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Air Lab has moved beyond its pre-launch announcement: as checked August 18, 2026, Networked Artifacts lists the portable monitor as in stock for $249, with orders expected to ship within three business days. Its appeal is not just a compact aluminum body and e-paper screen; it combines onboard monitoring with USB CSV export, Wi-Fi and MQTT, open firmware, and hardware interfaces for experimentation. The important limitation: standard Air Lab hardware does not measure PM2.5 or other particulate matter.
What Air Lab is—and what changed since the announcement
Air Lab is a standalone indoor-air monitor made by Zürich-based Networked Artifacts. The original Hackster report described a product preparing to launch. That is no longer the status: the Crowd Supply listing records that its campaign funded on June 5, 2025, and now says the product is in stock.
The current product page lists a weight of 110 g, rather than the 50 g reported in the early story. It gives battery estimates of 21 days in passive mode and 7.5 days in recording mode, rather than the early report’s estimate of up to 4.5 years while switched off. These current figures are still estimates, not guaranteed runtimes.
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What it measures—and what it misses
Air Lab’s standard sensor set covers several useful indoor conditions, but it is not a comprehensive pollutant detector.
#1 Best Overall
- MULTIFUNCTION MONITORING: This indoor air quality monitor provides real-time monitoring of 11 crucial indexes including AQI, CO2, PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10, Particles, HCHO, TVOC, temperature and humidity, dual alert system-visual and audible. Life Basis air quality monitor keeps you informed of current air quality levels at all times to guarantee the breath quality of your family
- HIGH-PRECISOIN SMART SENSOR: The air quality meter is equipped with NDIR infrared carbon dioxide sensor, laser particle sensor, semiconductor sensor, photoelectric sensor, temperature and humidity sensor, which responds quickly and sensitively, and provide accurate indoor air concentration
- COLOR AND SOUND ALERT: The color of the icon corresponding to a single gas changes according to the gas concentration, which are Good(Green), Moderate Pollution(Yellow), Poor (Orange), Abnormal(Red) four grades. When the Normal is exceeded, the device will emit a ticking alert sound, the indicator light will flash continuously and the interface color will change.
- CLEAR DISPLAY SETTINGS: Life Basis Air Quality Monitor has a LCD screen display, each data is clear with color reminder , easy to understand. The screen brightness can be adjusted according to your needs, allowing you to understand the indoor air quality at a glance
- LONG BATTERY LIFE: Equipped with a 2500mAh battery and Type-C Charging Port, easy to use and portable. Our air quality monitor provides up to 11-12 hours of continuous use on a full charge.
| Measurement | Hardware | What to make of it |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon dioxide (CO₂) | Sensirion SCD41 | Useful for observing CO₂ buildup and comparing ventilation conditions; it does not directly measure ventilation rate or overall air cleanliness. Sensirion SCD41 specifications |
| Temperature and relative humidity | Sensirion SCD41 | Context for room conditions and environmental changes. |
| VOC- and NOx-related signals | Sensirion SGP41 | Sensor responses can help track changes, but should not be read as laboratory-grade concentrations of specific chemicals. Sensirion SGP41 specifications |
| Atmospheric pressure | LPS22 | Pressure measurement; it is not a pollutant reading. |
| PM1, PM2.5, PM10 | No built-in particulate sensor | Not measured by the standard device. An extension port may support additional hardware, but that does not make particulate sensing available out of the box. |
The lack of particulate sensing matters for wildfire smoke, cooking smoke, dust, and other airborne particles. A normal CO₂ or VOC/NOx reading cannot establish that those particles—or ozone, formaldehyde, or allergens—are absent. VOC sensors can also respond to benign substances; a signal does not identify a particular hazardous compound.
For comparison, the AirGradient ONE includes a Plantower PMS5003 particulate sensor alongside CO₂, VOC/NOx, temperature, and humidity sensing. It is a more direct out-of-the-box option when PM readings are a priority.
Hardware, battery, and data storage
The manufacturer lists an ESP32-S3 microcontroller, SCD41 and SGP41 sensors, an LPS22 pressure sensor, a 296 × 128-pixel e-paper display, and a 1,500-mAh LiPo battery in an anodized aluminum enclosure. The device measures 155 × 65 × 10 mm and weighs 110 g. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, and USB-C. The Crowd Supply listing says a USB-C cable is not included.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →| Manufacturer specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Passive-mode battery estimate | 21 days |
| Recording-mode battery estimate | 7.5 days |
| Volatile storage | 8 KB; approximately six hours of one-minute samples |
| Durable storage | 8 MB; approximately 90 days of data |
These runtimes are estimates and may vary with sampling, wireless use, display behavior, firmware, and temperature. The storage durations likewise depend on the stated sampling assumptions. This is portable equipment, but continuous recording is not a months-long battery use case.
