Answers to the questions we get asked most often

Pollen, at 10–100 µm, are significantly larger than typical particulate matter fractions (PM2.5 = under 2.5 µm, PM10 = under 10 µm). This means the particulate matter sensor in the air-Q reports an elevated PM10 value and therefore does react to some pollen, but it cannot distinguish between pollen, road dust, and other coarse particles.‍

More relevant than whole pollen grains for allergies are so-called pollen fragments: in rain or high humidity, pollen grains burst and release fragments that are 0.5–5 µm in size – i.e., in the PM2.5 range. These fragments are highly allergenic and are often the cause of severe reactions and asthma attacks.
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The air-Q does detect these pollen fragments. However, here too, it cannot distinguish between different pollen types.

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For comparison, common allergenic pollens:
Forget-me-not (Myosotis) – 10–12 µm
Birch – 20–25 µm
Grasses – 25–35 µm
Rye – 70–90 µm
Hazel – 20–30 µm
Alder – 20–30 µm
Mugwort – 18–25 µm
Ragweed – 18–22 µm

The air-Q needs power to collect measurement data. If the power supply is interrupted, it will restart as soon as the device is supplied with electrical power again.

We only use sensors from manufacturers that provide us with individual calibration data for each sensor. This ensures that all sensors deliver the highest possible accuracy. In addition, we perform a baseline calibration for every air-Q during production. For cost reasons, we do not issue individual calibration certificates.

The smartphone app lets you perform a baseline calibration yourself at home – for example, if this becomes necessary due to a baseline shift. The air-Q also has automatic baseline calibration / drift correction. This uses a certain number of measurement points and continuously determines a new calibration value – typically, a new calibration value is generated after 1-2 weeks, if needed.

All data is stored on an SD memory card and in the app as soon as it connects to the device. Data is only transmitted to the internet and the air-Q Cloud with the owner’s consent. However, this is useful for making meaningful use of certain features that wouldn’t otherwise be possible — for example, the health advisor.
The server where the online data is stored is physically located in Germany.

The first air quality readings are displayed immediately after switching on the device, both in the air-Q app and via the LEDs on the device itself. Certain sensors (for example NO₂, SO₂) require a warm-up period after being disconnected from power, so their readings are displayed with a delay.

The measurement interval of the air-Q air analyzer during continuous operation is less than two seconds. This means the air-Q measures essentially in real time. The measurement data is then immediately viewable via the air-Q app (Android / iOS).

The air-Q is whisper-quiet. A very small fan inside the particulate matter sensor can only be noticed if you listen closely right next to your ear. If even this sound bothers sensitive individuals, the fan can be disabled in the app via night mode. In that case, no particulate matter measurements are taken.

The particulate matter reading PM₁₀  captures particles up to 10 µm in size; PM₂.₅ captures particles with a diameter of up to 2.5 µm, and PM₁ captures particles up to 1 µm in size. The PM₁₀ reading also includes the PM₂.₅ and PM₁ readings, and the PM₂.₅ reading also includes PM₁. For readings measured in µg/m³ or in particle count, it therefore holds that PM₁₀  > PM₂.₅ > PM₁.

The air-Q does not need to be cleaned. The sensors inside are adequately protected from dust. On the outside, wiping it down is sufficient. Dust that has fallen through the vents can be carefully removed by shaking or blowing on the device.

In principle, the air-Q is designed as a stationary measuring system, since it continuously adapts to its surroundings via automatic calibration. However, using a mobile power source (e.g. USB power bank, rechargeable battery, battery), it can also be used on the go, i.e. wirelessly.

Here are two example calculations for the capacity needed for a given period of time. The figures refer to power banks that state capacity in mAh at 5V:

The power source should supply the air-Q for 24 h. How much capacity is needed?
Calculation: 0.26 A * 24 h = 6.24 Ah = 6240 mAh.

The power source has 25000 mAh — how long will it last?
Calculation: 25 Ah / 0.26 A = ~96 h.

Cigarette smoke is a complex and highly dynamic gas mixture that can be detected through elevated particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and also nitrogen dioxide and VOC readings at the same time. There is no dedicated "cigarette smoke" measurement, since smoke cannot be precisely quantified depending on its source and age.

Cigarette smoke, or smoke of any kind, can be reliably detected by measuring the particulate matter value. The particulate matter sensor used in the device is very sensitive. It reacts immediately even to cigarette smoke close to the odor threshold. In the air-Q app, a smart alarm for cigarette smoke can be activated via email and/or push notification, so you're informed about the situation in your house / apartment / vacation home even while away.

