AirFanta G2 Review – An Inexpensive Air Quality Monitor

After finishing my review of the AirFanta 3Pro, I figured it was about time to share my thoughts on another AirFanta device, the G2 air quality monitor. While I usually try to use devices for 2-4 weeks before writing a review to gather my thoughts on the device, I’ve already been using the G2 for around six months, and I think I have a very good feel for how the device works.

Over these six months of using the device, I’ve become very familiar with its advantages, disadvantages, and some quirks compared to other air quality monitors on the market. While some of these you can tell by reading the product description, there are also some that don’t become evident until you’ve had a chance to use the device hands-on for a while. Thankfully, after having used the device for such a long period, I now have a great understanding of how it works and what its strengths (and weaknesses) are.

However, before discussing the device itself, I want to give a brief background on AirFanta as it’s now very well known within the air quality niche but not very well-known outside it. This company was founded by Adam Wong to create affordable air quality devices. While most of those are air purifiers (like the 3Pro), other devices, such as the G2, are worth a look, too. While the devices differ greatly, they all share one key feature – to make measuring and improving air quality cheaper.

The AirFanta G2 aims to make air quality monitoring more accessible and provide actionable insights – such as when an air purifier like the 3Pro needs to be turned on. With this in mind, I am excited to present my full review of the G2 air quality monitor and discuss whether it might fit your needs. I would love to hear your thoughts if you have already tried the device. If not, but you have questions after reading the article, please also feel free to share in the comments below! With that said, let’s dive right in!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please refer to my affiliate disclaimer. I was sent a product for review, but the article is not sponsored. All opinions expressed in this post are my honest thoughts. I only recommend products that I genuinely believe in.

Information on this blog is for informational purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information herein with other sources. Furthermore, this information is not intended to replace medical advice from professionals. This website assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information, and information is subject to change without notice. Devices mentioned on this website are not medical devices and do not guarantee protection.

Sensors & Accuracy

The AirFanta G2 measures PM2.5, PM10, CO2, temperature and relative humidity, meaning it provides a well-rounded range of measurements and is finally a semi-portable device that combines both CO2 and PM2.5 – something I’ve wanted for a long time. However, these measurements don’t mean much if the device isn’t accurate, so let’s first look at the sensors inside this device and see how they perform.

For PM, the device uses an MPM10 sensor from MemsFrontier. I haven’t had much experience with this company, and the only MemsFrontier sensor I’ve ever used is the MTP40-F CO2 sensor found within the Vitalight Mini CO2 Detector. The good news, though, is that I found that sensor to perform very well, and it stood out to me for providing good accuracy at a low price point. With that said, particulate matter is an entirely different matter, and I was curious to see how the MPM10 would perform.

The MPM10 series has a stated accuracy of ± 10% (@100~500μg/m3) ± 10μg/m3 (@ 0~100μg/m3 ). This means that below 100μg/m3, the sensor is expected to provide a value within 10μg/m3 of the actual concentration. However, once the concentration surpasses 100μg/m3, the accuracy changes to be within 10% of the measured concentration, as opposed to a fixed ± 10μg/m3. These specifications are quite common, and this stated accuracy is the same as many sensors from brands such as Plantower, which are used in devices like PurpleAir monitors.

While I would have loved to have put this sensor through my own tests, I, unfortunately, found this to be very difficult due to the fact that it is not possible to export data from the device. While you can see historical data graphs on the accompanying app, I also had difficulty comparing these to other monitors as I couldn’t tell if each data point was an average or a raw value and whether each data point was for the beginning or end of the time period given.

With that said, while anecdotal, I did find the PM2.5 values given by this monitor to closely align with the PM2.5 values given by both my AirGradient ONE (with the EPA correction applied) and my PurpleAir Zen (also with the EPA correction applied). Both of these devices tended to read a bit higher than the AirFanta G2, but the readings were largely within the stated accuracy ratings of both sensors, and I would be confident in believing the PM2.5 values given by this monitor.

It is worth mentioning, however, that the PM10 values are likely not as trustworthy but this is not an issue that is isolated to the G2. PM10 measurements from low-cost sensors are typically interpolated from PM2.5 measurements, meaning that the two readings usually correlate well. In real life, however, this is not always the case. As such, PM10 readings from low-cost air quality monitors shouldn’t be relied upon. Again, this isn’t an issue with the G2 specifically but also applies to many other monitors.

