Airthings View Plus vs Awair Element: The Ultimate Air Quality Monitor Showdown
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an invisible but critical component of a healthy smart home. While we often focus on smart lighting, security, and automated climate control, the very air we breathe inside our homes can harbor invisible threats like radon, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and fine particulate matter. To combat this, dedicated smart air quality monitors have become essential additions to modern households. Two of the most prominent heavyweights in this space are the Airthings View Plus and the Awair Element.
Both devices promise to give you a comprehensive look at your indoor environment, but they take distinctly different approaches to hardware design, sensor arrays, and smart home ecosystems. Whether you are a data-driven smart home tinkerer, a health-conscious parent, or someone simply looking to optimize their sleep environment, choosing the right device is crucial. In this comprehensive comparison, we will break down the Airthings View Plus vs Awair Element across performance, design, ecosystem integration, and overall value to help you decide which monitor deserves a spot on your desk or wall.
For more insights on creating a healthier home, be sure to explore our complete guides on indoor air quality and the best smart home devices available today.
Side-by-Side Specification Comparison
Before diving into the nuances of user experience and software, it is important to understand the raw hardware capabilities of both devices. The table below highlights the core specifications that separate the Airthings View Plus from the Awair Element.
| Feature | Airthings View Plus | Awair Element |
|---|---|---|
| Radon Detection | Yes | No |
| PM2.5 Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| CO2 Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| VOCs Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature | Yes | Yes |
| Humidity | Yes | Yes |
| Air Pressure | Yes | No |
| Display Type | E-Ink Display | LED Dot Matrix |
| Power Source | Battery (USB-C) or Wired | Wired Only (USB-C) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread | Wi-Fi |
| Smart Home Integration | Alexa, Google, IFTTT, Hubitat | Alexa, Google, IFTTT, Local API |
Sensor Performance & Accuracy
When evaluating any environmental monitor, the sensor suite is the most critical factor. After all, a device is only as good as the data it collects. Both the Airthings View Plus and the Awair Element utilize high-quality, lab-grade sensors for their core metrics, but their overall coverage differs significantly.
The Radon Advantage
The most glaring difference between the two devices is the inclusion of a radon sensor in the Airthings View Plus. Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that seeps up from the soil and can accumulate in homes, particularly in basements and lower levels. It is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Airthings utilizes a patented radon extraction chamber that actively pulls air in to measure alpha particles, providing highly accurate long-term and short-term radon averages. The Awair Element completely lacks a radon sensor. If you live in a radon-prone area or are monitoring a basement, the Airthings View Plus is the undisputed winner.
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) & Wildfire Smoke
Both devices feature laser-scattering sensors to detect PM2.5 (fine particulate matter). These are the microscopic particles found in wildfire smoke, cooking fumes, and dust that can penetrate deep into the lungs. Both monitors perform exceptionally well here, offering rapid updates when air quality degrades. However, the Airthings View Plus includes an air pressure sensor alongside its PM2.5 readings, which can help advanced users correlate weather patterns and barometric pressure drops with indoor air stagnation or the influx of outdoor pollutants.
CO2 & VOC Tracking
Both monitors use Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) sensors for Carbon Dioxide (CO2) tracking. High CO2 levels in bedrooms or home offices can lead to drowsiness, poor sleep quality, and reduced cognitive function. Both devices excel at alerting you when it is time to open a window. Similarly, their Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) sensors detect off-gassing from furniture, cleaning supplies, and paint. While both provide excellent VOC indexing, Airthings tends to offer slightly more granular historical breakdowns in its app, allowing you to pinpoint exactly what time of day your VOC levels spike.
Design, Display & Hardware
An air quality monitor is a device that will sit prominently on your desk, nightstand, or wall. Its physical design and how it communicates data visually are just as important as its internal sensors.
E-Ink vs. LED Dot Matrix
The Airthings View Plus features an E-Ink display, similar to what you would find on a Kindle e-reader. This is a massive advantage for bedroom use. E-Ink is entirely reflective, meaning it emits zero light. It will not disrupt your circadian rhythm or illuminate your room at night. Furthermore, E-Ink only draws power when the screen refreshes, which leads us to the device's power capabilities.
The Awair Element, on the other hand, sports a beautiful, retro-futuristic LED dot matrix display hidden behind a stunning walnut or bamboo wood facade. It is undeniably one of the best-looking smart home devices on the market. However, because it is an emissive LED display, it glows. While you can dim the display or turn it off via the app, it requires constant power, meaning the Awair Element must remain tethered to a wall outlet via USB-C at all times.
Placement Flexibility
Because the Airthings View Plus can run on internal batteries for up to two years (or be plugged in via USB-C for continuous use), you can place it anywhere. Want to test the air quality in the center of a large room without running an extension cord? Want to mount it to a wall or ceiling using the included magnetic mounting plate? The View Plus accommodates all of these scenarios. The Awair Element's reliance on a wired connection limits your placement options to areas near existing power outlets, which may not always represent the true air quality of the entire room.
