Choosing an environmental indoor air measurement tool usually comes down to one question: are you chasing particles or radon? Dedicated particle counters give you specific counts for dust and allergen-sized particles, while a radon-capable monitor adds broader gas readings in a single package. The four options here split into two groups: the Triplett EPC175 and the TC8100 Air Quality Monitor are particle counters, and the Airthings 2960 appears twice with the same feature set at two different prices. Overall, the price range runs from $156.71 to $225, so the practical decision is about sensor priorities and which monitor format fits your routine.
Quick take
Start with the sensor question. The Triplett EPC175 is the lowest-priced of the two particle counters and stores 5,000 readings, while the TC8100 adds a PM0.3 channel and 999 timestamped readings with a trend chart. If radon matters, the Airthings 2960 brings radon detection into the picture, and the lower-priced of its two entries is the one to choose because the other is identical except for the price.
Price comparison
| Product | Price | Price bar |
|---|---|---|
| Triplett EPC175 Particle Counter and Air Quality Meter, Displays Air Temperature | USD 156.71 | |
| Air Quality Monitor, PM0.3/2.5/10 Dust Particle Counter, High Sensitivity 3-Chan | USD 159.99 | |
| Airthings 2960 Radon Air Quality Monitor CO2 VOC PM2.5 WiFi Battery | USD 200.00 | |
| Airthings 2960 Radon Air Quality Monitor CO2 VOC PM2.5 WiFi Battery | USD 225.00 |
The spread between the lowest and highest price is $68.29. The two Airthings entries have the same product title and the same feature description, so the only confirmed difference between them is the price.
Decision matrix
| Your priority | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Broad particle readings at the lowest price | Triplett EPC175 | PM2.5/PM10, temperature, humidity, and 5,000 recorded readings |
| Fine-particle detail with trend history | Air Quality Monitor TC8100 | Three particle channels (PM0.3/2.5/10) and 999 timestamped readings |
| Radon monitoring plus WiFi convenience | Airthings 2960 (lower-priced entry) | Radon, CO2, VOC, PM2.5, WiFi connection, and battery power |
Product notes
#### Air Quality Monitor, PM0.3/2.5/10 Dust Particle Counter, High Sensitivity 3-Chan
The TC8100 is the only counter in this comparison with PM0.3, PM2.5, and PM10 channels. It pairs those particle measurements with temperature and humidity readings, stores 999 timestamped measurements, and displays them as a trend chart. An adjustable audible alarm gives you a clear signal when a particle threshold you set is crossed. This is a particle-first tool, so if radon is the measurement you need, the Airthings 2960 is the model in this set that addresses radon. The TC8100 is priced slightly above the Triplett, and the Triplett adds HCHO and TVOC readings; choosing between the two comes down to whether you want that extra gas detail or the finer PM0.3 channel.
#### Triplett EPC175 Particle Counter and Air Quality Meter, Displays Air Temperature
The Triplett EPC175 is the lowest-priced option in this group and the only open-box item. It reports PM2.5 and PM10, plus air temperature, relative humidity, formaldehyde (HCHO), and TVOCs, all on a 3-inch color TFT display with five brightness levels. Its memory holds up to 5,000 readings, and the display can show historical curves. The main caveat is the open-box condition; if you prefer a brand-new unit, the TC8100 is a new particle counter that reports PM0.3, PM2.5, and PM10. Just remember that this Triplett is the one with HCHO and TVOC readings in this comparison.
#### Airthings 2960 Radon Air Quality Monitor CO2 VOC PM2.5 WiFi Battery (lower-priced entry)
The lower-priced Airthings 2960 gives you radon, CO2, VOC, and PM2.5 monitoring in one battery-powered package with WiFi connectivity. Radon coverage is the headline difference between it and the two particle counters. It is also the cheaper of the two Airthings options, even though both options use the same product title and feature description. This Airthings is priced above either particle counter, so if you do not need radon, one of the particle counters costs less and offers a different measurement focus. The main limitation is simply the higher price compared with the particle counters.
#### Airthings 2960 Radon Air Quality Monitor CO2 VOC PM2.5 WiFi Battery (higher-priced entry)
The higher-priced Airthings 2960 is the same monitor as the lower-priced Airthings option, with the same radon, CO2, VOC, and PM2.5 feature set and the same battery/WiFi design. It is a new unit with the full Airthings package, so if that package is what you need and the higher price is acceptable, it will do the same job as the cheaper entry. There is no feature difference in the product title or description, so the only thing separating this option from its twin is the price tag. That makes it the most expensive choice in this comparison and the widest price gap from the Triplett. If you are deciding between the two Airthings options, the lower-priced one is the more logical pick.
Final recommendation by use case
- Particle counts and the lowest price: choose the Triplett EPC175 if the open-box condition is acceptable. It combines PM2.5/PM10, temperature, humidity, and a large memory in one display.
- Fine-particle detail: choose the TC8100 if you want PM0.3/2.5/10 measurement with trend charts and an adjustable alarm.
- Radon monitoring with WiFi: choose the Airthings 2960 at the lower of its two prices. The higher-priced Airthings option is the same monitor, so it only makes sense if the higher price is not an issue.
