I am brand new to this community. Concerned because I live right near Hwy 80. How do I even get started? What kind of basic/starter monitor do I need? Thanks.
Hi Maria,
This article is a great start to introduce you to the concepts of particulate matter (PM) and the Air Quality Index (AQI): Sensor Owner's Guide.
You can find a full list of our sensors here: PurpleAir – Product List.
Recommendations for Indoor Monitoring
For indoor monitoring, I recommend the:
- PurpleAir Touch – Simple and easy-to-use. Includes an LED that displays the AQI in real time, for quick decision-making.
- PurpleAir Zen – Our flagship sensor. Designed to work in both outdoor and indoor conditions. Includes an LED that displays the AQI in real time, for quick decision-making. Includes a Bosch BME688 for TVOC monitoring (experimental).
- PurpleAir Pixel – Featuring the world’s smallest PM sensor. Complete plug-and-play with no IoT setup involved. Designed to be set up in multiple rooms of a home, or to come with you in your car.
Note that the Pixel doesn’t upload data in its current form.
Recommendations for Outdoor Monitoring
If you’re looking to monitor the air outside your home, consider the:
- PurpleAir Classic Plus – Our classic sensor with an updated internal bracket for easier component maintenance over time.
- PurpleAir Flex – Our newer design of the outdoor sensor. Includes a more robust and modern internal design, with newer components like the Bosch BME688 for TVOC monitoring (experimental).
- PurpleAir Zen – See above.
These models are designed to withstand outdoor weather conditions. From top to bottom, they increase in features and flexibility, but all will measure PM in the same way, and all three can upload their data to the PurpleAir Map.