Both devices are equipped almost with the same home-environment sensors.
- CO2 sensor: Awair | AirVisual Node
- Particular Matter sensor: Awair | AirVisual Nod
- Temperature sensor: Awair | AirVisual Node
- Humidity sensor: Awair | AirVisual Node
- VOCs sensor: Awair
Carbon Dioxide:
Both devices have a dedicated sensor for the CO2, they use a different brand but they are equally well. AirVisual Node is equipped with the SenseAir S8 Sensor. Awair is equipped with the Telaire 6703 Sensor. Both are expensive and accurate and both devices display the CO2 in parts per million (ppm) values. They always measure the same values.
Particular Matter:
AirVisual Node uses the AVPM25b sensor which AirVisual own and co-developed. Awair uses a “generic” sensor by Sharp GP2Y10. Sharp’s sensor isn’t accurate at all in my opinion through my experience but the AVPM25b is very good and uses a small fan to draw air inside which produces a low sound noise. Both measure in μg/m³.
Temperature/ Humidity:
I had the devices side by side for a long time and they always had the same indications for temperature and humidity. However the AirVisual Node used to show an exact +10% offset in Humidity measurements, for example when Awair (and two more humidity instruments) indicated RH:51% the AirVisual Node indicated RH:61% and so on, but they updated the firmware and the offset is now fixed.
Volatile Compounds:
Awair is the only device which features a VOC sensor. Some people find value on it so it’s nice to have it if you need it. It measures in ppb. To be honest I don’t trust the VOC sensors in general and you can read the reason on this post: My opinion about VOC Sensors.
Connectivity:
Awair features WiFi and Bluetooth (BT for the initial set up) and they finally fixed the connectivity issue they were running into that caused the device to disconnect from the internet. Awair also features IFTTT, Alexa and Nest connectivity. AirVisual Node features only WiFi but they offer the off-the-grid ability in which the device stores the measurement in a .csv file and you can have access to it via SMB later, read more on the Complete Review: AirVisual Node. The Node is powered and charged via a micro USB port but the Awair uses a connector like the old Nokia phones which is a bit uncommon nowadays.
UI/UX/Design:
Both devices have a unique interface. The Awair allows browsing the air quality history up to a week and the AirVisual Node has an unlimited air quality history. Personally I prefer the charts from the Awair UI which are curved lines, the Node uses columns (question of taste). As a physical device Awair offers a modern with clean lines design and AirVisual Node a futuristic more curved one. Finally the Node has a 5-inch colour display in front which offers a lot of information (Local and/or Remote) and Awair has a dot matrix display which is more discreet.
Conclusion/Suggestions:
All in all both devices are well built in the majority of the sensors. I like both of them they have a great design and great software. I feel that the Node has got some unique features for the advanced users and Awair offers an easy and friendly experience for the average user. Awair please you have to consider allowing the device to function without internet in the future. AirVisual please the app and the widget are missing the value (μg/m³) of the PM2.5, it appears on the device but neither on the app nor the widget except the US/China AQI values.
Thank you
Can you reccomend a device to measure formaldehyde that is under $350?
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Hello, You can find some of them on amazon. For example the Extech VFM200 VOC/Formaldehyde Meter for $300 with Basic Accuracy: ±5%FS https://www.amazon.com/Extech-VFM200-VOC-Formaldehyde-Meter/dp/B01IB4N47M/ref=pd_lpo_469_tr_t_3/163-3189840-5947822?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=49MNF8ZHMH81HY0SS3EA
The Handheld Formaldehyde HCHO Meter for $120 with Accuracy : +/- 5.0% + 0.03mg/mᵌ https://www.amazon.com/Formaldehyde-Temperature-Thermometer-gardening-furniture/dp/B01EZKNPV6/ref=pd_sbs_469_14?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01EZKNPV6&pd_rd_r=GVVZ4XBZJB30GT3ZN8Z1&pd_rd_w=UelCJ&pd_rd_wg=888EM&psc=1&refRID=GVVZ4XBZJB30GT3ZN8Z1
The General Tools FD08 Digital Formaldehyde Meter for $300 https://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-FD08-Digital-Formaldehyde/dp/B00ULM6YLG/ref=pd_sbs_469_16?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00ULM6YLG&pd_rd_r=GVVZ4XBZJB30GT3ZN8Z1&pd_rd_w=UelCJ&pd_rd_wg=888EM&psc=1&refRID=GVVZ4XBZJB30GT3ZN8Z1
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Hello Sotirios
I’m really happy I came across your blog, your reviews are very thorough!
We are looking into monitoring the airquality in our offices and researching the different monitors. Right now I am between the AirVisual Node, the Awair and the Foobot. From what I understand the Airvisual Node is the most acurate of the 3 but doesnt have a VOC sensor. So the choice would be Airvisual + seperate VOC sensor or one of the other 2. Is there a clear winner in your mind considering quality and price?
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Hello Joanna, thank you for your kind words. In my opinion a VOC sensor isn’t very important because it can measure a wide range of gases which means that it can confuse the users. Please read my post about VOCs. Next month I will write a review about the uHoo AQI monitor which features more sensors. May I ask where your offices are located?
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We are located in Amsterdam. The reason we would like a VOC sensor is because the amount of vegetation in the office will increase dramatically and we wanted to see if there is a significant difference. I will check your post, would maybe a seperate better quality VOC meter do the trick in your opinion?
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Yes I was also looking at the uHoo but its brand new and didnt find any reviews. Worth the wait maybe?
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Hi, It has some unique sensors like Ozone O3 and Carbon Monoxide CO which make it interesting. Hopefully the review will give a better picture. Many people are interested in it. Stay tuned.
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[…] design for monitoring CO2, Temperature and Humidity. You can read my comparison tests 1, 2 and 3. It features a PM sensor which unfortunately isn’t very good (Don’t rely on the PM […]
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Extech VOC/Formaldehyde (CH2O or HCHO) Meter measures VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) and Formaldehyde concentrations in real-time. Fast response time, compact, easy-to-carry, and excellent for checking the indoor air quality of homes, offices, factories, hotels, schools and other indoor environments.It has an option of Auto Power Off.
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[…] CO2 sensor from the original version of Awair was very good and it seems the company kept it into the 2nd Edition as well. I get the exact same […]
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