Rank #2
- 【16-in-1 Air Quality Monitor Indoor】Experience the ultimate indoor air quality monitoring with our 16-in-1 Air Quality Monitor, offering real-time detection of 9 key parameters including CO2, PM2.5, PM1.0, PM10, HCHO, TVOC, Temperature, Humidity, AQI, and Time. With 7 distinct AQI alert buzzers, this air quality tester ensures your family breathes with ease.(*Note: "16-in-1" refers to the combination of 9 key detectable parameters and 7 types of AQI alert buzzers.)
- 【Crystal Clear 7-inch Large Display】Enjoy a 7-inch LED display for sharp, clear air quality readings. Provides an instant, comprehensive view of your indoor air without navigating through menus, with three brightness settings for any lighting condition
- 【External High-Precision Sensors with 0.001 Accuracy】Equipped with advanced external high-precision sensors, this device delivers unmatched accuracy (0.001 units) by directly sampling the air. Its innovative multi-sensor array and enhanced airflow design detect even the slightest environmental changes, allowing for instant response and optimal safety. (*Note: Avoid touching the sensors or exposing them to perfumes/strong odors to maintain accuracy.)
- 【Real-Time AQI Alert Buzzers】Our air quality monitor provides real-time monitoring and alerts for pollutants like CO2, PM2.5, PM1.0, PM10, HCHO, TVOC, Temperature, Humidity, and AQI, with 7 distinct alert functions. Stay informed with clear alerts and rest easy with a mute button to silence alarms. Your health and comfort are our priority
- 【Easy Time Adjustment】1.Switch Time Format: Click the “Time button” to toggle between 12/24-hour format. 2.Set Hours: Long press the “Time button” to enter setting mode. Use the “Alarm button” or “Brightness button” to adjust hours. 3.Set Minutes: Click the “Time button” again. Use the “Alarm button” or “Brightness button” to adjust minutes. 4.Confirm: Click the “Time button” to save settings.
What it can do without an app
Air Lab is intended to show and collect data on the device itself. Its described modes include passive display of current conditions, Live View for recent data, Analysis Mode for an aggregate view of a measurement, and Precision Mode for inspecting individual samples. Users can mark samples for later correlation, and high-CO₂ alerts can activate the buzzer or LED. Recorded measurements can be exported as CSV through USB.
This local workflow is useful for room-to-room comparisons, observing changes after opening a window, or recording an event without relying on a cloud account. For meaningful comparisons, keep placement consistent: use breathing height when assessing occupant exposure and avoid direct drafts, windows, vents, humidifiers, diffusers, or a person’s face. Place it near a cooking plume only when deliberately studying that event.
Connectivity and what “open source” means
Air Lab combines several paths for getting data off the device:
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- USB-C: charging, data transfer, and debugging/programming. The manufacturer says the device can appear as a USB drive for measurement export.
- Bluetooth LE: the mobile app can access recent readings, show charts, compare parameters, export CSV, and configure the device.
- Wi-Fi and MQTT: Air Lab can publish data to an MQTT broker for dashboards, automations, or Home Assistant.
- Hardware development: an exposed debug port and an extension port carrying power, I²C, and two GPIOs provide paths for development and compatible add-on hardware.
The Home Assistant route uses MQTT; it is not necessarily an automatic, configuration-free pairing. Expect to arrange Wi-Fi, a broker, credentials and topic settings, then configure or discover Home Assistant entities. Local data flow can reduce reliance on cloud services, but it still depends on a working network and correct configuration.
Rank #3
- 【8-in-1 Comprehensive Air Quality Monitoring】Monitor multiple indoor air indicators including CO2, AQI, temperature, humidity, HCHO (formaldehyde), and TVOC in real time. This air quality monitor provides a complete overview of your indoor environment, helping you easily understand changes in air conditions and create a more comfortable living space.
- 【High-Precision Sensors for Accurate Detection】Equipped with advanced sensors, this indoor air quality tester delivers fast and reliable readings every second. It accurately detects key air factors with high sensitivity, allowing you to quickly identify changes in your environment and maintain better indoor air awareness.
