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CNN
13 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- CNN
45 cooling products that work wonders at keeping you cool — even when your AC won't
Cooling products quick picks Cooling towel: Mission Original Cooling Towel Cooling beauty product: La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water Face Mist Cooling neck fan: Gulaki Bladeless Portable Neck Fan Cooling bedding: Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set Window AC unit: LG 8,000-BTU LW8016ER Window Air Conditioner When the temperature starts to climb, the best cooling products help keep you comfortable both indoors and outdoors. From neck fans to cooling blankets, a variety of gadgets and home products can make all the difference in being a sweaty mess or staying cool. We've crafted a list of our best-tested cooling fans, cooling apparel, cooling pillows and beyond for a much more tolerable summer. There are even some cooling beauty products that can help calm your skin after scorching-hot days. A post shared by CNN Underscored (@cnnunderscored) Mission Original Cooling Towel Out of the 10 cooling towels we tested, this one delivered the most immediate relief. Beyond providing an unmatched cooling sensation, it also won points for its portability. Read our review Mission Max Plus Cooling Towel The Mission Max Plus is from the same company as our top pick, so it's no surprise that it shares many of the same features. Although we found the material a little too thick, it beat the Mission Original when it came to overall cooling our review Chill Pal Mesh Cooling Towel The Chill Pal kept cool for around 45 minutes, the longest of all the towels we tried. Even so, it wasn't great at providing instant relief, so ultimately did not nab our top our review Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set These sheets have made several CNN Underscored editors fall head over heels. Made with viscose from bamboo, these sheets are cool to the touch and even moisture-wicking. Coop Sleep Goods The EdenCool+ Adjustable Pillow After searching for the right pillow for years, senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus finally found the perfect match: The EdenCool+ Adjustable Pillow. Whereas most pillows were too lumpy or hot, Kraus said this one "feels like an AC" for her head. Read our review Nest Cooling Mattress Topper This cooling topper is not a mattress itself, but we wanted to highlight a product that one editor thinks can actually make any mattress feel like a cooling mattress. (Plus, mattresses are expensive, you know?) Made with cool-to-the-touch foam that you sink right into, this mattress topper has completely changed the way she sleeps. Weekender Gel Memory Foam Pillow Cooling pillows for hot sleepers come in a variety of materials like shredded foam, gels and cotton. Look for one that holds in coolness and wicks away moisture. This well-priced, high-rated foam pillow is infused with a temperature-regulating gel for a cool night's sleep. Casper Foam Pillow With cooling foam and a three-layer design meant to make it extra huggable (who doesn't want that?), this is one of our favorite pillows to sleep on night after night. Leisure Town Cooling Mattress Pad With more than 35,000 reviews, this highly rated cotton mattress topper is filled with a down alternative to deliver comfort that reviewers love without heat and sweat. Columbia PFG Freezer III Dress Walking outside in the summer can feel like going into a home sauna, but with this ingenious dress, you can feel more at ease. Our associate editor Rachel Dennis tested out this cooling dress, which lives up to its name. If you buy one dress this summer, it should be this our review Free Fly Women's Bamboo Shade Hoodie II UPF clothing can keep you from getting burned and from overheating. You can wear it hiking, fishing, walking — just about anywhere. This hoodie from Free Fly is no exception. Made of bamboo viscose fabric, it'll help keep you cool and comfortable. It also comes in men's sizing. Cherrydew Short-Sleeve Button-Down Pajama Shorts Set If you're a hot sleeper, a pair of cooling pajamas is essential (and not just in the summer). These ones are made with breathable bamboo viscose and are a steal compared to fancier brands. Thigh Society The Cooling Shorts Chafing and overheating are two of summer's biggest issues when it comes to clothing, and this pair of lightweight shorts addresses both of these conundrums. The performance fabric pulls heat and moisture away from the body, and the shorts come in a bunch of colors to coordinate with your outfits. Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Lotion You spent the day in the sun but, unfortunately, ended up with a burn. That's where after-sun lotions come into play. They feel cooling and calming on the skin, and this dermatologist-recommended option is loaded with hydrating and soothing ingredients. Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea In our roundup of the best cooling beauty products, Dr. Corey L. Hartman of Skin Wellness Dermatology said this spray delivers 'a quick burst of cooling to your face.' He added that you can apply it 'during the day to help cool or spritz the face right before you apply moisturizer in the morning or evening.' La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water Face Mist This cooling face mist contains selenium, a potent antioxidant that is free of fragrance and preservatives, making it great for sensitive skin. Updates writer Ellen McAlpine keeps it on hand to cool and calm down her skin post-workout. Sofie Pavitt Face Nice Ice Toner Pods Packed with soothing ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, green tea extract and ashwagandha, this is essentially a popsicle for your face. Fashion and beauty editor Sophie Shaw recommends rubbing it across your face until it has melted. Coola Refreshing Water Mist Organic Face Sunscreen SPF 18 This cooling mist doesn't just cool your face with organic aloe, coconut water and hyaluronic acid; it also protects it from the sun with SPF 18. Ole Henriksen Balance Cold Plunge Pore Mask With eucalyptus, green tea, algae and Irish moss extracts, this mask can help soothe inflamed or acne-prone skin. Salicylic and lactic acid also work to loosen dead skin and help to unclog pores. SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Mask If you've got dry skin, this one's for you. Hyaluronic acid adds hydration to the skin while the cucumber, thyme and olive oil extracts in this mask soothe skin to help it feel cooler. Esarora Ice Roller If you're not into ice itself, an ice roller is a solid second option. This gel and water roller is a CNN Underscored favorite and also has a number of celebrity our review Milk Makeup Cooling Water This hydrating gel stick, made with caffeine and seawater, can be kept in the fridge for an extra-cooling sensation. Gulaki Bladeless Portable Neck Fan After we tested five neck fans in the Southern California sun, this one came out on top. In addition to having the most powerful fan, it also boasts an impressive five hours of battery life on its highest our review Amacool Neck Fan Of course you want to keep your neck cool, but this best-tested adjustable fan can cool your face and other areas too. It has three speed settings and can be folded up and tossed in your our review Comlife Bladeless Neck Fan Our editorial director wears this neck fan to keep cool while riding the New York City subway. Thanks to its 5W of power, it should make the muggiest months of the year bearable. Brooklinen Washed European Linen Core Sheet Set These Brooklinen sheets are soft and light, wicking away heat effectively for people who sleep warm but still regulating heat nicely in cooler climates. Simultaneously high-end and already perfectly worn in, these were delightful from the first our review Parachute Linen Sheet Set Among the most luxe feeling we tested, the Parachute linen sheets have a pleasant weight in hand and a unique texture. The Parachute sheets come in a broad range of colors and sizes, and each different piece of the bedding set is available individually for replacements or to mix and match with other our review Simple & Opulence 100% Pure Linen Sheet Set The Simple & Opulence sheets held their own in comfort and design, with a soft feel out of the box and lovely satin-stitched piping along the edge of the top sheet. The Simple & Opulence set has the weight and hand of much more expensive sheets, but they come at nearly half the our review The Citizenry Stonewashed Linen Sheet Set These light and gauzy but durable Citizenry linen sheets are a master class in stylish rest. Woven in a mill in Portugal from French flax, these have deep pockets and an amply sized top sheet to fit on any depth of our review Cultiver Linen Sheet Set Offering the best of all worlds, the Cultiver Linen Sheet Set feels elegant straight out of the box. The sheets fit on the bed impeccably and they only got softer with repeated washings. Available in more colors than any other linen sheets we tested, these sheets will satisfy nearly any taste or our review Bearaby Tree Napper Especially cooling, Bearaby's Tree Napper is made from moisture-wicking Tencel that uses eucalyptus fiber, a material that's naturally even cooler than linen and super soft to the our review Brooklinen Linen Quilt Mix and match this irresistibly soft linen quilt with your favorite cooling sheets for a chic, laid-back layered look. Gravity Cooling Weighted Blanket If you're looking for a heavily weighted cooling comforter option, the Gravity Cooling Weighted Blanket comes with a beautifully soft hotel-quality cover too. Bedsure Cooling Blanket If you're looking for a cooling blanket to carry around the house with you all the time, this is the one for you. Cool to the touch on one side with a snugglier cotton on the other, it's thin enough that it can roll up really, really small, so it's great for smaller apartments and storage. Tranquility Cooling Weighted Blanket We've tried this weighted blanket for several months now, and we absolutely adore it. Cool on one side and plush on the other, it's available in 12-, 15- and 20-pound versions. Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Fan A combo mister and fan, this small device has a battery life of up to 12 hours and can be used both indoors and outdoors. It's great for staying cool while lounging on your patio or getting a workout in at your home gym. Jisulife Handheld Fan To stay cool while you're on the go, reach for this handheld fan, which we named the best portable fan, that will help keep you comfortable. It has three power settings and easily fits in a bag, since it's just 8 inches tall. Read our review Dyson Purifier Humidity+Cool Formaldehyde PH04 Fan, Humidifier and Air Purifier With a striking design and impressive features, the Dyson is unlike any other fan we tested — and is far more expensive — but it combines a fan, heater and air purifier, potentially replacing three our review Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Tower Fan The Honeywell tower fan has a small footprint and sleek design, a sturdy base and eight speed settings. Plus, it's quiet and our review Rowenta Turbo Silence Standing Fan This cooling fan had the sturdiest base and rod of the pedestal fans we tested, a clearly labeled control panel and easy-to-assemble and maintain metal our review Vornado 660AE Large Air Circulator Fan Sit this fan on the ground and let it cool down your space. It's lightweight, easy to move around the house and even connects to Alexa for hands-free control. It was our favorite cooling floor fan in our our review Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) The Nest Learning Thermostat studies your habits and controls the temperature in your home automatically. These smarts, along with the simple interface, make it best in our review Google Nest Thermostat The inexpensive Nest Thermostat has the same simple interface and straightforward remote control options as its bigger sibling, but it can't learn your our review Amazon Smart Thermostat If you're on a budget and live in an Alexa household, the Amazon Smart Thermostat delivers excellent performance for its low our review LG 8,000-BTU LW8016ER Window Air Conditioner In our testing, we found that this classic and easy-to-use window AC can cool your space just as well as pricier units. Read our review The best products to keep you cool depend on the activity or situation at hand. Heading out on a hike? A cooling dress and a neck fan will keep you comfortable while you're spending time outdoors. If you're just trying to stay cool at home, then swapping out your seasonal bedding can make a huge difference in how you sleep throughout the night. It all depends on what you're looking to buy, but for each category we've covered in this article, there are key things to consider. If you're shopping for anything that's made of fabric, like cooling towels, sheets or clothing, it's smart to look for breathable materials like linen, cotton and other natural fiber blends. You can also keep an eye out for sweat- and moisture-wicking materials, especially for clothes and pajamas. For fans, air conditioners and other cooling devices, most of these products will list the size of the space they're effective at cooling. So, whether you're looking to cool down an entire apartment or a smaller room, you can find something that's a proper fit for your needs. The following FAQs were answered by the CEO of Mission, Jocelyn Thornton, and include reporting done by our editorial team. Do cooling fabrics actually work? Do cooling fabrics actually work? Cooling fabrics can make a difference in keeping you comfortable during warmer months. 'Opt for lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics with built-in UPF protection,' Thornton said. 'These materials help sweat evaporate faster, improve airflow and shield your skin from harmful UV rays—keeping you cool and comfortable in the heat.' How can you cool a room without AC? How can you cool a room without AC? If you're looking to cool down a room without an air-conditioning unit, you can opt for a standalone fan. Fans circulate air in your space and create a steady breeze that can help keep you comfortable while bringing down indoor temperatures. How do cooling blankets work? How do cooling blankets work? Most cooling blankets are crafted with fabrics that allow air to flow through, giving you the comfort of a blanket without overheating. These fabrics are moisture-wicking to remove perspiration away from the body, which helps keep you cool. For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights on cooling products. Dr. Corey L. Hartman, board-certified dermatologist, and found and director of Skin Wellness Dermatology Jocelyn Thornton, CEO and founder of Mission CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when it makes sense to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. Here, associate editor Jillian Tracy, associate writer Maxwell Shukuya and writer Ellen McAlpine drew on our large library of hands-on reviews and expert roundups to surface the best cooling products, from window ACs to cooling fans and other stellar home products.