Smart Home Ecosystem & App Experience
A smart air quality monitor is only half of the equation; the other half is how it integrates into your broader smart home ecosystem and how it presents data to you. Both companies offer robust apps, but they cater to slightly different philosophies.
The Airthings App & Thread Support
The Airthings app is highly polished, offering intuitive color-coded dials, historical graphs, and actionable advice on how to improve your air quality. It excels at translating complex data into easy-to-understand health recommendations. In terms of smart home integration, Airthings supports Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT. More importantly, the Airthings View Plus is equipped with Thread networking capabilities. As the smart home industry transitions toward the Matter standard, Thread support ensures that the View Plus is future-proofed, promising faster, more reliable local connections as mesh networks expand.
The Awair App & Local API
The Awair app is equally beautiful, focusing heavily on an overall 'Awair Score' that aggregates all sensor data into a single 0-100 metric. However, Awair's true superpower lies in its developer-friendly approach. The Awair Element supports the Awair+ API, and more importantly, it offers a Local API. For privacy-conscious users and advanced tinkerers using platforms like Home Assistant or Hubitat, the ability to query the device locally over your network without relying on cloud servers is a game-changer. This allows for instantaneous, cloud-independent automations, such as triggering a smart plug connected to a HEPA air purifier the exact second PM2.5 levels rise.
Value & Long-Term Usability
When investing in premium smart sensors, you must consider the long-term value. Both devices sit at a premium price point compared to basic temperature and humidity trackers, but they offer vastly different value propositions.
The Airthings View Plus generally commands a slightly higher upfront cost, but it justifies this by including a dedicated radon sensor, an air pressure sensor, and a battery. Considering that standalone smart radon monitors often cost over a hundred dollars on their own, getting radon detection bundled with PM2.5, CO2, and VOC tracking makes the View Plus an incredible value for comprehensive home health monitoring.
The Awair Element is priced as a premium lifestyle device. You are paying for the exquisite wood-and-metal craftsmanship, the LED display, and the robust Local API. However, the lack of radon detection and the requirement for constant wired power make it slightly harder to justify for users who prioritize pure utility over aesthetics. If you do not need radon tracking and value local smart home control above all else, the Awair Element remains a worthwhile investment.
The Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
The battle between the Airthings View Plus and the Awair Element ultimately comes down to your specific household needs, your smart home setup, and where you plan to place the device.
Choose the Airthings View Plus If:
- You need Radon monitoring: If you live in a radon-prone region or are placing the monitor in a basement, the View Plus is mandatory.
- You want placement flexibility: The battery-powered design and magnetic mounting allow you to test air quality anywhere in your home without worrying about cable management.
- You are sensitive to light pollution: The E-Ink display is perfect for bedrooms and nurseries, providing data without emitting disruptive light at night.
- You want future-proof connectivity: Built-in Thread support prepares the device for the next generation of Matter smart home networks.
Choose the Awair Element If:
- You prioritize aesthetics: The walnut/bamboo finish and retro LED display make it a stunning piece of decor for living rooms and executive offices.
- You are a smart home developer or tinkerer: The Local API is a dream for Home Assistant users who demand instantaneous, cloud-free automations.
- You prefer a simplified scoring system: The unified Awair Score makes it incredibly easy to gauge room health at a single glance without parsing individual metrics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a radon sensor in my air quality monitor?
Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that can cause severe long-term health issues. While not every home has high radon levels, it is highly dependent on your local geography and soil composition. If you are monitoring a basement, a ground-floor room, or live in a region known for high radon concentrations, a radon sensor is absolutely essential. If you live on a high-rise apartment floor, you may be able to skip it and opt for a device like the Awair Element.
Can I integrate these monitors with Home Assistant?
Yes, both devices can be integrated with Home Assistant, but the methods differ. The Awair Element is highly favored by the Home Assistant community due to its Local API, which allows for direct, cloud-free polling of sensor data. The Airthings View Plus can be integrated via the official Airthings cloud integration or through community-built Hubitat and Home Assistant custom components, though it relies more heavily on cloud polling or Bluetooth/Thread gateways depending on your setup.
How often do the sensors need to be calibrated or replaced?
Both devices are designed for long-term consumer use and do not require manual sensor replacements. However, CO2 and VOC sensors can experience 'drift' over time. Both Airthings and Awair utilize automatic baseline calibration algorithms that adjust the sensors based on the lowest readings detected over a rolling period (usually a week). To ensure accuracy, it is recommended to place the monitors in well-ventilated areas periodically or follow the manufacturer's specific calibration reset procedures via their respective apps.
Which device is better for tracking wildfire smoke?
Both devices are excellent for tracking wildfire smoke thanks to their highly sensitive PM2.5 laser-scattering sensors. When smoke infiltrates your home, both monitors will detect the spike in fine particulate matter almost immediately. However, the Airthings View Plus might have a slight edge in automation flexibility for some users due to its battery operation, allowing you to quickly move the device near windows or doors to test for smoke infiltration points without being tethered to a wall outlet.
