Atmotube PRO 2 Review: A Wearable Monitor for Indoor and Outdoor Air
Atmotube PRO 2 review: a clip-on monitor for particles, CO2, TVOC and NOx, its thermal-conductivity CO2 sensor, 12-day battery and the original Pro's AQ-SPEC result.
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Specs at a glance
- Measures
- PM1, PM2.5, PM10, CO2, TVOC, NOx, temperature, humidity, pressure
- CO2 sensor (Atmotube)
- Sensirion STCC4, thermal conductivity; ±(100 ppm + 10%) from 400 to 5,000 ppm
- Battery
- Up to 12 days (Atmotube listing)
- Carry
- Carabiner included; clips to a bag or belt
- Data
- App with hourly, weekly and monthly graphs; CSV export; personal pollution map
- AQ-SPEC (original Atmotube Pro)
- PM2.5 R² 0.88 field, 1.00 lab
- Availability
- Ships later (back-ordered) on Amazon when we checked
The Atmotube PRO 2 is the monitor to buy if you want to measure the air you breathe wherever you are, not just in one room. It clips to a bag or belt with a carabiner, runs for up to 12 days per charge according to Atmotube, and measures PM1, PM2.5 and PM10, CO2, total VOCs and nitrogen oxides, plus temperature, humidity and pressure.
It replaces the original Atmotube Pro, which was out of stock on Amazon when we checked. That original model earned one of the better results in South Coast AQMD's AQ-SPEC particle tests, a PM2.5 R-squared of 0.88 in the field and 1.00 in the lab. The PRO 2 is not yet in AQ-SPEC's summary, so its own accuracy is Atmotube's claim; the main change is the addition of CO2, measured with a compact thermal-conductivity sensor rather than NDIR. For a monitor that stays in one room, a Qingping Air Monitor Lite costs less.
What the PRO 2 measures
| Measurement | Why it matters on the move |
|---|---|
| PM1, PM2.5, PM10 | Traffic, smoke, construction dust, cooking |
| CO2 | Ventilation in offices, classrooms, cars, trains |
| TVOC | Fumes, solvents, scented products |
| NOx | Combustion pollution near traffic and gas stoves |
| Temperature, humidity, pressure | Comfort and context |
Atmotube's technical specifications list the CO2 sensor as a Sensirion STCC4, which Atmotube describes as inferring CO2 from the thermal conductivity of the air compared with fresh air. Its stated typical accuracy is plus or minus 100 ppm plus 10% of the reading between 400 and 5,000 ppm. That is looser than NDIR monitors such as the Aranet4 or Airthings Wave Enhance (±50 ppm ±5%), and it relies on self-calibration: Atmotube says the sensor assumes it sees about 400 ppm air at least once a week, and recommends about 12 hours in fresh air after first use. It is fine for spotting a stuffy room; it is not the monitor for precise CO2 work.
The original Pro's independent results
South Coast AQMD's AQ-SPEC program tested the original Atmotube Pro beside reference instruments and reported a PM2.5 R-squared of 0.88 in the field and 1.00 in the lab, better in the field than IQAir's AirVisual Pro (0.63 to 0.81) and close to the Qingping Air Monitor Lite (0.85 to 0.93). That is a good sign for Atmotube's particle sensing, but the PRO 2 is a new device and should be judged on its own results when AQ-SPEC publishes them.
Using a portable monitor well
- Let it breathe. Clip it outside a bag, not inside a pocket, so air reaches the sensors.
- Mind your breath. CO2 readings climb if it sits right in front of your face; at a desk, put it an arm's length away.
- Compare places, not seconds. Portable readings swing as you move; look at the averages for your commute, office or gym.
- Charge it on a routine. Twelve days is a best case; frequent readings and Bluetooth use shorten it.
App and data
Atmotube's app shows real-time readings, an air quality score, hourly, weekly and monthly graphs, and a personal map of where readings were high, and lets you export data as a CSV file. That export is useful if you want to share readings with a building manager or doctor, or analyze them yourself.
Atmotube PRO 2 vs the alternatives
| Monitor | Portable | PM2.5 | CO2 | AQ-SPEC PM2.5 field R² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atmotube PRO 2 | Yes, clip-on | Yes | Yes | Not yet listed (original Pro: 0.88) |
| Aranet4 | Yes | No | NDIR | Not applicable |
| Qingping Air Monitor Lite | Briefly (7-hour battery) | Yes | Yes | 0.85 to 0.93 |
| Airthings View Plus | Battery, not wearable | Yes | NDIR | Not listed |
Who should buy the Atmotube PRO 2
- Buy it if you want to know the air on your commute, at work, at school or while exercising, as well as at home.
- Buy it if you want exportable data.
- Skip it for one room at home; a plug-in monitor is cheaper and simpler. See our monitor picks.
- Skip it if you want CO2 only; the Aranet4 is NDIR and lasts years on batteries.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Atmotube PRO 2 measure?
PM1, PM2.5, PM10, CO2, total VOCs and NOx, plus temperature, humidity and pressure, according to Atmotube.
Is the Atmotube PRO 2 accurate?
It is not yet in South Coast AQMD's AQ-SPEC summary. The original Atmotube Pro scored a PM2.5 R-squared of 0.88 in the field and 1.00 in the lab there, among the better consumer results.
How long does the Atmotube PRO 2 battery last?
Atmotube says up to 12 days per charge; frequent readings and constant Bluetooth use shorten it.
What is the difference between the Atmotube Pro and PRO 2?
The PRO 2 adds CO2 measurement, along with NOx, to the original Pro's particle, VOC and environmental sensors. The original was out of stock on Amazon US when we checked.
Can I use the Atmotube PRO 2 indoors?
Yes, it works indoors and out. For a single room at home, a plug-in monitor usually costs less.
Does the Atmotube PRO 2 have an NDIR CO2 sensor?
No. Atmotube's specifications list a Sensirion STCC4 that infers CO2 from thermal conductivity, rated at plus or minus 100 ppm plus 10% between 400 and 5,000 ppm. NDIR monitors such as the Aranet4 are more precise for CO2.
Sources
- AQ-SPEC Sensor Evaluations: Summary of PM Sensors, South Coast Air Quality Management District
- Atmotube PRO 2 Technical Specifications, Atmotech
- Indoor Carbon Dioxide, Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality (issue brief), ASHRAE
- Final Updates to the Air Quality Index for Particulate Matter: Fact Sheet, US Environmental Protection Agency
- Recommendations for CO2 Sensor Usage in Atmotube PRO 2, Atmotech
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