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.

The short answer

AirGradient One comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.0 vs 3.9). The gap is mostly about DIY enthusiasts — read the strengths below before deciding.

AirGradient One

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Air Quality Monitors

AirGradient One

4.0

$230

The AirGradient ONE is praised for its ease of setup, open-source design, and reliable sensor readings across CO₂, PM₂.₅, VOCs, and NOₓ levels. Reviewers highlight its seamless Home Assistant integration and affordability, with a fully assembled model priced at $230 and a kit version at $138. However, some users reported initial WiFi hotspot connection issues, and the device lacks a radon sensor compared to alternatives like the Airthings View Plus. Despite a negative Wired review focusing on display durability, many users, including those in educational settings, find it reliable and effective for monitoring indoor air quality.

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 →

Ranked #4 in Best Air Quality Monitors

Awair Element

3.9

$209

The Awair Element is praised for its elegant design and reliable performance as an air quality monitor. Trusted Review called it 'simple, reliable, and above all, elegant,' while CleanAir Community noted its 'best-looking' appearance and good responsiveness to pollution sources. However, some reviewers questioned the sensor accuracy, particularly the CO2 sensor which has a stated accuracy of ±75ppm or 10%—considered less precise than expected for its price. The device is recommended for those seeking a straightforward, visually appealing air quality monitoring solution, though users looking for 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

$209 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

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	130 x 130 x 35mm	6.1 x 3.3 x 1.8 inches
Weight	350 grams	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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