The 3 Best Radon Detector Companies & Their Top Products
Introduction
If you’re looking for the best radon detector, I’ve got you covered. In this blog post, I’ll review seven of the best radon detectors on the market and I’ll list their features and benefits, as well as their price points. This cut-to-the-chase post will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Disclosure
Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase.
The top 3 radon consumer radon detector companies
Why just three?
First, all are quality companies that have been in business for a long time. Second, they have employed high-tech features in their products. And, third, to keep your buying decision simple.
Each company offers several radon detector models. I’ll review the differences, features, and benefits of each detector. It should be quick and easy for you to determine the best one for your needs.
Here are my top 3 picks for the best radon detector company
Airthings
Airthings was established in 2008 by a team of scientists working together at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research).
Their research found that there was not only radon gas but other contaminants hiding in the air we breathe. Consequently, they went to work researching these contaminants and finding ways that they could help not only consumers, but offices, schools and HVAC professionals.
Airthings produces radon detectors that can be placed in homes, offices, schools and buildings to monitor the level of radon gas present in the air. In addition, they offer a wide range of other products to help people stay healthy, including air purifiers and air quality monitors. Their goal is to educate people on the prevalence of radon gas and other indoor air contaminants, and to develop accessible technology solutions to help people stay healthy.
Their Research and Development team is all in-house at their Airthings HQ in Oslo, Norway. Norway is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world.
They have two other offices: Stockholm, Sweden and Fort Worth, TX. They have over 100 employees and have sold more than 300,000 radon monitors worldwide.
Ecosense
Insoo Park, a strategic business executive with a proven track record spanning more than 25 years, is the Founder and CEO of Ecosense which is based in San Jose, CA. in the heart of Silicon Valley
Ecosense is an innovator in the radon monitoring industry, providing people peace of mind through its intelligent and highly accurate radon detectors for homes, educational campuses, assisted living centers, community centers and commercial buildings.
Ecosense’s radon detectors are the most sensitive on the market, and can detect radon gas levels in just 10 minutes. This allows for continuous, real-time monitoring of radon exposure in your home or office, so you can be assured that your family or employees are not being exposed to dangerous levels of this invisible gas.
Ecosense radon monitors are built using patented ion chamber technology resulting in high detection performance of 30 CPH (counts per hour) per pCi/L. This superior performance is a direct result of Ecosense’s patented ion chamber technology. The University of Michigan has independently validated the performance of Ecosense’s radon detectors, and they are the only radon detectors on the market that meet or exceed the industry standard set by ANSI/AARST.
On March 1, 2022, Ecosense announced it has signed a key distribution agreement with Sweden-based global leader in radon gas measurement, Radonova. Now Ecosense’s continuous smart radon gas monitoring system, the EcoQube, is available online and in all the European Union countries.
SunRADON
The current company grew out of Sun Nuclear, which was founded in 1985. Sun Nuclear developed the world’s first affordable continuous radon monitor to help people monitor indoor air quality and avoid radon-induced lung cancer. Over the next two decades, Sun Nuclear grew into the worldwide market leader in Radiation Oncology Quality Assurance.
In 2019, SunRADON LLC was formed to renew its focus on radon gas and indoor air quality. Their corporate office is in Melbourne, FL.
Most of SunRADON’s products are geared toward professionals who conduct radon inspections. The company offers a variety of radon detectors, including passive and active devices.
Here are the best radon detectors
Airthings
Airthings Corentium Home
Overview
The Corentium home radon detector is the top-rated and best-selling digital radon detector on the market.
- On-screen results show both long and short-term readings for a quick overview of your radon levels.
- Developed in Norway.
Benefits
- Easy to use
- Accurate
- Free shipping
- 12-month warranty
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Features
- Battery operated. 2-year battery life.
- Portable. Every room in your home has different radon levels and it can be difficult to understand where the source is. You can measure different rooms and areas for the price of one device.
- Continuous monitoring.
- Unlike traditional radon gas test kits, you receive your first indication in 24 hours without lab fees.
