Airthings
Airthings View Plus
$299
Released 2021-03-11
Best Air Quality Monitors · head-to-head
Airthings View Plus vs Awair Element
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Airthings View Plus is cheaper at $299. Every spec and price links to its source.
Awair
Awair Element
$299
Released 2019
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Airthings View Plus | Awair Element |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $299 | $299 |
| Brand | Airthings | Awair |
| Released | 2021-03-11 | 2019 |
| Pm25 sensor | Yes | Yes |
| CO₂ sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Voc sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Radon sensor | Yes | No |
| Display screen | 2.9 in ePaper, 296x128 px | LED dot-matrix display (5-dot AQI score + numeric readout) |
| App connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Power | 6 AA batteries (up to 2 yr) or USB-C | AC plug-in (100-240 V, 5 V/2 A adapter) |
| Release year | 2021 | 2019 |
Sources — Airthings View Plus: airthings.com (verified 2026-06-20). Awair Element: getawair.com (verified 2026-06-20).
What's the difference between the Airthings View Plus and Awair Element?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Radon sensor: Airthings View Plus true vs Awair Element false
- Display screen: Airthings View Plus 2.9 in ePaper, 296x128 px vs Awair Element LED dot-matrix display (5-dot AQI score + numeric readout)
- Power: Airthings View Plus 6 AA batteries (up to 2 yr) or USB-C vs Awair Element AC plug-in (100-240 V, 5 V/2 A adapter)
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Airthings View Plus
Two whitelisted testers (TechHive, Reviewed/USA Today) rate the Airthings View Plus the best overall home air-quality monitor for its seven sensors, radon detection, easy setup and app, and smart-home integration. Both flag its high price (~$300–$330) and the lack of an included AC power adapter; TechHive additionally dings the missing carbon-monoxide sensor and up-to-a-month sensor calibration. Neither published benchmarked accuracy numbers, so real-world sensor precision is untested in these sources. (2 sourced reviews, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Seven built-in sensors with comprehensive coverage including radon; Easy setup and an easy-to-navigate companion app; Smart-home integration (Alexa/Google) plus hub functionality.
Flagged: Expensive (~$300+), among the priciest options; No AC power adapter included in the box; No carbon monoxide sensor.
Awair Element
Two whitelisted hands-on testers cover the exact Awair Element: TechHive (2020) and Reviewed/USA Today (2024). Both recommend it as an accurate, user-friendly value pick with strong smart-home integration and helpful in-app tips. Both flag the weak on-device readout; Reviewed additionally notes it needs constant power (no battery) and lacks radon detection. Neither published measured accuracy numbers, so 'accurate' rests on qualitative comparison to reference instruments only. All six draft quotes verified as literal substrings; both sources survived intact. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Accurate real-time readings; temperature and humidity matched a reference thermometer and hygrometer; Comprehensive, user-friendly companion app delivering deeper insights and readings; Integrates with multiple smart-home platforms (Alexa, Google Home, etc.).
Flagged: Poor on-device readout — white-on-white LEDs hard to read / no real screen display; Requires constant USB power, no battery option; No radon detection, unlike pricier alternatives.