Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor – Know your air, Works with Alexa

I’ve used the Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor for over a year now, and here’s what you really need to know.The hardware is solid — compact, well-built, USB-powered (which I appreciate), and it collects a ton of air quality data. That’s really its main selling point — and at this price, it should be.But then things get weird.There’s no dedicated app, no display on the device itself, and even no widget. The only way to check your air quality is by opening the Amazon Alexa app, navigating to the monitor tab, and then reading the data there. It’s clunky and far from user-friendly.Even worse — my Ecobee thermostat can’t integrate with it (and I’m not sure any thermostat can). That’s a huge missed opportunity. Imagine if the thermostat could use real-time air data to activate the fan, ventilation, or cooling in a specific zone — it would make this monitor genuinely smart.The frustrating part? Amazon clearly has the resources to build this out — the hardware is already there. But it feels like the product was launched… and then abandoned.If you want raw data and don’t mind digging for it, this might still be worth it. But if you’re hoping for smart home synergy out of the box — temper your expectations.

With all respect to RICE650 and their review of this device... (and I agree with that person on several points) this Indoor Air Quality Monitor is excellent for what it is... a "Smart Air Quality Monitor" that "Works with Alexa". That person's review is simply in appropriate because they are critiquing Amazon for what it has built, and not critiquing the product in so far as what its marketing and documentation states it will do.[note... I am not an Amazon employee, nor is anyone in my family, I have no relation to anyone who has anything to do with this product. I live in Seattle so of course I know people who work at Amazon, but I have never spoken with any of them about this product. My background is in Product Development and Innovation, and as such I am critical of products in many of the same ways as RICE650... that said I try to differentiate my critiques based on what I wanted the product to be, and what the manufacturer of the product claimed the product I purchased was capable of doing.]Here is aThis is simply an Air Quality Monitor that allows routines to be triggered when the levels of any of its quality metrics (Temperature, Humidity, Particulate Matter, Carbon Monoxide, or Volatile Organic Compounds) exceed user defined limits.I don't see where any of RICE650's complaints are listed as features the product supports, therefore I find that review to be horribly misleading.- Know your Air: (well.... this is a little overstated because it doesn't monitor every gaseous compound that can be in air... but the most important ones to a majority of people are captured.)- Track and measure: the unit does indeed measure the components it says it does. I have no idea how accurately it does this. Levels are measured, and the data is available to view in Alexa when the device is selected under the grouping of "Air Quality" devices. I can page through data for the last 30 days.- Stay informed: This feature set could be better. But in Amazon's defense, it does not say "we will populate minute by minute data into a spreadsheet or database....". Product messaging states "get an 'indication' of current air quality from the color coed LED, and an easy-to-understand air quality score in the Alexa app anytime."- Get Notifications: "if Alexa detects poor air quality, you can get notifications". Pay attention... IF ALEXA DETECTS... not if the Amazon Smart Air Quality Sensor detects.... it clearly states that Alexa will deliver notifications, which it does.- Enable Routines: I use my Air Quality sensor to collect data, which Alexa monitors, and when the temperature or humidity exceed a pre-set level, Alexa turns on the closet fan for the length of time I have selected in the routing.- Certified for Humans: Meh, I know some humans will feel challenged, the reality is that its pretty darn straight-forward.This last item I will provide a critique on... since the Air Quality Monitor relies on Alexa for triggering notifications, etc.... I will commend that setting the THRESHOLD value (temperature, humidity, etc...) is a poor experience. Alexa provides a slider that users slide left or right to set the particular temperature, etc, when a routine should be triggered. The slider shows the minimum value on the left, and the maximum value on the right. IT DOES NOT show users the currently selected value. Nor do users have the option of using a discreet selection method such as a text entry box, increment up/down buttons, or a number wheel. For this reason the UI is poor. It does not easily allow exact values to be entered, it does not allow the user to see what value has been set until after they attempt to edit the value, and it does not have any accessibility mechanism readily available.I have a new higher-end stackable Washer and Dryer in my home... unfortunately I don't have a laundry room, only a laundry closet. This laundry closet has a solid core door without louvered vents in the door. Air entering the close comes from the 1-1/4" gap under the door at the floor, and it is vented thru a Homewerks Smart Bathroom Fan equipped with Alexa. (Now that product, the Homewerks Smart Bathroom fan... that's a piece of junk when you compare the marketing claims and what you actually get!)Because of the small closet space in which the washer and electric dryer are located, being able to trigger the fan to turn on is a necessity to prevent high humidity, condensation, and the development of mold and mildew.This was the only Air Quality Monitor I could find that was integrated with Alexa at the time I purchased it (March or April 2023), and supported creating simple routines to turn on an external fan when either the humidity or the temperature exceeded my comfort level for the space.It appears to do everything the product marketing and documentation say it will.I've given the product a 4 star rating for Accuracy, because:1. It does not provide any means by which to check its accuracy / internal calibration (for example, against another device)2. It does not provide users with clear and easy controls to set exact values for when to trigger a routine.3. In Alexa > Device Activity History.... it logs data in Celsius and not using Fahrenheit, which is the temperature scale that is my default for Alexa and iOS.All said, if you need a monitor to trigger Alexa routines, it'll probably meet all your needs.

I purchased this because I had an issue where carbon monoxide from my whole-house generator was getting into the house. I was extremely nervous every time the generator ran, just waiting for the detectors to go off. I searched for hand-held detectors, but the reviews were inconsistent, as were the prices. I certainly couldn't afford to spend hundreds of dollars. I bought this Amazon air quality monitor, and I honestly didn't have much faith that it would work well. I'm glad that I was wrong! It is small and unobtrusive. I leave it plugged in on an entry table. It was easy to connect to wi-fi, and I've had no connectivity issues. It is extremely sensitive and seems relatively accurate. I don't need it to be perfect, just to give me an idea of when/if carbon monoxide is getting in the house so that I can take additional steps to prevent it. For me, it is exactly what I needed. I would definitely recommend this product if you just want to check your indoor air quality.