Pricing
$179.99
Bottom Line
If I were buying a radon detector, I would buy one from Airthings. You can’t go wrong with Norway’s technology. The Contentium Home is a good choice if you want a portable detector.
Airthings Wave Radon
Overview
The Airthings Wave Radon monitors radon levels, temperature and humidity.
Just wave your hand over the unit and the radon level danger is displayed. Alternatively, view the results on your smartphone.
Live data from the radon detector allows you to connect to your smart home: set alerts, receive air quality measurements, give voice commands, and connect to a smart plug or smart product to control your thermostat, air purifier, or humidifier—the options are endless.
Requires a smartphone or tablet supporting Bluetooth.
Benefits
- Provides continuous monitoring of radon levels, temperature, and humidity
- Free shipping
- 12-month warranty
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Features
- Color-coded, touch-free visual indicator showing your current radon level.
- Simple and smart.
- Battery operated. 1.5-year battery life.
- Long and short-term values displayed on your smartphone.
- The Airthings Wave radon detector comes with an app and online dashboard with graphs, notifications and insights (in the app or via email). Wireless connection via Bluetooth.
- Can integrate with your smart home using IFTTT, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Pricing
$199.99
Bottom Line
A good choice if you need a radon detector to monitor radon levels, humidity or temperature in multiple locations and view the readings on your smartphone or tablet.
Airthings View Radon
Overview
View Radon is the most advanced smart radon detector with the newest technology in digital radon detection.
Requirements: One of the 3 latest major versions of iOS or Android, supporting Bluetooth 4.2 or later.
Benefits
- When you plug in with the USB cable, View Radon becomes a Hub, bringing other Airthings devices online.
- Monitors radon levels, humidity and temperature. Humidity monitoring helps prevent mold, dust mites, skin irritations and the spread of viruses.
- Can be mounted on a wall or placed on a table.
- The View Radon detector takes a radon reading every 60 minutes.
Features
- The unit has a customizable display to view radon and air quality levels. You can also view your data anytime on your smartphone or tablet anywhere, because the View Radon has wireless and WiFi connection capabilities.
- The battery life is up to 3 years (depends on sensor interval and WiFi router).
- There is also an app and online dashboard with graphs, notifications and insights.
- New feature: The View Radon detector now monitors live and local pollen levels.
Pricing
$199.99
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a wall-mounted or shelf-placed radon detector that is Wi-Fi-enabled with readings also shown on the app on your smartphone or tablet, this is the one for you.
Ecosense
Ecosense RadonEye
Overview
- Provides continuous radon monitoring.
- Fast results. Get the first radon result in 10 minutes. A highly reliable result within 60 minutes.
- The EcoQube delivers radon counting sensitivity of 30 counts per hour per pCi/L. This is 15 times more counting sensitive than the minimum standard (2 cph/pCi/L) set by ANSI/AARST.
Benefits
- Small. Fits in the palm of your hand.
- Radon results are updated every 10 minutes and displayed on the OLED screen.
- Free shipping.
Features
- Connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
- Very sensitive. Highly accurate.
Pricing
$174
Bottom Line
Excellent monitor from a quality company. I suggest if you also want to be able to view radon levels on your smartphone.
Econsense EcoQube
- Overview delivers the first radon result in 10 minutes and a highly reliable result within 60 minutes.
- Very accurate readings. The EcoQube’s patented radon detection technology is 15 times more counting sensitive than the minimum standard (2 cph/pCi/L) set by ANSI/AARST.
- Comes with a power cable and power adapter.
Benefits
- Provides continuous radon gas monitoring.
- Easy-to-understand user guide.
Features
- Very small. Fits in the palm of your hand.
- WiFi connected. Easily connects with your existing home Wi-Fi router. All results are delivered securely to your smartphone.
- Comes with a user-friendly app.
Pricing
$169.99
Bottom Line
Highly accurate. Good choice if you want results shown on your smartphone. Needs to be installed near a wall outlet.
SunRADON
SunRADON luft
Overview
- The SunRADON luft monitors 6 Indoor air quality parameters including radon, tVOC, eCO2, temperature, humidity and air pressure.