If you'd like more sensitive detection, a lower threshold of 60 µg/m³ can also be set for the particulate matter alarm value. This makes the alarm react faster, but it can also lead to more false alarms if other sources of particulate matter exist nearby (e.g. fireplaces or generally polluted outdoor air).

The air-Q basic already measures carbon monoxide and particulate matter and is very well suited for detecting / measuring cigarette smoke. If nitrogen dioxide levels should also be measured, the air-Q pro is the right device for your purposes.

Yes. Smart home standards like IFTTT, Home Assistant and others are already supported. Support for Matter is planned for late 2024 or early 2025.

Compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant is in progress. Unfortunately, voice assistants don't natively support devices with as many sensors as the air-Q. We depend on updates from the providers here.

Please go to our contact page and reach out to the right contact person for your request.

The air-Q’s higher price comes from a combination of high-quality materials, innovative technology, and the many features we’ve built in. We rely on powerful components, such as the microcontroller and sensors, which not only measure precisely but also provide substantial computing power and extensive connectivity options. Another highlight is that all sensors are replaceable, which makes the air-Q especially long-lasting and allows it to be individually adapted to different requirements. This also means we can offer virtually any conceivable combination of sensors. Please contact us if you have specific requests regarding sensor configuration – we’ll make it happen.

Another important factor is our purpose-built app, which gives users simple control and detailed, real-time analysis of the data.

Comparing the air-Q to other devices makes it clear: the air-Q may look expensive, but most other air quality monitors are designed to measure just a single parameter and don’t offer the same versatility. With us, you don’t just get a device — you get a well-thought-out solution that stays with you for years and remains adaptable, and that’s what makes the air-Q a special product.

Asbestos refers to fibrous silicate minerals with fiber diameters of two micrometers or more. It has the property of splitting lengthwise into ever-smaller fibers when broken. Due to its low mass, asbestos becomes airborne and can be inhaled.

The air-Q's particulate matter sensor can partially detect asbestos as particulate matter, since the sensor can detect particles down to 1 µm and above. However, asbestos cannot be distinguished from "normal" particulate matter. Therefore, the extremely carcinogenic danger of asbestos can only be partially captured. A high particulate matter value is always bad. Whether it is actually asbestos, however, the air-Q unfortunately cannot determine.

The air-Q and its sensors come with a one-year warranty. Within the warranty period, we repair any defects and replace worn sensors free of charge. You can extend the warranty with one of our warranty packages.

Important: air-Q devices should be used in normal household environments. Please feel free to get in touch with us to discuss your situation.

Yes, thanks to its very low voltage of 5 volts, the air-Q poses no danger. However, as a high-precision measuring device, the air-Q should not end up in children's hands. In children's rooms, care should therefore be taken to choose a suitable location.

The air-Q is designed for indoor use. Outdoors, splash water or rain can get in and damage the electronics. However, if the device is protected from direct water exposure, it can be used briefly for outdoor measurements as well. Condensing moisture must absolutely be avoided, as it can otherwise irreparably damage the air-Q. Within the scope of its specifications (datasheet) , the air-Q can, for example, be used under a roof.

Note: When measuring outdoors, the electrochemical sensors (such as ozone and nitrogen dioxide) may occasionally deliver inconsistent readings in places, since the strong temperature and humidity fluctuations outdoors affect these sensors due to their measuring principle and require recalibration (--> automatic calibration of the air-Q).

Yes, the air-Q is generally suitable as a fire alarm, since it precisely and quickly detects the substances produced during a fire, such as smoke (particulate matter), nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In addition to a shrill alarm tone, a push notification is also sent to the owner.

Legally, however, it cannot replace standard smoke detectors. This is mainly because the air analyzer is not battery-powered and therefore cannot be mounted on a wall or ceiling as required by regulations. Otherwise, the air-Q is in no way inferior to an ordinary smoke detector.

Unlike conventional smoke detectors, the air-Q also measures carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and VOC gases in addition to particulate matter levels. This allows smoke development to be detected earlier, more reliably and much more precisely, while avoiding false alarms.

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The air-Q's measurement results can help take action against unwanted and unlawful odor nuisances. The air-Q logs many different values at very close intervals. This makes it easy to capture and record odors and harmful fumes from sources such as cigarette smoke, shisha bars, heavily smoking chimneys, and other industrial emissions. However, these recordings can only represent a first step in a legal process, since self-collected data can only ever serve as circumstantial evidence. As a rule, an official expert assessment is required. Please seek legal advice from a lawyer specific to your case.

