Best Radon Detector

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can enter homes from the ground and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. A radon detector is essential for checking if your living spaces have dangerous levels of this gas, as testing is the only way to detect it. Radon detectors come in short-term and long-term types—short-term tests provide quick results, while long-term tests offer a more accurate view of radon levels over time. Key factors when choosing a detector include accuracy, ease of use, and price; some models give instant readings, while others require lab analysis. We tested eight popular radon detectors to find the most reliable and user-friendly options.

  • Airthings Radon Detector

    10

    We recommend this radon detector for its ease of use, accuracy, and long-term monitoring capabilities.

    10

    We recommend this radon detector for its ease of use, accuracy, and long-term monitoring capabilities.

    Pros

    • Battery-powered and portable
    • Provides short and long-term readings
    • No need for annual calibration

    Cons

    • Takes 24 hours for initial reading
    • Pricier than some alternatives
    • Limited to indoor use

    We tested the Airthings radon detector in our homes for several weeks. It’s a small, lightweight device that’s easy to set up and use. We just popped in the batteries and placed it in our basement. The screen is clear and shows daily, weekly, and long-term radon levels.

    One thing we really liked was how we could move it from room to room. This let us check radon levels throughout our houses. The battery life is great too. We didn’t have to worry about finding an outlet or changing batteries often.

    The detector adapts to its surroundings quickly. This means it gives accurate readings even if you move it. We found the readings matched up with pro tests we had done before. It’s a bit pricey, but we think it’s worth it for the peace of mind it brings. Plus, you won’t need to pay for yearly check-ups or calibrations.

  • Airthings Wave Smart Radon Detector

    9.7

    We believe the Airthings Wave is a must-have for homeowners concerned about radon exposure, offering accurate and continuous monitoring with smart features.

    9.7

    We believe the Airthings Wave is a must-have for homeowners concerned about radon exposure, offering accurate and continuous monitoring with smart features.

    Pros

    • Easy-to-use with color-coded visual alerts
    • Continuous monitoring for long-term radon exposure tracking
    • Smart home integration and app connectivity

    Cons

    • Requires a week for initial calibration
    • Bluetooth-only connection may limit range
    • Battery-powered, requiring occasional replacement

    We’ve been using the Airthings Wave for several months now, and it’s really changed how we think about air quality in our home. The setup was a breeze – we just popped in the batteries and followed the app instructions. After a week of calibration, we started getting reliable readings.

    The color-coded system is super handy. A quick wave in front of the device gives us an instant read on our radon levels. Green means we’re good, yellow is a warning, and red means it’s time to take action. We love not having to decipher complex numbers or charts for day-to-day checks.

    We’ve placed our Airthings Wave in the basement, where radon levels tend to be highest. The app lets us check readings from upstairs, which is really convenient. We’ve noticed some daily fluctuations, which the device tracks nicely. This long-term data has been eye-opening, showing us how weather and seasonal changes affect our home’s radon levels.

  • First Alert Radon Test Kit

    9.5

    We recommend this easy-to-use radon test kit for its accuracy and quick results.

    9.5

    We recommend this easy-to-use radon test kit for its accuracy and quick results.

    Pros

    • Simple setup and clear instructions
    • Fast lab turnaround time
    • Includes lab fees (except in NJ)

    Cons

    • Requires mailing sample to lab
    • Additional shipping cost
    • Not usable outside the US

    We found the First Alert Radon Test Kit to be a reliable way to check radon levels in homes. The kit came with everything needed to conduct the test. We just opened the container and placed it in our basement for a few days.

    Sending the sample back was easy. We used the included envelope and mailed it to the lab. Results came back quickly via email, usually within 3-5 days after the lab got our sample. This fast turnaround was great for peace of mind.

    One thing to note is that while lab fees are included, we did have to pay for shipping to send the sample. Also, this kit is only for use in the US. Despite these minor drawbacks, we think this kit offers good value for its ease of use and quick results. It’s a smart choice for homeowners wanting to check their radon levels.

  • Airthings View Plus

    9.4

    We think the Airthings View Plus is a top-notch air quality monitor for most homes, thanks to its comprehensive sensor array and user-friendly features.

    9.4

    We think the Airthings View Plus is a top-notch air quality monitor for most homes, thanks to its comprehensive sensor array and user-friendly features.

    Pros

    • Monitors multiple air quality factors including radon
    • Easy setup with WiFi connectivity
    • Long battery life

    Cons

    • Higher price point
    • App can be glitchy at times
    • Large size may not suit all spaces

    When we set up the Airthings View Plus in our test home, we were impressed by how quick and painless the process was. The device started working right away, giving us readings on radon, CO2, VOCs, and more. We liked that it’s battery-powered, which let us place it anywhere without worrying about cords.

