Best Radon detectors on the market

#1 Airthings Wave

Type: Continuous detector with long term and short term averages.

Sensor options: Radon, humidity, temperature.

App: Airthings App which syncs via bluetooth is available for IOS and android.

On screen readings: No on screen results. However the device has a visual indicator of Indoor Air Quality and Radon levels and an app.

Power source: 2 AA batteries included with an estimated two year lifetime.

Connection: Sync the device with the smartphone app using bluetooth.

Installation process: Very easy! You just turn it on and let it measure. Instructions are demonstrated on the app, or the included manual, making it simple to follow.

Biggest pro: Easy to install with initial and long term measurements. The app offers hourly, daily, monthly and yearly results to give you the full picture of Radon, humidity and temperature levels. Biggest con: Bluetooth connection not wifi.

Summary:

Usability: 5/5 Installation: 5/5 Sensors: 5/5 Price: $199

Although this product is more expensive than other options such as charcoal test kits, its extra sensors, ease of use and bonus features award it our number one spot. Considering users are required to place any Radon detector they choose to purchase in their home for a long period of time, it is a massive bonus for said device to be additionally tracking other things. The app is easily synced via bluetooth, although wifi compatibility would be a plus. All readings from the device are displayed in the Airthings App and Airthings Dashboard alongside thorough analytics. The Dashboard also offers Outdoor Air Quality measurements including

Carbon Monoxide Nitrogen Dioxide, Grond level Ozone and PM’s. Great website with tons of information and easily accessible, highly responsive customer support according to most reviews.

Independent reviews:

5 stars Very easy to use and provides peace of mind

5 stars This is the best thing since sliced bread!

5 stars More data points + top notch customer service = Peace of Mind

1.0 out of 5 stars Not accurate reading.

1.0 out of 5 stars Do not buy

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your money

#2 Airthings Corentium Home

Type: Continuous detector with long and short term averages

Sensor options: Radon.

App: N/A.

On screen readings: Yes, the device shows both short and long term results on screen. The short term average alternates between showing Radon values for the last day (updated hourly), and for the last seven days (updated once a day). The long term average represents the average Radon value for the ongoing measurement, max one year (updated once a day).

Power source: 3 AAA batteries are included with an estimated 2 year battery life.

Connection: Results are on screen only with an option to download data report.

Installation process: Put in the batteries and go! Simply place on a flat surface in the area that needs to be checked.

Biggest pro: Hundreds of happy Amazon customer reviews who have independently compared their Radon detectors and found the Airthings Corentium Home to be the most accurate. Biggest con: High price for a single purpose product.

Summary:

Usability: 5/5 Installation: 5/5 Sensor options:3/5 Price: $199

The comparison between its successor, the Airthings Wave, awards it our number two position, as the latter offers additional sensors and an app. It is very easy to use with a clearly written display explaining which measurement is long or short term. As a portable device it is easy to move it to each location that requires testing. There is not an off switch because long term testing is recommended and the device is designed with superior long term testing capabilities.

Independent reviews:

5 stars A small price to pay, for reducing health risks.

5 stars Outstanding Customer Service & Support

5 stars Received NEW unit after 2 years due to error message on old unit

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed

1.0 out of 5 stars One Star

2.0 out of 5 stars Two Stars

#3 RD200 Radon Eye

Source: http://radoneye.com/

Type: Continuous detector with long and short term averages

Sensor options: Radon.

App: yes.

On screen readings: The measurements are shown on a loop on the small screen of the device.

Power source: AC powered.

Connection: Sync the device with the mobile phone app using bluetooth.

Installation process: Find a suitable area that adheres to the manual’s recommendations. This area must also have access to an AC power source, as the device is not battery powered, and therefore once plugged in it must stay there for continuous testing.

Biggest pro: App function. Biggest con: The device is very cumbersome and from trialling the device we found the on screen display hard to read.

Summary:

Usability: 4/5 Installation: 2/5 Sensor options:4/5 Price: $187-250

Both short term and long term results are available on this device which is useful. However, the installation process and customer service options offered awards it the number three position.

The device was easy to use once installed, however the process could have been much smoother if the manual or quick guide was clearer. We found that the website was vague and ways to contact customer service were limited, should we encounter a problem. The RRP of this product was not listed on the website, Amazon listings range from $187-$250, putting it in the same price bracket as the Wave which offers more sensors. As the screen on the device is small and a little hard to read, the app was definitely a good addition on their part. As it is AC powered, this limited the placement of the device, and therefore battery powered would be preferable.

Independent reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

4.0 out of 5 stars Works well - but don't place it on the floor

5.0 out of 5 stars Works as expected.

1.0 out of 5 stars Defective!

1.0 out of 5 stars Cheap made, lasted 6 days.

2.0 out of 5 stars No customer service.

#4 Safety Siren Pro Series 3

Source: https://www.sylvane.com/

Type: Continuous detector with long and short term averages

Sensor options: Radon.

App: No.

On screen readings. Short term and long term but not on the same screen.

Power source: AC powered.

Connection: No external connections.

Installation process: Plug into a AC power source and mount onto a wall. Once installed it must remain plugged in otherwise the device resets, creating a delay of 48 hours for more readings.

Biggest pro: Short and long term results. Biggest con: Many restrictions as to where the device can be placed.

Summary:

Usability: 3/5 Installation: 3/5 Sensor options:4/5 Price: $128.5

Both short term and long term results are available on this device which is very useful. However the installation limitations and usability of this device place it in our number four position. The instruction manual explains that the device cannot be placed inside laundry rooms or near drafts, electrical equipment, furniture, heating and more. This will limit the placement of the device in the home, as it must be plugged into the wall in order to work. Once the device reads levels higher than 4pCi/L it will continue to sound an alarm hourly. The device has a small screen showing the levels, however it does not offer any explanation of the levels.

Independent reviews:

5 stars Works, provides accurate average

5 stars well worth the peace of mind…

5 stars Great Product

1.0 out of 5 stars Be very, very wary…

1.0 out of 5 stars it worked for 15 min

1.0 out of 5 stars Quality of the device is questionable.

#5 First Alert Home Radon Test Kit

Source: https://www.firstalert.com/radon

Type: Charcoal test kit

Sensor options: Radon.

App: No.

On screen readings. No.

Power source: Charcoal test kits do not use power.

Connection: No external connections.

Installation process: Place packet in the area that needs testing, then send off to the lab for test results.

Biggest pro: Low price. Biggest con: Long process to get postal results and no long term capability.

Summary:

Usability: 1/5 Installation: 3/5 Sensor options:3/5 Price: $15* excluding delivery of results

A reasonably priced option for a single use test. This test kit is the oldest type on the market, superseded by digital test kits which offer short and long term results. This is because Radon levels fluctuate daily, making single-use kits problematic. There seems to be some confusion regarding the cost of sending samples to the lab. First Alert website asks customers to use the “postage-paid envelope” however many customer reviews on Amazon state that the fee is not included for the postage.

Independent customer reviews

5 stars Thumbs up for fast service! Very helpful product.

5 stars Yep, it's a radon test.

5 stars Very easy to use

1.0 out of 5 stars Another No Results Given Customer

1.0 out of 5 stars Buyer beware!

1.0 out of 5 stars Wildly inconsistent results means useless product