Air quality
Combustible gas, alcohol vapor, VOC/eCO2, true CO2 and particulate matter sensors answer different questions. The pollutant and the required output format narrow the choice considerably.
MQ gas sensors, VOC/eCO2 indicators, NDIR true-CO2 modules and PM1/PM2.5/PM10 particulate sensors — over 100 listings across very different detection chemistries.
- MQ and multichannel gas boards are gas-family indicators: MQ-2, MQ-3, MQ-135, MiCS-5524 and MICS6814-style boards target different gases even when the breakout format looks similar.
- VOC/eCO2 sensors such as SGP30, SGP40, SGP41, ENS160 and ENS161 output indoor-air-quality signals, VOC/NOx indicators or equivalent CO2 estimates — not direct CO2 measurement.
- SCD-30, SCD-40, SCD-41, STCC4 and Grove NDIR CO2 modules are the true-CO2 branch; PMSA003I, SPS30, SEN55 and BMV080 are for particulate matter such as PM1, PM2.5 and PM10.
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General board checks (6)
- Start with the pollutant: combustible gas/smoke, alcohol vapour, broad VOC/IAQ, true CO2, or PM1/PM2.5/PM10 particles.
- Check whether the output is a calibrated measurement, an index, an eCO2 estimate, analog threshold, or relative resistance signal.
- Match interface and connector: analog/digital threshold, I2C/Qwiic, SPI or UART.
- Budget heater or optical-sensor current draw, warm-up time, airflow/placement and enclosure vents.
- Do not use hobby MQ or IAQ modules as certified life-safety alarms, breathalysers or compliance instruments.
- Use the vendor page and linked datasheet as the final check before building around any gas or air-quality reading.