The Health Index is based on the limit values set by the German Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), the WHO, and what’s known as the Vienna Health Index. The air-Q Health Index is always calculated from the "worst" reading among all measured values at a given point in time. For example, if an elevated particulate matter reading results in a 20% deduction and a high nitrogen dioxide reading results in a 30% health deduction, the Health Index shows 100% - 30% (nitrogen dioxide reading) = 70%.

The Performance Index calculation is based on a different, cumulative method, drawing on current studies from various research institutions that have analyzed the performance impact of specific burdens on indoor air. For example, if a high carbon dioxide level in the air results in a 20% performance deduction and a high temperature results in a 5% deduction, the Performance Index shows 100% - 20% (CO₂ deduction) - 5% (temperature deduction) = 75%.

Pollutants spread through a room at different speeds. The regulation for smoke detectors in effect in Germany specifies the following: to ensure a sufficiently fast response to emerging gases, one warning device / smoke detector / air sensor should be installed per 60 m² of room area (at a typical ceiling height of approx. 2.8–3.2 m). In L-shaped rooms, several measuring devices should be installed — one on each side.

However, for non-critical areas where air quality is monitored in general, the smoke detector regulations do not apply. Here, we recommend installing one air-Q per 60–140 m². If air-Qs are wall-mounted, 60 m² is preferable; if placed in the middle of the room, one air-Q every 140 m² is enough to get a sufficiently accurate picture of air quality.

As a general rule, the air-Q follows the same guideline used for smoke detectors.
To ensure a sufficiently fast response to gases as they occur, we therefore recommend a maximum room size of 60 m² (with a standard ceiling height of approx. 2.8-3.2 m). In L-shaped rooms, multiple air-Q devices should be installed – one on each side.

Mold releases spores into the air, which, depending on the type of mold, can be detected as particulate matter. However, the amounts released are very small. Since there’s usually already a baseline level of particulate matter present, the spikes caused by mold spores are unfortunately hard to distinguish from it. This means it’s not possible to say with certainty that a room is mold-free.

That said, the risk of mold can also be assessed indirectly by monitoring various readings. The air-Q indoor air monitor can detect a tendency toward mold formation, for example by tracking the development of absolute and relative humidity, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and particulate matter in real time. These readings can be related to one another to assess the risk of existing mold. If these values are higher than normal, or even rise continuously over a period of time, the source of this increase should be identified — it could already indicate mold growth, or signal favorable growth conditions for mold.
However, a lab test is still essential to determine an existing mold problem with legal certainty.

With the Mold-Free Index, the air-Q offers a good starting point for monitoring mold risk over time.

The air-Q is powered via a USB-C power adapter (5 volts). In principle, any USB-compliant power adapter can be used with the device. However, we recommend using the original power adapter included: it is a tested adapter that not only meets the legal requirements (EMC) but also satisfies the air-Q's need for a stable power supply to deliver precise measurements. The air-Q can also be used cordlessly – that is, powered via a USB power bank / rechargeable battery / battery.

The air-Q requires approx. 1.5 watts (5V x 300 mA). A 10,000 mAh power bank is therefore sufficient for about 33 hours of mobile operation.

Yes, the measurement data is stored on an SD card inside the device. Depending on the product variant, it has a capacity of 16 GB. With a data volume of around 1.5 MB per day, and accounting for all planned additional features and data, the storage space is enough for well over 10 years.

The VOC sensor in the air-Q is very flexible and can detect a wide range of VOCs. These include formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, acetone, styrene, terpenes, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, naphthalene, ethyl acetate, methanol, chloroform, cyclohexane, or 1,3-butadiene, as well as hundreds of other VOCs. We’ve written an interesting blog article about their origins and sources.

Unfortunately, VOC sensors in general — including the one in the air-Q — report the VOC reading as a sum value. That means the substances listed above are measured but can’t be output individually. If these or other VOCs are present in the air, the VOC reading will rise, but it remains unclear which chemical is driving the reading.
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The VOC PID sensor offered for the air-Q Science can be configured for a single substance, so its exact quantity can be measured very precisely. Note: the VOC PID sensor is only suitable for professional use in laboratory or industrial settings.

You can find a detailed list of the exact ranges for all measured values in our technical datasheet, available here for download.

