5 accuracy, but its CO2 sensor accuracy of ±75ppm is significantly worse than the Qingping Gen 2's Sensirion SCD40 sensor, which offers ±(50 ppm + 5% of reading) accuracy. While it's easier to set up than the Atmotube PRO 2, which has calibration issues, the Awair Element's CO2 accuracy makes it less suitable for users needing precise carbon dioxide measurements.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	AirGradient One	Awair Element
Sensors	CO₂, PM₂.₅, VOCs, NOₓ	Temperature, humidity, CO2, VOCs, PM2.5
Connectivity	WiFi 2.4GHz, Bluetooth LE, Bluetooth 5, Bluetooth mesh	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1
Power Source	USB 5V 2A	AC 100/240V, 50/60Hz, 5V/2.0A external power adapter
Display	OLED	7-segment LED grid
Dimensions	5.12 x 5.12 x 1.38 in	6.1 x 3.3 x 1.8 in
Weight	0.77 lb	1.15 lb
App	AirGradient Dashboard, Home Assistant, Homey	Awair Home App
Measurements	PM2.5, CO2, TVOCs, NOx, Temperature, Humidity	Temperature, humidity, CO2, TVOCs, and PM2.5

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