Airthings Wave Enhance Review: The Small Wave, Now With NDIR CO2
Airthings Wave Enhance review: NDIR CO2, VOC, humidity, temperature, pressure, noise and light on two AA batteries, and what Wave Mini owners need to know.
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Specs at a glance
- Measures
- CO2, VOC, humidity, temperature, air pressure, noise, light
- CO2 sensor
- NDIR, 400 to 5,000 ppm, ±50 ppm ±5% (Airthings)
- VOC sensor
- Metal oxide
- Not measured
- Radon, PM2.5
- Power
- 2 AA, up to 14 months (Bluetooth) or 17 months (hub)
- Noise sensor
- Samples every 6 seconds; does not record audio (Airthings)
- Warranty
- Optional free 5-year extended warranty (Airthings)
The Airthings Wave Enhance is a good bedroom and home office monitor for people who want to know whether a room is stuffy, noisy or too bright for sleep. Airthings' product sheet lists an NDIR CO2 sensor rated at ±50 ppm ±5% from 400 to 5,000 ppm, a metal-oxide VOC sensor, humidity, temperature and pressure, plus noise and light, all on two AA batteries for up to 14 to 17 months.
It is Airthings' small, non-radon Wave. The older Wave Mini, which measured VOCs, humidity and temperature but not CO2, was not available new on Amazon US when we checked, and a European retailer lists it as end of life. If you own a Wave Mini, the Enhance's CO2 sensor is the main reason to upgrade. It does not measure radon or particles; for those, see the Wave Plus and View Plus.
What the Wave Enhance measures
| Measurement | Sensor or range | Use it to |
|---|---|---|
| CO2 | NDIR, 400 to 5,000 ppm, ±50 ppm ±5% | Judge ventilation, especially overnight |
| VOCs | Metal oxide | Spot trends from cleaning, cooking, new furniture |
| Humidity and temperature | Electronic | Keep humidity between 30 and 50%, under 60% |
| Air pressure | Electronic | Context |
| Noise | Sampled every 6 seconds, no audio recording | See night-time noise that may disturb sleep |
| Light | Ambient light sensor | See light levels in the bedroom |
Why the NDIR CO2 sensor matters
NDIR sensors measure CO2 directly by how much infrared light it absorbs. Cheaper monitors sometimes display an estimated "eCO2" from a VOC sensor, which is not a CO2 measurement. Airthings specifies NDIR for the Wave Enhance, which makes its CO2 reading trustworthy for its main job: telling you when a closed bedroom or office needs fresh air. Our CO2 guide explains what levels mean; ASHRAE's indoor air quality standards treat CO2 as an indicator of ventilation rather than a health limit.
Noise and light: useful for sleep, not essential
The noise and light sensors are what distinguish the Wave Enhance from other small CO2 monitors. Airthings says the sound sensor takes a measurement every six seconds and does not record audio. Seeing that your bedroom gets loud at 5 a.m. when the street wakes up, or that a charger's light is brighter than you thought, can help explain poor sleep. They are nice extras rather than reasons to buy.
Display, app and batteries
The device shows a color-coded air quality indicator when you touch it; full readings and history are in the Airthings app. It connects over Bluetooth, or through an Airthings hub for remote access, which Airthings calls SmartLink. Two AA batteries last up to 14 months over Bluetooth or 17 months via a hub, according to the product sheet. Airthings offers an optional free five-year extended warranty with registration.
Wave Enhance vs the alternatives
| Monitor | CO2 | Particles | Radon | On-device numbers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airthings Wave Enhance | NDIR | No | No | No (color indicator) |
| Aranet4 | NDIR | No | No | Yes (e-ink) |
| Airthings Wave Plus | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Qingping Air Monitor Lite | Yes | Yes | No | Yes (OLED) |
The Aranet4 is the better pure CO2 monitor if you want numbers on a screen and the longest battery life. The Wave Enhance wins if you want VOCs, noise and light too, and a cleaner look on a nightstand. See the best CO2 monitors.
Who should buy the Airthings Wave Enhance
- Buy it for a bedroom or home office where you want CO2, VOC, noise and light readings on a cable-free device.
- Buy it to replace a Wave Mini; it adds NDIR CO2.
- Skip it if you need radon or particles.
- Skip it if you want to read numbers on the device; the Aranet4 has a screen.
When we checked, the Amazon listing was sold by a third-party seller rather than Amazon or Airthings, so check the seller and warranty terms before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Airthings Wave Enhance measure?
CO2 with an NDIR sensor, VOCs, humidity, temperature, air pressure, noise and light, according to Airthings. It does not measure radon or particles.
Is the Wave Enhance the replacement for the Wave Mini?
It is Airthings' current small non-radon Wave. The Wave Mini was not available new on Amazon US when we checked; the Enhance adds NDIR CO2, which the Mini lacked.
Does the Airthings Wave Enhance record audio?
No. Airthings says the sound sensor takes a measurement every six seconds and does not record audio.
How long do the batteries last in the Wave Enhance?
Airthings lists up to 14 months on Bluetooth and 17 months through a hub, on two AA batteries.
How accurate is the Wave Enhance CO2 sensor?
Airthings rates it at ±50 ppm ±5% from 400 to 5,000 ppm, which is accurate enough to judge ventilation.
Does the Wave Enhance need Wi-Fi?
No. It syncs over Bluetooth to the app; an Airthings hub adds remote access and longer battery life.
Sources
- Airthings Wave Enhance Air Quality Monitor, Airthings
- Wave Enhance product sheet, Airthings
- Indoor Carbon Dioxide, Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality (issue brief), ASHRAE
- A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home, US Environmental Protection Agency
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