Airthings View Plus Review: Radon, PM2.5 and NDIR CO2 in One Monitor
Airthings View Plus review: radon, laser PM2.5, NDIR CO2, VOCs, humidity and pressure, up to two years on six AA batteries, accuracy figures, and who should buy it.
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Specs at a glance
- Measures
- Radon, PM2.5, CO2, VOC, humidity, temperature, air pressure
- Radon sensor
- Passive diffusion chamber, alpha spectrometry
- Radon accuracy (Airthings)
- About ±10% (7-day average), ±5% (2-month average) at 5.4 pCi/L
- PM2.5 sensor
- Laser optical particle counter, 0 to 1,000 µg/m³
- CO2 sensor
- NDIR, ±50 ppm ±3% (page) or ±5% (product sheet)
- VOC sensor
- Metal oxide
- Power
- 6 AA, up to 2 years, or USB-C
- Calibration
- VOC and CO2 sensors take up to 7 days
- Warranty
- Extended to 5 years with free registration (Airthings)
The Airthings View Plus is the best all-in-one home air monitor we found, mainly because it measures radon alongside the everyday pollutants. Airthings' product sheet lists a radon chamber with alpha spectrometry, a laser particle counter for PM2.5, a true NDIR CO2 sensor and a metal-oxide VOC sensor, plus humidity, temperature and pressure, and it runs for up to two years on six AA batteries or on USB-C.
If you have already tested for radon and your levels are low, you are paying for a sensor you do not need; a Qingping Air Monitor Lite covers particles and CO2 for far less, and an Aranet4 does CO2 alone better. Also note the View Plus was not in South Coast AQMD's AQ-SPEC summary of PM sensors when we checked, so its particle accuracy rests on Airthings' own figures.
What the View Plus measures, and how
| Measurement | Sensor | What to do with it |
|---|---|---|
| Radon | Diffusion chamber, alpha spectrometry | Act on the long-term average; EPA action level 4 pCi/L |
| PM2.5 | Laser optical counter | Check purifier performance, smoke events, cooking |
| CO2 | NDIR | Judge ventilation; open a window when it climbs |
| VOCs | Metal oxide | Watch trends after cleaning, painting, new furniture |
| Humidity | Electronic | Keep between 30 and 50%, under 60% |
| Temperature and pressure | Electronic | Context; pressure changes can affect radon |
Radon accuracy
Airthings rates the View Plus radon sensor at about 10% accuracy on a 7-day average and about 5% on a 2-month average, after 30 days of continuous measuring at 200 Bq/m3 (5.4 pCi/L). Those are reasonable figures for a home monitor, and they underline the right way to use it: radon readings are noisy hour to hour, and the EPA's guidance is to act on a long-term average. The View Plus shows that average for you. Our radon testing guide explains what the numbers mean.
One placement trade-off: the EPA advises testing radon on the lowest lived-in level, but the View Plus's particle, CO2 and VOC readings are most useful in the room where you spend time. If those are different floors, a separate radon detector in the basement and the View Plus upstairs may serve you better.
Particles and CO2
The laser particle counter reads PM2.5 from 0 to 1,000 micrograms per cubic meter. It is useful for checking whether a purifier is working, seeing cooking spikes and watching wildfire smoke. We did not find the View Plus in South Coast AQMD's AQ-SPEC summary of PM sensor evaluations, so we cannot quote an independent accuracy figure; Airthings' Space Pro, a different, business-oriented product, appeared with weak results, which should not be read across to the View Plus.
The NDIR CO2 sensor measures CO2 directly. Airthings' product page lists ±50 ppm ±3% and its product sheet ±5%; either is adequate for judging ventilation. The CO2 and VOC sensors take up to seven days to settle after setup, so ignore the first week's readings.
Power, display and app
Six AA batteries last up to two years according to Airthings, or you can run it on USB-C. The e-ink screen can be set to show the readings you care about. The free Airthings app shows history and trends and sends notifications; Airthings also offers pollen forecasts in the app. The View Plus can act as a hub for other Airthings devices, such as a Corentium Home 2 radon detector in the basement.
Airthings View Plus vs the alternatives
| Monitor | Radon | PM2.5 | CO2 | AQ-SPEC PM2.5 field R² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airthings View Plus | Yes | Laser | NDIR | Not listed |
| Airthings Wave Plus | Yes | No | Yes | Not applicable |
| Qingping Air Monitor Lite | No | Yes | Yes | 0.85 to 0.93 |
| IQAir AirVisual Pro | No | Yes | Yes | 0.63 to 0.81 |
| Aranet4 | No | No | NDIR | Not applicable |
Who should buy the Airthings View Plus
- Buy it if you want radon monitoring plus particles, CO2 and VOCs in one device, especially in a finished basement or ground-floor living room.
- Buy it if cable-free placement matters; few monitors with a particle sensor run on batteries.
- Skip it if your home has already tested low for radon; cheaper monitors cover particles and CO2.
- Skip it if independent particle accuracy data is important to you; choose a model AQ-SPEC has tested.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Airthings View Plus measure?
Radon, PM2.5, CO2, VOCs, humidity, temperature and air pressure, using a radon chamber with alpha spectrometry, a laser particle counter, an NDIR CO2 sensor and a metal-oxide VOC sensor, per Airthings.
How accurate is the Airthings View Plus for radon?
Airthings rates it at about 10% on a 7-day average and 5% on a 2-month average at 5.4 pCi/L, after 30 days of measuring. Act on long-term averages.
How long do the batteries last in the Airthings View Plus?
Airthings says up to two years on six AA batteries; it can also run on USB-C.
Does the Airthings View Plus need Wi-Fi?
It connects over Wi-Fi to the Airthings app for history and alerts, and can act as a hub for other Airthings devices. The screen shows readings without the app.
Is the Airthings View Plus worth it?
If you want radon as well as particles and CO2, yes. If your home has already tested low for radon, a cheaper particle and CO2 monitor does the rest.
How long does the Airthings View Plus take to calibrate?
Airthings says the VOC and CO2 sensors need up to seven days to calibrate fully; radon averages need days to weeks to become meaningful.
Sources
- Airthings View Plus - Smart radon & air quality monitor, Airthings
- View Plus product sheet, Airthings
- AQ-SPEC Sensor Evaluations: Summary of PM Sensors, South Coast Air Quality Management District
- A Citizen's Guide to Radon, US Environmental Protection Agency
- A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home, US Environmental Protection Agency
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