The Wave Radon employs a passive diffusion alpha spectrometry sensor, a method validated for its accuracy in detecting radon gas. Unlike single-use kits that capture a short-term snapshot, this device performs continuous monitoring. Radon levels can fluctuate significantly—even daily—due to barometric pressure changes and weather patterns. By measuring over extended periods, the sensor captures these variations, providing a more representative average exposure level, crucial for understanding long-term health risks associated with radon ingress. It aims for accuracy comparable to laboratory methods but offers immediate, ongoing data.

The Airthings Wave Radon is designed for long-term, maintenance-free operation, typically offering a battery life of 12 to 18 months. This extended operational period, powered by standard AA batteries, ensures continuous radon, humidity, and temperature monitoring throughout the year without frequent battery changes. This uninterrupted data stream is vital, as radon levels are not static and can change based on seasonal conditions and home occupancy. The device prioritizes consistent data collection to provide a reliable overview of your indoor air environment.

Bluetooth connectivity allows for direct, on-demand data retrieval when you are within proximity of the device, typically up to 3 meters. This is ideal for quick checks and immediate visual feedback via the wave-to-read function or the app. For 24/7 online access and remote monitoring, the Airthings Hub (sold separately) is required. The Hub uses the Smartlink protocol to constantly upload data to the Airthings Dashboard, enabling long-term trend analysis, detailed reporting, and alerts from anywhere, providing a more thorough historical overview.

While radon is the primary concern, the integrated humidity and temperature sensors provide critical context. Relative humidity levels, typically measured between 0% and 100%, and temperature, often ranging from 0°C to 40°C, can influence radon's diffusion rate from building materials and its concentration in the air. For instance, higher humidity can sometimes correlate with increased radon levels. By monitoring these environmental factors alongside radon, users gain a more complete picture of their indoor atmosphere, aiding in identifying potential sources of radon ingress or other air quality issues.

Traditional radon test kits, often using activated charcoal or solid-state detectors, provide a single measurement average over a 2-7 day period, requiring laboratory analysis. The Airthings Wave, however, offers continuous monitoring, capturing radon fluctuations on an hourly basis. This allows users to observe how radon levels change throughout the day and in response to external factors like weather, ventilation, or even occupancy. This dynamic data provides a far more nuanced understanding of exposure patterns than a static, lab-analyzed snapshot, enabling more informed decisions about mitigation.

The wave-to-check feature offers an immediate, at-a-glance assessment of current radon levels. A simple wave of the hand in front of the device triggers an internal reading. The indicator light then displays a color-coded status: Green signifies radon levels are within acceptable short-term limits (typically below 75 Bq/m³ or 3 pCi/L), Yellow indicates a need for monitoring or further investigation (between 75-125 Bq/m³), and Red suggests levels warranting immediate attention and potential mitigation (above 125 Bq/m³). This direct feedback empowers users to quickly gauge immediate air quality.