- 【Long-Lasting 1600mAh Rechargeable Battery】Built with a 1600mAh rechargeable lithium battery, this portable air monitor provides up to 72 hours of continuous use on a single charge. The USB charging design makes it convenient for home, office, bedroom, classroom, and travel use.
- 【Large HD Screen with Smart Visual Display】Featuring a high-definition large screen, this air quality monitor displays multiple readings clearly at a glance, including CO2, AQI, temperature, humidity, HCHO, and TVOC. The intuitive interface makes it easy to check your indoor air status anytime, day or night.
- 【Essential Tool for Healthier Indoor Spaces】Indoor air quality can directly affect comfort and daily living. This air quality detector helps you stay informed about changes in your surroundings, making it ideal for homes, offices, nurseries, bedrooms, basements, and other indoor spaces where air monitoring matters.
The public Air Lab repository identifies its firmware as Apache-2.0 licensed, and the manufacturer describes a board-support library for ESP-IDF development. That supports a specific claim: the firmware is open and inspectable. It does not, by itself, establish that every hardware design file is published under an open license. The public repository makes modification possible, but it is not a promise of indefinite maintenance, replacement parts, or community support.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Air Lab suitable for professional or health-critical measurement?
Air Lab can be useful for educational demonstrations, trend observation, automation, and controlled comparisons—for example, seeing CO₂ rise in an occupied room or tracking a change after ventilation. Component specifications and a product’s stated suitability are not the same as independent validation of the complete assembled monitor.
The manufacturer describes Air Lab as suitable for professional measurements and outdoor surroundings, but that is a manufacturer claim. The cited product information does not establish full-device accuracy and repeatability, a calibration schedule, VOC/NOx cross-sensitivity performance, formal certification, or independent comparative testing of production units. Do not use it as a certified reference instrument, medical device, or occupational-safety monitor on this evidence.
Air Lab compared with other monitors
The products below serve different priorities. Prices are the figures recorded in the cited listings or comparison information; regional checkout prices and availability can change.
| Product | Monitoring and format | Developer/local-data angle | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Lab | CO₂, temperature, humidity, VOC/NOx signals, pressure; no built-in PM; e-paper; battery-powered | Open firmware, USB CSV, BLE, MQTT, debug and extension interfaces | Portable experiments, local data, and hardware tinkering. Listed at $249 on Crowd Supply, checked August 18, 2026. |
| AirGradient ONE | Includes CO₂, PM2.5, VOC/NOx, temperature, and humidity; larger, mains-powered unit | Open data workflows, Home Assistant, and a subscription-free dashboard | More suitable when built-in particulate readings matter. A Crowd Supply comparison lists $195; confirm current checkout price. |
| Aranet4 Pro | Portable CO₂, temperature, humidity, and pressure monitor with e-paper display | Not open source; lacks Air Lab’s exposed development interfaces and VOC/NOx sensing | A simpler CO₂-focused portable monitor and alternative for longer battery life. Crowd Supply’s comparison lists $290; confirm regional price. |
| Airthings Wave Enhance | Mainstream consumer monitor with a commercial ecosystem | Not designed around open hardware experimentation or Air Lab’s local CSV and exposed interfaces | Buyers who prefer a conventional consumer product. Crowd Supply’s comparison lists $149; confirm regional price and availability. |
| IKEA VINDSTYRKA | Budget-oriented indoor air-quality sensor; Crowd Supply’s comparison lists it without CO₂ sensing | Does not offer Air Lab’s battery portability, open firmware, or developer interfaces | Budget buyers seeking basic feedback, not a direct substitute for Air Lab. The linked US page redirected when checked; verify current availability and price. |
| IQAir AirVisual Pro | Larger display and particulate-monitoring focus | Not an open-source portable developer platform | Buyers prioritizing PM visibility and a prominent display. Crowd Supply’s comparison lists $299; confirm current price. |
Who should consider Air Lab?
Air Lab makes the most sense for people who will use its combination of portable display, battery operation, local CSV export, MQTT, open firmware, or exposed interfaces. It is less compelling if the main requirement is particulate monitoring, very long battery life, formal certification, a large dashboard, or a low-cost plug-and-play CO₂ reader. Its current Crowd Supply listing shows $249 before shipping, with shipping listed as $8 in the US or $18 worldwide; price and stock were checked August 18, 2026, and can change.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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