If you are choosing a particle counter for environmental indoor air measurement, the first question is whether you are counting airborne particles or checking solid contamination in a fluid system. The four units in this guide split across that line, and the right pick depends on whether you need a working handheld, a repair job, or a portable liquid particle counter.
Quick Take
The Particles Plus 8306 offers the most complete operational package for handheld air particle counting, including a carrying case, AC adapter, and USB cable. The TSI AeroTrak 9306-V2 is the lowest-priced option, but it is listed for parts or repair because its readings are inaccurate. The Pall PFC400W is a portable fluid cleanliness monitor that powers on and starts its internal pump, but it has not been calibrated or verified for accuracy. The HIAC 8011+ is a portable liquid particle counter with about 70 total uses, last used in June 2025, and the vacuum pump and hoses included.
Listed Price Comparison
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| TSI AeroTrak 9306-V2 | USD 599.99 | |
| Particles Plus 8306 | USD 1,499.00 | |
| Pall PFC400W | USD 1,799.99 | |
| HIAC 8011+ | USD 7,500.00 |
Decision Matrix
| If this is your use case | Consider | Key reason |
|---|---|---|
| You want an operational handheld air particle counter with case and charging accessories | Particles Plus 8306 | The unit powers on, the touchscreen works, the sampling pump operates, and particle counting was confirmed. |
| You have a repair bench or need a donor unit for a TSI AeroTrak | TSI AeroTrak 9306-V2 | The unit powers on, but readings are inaccurate, so it is explicitly for parts or repair. |
| You need a portable fluid cleanliness monitor for a fluid line | Pall PFC400W | The unit powers on, and pressing Start Test produces internal pump activity, but accuracy is not verified. |
| You want a portable liquid particle counter with lighter recorded use | HIAC 8011+ | About 70 total uses, last use in June 2025, with the vacuum pump and hoses included. |
Product Notes
Particles Plus 8306 Handheld Particle Counter
The Particles Plus 8306 is the unit to weigh first if you want an air particle counter in working order. The unit powers on, the touchscreen responds, the sampling pump operates, and particle counting was confirmed. The package includes the hard carrying case, AC adapter, and USB cable, which removes the usual first-step accessory cost. The calibration date is October 4, 2024, with a due date of October 3, 2025, and that due date has now passed. So the instrument is mechanically ready, but you should plan to renew calibration before using it for readings you need to trust.
TSI AeroTrak 9306-V2 6-Channel Handheld Particle Counter
If you repair or refurbish particle counters, the TSI AeroTrak 9306-V2 is the listing to watch at the lowest end of this price range. The unit powers on and operates, but the particle count readings are not accurate and the exact cause is undiagnosed, so it is explicitly for parts or repair. The 6-channel model designation still makes it useful for locating replacement components or as a test bed for diagnosing a handheld counter. It is not presented as a functional measuring instrument in its current state, so buy it for the project, not for the reading.
HIAC 8011+ Portable Liquid Particle Counter
The HIAC 8011+ is the highest-priced listing here, and it is a liquid particle counter rather than an indoor air counter. The unit logged about 70 total uses and was last used in June 2025; it functioned well and always passed calibration in that time. What comes with it is the complete package: the particle counter, the vacuum pump, all hoses, and the associated cords. Because the price is the top of this set, the HIAC makes sense if liquid particle counting is a regular need and you want a portable unit with light recorded use.
Pall PFC400W Portable Fluid Cleanliness Monitor
The Pall PFC400W sits between the handheld air counters and the larger liquid counter in both intent and price. It powers on when connected to power, and pressing Start Test produces immediate mechanical activity from the internal pump or motor. The caveat is that the unit is not connected to a fluid line, has not been calibrated, and has not been checked for measurement accuracy. If you have a fluid-testing workflow and are comfortable with unverified condition, this is a more approachable way into a Pall fluid cleanliness monitor than the higher-priced liquid counter in this group. If your job is measuring air, this is not the tool.
Final Recommendation
For environmental indoor air measurement, start with the Particles Plus 8306 if you want an operational handheld counter with its case and charging accessories and you are willing to renew the calibration. For liquid or fluid cleanliness work, the Pall PFC400W is the more approachable project unless you need the portable liquid counter with the larger included package, which points to the HIAC 8011+. If you are repairing or salvaging, the TSI AeroTrak 9306-V2 is the parts/repair listing to buy. Match the instrument to the sample type: air samples need the airborne counter, fluid samples need the fluid cleanliness unit.
