Head-to-head · Best Air Quality Monitors

Awair Element vs Qingping Air Quality Monitor Gen 2

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

Qingping Air Quality Monitor Gen 2 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.2 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about accuracy-focused buyers — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #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 →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Air Quality Monitors

Qingping Air Quality Monitor Gen 2

4.6

3 sources1 derived$149.99as of Aug 1

The Qingping Air Quality Monitor Gen 2 earns praise for accurate sensors, including a high-quality Sensirion SCD40 CO2 sensor and a replaceable PM2.5 sensor, which puts it among the top performers in its class. Reviewers noted the multiple air quality metrics on the display and compatibility with both the Qingping+ and Mi Home apps. Battery life is poor and the app has connectivity issues, which can make the device frustrating to use. It fits users who put accuracy and sensor quality ahead of battery longevity and app reliability.

Strengths

— Uses high-quality Sensirion SCD40 NDIR CO2 sensor with accuracy of ±(50 ppm + 5% of reading)
— Displays seven data points including PM2.5, PM10, CO2, eTVOC, temperature, humidity, and noise level
— Features replaceable PM2.5 sensor for easy maintenance without replacing the entire device

Watch-outs

— Poor battery life lasting only up to 4 hours, often much less
— Connectivity issues with the app including long wait times and firmware update failures

$149.99 · 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

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.

Qingping Air Quality Monitor Gen 2

The Qingping Gen 2 features the high-quality Sensirion SCD40 CO2 sensor, which outperforms the CO2 accuracy of the Awair Element and Atmotube PRO 2, but it suffers from poor battery life compared to the Temtop M10, which offers up to 6 hours of battery operation. While it provides replaceable sensors, the app connectivity issues make it less reliable than the AirGradient One, which offers seamless integration and better overall user experience.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Awair Element	Qingping Air Quality Monitor Gen 2
Sensors	Temperature, humidity, CO2, VOCs, PM2.5	Sensirion SCD40, Sensirion SGP40, GrandWay Sensor
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1	Wi-Fi, Qingping+ App, and Mi Home App
Power Source	AC 100/240V, 50/60Hz, 5V/2.0A external power adapter	Battery (up to 4 hours) + USB-C
Display	7-segment LED grid	4-inch touch screen
Dimensions	6.1 x 3.3 x 1.8 in	2.91 x 4.09 x 3.35 in
Weight	1.15 lb	0.55 lb
App	Awair Home App	Qingping+ App and Mi Home App
Measurements	Temperature, humidity, CO2, TVOCs, and PM2.5	PM2.5, PM10, CO2, eTVOC, Temperature, Humidity (RH), and Noise Level

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