When it comes to carbon dioxide, the monitor uses the C18S sensor. While I had never heard of the company that manufactures these sensors, Adam from AirFanta sent me the spec sheet, and I had a chance to peruse the document. This sensor is NDIR (non-dispersive infrared), which is the gold standard for carbon dioxide sensors. It’s also, in my opinion, essential when looking for an accurate CO2 monitor.

This NDIR sensor has a stated accuracy of ± (50 + 5% of reading) ppm. This is not great accuracy, as many sensors, such as the common SCD series from Sensirion and S series from SenseAir, have stated accuracies of ± 30 ppm to ± 50 ppm OR ± 3 – 5% – whichever is greater. However, in the case of the C18S, the stated accuracy is ± 50 ppm AND 5% of the reading. This can quickly cause quite a significant deviation, especially at higher concentrations.

Again, while anecdotal, I’ve actually found the AirFanta G2 to provide consistent and accurate readings despite these seemingly lacking specifications. I have kept two Aranet4 Homes and an AirFanta G2 on my desk for the past couple of weeks so I can glance at them regularly to see how they compare, and the G2 almost always provides very similar readings. In fact, I’ve even glanced over and seen at least one of the Aranets and the G2 give identical readings at many points. While the accuracy may drop off at higher concentrations, I’ve found it to perform very well up to 2000 ppm (and likely beyond this, but my office never has CO2 levels that high – even in winter).

Also important to note is that this device does not have automatic calibration for the CO2 sensor and relies on manual calibrations. While this might be considered a disadvantage by some, I’m a fan of this, as automatic calibration can quickly skew measurements and cause readings to be inaccurate. If you want to learn more, please refer to the accuracy section of this article about the Vitalight Mini CO2 Detector.

While it’s hard to tell exactly how long the AirFanta G2 will provide accurate readings before needing to be recalibrated, I’ve found that as long as I recalibrated it every month or so, it doesn’t drift much, and the readings continue to align very well with the other monitors I have access to. Overall, despite having a somewhat worrying spec sheet, I’m actually quite happy with the CO2 performance of this device.

Unfortunately, I’ve found the temperature and relative humidity readings to be more concerning. Regularly, the G2 will read both RH and temperature values significantly above what my other devices – including my Traceable device shown above – read. While the difference isn’t usually as drastic as the example in the image above, I have found it to be quite consistent, and this looks to be a bit of an issue with this device.

Based on having the device on my desk next to the Traceable monitor, I would guess that the AirFanta monitor normally reads between 1 and 2.5 degrees Celsius higher than it should. RH shows a bit more variation, and I’ve seen it record as much as 10% higher than the Traceable monitor and my Aranet4 Homes. Interestingly, both temperature and RH values are always higher than ambient conditions, and I would normally say this is due to internal temperature differences and heat caused by other components. However, as we will discuss in the design section in a second, this looks like it shouldn’t be the case with this monitor.

Overall, the AirFanta G2 has good performance when it comes to PM2.5 and CO2. While PM10 (and other size) values are also provided, I tend not to trust these as much due to how they are ‘measured’ by low-cost sensors. However, again, this is not an issue with the G2 specifically. Finally, temperature and relative humidity performance appear to consistently record higher than actual ambient conditions, so I would be hesitant to trust these values.

Design

The AirFanta G2 is a compact portable air quality monitor that is slightly narrower but also taller than an Aranet4 Home – it’s also a bit ticker at its thickest point. Despite being a bit larger overall, I find this device more pleasant to hold than other portable monitors, such as the Aranet and INKBIRD IAM-T1, due to its more contoured shape and lack of sharp edges. While it is perhaps slightly less pocketable, I appreciate this design.

This rather unique shape also means that when the monitor is placed on a desktop or another surface, the screen is angled very slightly back. I appreciate this, as it makes this device much more viewable when used on a desk or tabletop than other devices like the Aranet, which have the screen at a 90-degree angle. Sure, it’s a very minor thing, but it’s something that I appreciate.