- There are clear visual indicators that provide the status of the quality of your indoor air.
- It provides notification when levels rise beyond a set limit enabling you to take actions to protect your health.
- Made in the U.S.A.
Benefits
- It requires no calibration. Just plug it into any wall outlet, configure and it’s ready to go. No batteries or WiFi hub to install. Download the app, follow the simple setup instructions, and connect to Wifi.
- You can set up multiple devices in the most used rooms in your home, at schools, or offices.
- Set independent, custom alarms for each sensor and device and get alerts to take action.
- 4-year device storage backup and unlimited cloud backup.
Features
- You can use the mobile app to monitor all connected devices remotely at once.
- Access your readings from anywhere, anytime via integrated Wi-Fi.
- Connects via existing Wi-Fi router, no batteries to service, no wall mounts.
- Review all 6 sensors at once or discover trends by analyzing historical charts of each sensor.
- Receive and review daily, weekly, or monthly air quality reports without ever opening the app.
Pricing
$249
Bottom Line
The sunRADON luft was developed by a company with 30 years of radon testing experience. Their products are used by many professional radon testing companies. The best feature of the sunRADON luft is its simplicity.
What is radon?
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that forms naturally in the environment. It is found in soil and rock and can enter homes and buildings through cracks and other openings in the foundation.
Where does radon come from?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is emitted from the ground. It is found in all 50 states, and its concentration can vary depending on the location. In general, radon levels are higher in areas that have a lot of rocks and minerals, such as the Appalachian Mountains.
How does radon get into our home?
Radon gas enters homes through cracks or gaps in the foundation or walls. In addition, objects that are in contact with the ground, such as basement floors or crawlspaces, can also act as conduits for radon gas.
What are the health risks of radon exposure?
When radon seeps into our homes, it can become trapped and concentrated. High levels of radon exposure over time can cause lung cancer. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall.
How is radon measured?
There are two primary methods used to measure radon levels. Most short-term radon test kits will use activated charcoal to absorb the radon gas in the air. Various short-term test kits will include some type of container filled with activated charcoal, usually perforated or screened and have a filter to keep out radon decay products. The canister is recommended to be kept in place for 2-7 days. The canister is then sent to a lab for processing and evaluation.
Another method is to use an electronic device called a radon monitor. These are active radon testing devices that continuously measure radon levels in the air and can provide an accurate reading of the radon level over time.
What are safe radon levels?
The average indoor radon concentration for America’s homes is about 1.3 pCi/L. According to the EPA, readings below 2 pCi/L are safe.
For readings of 2.0 – 4.0 pCi/L, continuous monitoring is suggested as radon levels can change.
For reading over 4.0 pCi/L, the EPA recommends taking steps to mitigate the problem. This usually starts with contacting a qualified radon mitigation contractor for more thorough testing and possibly installing a radon mitigation system.
How do you test for radon?
Radon is odorless and colorless, which makes it difficult to detect. The only way to know if a home or building has high levels of radon gas is to test for it.
Why is continuous testing necessary?
Radon levels can change depending on several factors:
- Rain/storms – Storm systems bring in lower pressure air around your home. This lower pressure causes radon to “flow” from the soil to the air even faster than normal.
- High winds.
- Snow, ice and colder temperatures. Winter usually yields the highest levels of radon.
- Foundation shifts, construction on the home, or changes in the heating/cooling systems.
- Air exhaust devices can have an effect on radon levels. Here are a few appliances that can affect radon levels:
- Furnaces
- Open wood fireplaces
- Clothes dryers
- Central vacuum cleaners
- Bathroom fans
- Space heaters
- Water heaters
- Oven vents
The best solution for continuous radon monitoring is a digital radon detector. While more expensive than a charcoal test, it’s a one-time expenditure. Some models even monitor temperature, humidity, mold and pollen in addition to radon.
Conclusion
I hope this review was helpful. You can’t go wrong with any of these radon detectors. Your choice will depend on your need for portability and the ability to get the readings on your smartphone. Personally, I would buy one from Airthings. I have high confidence in technology from Norway.