The lifespan of the air-Q depends on the lifespan of its individual sensors (see Hardware) and is at least five years. The service life of each sensor depends on its respective measurement principle. Here are a few examples:

• Particulate matter sensor measures particles optically. No wear.
• Carbon monoxide sensor measures using a chemical principle. Lifespan > ten years
• Carbon dioxide sensor uses an optical measurement principle. No wear.
• Sulfur dioxide sensor > five years
• Ozone sensor > five years
• Oxygen sensor measures using the principle of optical luminescence. Lifespan > 5 years
• Nitrogen dioxide sensor measures electrochemically. Lifespan > 5 years
• VOC sensor > ten years

The datasheet lists the lifespans and service lives for all sensors.

The air-Q uses WiFi on a frequency of 2.4 GHz with channel bandwidths of 20 MHz and 40 MHz (up to WiFi 3 / Wi-Fi 3: IEEE 802.11g). The WPA2 encryption standard is currently supported. Depending on the room layout and wall materials, the WiFi range is 40-60 m.

Bluetooth is not supported.

The air-Q has the following dimensions: 114 x 135 × 43 (height x width x depth in mm). The air-Q radon has the dimensions 145 x 105 × 105 (height x width x depth in mm)

The air-Q has a very shrill alarm sound to warn of things like smoke or fire, for example. In addition, the device owner receives an alarm notification as a push message on their smartphone as soon as an alarm situation occurs.

You can also set your own alarm thresholds for each measured value, triggering notification via sound, push message, or email. There are also Smart Alarms for cigarette smoke and intrusion detection, among others.
Alarms can be configured in the smartphone app under "Notifications".

The air-Q radon can measure the radioactive gas radon in addition to other air quality values.

Most sensors are socketed and can be replaced if they become defective or reach the end of their service life. In this case, the air-Q will show a notice in the app or on the device itself.

Depending on the version, the air-Q has one or more free slots for additional sensors. For example, you could add a sensor for ultrafine particles or methane. All currently available additional sensors can be found at https://shop.air-q.com/

Yes, the LED brightness can be adjusted steplessly in the app, in both day mode and night mode.

Yes, the WiFi can be disabled for the night automatically or on a schedule via night mode. However, during this period — or until the device is restarted (by disconnecting the power) — no connection to the app is possible.

Yes, the brightness of the air-Q's LEDs can be adjusted via the smartphone app. This allows you to set a different brightness for nighttime than for daytime. The LEDs can also be switched off completely.

Yes, depending on the version, the air-Q has one or more free slots for additional sensors. For example, it could be expanded with an additional particulate matter sensor for ultrafine particles or a sensor for methane. You can find all currently available add-on sensors at https://shop.air-q.com/

The air-Q can also be used without Wi-Fi. After starting up, the device records all data on the included SD card. The data can then be viewed and retrieved from anywhere, without a router, via a direct Wi-Fi connection (smartphone --> air-Q). As soon as a Wi-Fi network comes within range again, the air-Q connects to it. Depending on the setting (cloud upload enabled), the data is then also uploaded to the cloud retroactively.

By the way, the air-Q can also store multiple Wi-Fi networks. It then connects to whichever known network has the strongest signal.

No, a device with a built-in battery is not currently planned. Since the air-Q has a standard USB-C port, it can easily be connected to a power bank.

The air-Q can already be integrated with IFTTT, Home Assistant, Homey, MQTT, and HomeKit (via Homebridge). Support for Matter and other standards is coming soon. You’ll find an overview of all currently supported smart home standards here.

The air-Q, along with the air-Q app and web app, supports German, English, and French. Starting in spring 2025, the app will also be available in Spanish. The language is set the first time you start the air-Q app and can be changed later in the main menu, top right, under "App Settings."

The air-Q supports MQTT via the "Science Option" — only air-Q units with the Science Option offer the ability to set up your own MQTT automations.

The air-Q is first and foremost a high-precision, intelligent air quality measuring device. Long-term analysis of the air helps users track how air quality develops and identify occasional spikes in pollutants or noise so they can be avoided in the future. Through the air-Q app, users also receive helpful, individual tips to identify problems. If, for example, there is a systematic particulate matter burden, we recommend high-quality air purifiers from our partner companies, which we have already tested and found to perform well.

The measurement data is stored as a JSON file on the removable micro SD card and can be exported as a CSV file. There are two ways to do this:

1. Download the data from the SD card and convert it using our JSON-to-CSV converter.
Note: air-Qs with the Science Option can generate a CSV file directly on the SD card. Conversion is then no longer necessary.

2. Export the data via our air-Q web app. (Download via the web app is a paid convenience feature)