While the front of the device is dominated by a rather large screen, let’s start with the back of the device, as it’s not quite as interesting. Here, you will find the Type-C port for charging (and only charging – there is no way to access data through this port), two large vents that act as an intake and vent, and seemingly two buttons. I say seemingly because, as you can see on the diagram below, despite looking like a second button, located near the bottom is actually the exposed temperature and humidity sensor. Above this is the only button on the device that acts as a multi-function button that can turn the device on and off while also allowing you to scroll through the different display options.

I love the approach of having the temperature and humidity sensor exposed, as this should make measurements more reflective of ambient conditions due to the sensor being less impacted by heat generation from other components. Unfortunately, as discussed in the accuracy section of this article, I found both the temperature and RH readings of this device to be often quite incorrect, and I believe the sensor may still be influenced by battery and other components that generate heat.

It’s also worth noting that I found both the temperature and relative humidity readings to very quickly become inaccurate when the device is held. Since the sensor is on the back of the device, I would find the temperature sensor to quickly read 5-10 degrees Celsius higher than ambient simply after I held the device in my hand for a minute or two to get an update on the air quality.

This is a bit disappointing as the device is clearly meant to be somewhat portable and to be able to give you air quality measurements on the go. However, since holding the device in your hands also covers the vents, I would instead recommend leaving this monitor in your bag and using the app to take readings if you want to use it on the go. If you are going to use the device as a static monitor on a desk or shelf, this issue will not impact you.

Other than these points of interest on the back of the monitor, you won’t see any features until you look at the front of the monitor. Here, you will find a large screen that, by default, shows the display in the image above. This screen shows the pollutants (PM2.5, PM10 and CO2) in circles that almost remind me of particles. The colour of these circles changes depending on the current pollutant concentration. Below these circles, you will see temperature and humidity data, and above are a few status symbols for battery and WiFi connection.

Since the same threshold colours are used across the device, it’s worth looking at them now. The CO2 thresholds are, I think, quite reasonable and generally follow quite closely with most guidelines that state < 800ppm is a good concentration for a home, school or office, while around 1000-1200 is the upper limit. Regarding PM1.0 and PM2.5, the guidelines appear to be based on the WHO 24-hour maximum mean concentration guidelines, which state 15μg/m3 as the upper limit.

Interestingly, the PM10 WHO limit for 24 hours was 50μg/m3, but has since been lowered to 45μg/m3. This doesn’t quite line up with the AirFanta G2 thresholds. Still, I also think that PM2.5 is a far more important metric due to the low accuracy of PM10 measurements on low-cost monitors, and, therefore, I believe these thresholds aren’t as important. Either way, it’s good to see that these thresholds appear to be based on science. With that said, it’s important to note that these are the maximum 24-hour exposures and should not be regularly exceeded. The WHO says you should not exceed 5μg/m3 for annual mean concentration. With that mentioned, let’s move back to the device itself!

Interestingly, there is no AQI information on this screen. However, this can be remedied by pressing the multi-function button once, which will change the screen to show a list of pollutants and their concentrations. On this screen, you will find data on AQI (U.S. EPA AQI), PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10, CO2, temperature and relative humidity. This screen is a bit more cluttered than the first display option, but I think it strikes a good information density. Furthermore, while I generally don’t use AQI myself (I prefer to see concentrations), I understand that some people better understand AQI, and it’s nice to see that information included here.

The third and final screen shows only PM and CO2. However, it shows all PM values from PM0.3 to PM10, and instead of showing concentration in μg/m3, it shows psc/l (particles per cubic litre). Since particles are usually expressed only in μg/m3, it begs the question – what’s the point of psc/l? Well, it has some handy uses and is much better for identifying the number of ultrafine particles in a given area that contribute little to mass measurements. It’s also perhaps a more intuitive measurement as it more directly counts the particles in a litre of air, as opposed to providing a mass (which μg/m3 does).

Having this metric is very useful for those who are very conscious of the number of particles in the air. For example, while there might be a concentration of 0 μg/m3 of PM2.5 (based on mass), there could still be thousands of airborne ultra-fine particles that have such small sizes that they don’t contribute much to the mass measurement. If you’re super conscious of the amount of airborne particles in an area, being able to see particles per cubic litre is very handy and I haven’t seen this measurement on many other air quality monitors.

