Please note: A commenter below revealed that the Sharp particle detector within this device (model GP2Y1010AU) cannot detect particles as small as pm2.5, so this device is not suitable for detecting those values. It still works for detecting larger particles, specifically those over 0.1mg/m3.

Spend some time in Chengdu and you might find that the most common concern among expat residents is the polluted air. Many of us track pollutant levels using our smartphones everyday, wear protective masks when running or cycling, and outfit our homes with low (and high) cost air filters and automation systems.

For me, the next step after setting up filters and automation in my home was to measure indoor pollutant levels myself to identify and troubleshoot potential problems. A common and trustworthy device used to measure air pollutants is the Dylos 1100, which is American-made and costs around $300 on Taobao depending on the options you select (like an optional PC interface for downloading graphs).

Although data gathered from the Dylos is rock-solid (it’s what Smart Air uses to gather data for their Particle Counting blog), the cost is high. Surprisingly, I was able to find something 1/10th the cost on Taobao called the SamoAir: an unadorned circuit board encased in clear plastic. Does it work and is it worth the cost?

Overview & Features

The SamoAir is a tiny, imported monitoring device made by Sharp, attached to a circuit board with a small LCD display and an optional battery pack. It comes pre-assembled and operation couldn’t be much simpler: you plug it into a power source using the supplied USB cable and within seconds it begins displaying data.

It’s important to note that the SamoAir only displays PM2.5 levels, displayed in the form of microns per cubic meter (µg/m3). This is a different value than the US and Chinese government commonly use to report pollutant levels (which is an aggregate value derived from a handful of pollutants called the AQI, or Air Quality Index). The SamoAir is probably best for relative measurements in situations like:

Measuring indoor air quality before and after turning your air filters on

How pollution fluctuates before and after rainfall

Indoor pollution versus outdoor pollution, and so on

With the supplied battery pack it’s easy to measure pollution anywhere you go.

Interpreting SamoAir’s Data

Not only do you get a real-time readout of the current PM2.5 level, but after the device has been powered on for 12 minutes, it begins also displaying average particle levels in 12 minute increments by way of a blinking LED light. Green means the air quality is good, read means it’s bad, and a combination of lights can mean “Escape, Now” (direct translation from the product description).

Here’s what color coded averages look like:

Excellent quality: green light (0-35)

Good quality: yellow light (35-75)

Lightly polluted: red light (75-115)

Polluted: green & red light (115-150)

Heavily polluted: yellow & red light (150-250)

Escape suggested: green, yellow & red light (250+)

In my use, I almost never found air quality in Chengdu to be within the “Excellent” range, even after rainfall. With doors and windows closed an an air filter running, I got values within the 0-35 µg/m3 range, but ordinary indoor measurements were ordinarily within the 55 – 80 range. Values from inside second ring road were significantly higher than on the outskirts of the city, where pollution was lower in the Tianfu Software Park or the Xindu suburb outside of Chengdu’s third ring road.

Comparing with Online Data

Although AQI is the most commonly-referenced indicator of air quality by governments, PM2.5 values are available for over 100 cities at this website: China PM2.5 Monitoring Net

Air quality values measured by the SamoAir sitting on my open window sill were almost identical to real-time figures from the US Consulate with less than 2% variation. Although proximity to testing cites could be partly responsible, these values were around 25-70% higher than real-time PM2.5 data provided by the Chengdu local government.

Here’s the pitch from the product page:

Need a device that collects identical data to official pollution-monitoring sites? You will spend tens of thousands of dollars on testing equipment and need to set it up directly next to an official testing site.

Are you a local boss with plenty of cash? You’ll want an imported device like a Dylos, or industrial equipment which will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Want to measure pollutant levels indoors, or check the effectiveness of your air filter? This is the device for you.

SamoAir Product Page Translated

Here’s what you’ll find on the Taobao product page, translated into English:

We cannot keep up with demand, and as a result, these ship 10-15 days after ordering. Regarding accuracy, each of these are hand tuned and there is slight deviation from unit to unit.

Check this website for PM 2.5 figures by city, but remember that these are different from frequently-referenced AQI figures: http://www.cnpm25.cn

The SamoAir is intended to be used for daily observation of pollution levels in homes, offices, and cars. Measurements taken outside may not be accurate due to weather and wind conditions, but the sensor can be fined tuned to your needs and use.

If, for anyone reason, you aren’t satisfied, we offer a 30 day back guarantee, along with a one-year warranty.

Conclusion & Link

Considering the price of the SamoAir, it’s hard to imagine a particle measuring device that provides more value than this. If you have one or more air filters in your home and want to test their effectiveness, this is the cheapest and simplest way to do that.

You won’t be able to chart changes in air quality over time or measure pm10 pollution, but for basic needs, this will have you covered. For an extra 30rmb, it’s worth springing for the internal battery pack which allows you to gather data from anywhere without a power source: SamoAir particule measuring device on Taobao.