7 Best CO2 Sensors and Air Quality Monitors for Home and Office (2021)
- Updated on: June 20, 2024
30 percent of new and remodeled buildings in America show all the signs of poor indoor air quality, says the Consumer Product Safety Commission. There are many studies proving the impact air quality has on productivity and health. A worrying sign is an existence of SBS (sick building syndrome) proving that bad air quality can manifest in many ways besides loss of productivity – from headaches to respiratory problems.
We may think that it is the polluted city air that is the worst one for our health, but we may be mistaken. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), air pollution indoors is often between two and five times greater than outdoors – and can get at its extreme up to 100 times worse than the open air.
While the polluted air outdoors is easily detectable by its look, smell, and even taste of it, air pollution indoors is hard to detect without a proper device. Healthy working and living conditions are essential for your well-being, cognitive functions and overall productivity, these monitors are your tools to help reduce healt risks and potential visrus transmissions. To help you make the decision on which air quality and CO2 monitor to choose, here are our 7 top performing air quality sensors for your home or office!
7 Best CO2 Sensors and Air Quality Monitors for Home and Office
Source: Luxafor – Luxafor CO2 Monitor
It’s tiny and functional, it’s wireless and portable, and it’s capable of a lot. Luxafor CO2 Monitor is an environment monitor that measures the office microclimate – humidity, CO2, temperature, noise, and lighting – relevant to productive work. The e-ink display shows what should be improved to achieve the perfect environmental conditions in your workplace for better health and higher productivity. Besides its powerful sensor for detecting CO2 and temperature which are typical features of any other CO2 meters out there, it gives you noise and lighting levels of an individual workspace to understand the other very important factors that influence our productivity at work.
This comparatively weightless device is a solid choice for offices that want to increase the long-term productivity of the team, as healthy workers are proven to be more productive in a healthy environment, which leads to a better work ethic and higher quality of life. We’re not just saying this because we created it. It’s because we created it to be the most optimal way how to measure and improve the indoor air quality and most important environmental conditions in your office.
2. Gain Express Indoor Air Quality Tester
Although it looks like a retro Nokia, this air quality tester really comes in handy for measuring CO2 levels, temperature, and humidity. The NDIR sensor claims to provide very accurate readings so the device is also compatible with reading the environmental conditions in an office, as well as a lab. A great plus is that it has a high battery life due to its efficient circuitry.
3. Temtop Air Quality Monitor
A bit like an upgrade to the previous listing, this multi-functional air quality monitor has laser particle and CO2 sensors that provide accurate readings. Although the device looks very professional, the monitor displays readings in a very easy-to-understand way. The alarm function comes in handy to notify when CO2 reaches or maxes out a set limit.
4. Perfect-Prime Indoor Air Quality Meter
This monitor measures CO2 levels in a wide range up to 9999 ppm and logs about 12’700 readings. What’s also great is that it logs other readings as well such as temperature (14-158 F) and humidity. Charge it through a standard USB cable, compatible with a mobile phone power bank and charger, and you’re good to go.
5. GZAIR Wall Mountable Carbon Dioxide Detector
This wall-mountable CO2 meter is a professional device for measuring air quality practically anywhere where CO2 has typically generated at high levels: schools, office buildings, hotels, and even greenhouses. The separate detection modes for people and plants have different ranges to detect the best possible conditions for your office workers as well as your office plants.
6. Hydrofarm Autopilot Desktop CO2 Monitor & Data Logger
This CO2 monitor also gives readings of relative humidity and temperature on a bright and clear display. The trend chart shows the variable readings of these parameters, helping you to see the pattern of how they change during weeks or hours, even. An audible alarm signal you of CO2 levels that are too low or too high.
7. Yvelines Air Quality Monitor
This monitor by Yvelines comes in very handy if your office is exposed to more toxic nearby chemicals. Besides measuring CO2 with top-notch accuracy, it is also capable of detecting formaldehyde, toluene, harmful chemical substances, and pollutants such as carbon monoxide, smoke, fog, dust, alcohol, glue, paint, ink, and others. Portable and equipped with a rechargeable battery, it is a great choice for offices near or next to the factory area.
Our final thoughts
Although most CO2 monitors fall in the price range of $90-170, there are certain nuances that each device does. To make the final conclusion over which air quality and CO2 monitor to pick for your office, it all pretty much depends on the gravity of the issue. If you feel like you and your coworkers are exposed to chemicals and toxic particles, then definitely go for the more professional ones to reduce any potential health risks. Likewise, a more precise sensor will be necessary to detect minute fluctuations in environmental conditions.
However, if you’re looking for a simple CO2 sensor that looks discreet and does a great job to provide you with accurate readings of CO2, temperature, humidity, light, and noise, why not give Luxafor CO2 monitor a try?
A CO2 sensor, also known as a carbon dioxide sensor, is a device designed to measure and monitor the concentration of carbon dioxide gas (CO2) in the surrounding environment. CO2 is a colorless and odorless gas, so you can't detect it with your senses. These sensors are important because high CO2 levels can be harmful to human health.
There are two main types of CO2 sensors:
NDIR (non-dispersive infrared) sensors: These sensors use infrared light to measure CO2 levels. They are the most accurate and reliable type of CO2 sensor.
Electrochemical sensors: These sensors use a chemical reaction to measure CO2 levels. They are less accurate than NDIR sensors, but they are less expensive.
Measuring CO2 levels provides valuable information about the quality of your environment, allowing you to take steps to improve air quality, health, productivity, and potentially even save energy.
There are several reasons why measuring CO2 levels can be beneficial:
Improved Health and Productivity: High CO2 levels can lead to drowsiness, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. By monitoring CO2, you can ensure proper ventilation, reducing these effects and creating a more comfortable and productive environment for people in the space.
Reduced Risk of Airborne Virus Transmission: CO2 buildup is an indicator of poor ventilation, which can also trap airborne particles like viruses. Monitoring CO2 helps identify areas needing improved ventilation to potentially reduce the spread of viruses.
Energy Efficiency: In colder climates, maintaining good ventilation to remove CO2 can lead to energy waste. CO2 monitors can help find a balance between adequate ventilation for health and minimizing energy use for heating .
Safety in Specific Environments: In certain workplaces like breweries or labs, CO2 levels can reach dangerous concentrations. CO2 monitors can be crucial for safety in these settings to prevent accidents
Optimal working conditions encompass two main aspects: physical environment and work culture, the main environmental factors are:
- Ergonomics: A well-designed workstation with an adjustable chair, proper monitor height, and adequate legroom reduces strain and discomfort.
- Lighting: Balanced lighting that avoids glare and provides enough illumination for the tasks at hand minimizes eye strain and fatigue.
- Temperature: A comfortable temperature range, typically between 68-72°F (20-22°C), promotes focus and well-being.
- Air Quality: Maintaining good ventilation with moderate CO2 levels ensures a healthy and fresh environment for better concentration and reduced health risks.