Of course, the accuracy comes into question as low-cost monitors and PM sensors likely aren’t particularly accurate regarding exact particle counts. In fact, they’re already limited in accuracy when it comes to more common mass-based measurements. With that said, at least for an indication, it’s nice to have the option to choose between whichever of these measurements is more useful in a given situation.

Finally, above the screen on the front are a few sensors. These sensors appear to be a brightness sensor (for automatic screen brightness adjustment) and a distance sensor, which is capable of detecting when something is within 30cm of the device. This is quite handy as it allows you to wave your hand in front of the device to wake the screen (this feature can be disabled in the app if you prefer not to use it).

The monitor is not easy to dismantle, but if I did share some photos of the monitor’s internals, you would notice that there is a small battery that provides around two hours of battery life. While the battery life is quite short, this means you can take the monitor out with you, and provided you make sure to turn it off when it’s not in use, you can get some interesting insights into the air quality in your daily life.

I wish the battery life was a bit longer, even if this came at the expense of less frequent readings. Even better, it would be great if the user could adjust how often measurements are taken to balance battery life and accuracy depending on the use case. As it is, I appreciate the inclusion of a battery, but if I ever forget to turn the device off after I’ve used it, I will find the battery dead when I come back to it.

Connectivity

The AirFanta G2 has both Bluetooth and WiFi – Bluetooth to establish a connection with your smartphone and WiFi to upload data and connect with the app after the initial setup phase. To access the data from the AirFanta G2 and to change settings, you will need to download the Tuya Smart app. If you’re unaware, Tuya Smart is a Chinese IoT app that appears to be very popular in China and is also gaining some popularity outside the country.

Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can either sign in (in my case, with Apple or Google) or continue as a guest. I decided to use Google as it’s easiest for me, but I always appreciate the option to continue as a guest, and I’m glad to see it included here. Once you’ve signed in, you will need to give the app access to your Bluetooth connections and local network to find the G2. Thankfully, this was incredibly straightforward, and the app instantly picked up my AirFanta device.

Once connected, the device will be added to the Tuya Smart home screen, where you can quickly access it. While my home screen, and anyone else who uses Tuya Smart just for this monitor, is empty, you can customise this with other devices if you have them. In a way, the home screen reminds me of Homey or even a simple version of Home Assistant.

By tapping on the device, you can see the current pollutant concentrations, temperature, and humidity. You will also be presented with a graph that shows you the metric of your choice. While I appreciate the inclusion of historical data, the intervals are fixed and can’t be changed, and there is also no way to export data for further analysis. Perhaps this won’t make a difference to most users, but I would prefer more control over this as I like to dive into the data.

Beneath the graph, you will find a few settings – one which lets you set up smart integrations, a temperature unit toggle, a screen sleep switch as well as sleep time, an auto-brightness switch and a screen brightness bar (for if you disable automatic brightness). There aren’t many settings, but since CO2 calibration is handled on the device, I don’t see anything essential missing from here. However, it would be nice if you could export data and have a few other controls over the device, such as reading frequency controls to improve battery life.

Since the Tuya Smart platform is a complete ecosystem, as opposed to an app created exclusively for the AirFanta G2, there is a lot more to the app that I haven’t discussed here. Frankly, I don’t have much experience with the app and can’t really speak on its functionality outside of using the G2 in isolation, but from what I’ve read, it’s a very powerful platform, and you can set up a lot of integrations and automation here if you are interested. You can also link Tuya Smart to Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and SmartThings for further functionality.

While I don’t want to speak on the Tuya platform itself as it’s not something I’ve been able to dive into (I don’t currently have any other devices that work on the platform, and I haven’t had time to test it thoroughly), I would recommend looking into other reviews and reading on the topic further if you’re interested in the smart home capabilities of this device. Either way, I’m happy to see that such options exist with this monitor.

Overall, this monitor’s connectivity and app experience is solid, but the app is very simple and lacks more advanced functionality. While this might not matter to most users, enthusiasts might find the app limiting as there is no way to really dive into the data. The app is also great for changing device settings, but I think most people can use this device stand-alone if they prefer.

Pricing & Competition

The AirFanta G2 comes in at $99 (USD) if you purchase it on the official AirFanta website or on Amazon. However, the discounts offered on these two sites can differ, so I recommend checking both (if they can both ship to your location) before making a purchase as you might be able to get the device at an even lower price.