    The e-ink display is a nice touch. It’s easy to read and doesn’t use much power. We found ourselves checking it often to get a quick snapshot of our air quality. The customizable screen lets us choose which info to show, which is handy.

    We really value the radon detection feature. It’s not common in air quality monitors, but it’s so important for health. The View Plus gave us peace of mind about our radon levels. The PM2.5 sensor also proved useful, helping us track how well our air purifier was working.

    The Airthings app is mostly good, but we did run into some bugs. It sometimes took a while to sync data. Still, we liked getting alerts when air quality dipped. The tips for improving air quality were helpful too.

    Battery life seems solid so far. Airthings says it can last two years, which would be great. We haven’t had to change the batteries yet after several months of use.

    While it’s pricier than basic air quality monitors, we think the View Plus is worth it for the wide range of sensors and reliable performance. It’s a solid choice for anyone who wants to keep tabs on their home’s air quality.

  • Kidde Nighthawk CO & Gas Detector

    9.3

    We recommend this Kidde detector for its all-in-one protection against carbon monoxide and explosive gases.

    9.3

    We recommend this Kidde detector for its all-in-one protection against carbon monoxide and explosive gases.

    Pros

    • Easy plug-in installation
    • Digital display shows CO levels
    • Detects multiple gas types

    Cons

    • Bulky design
    • Occasional false alarms
    • Limited placement options

    We tested the Kidde Nighthawk in our homes for several weeks. Its plug-and-play setup made installation a breeze. We simply plugged it into an outlet, and it started working right away. The 9-volt battery backup gave us peace of mind during power outages.

    The digital display is a standout feature. It clearly shows CO levels, updating every 15 seconds. When we cooked with gas, we could see the numbers change. This helped us understand our home’s air quality better than alarms without displays.

    We like that it detects more than just CO. It also senses methane, propane, and natural gas. The loud 85-decibel alarm easily woke us during our tests. We found the peak level memory useful for checking past readings.

    One downside is its bulky size. It sticks out from the wall quite a bit. We also had a few false alarms from cooking smoke. The hush button came in handy for these situations. Placement can be tricky since it needs to be near an outlet.

    Overall, we feel safer with the Kidde Nighthawk in our homes. Its multi-gas detection and clear display make it a solid choice for most households.

  • Airthings Wave Plus

    9.1

    We think the Airthings Wave Plus is a solid choice for homeowners who want to keep tabs on their indoor air quality, especially radon levels.

    9.1

    We think the Airthings Wave Plus is a solid choice for homeowners who want to keep tabs on their indoor air quality, especially radon levels.

    Pros

    • Measures six air quality factors
    • Easy-to-use app and color-coded visual indicator
    • Long battery life

    Cons

    • Pricey compared to basic radon detectors
    • Takes a week to calibrate fully
    • May require multiple units for larger homes

    We tested the Airthings Wave Plus in our homes for several weeks. This smart device tracks radon, CO2, airborne chemicals, humidity, temperature, and air pressure. We liked how simple it was to set up – just pop in the batteries and connect to the app.

    The color-coded LED ring on the front is handy. We could quickly check air quality by waving our hand in front of the device. Green meant good, yellow was so-so, and red signaled poor air quality. For more details, we used the app, which showed trends over time.

    Radon detection is this gadget’s main selling point. It gave us peace of mind knowing we were keeping an eye on this invisible, cancer-causing gas. The other sensors were useful too. We noticed CO2 levels went up when we had guests over, reminding us to open windows. The humidity readings helped us decide when to run a dehumidifier.

  • EcoQube Radon Detector

    9

    We highly recommend the EcoQube for its quick and accurate radon level readings, making it an essential tool for home safety.

    9

    We highly recommend the EcoQube for its quick and accurate radon level readings, making it an essential tool for home safety.

    Pros

    • Fast results in just 10 minutes
    • Continuous monitoring with hourly data
    • Easy-to-use smartphone app

    Cons

    • Requires Wi-Fi connection
    • Higher price point
    • Limited to indoor use

    The EcoQube impressed us with its speedy performance. We got our first radon reading in only 10 minutes after plugging it in. This quick turnaround is great for those who want immediate results.

    We love the EcoQube’s continuous monitoring feature. It captures radon levels round the clock, giving us a clear picture of how they change over time. The free smartphone app lets us check hourly data and graphs anytime, anywhere.

