The amount of smoke from the ongoing wildfires effects everyone including our pets. While you’re already checking your room temperature on a daily basis, you can easily add air quality monitoring to that routine.

There are plenty of online sources that track the outdoor air quality, but you’re typically on your own to decide how much of those pollutants reach inside your residence. Here are three air quality monitors that won’t break the bank, and will give you accurate enough data to consider taking additional actions.

$120 Or Less

This device can accurately monitor the temperature, humidity, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, and micron-sized fine particulate dust. Formaldehyde being a known carcinogen, which is odorless at lower concentrations. One of the interesting things is this exact model was battle tested in the Camp Fire in 2018 (Link).

This being the most expensive of the three models, it covers monitoring the widest range of particulates, and it includes USA based technical support centered in the midwest.

The manufacturer suggests to convert the PM2.5 readings of this device to the AQI number you typically hear, you should use this calculator.

• First under the AQI Calculators heading, click on Concentration to AQI.

• Second under Select a Pollutant, use the drop down bar to select PM2.5. That in turn will auto populate the Units field.

• Third under Enter the Concentration, provide the number displayed next to PM2.5. In the case of this picture, we would enter 028.

If you did everything mentioned above, when you click calculate, you should see an AQI of 84.

Please note that the way the different AQI providers measure the particulates in the air differ, but the overall readings are enough for the purposes of monitoring indoor air. (PurpleAir FAQ)

$60 Or Less

At half the cost of the previously mentioned monitor, we have the Temptop P10 Air Quality Monitor. This model includes the ability to show both PM2.5 and AQI without needing to calculate it manually.

It includes a 2200mAh lithium battery for up to 6 hours run time. This model also includes 24/7 US-based technical support.

$33 Or Less

For the absolutely budget conscious, the last monitor is the Airmon Palm Size PM2.5 Air Quality Monitor. The device only displays data through its paired phone app. It measures PM2.5, PM10, temperature, and humidity. At 135 grams, it’s also the lightest air quality monitor in this group.

Since the device is relatively light and unimposing in appearance, the manufacturer even suggests taking this monitor with you on the go. You can browse the reading on your phone instead of the “geiger counter” like appearance of other hand-held monitors. The app is available on both the Apple and Android ecosystems (Airmon App: Apple | Android).

One of the top reviews for Airmon Palm Size PM2.5 Air Quality Monitor also purchased and tested it for the current wildfires on the west coast.

Once you have your air quality readings, you now have enough information to take various additional actions. Additional actions include: replacing your current furnace filters, getting an air purifier, and checking for air leaks in walls/windows. While air purifiers are outside the scope of this article, we’ll leave you with the most recommended model (Wirecutter).

At the time of the article the Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier with True HEPA and Eco Mode was backordered, but you’ll only be charged once the product ships.

Adding an indoor air quality monitor helps you track what particulates are in your air, which have a direct impact on your health and the others around you. You can then take this number to see how it compare to the outdoor air quality, which gives you the information you need to take additional actions.