At $99, the device is quite compelling and it’s in the category that I would consider ‘inexpensive’ (not to say it’s cheap, just that air quality monitors can also cost a lot more than this). This pricing also puts it in a similar price range as monitors such as the ones I’ve listed below:

Obviously, there are other competitors out there, too, but these are the devices I have experience with that sit in the same price range and have a relatively similar feature set to the G2. Of the other choices, I think the Temtop M10 and Qingping Air Monitor Lite are the better options as they both have internal batteries and are quite solid devices. With that said, I think the Qingping device is a better option than the Temtop due to the inclusion of a CO2 sensor.

So, how does the Qingping Air Monitor Lite compare to the G2? Well, it has a similar range of sensors with generally similar accuracy. It also has an internal battery that provides more battery life than the AirFanta G2, but still not enough to last a day out of the house unless you regularly turn the device off to conserve power. I still find the Qingping Air Monitor Lite to have a better app, and I also find it more powerful with features like data exporting present.

On the other hand, despite having a shorter battery life, I prefer the AirFanta G2 as a portable device due to its better shape for hand-held use. It also has better smart home integration (depending on the platform you use), and I think some people will prefer it for these reasons. Both the Qingping and the AirFanta are good options, and I think they both have strengths in different areas.

On the other hand, if you plan to use the AirFanta G2 as a primarily static device, you might want to look into monitors like the Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor. It doesn’t have an internal battery, and to be honest, I gave it a poor review, but if you’re in the Alexa ecosystem, it’s not a bad choice. There is also the IKEA Vindstyrka, but this lacks a CO2 sensor.

Overall, I think the AirFanta G2 fits well in this price range, but it isn’t so much an ‘obvious’ or ‘the only’ choice. The Qingping Air Monitor Lite poses a good alternative, and there are also other alternatives that are better for certain users. With that said, if you want a portable device that’s also good at home or in the office and quite affordable, the G2 is worth your consideration.

Conclusion

Overall, the AirFanta G2 is a solid, semi-portable air quality monitor for anyone who wants to keep an eye on both PM and CO2. While this combination of sensors seems logical, it’s also very elusive in a portable monitor. Instead, it seems that both portable options measure one or the other, rarely merging both in one device. Therefore, I appreciate what the G2 is trying to do.

That said, I wish three changes could be made to the monitor. Firstly, I would love to have a bigger battery added to this device so it can last at least eight hours (enough for a workday) on battery without needing to turn off the device. Secondly, it would be great if data could be exported, or at least if you could view more data points in the app. Perhaps the second point is not as important to most people, but I wish battery life could be improved.

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, I’ve found this device’s temperature and relative humidity readings to be quite inaccurate at times – especially when I hold the device. I’ve found these readings to frequently differ significantly from my other monitors (including dedicated temperature and RH monitors), and the AirFanta G2 appears to overreport both consistently.

However, outside of these downsides, the AirFanta G2 is a well-rounded portable air quality monitor with good sensors, an attractive price, and decent build quality. If at least the battery life and temperature/RH sensor issue could be resolved, I see this as the best portable, low-cost air quality monitor option. As it stands, it’s still a good device, but I would also recommend looking into devices like the Qingping Air Monitor Lite to see which one best suits your needs.

If you’ve used the AirFanta G2, or if you have any questions or comments after reading this review, please feel free to join the discussion in the comment form below. I would love to hear what you think. Other people’s thoughts and experiences go a long way towards helping other community members who are struggling with selecting the best air quality monitor for their needs. As always, thank you for reading!

AirFanta G2 FAQ

AirFanta G2 Review - An Inexpensive Air Quality Monitor

A detailed review of the AirFanta G2 air quality monitor, covering its features, performance, pros, cons, and suitability for tracking PM2.5, CO2, and more in various settings.

Product Brand: AirFanta

Editor's Rating:
3.5

Pros

• Affordable ($99 on Amazon).
• Compact and portable with ergonomic design.
• Includes both PM and CO2 monitoring with an NDIR sensor.
• Accurate real-world performance for CO2 and PM2.5.
• Smart home integration via Tuya platform.
• Multi-function display with AQI and pollutant-specific readings.

Cons

• Inaccurate temperature and humidity readings.
• Shorter battery life than some competitors.
• Limited data export and analysis options.
• Privacy concerns with Tuya app usage.