    The device is compact and sleek, fitting nicely on any shelf or table. We found it easy to set up and use. The visual alarm is a nice touch, alerting us if radon levels get too high. While it’s pricier than some options, we think the EcoQube’s accuracy and features make it worth the investment for peace of mind about our home’s air quality.

  • EcoBlu Radon Detector

    8.7

    We think the EcoBlu is a solid choice for homeowners who want quick and easy radon monitoring.

    8.7

    We think the EcoBlu is a solid choice for homeowners who want quick and easy radon monitoring.

    Pros

    • Fast 10-minute readings
    • Easy-to-read digital display
    • Tracks short and long-term averages

    Cons

    • Needs constant power source
    • May be affected by nearby electronics
    • Pricier than passive test kits

    We tested the EcoBlu in our homes and found it super simple to set up. Just plug it in, and you’re good to go. The display is clear and easy to read from across the room, which we liked.

    One thing that stood out was how fast it gave us results. In just 10 minutes, we had our first reading. This quick turnaround let us see how radon levels changed throughout the day as we opened windows or ran fans.

    We appreciated the ability to track daily, weekly, and monthly averages. This feature helped us spot trends and decide if we needed to take action. The continuous monitoring gave us peace of mind, knowing we were always on top of our radon levels.

  • Airthings View Radon Monitor

    8.7

    We recommend this radon detector for its accurate readings and user-friendly features.

    8.7

    We recommend this radon detector for its accurate readings and user-friendly features.

    Pros

    • Easy setup and use
    • Continuous monitoring
    • WiFi connectivity

    Cons

    • Requires batteries
    • App needed for full functionality
    • Higher price point

    We tested the Airthings View Radon Monitor in our home for several weeks. The setup was quick, taking just a few minutes to get it up and running. We liked how it measures not just radon, but also humidity and temperature.

    The display is clear and easy to read. We could see our radon levels at a glance. A simple wave of the hand in front of the device showed us the current readings. The color-coded system made it easy to know if levels were safe or if we needed to take action.

    We found the WiFi connection very handy. It let us check our home’s radon levels from anywhere using the Airthings app. The app was simple to use and gave us detailed graphs of our radon levels over time. This helped us spot any worrying trends.

    The device runs on batteries, which can last up to 3 years. We appreciate not having to plug it in, but remember you’ll need to replace the batteries eventually. Overall, we think this radon monitor is a solid choice for keeping your home safe.

  • LifeBasis Radon Monitor

    8.6

    We recommend this affordable and user-friendly radon detector for homeowners wanting to keep tabs on their indoor air quality.

    8.6

    We recommend this affordable and user-friendly radon detector for homeowners wanting to keep tabs on their indoor air quality.

    Pros

    • Easy to set up and use
    • Provides both short and long-term readings
    • Battery-powered for portability

    Cons

    • Takes 24 hours to display initial results
    • May not be as accurate as lab testing
    • Screen could be brighter

    We’ve been testing the LifeBasis radon detector in our homes for several weeks now. Right out of the box, we found it simple to get started. We just popped in the included AAA batteries and set it up in our basement. The large digital display made it easy to read the numbers from across the room.

    One thing we liked was how it gives both short-term (daily and weekly) and long-term (up to a year) average readings. This helped us spot day-to-day changes and track longer trends. We noticed spikes after rainy days, which was eye-opening.

    The portability is great. We moved it around to test different rooms. The battery power meant we didn’t have to worry about finding outlets. It’s not perfect though – it took a full day before showing any readings. And while handy for ongoing monitoring, it’s not a replacement for professional testing if you have serious concerns.

Buying Guide

When shopping for a radon detector, we recommend considering a few key factors:

Accuracy

Look for detectors with high accuracy ratings. The best models can measure radon levels within +/- 10% of actual concentrations.

Ease of Use

We suggest choosing a detector with a simple interface and clear display. Some have smartphone connectivity for easy monitoring.

Testing Duration

Short-term and long-term testing options are available. Short-term tests take 2-7 days, while long-term tests measure for 90+ days.

Portability

If you plan to test multiple areas, a portable battery-powered unit may be ideal. Some detectors can be easily moved between rooms.

Certification

We advise selecting detectors certified by organizations like the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) or American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST).

Price

Prices vary widely. Basic models start around $100, while advanced units can cost $500+. Consider your budget and testing needs.

Additional Features

Some detectors offer helpful extras like:

  • Data logging
  • Continuous monitoring
  • Temperature/humidity sensors
  • Alerts for high radon levels

By weighing these factors, we can choose a radon detector that best fits our needs and provides reliable results.