Two Top Brands, Different Philosophies
Airthings and Aranet are two of the most respected names in consumer air quality monitoring. While both offer excellent products, they take fundamentally different approaches. This comparison helps you decide which brand suits your needs.
Aranet: Focused Simplicity
Aranet (made by SAF Tehnika in Latvia) is best known for the Aranet4, a dedicated CO2 monitor that does one thing exceptionally well. Read our full Aranet4 review.
Strengths:
- Best-in-class CO2 accuracy (NDIR sensor, +/- 30 ppm)
- Extraordinary battery life (2+ years on AA batteries)
- Truly portable (100 grams, pocket-sized)
- E-ink display readable in any light
- Strong scientific and institutional reputation
Limitations:
- CO2 only (plus temperature, humidity, pressure)
- No PM2.5 or VOC sensing
- Bluetooth only — no WiFi
- Higher price per metric monitored
Airthings: Comprehensive Ecosystem
Airthings (Norwegian company) takes the multi-sensor approach. Their flagship View Plus monitors CO2, PM2.5, VOCs, humidity, temperature, radon, and air pressure.
Strengths:
- All-in-one multi-pollutant monitoring
- WiFi connectivity with excellent cloud dashboard
- Smart home integration (Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT)
- Radon detection (unique among consumer CO2 monitors)
- Growing product ecosystem with Hub and multiple sensor types
Limitations:
- CO2 accuracy slightly less precise than Aranet4
- Requires mains power (not battery-powered for CO2 sensing)
- Bulkier — not designed for portability
- More expensive for the full-featured units
Head-to-Head
| Feature | Aranet4 | Airthings View Plus | |---|---|---| | CO2 Accuracy | Excellent | Very good | | Additional sensors | Temp, humidity, pressure | PM2.5, VOCs, radon, temp, humidity, pressure | | Connectivity | Bluetooth | WiFi + Bluetooth | | Battery life | 2+ years | Mains powered | | Portability | Excellent | Stationary | | Price | Approximately $220 | Approximately $300 | | Best for | Travel, focused CO2 | Home multi-pollutant |
Our Recommendation
Choose Aranet if CO2 accuracy, portability, and simplicity are your priorities. It is the better choice for on-the-go monitoring and dedicated bedroom or office use.
Choose Airthings if you want a comprehensive indoor air quality picture with WiFi connectivity and smart home features.
Many serious IAQ enthusiasts own both. Use the CO2 calculator to determine which rooms to prioritise.