CNET
7 days ago
- Health
- CNET
Humidifier vs. Purifier: We Asked Medical Experts Which Is Better for Allergies
Spring is a common time for both indoor and outdoor allergies, which makes it essential to take measures that can make your environment as healthy and safe as possible. There are a few home tech gadgets to consider when trying to protect yourself from indoor allergies. We spoke to allergy and medical experts, and they both say an air purifier or humidifier can be effective. Humidifiers, though, if used improperly, can cause more harm than good. "If there is too much humidity in a room, it can promote the growth of dust mites and mold," said Brian Greenberg, an allergist, immunologist and scientific advisor to 1MD Nutrition. "Air purifiers filter the air of allergens, so they are more effective at reducing and preventing allergy symptoms," says Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist with Allergy and Asthma Network. Here's what you need to know. Air purifiers purifiers and humidifiers work in very different ways. Air purifiers are generally considered very helpful for environmental allergies. "In general, air purifiers work by taking air in through a variety of filters and then sending it out particle-free. There are five basic types of filters -- electrostatic, ionizer, ozone, UV and HEPA. HEPA air purifiers are the most effective and are made by a wide range of companies," said Dr. Greenberg. The better the filter inside the air purifier, the stronger the airflow and the more the filter can remove from the surrounding environment. Typically, these filters need to be replaced or cleaned periodically for optimal function and to notice a substantial reduction in allergy are devices that either boil water or spray a fine mist of water into the environment in small droplets or vapor so that the air has a higher moisture level. Those who suffer from allergies often experience uncomfortable nasal passages and itchy eyes anyway, and dry air can exacerbate these feelings, as well as trigger asthma symptoms and eczema. For this reason, people living in dry environments sometimes experience symptom relief when they incorporate a humidifier into their environment. Do air purifiers really help allergies? Michael Heim/EyeEm/Getty Air purifiers have been studied and found effective at reducing some indoor allergens. "Air purifiers filter the air of allergens, so they are more effective at reducing and preventing allergy symptoms," says Dr. Parikh. The key metric to consider is the total size of the space relative to the recommended size for the air purifier for allergies that you've chosen. A small desktop purifier may have a negligible impact on a large open-plan office. Still, a robust air purifier in each room where you spend time can keep the space's particulates down to a noticeable degree if you have indoor allergies. It's also worth making sure that you place it in the best location for an air purifier where you'll benefit from it most. An excellent first step is to consider the space where you typically suffer most from indoor allergies, such as the bedroom while sleeping. Try an appropriately sized air purifier with a HEPA filter with the doors closed in that space for a few nights when you typically have indoor allergies, and see if your breathing and other symptoms are improved. At a minimum, air purifiers don't have any significant downsides, though some can emit a noticeable sound. Would a humidifier help with allergies? Humidifiers add moisture to the air, either by heating water to create steam (often called a warm mist humidifier) or by spraying tiny droplets of room-temperature water into the air (often called a cool mist humidifier). "In extremely dry climates, that can be helpful to moisten the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, preventing dryness and irritation," explains Dr. Greenberg. "They can, however, create some issues. If there is too much humidity in a room, it can promote the growth of dust mites and mold. And, the water chamber itself needs to be cleaned out daily; otherwise, it can become a mold reservoir." In general, humid air makes things like mold and mildew more likely to grow, meaning that a humidifier may actually make indoor allergies worse if you boost the humidity of the space too high. If you are choosing a first step for reducing indoor allergy symptoms, an air purifier will be a lower-maintenance solution. Adding a humidifier can help in very dry environments but requires some maintenance to avoid growing additional allergens. Skaman306/Getty Images If your indoor allergies have been tied to mold, you can still use a humidifier with these precautions: Most humidifiers designed for home use need to be cleaned weekly, with the water chamber itself emptied daily if all the water isn't used. This can be done according to the instructions that come with your humidifier, though many people use a weak acid like vinegar to remove mineral buildup and discourage growth in the humidifier's parts. On a monthly basis, it's recommended to do a full disinfecting cycle, like a scrub with a bleach solution or hydrogen peroxide. Time this cleaning cycle such that you never mix vinegar and bleach, making a dangerous chemical reaction you do not want to breathe. Consider using distilled water to discourage growth and mineral deposits on the humidifier that can be hard to clean. Give humidified areas in your home a chance to "dry out" between uses. If you use a humidifier to sleep during allergy season, for instance, you risk less mold growth if you let the humidity drop during the day by leaving the humidifier off and the door open to the rest of the home. The best solutions for indoor allergiesMinimizing indoor allergies doesn't stop at adding a humidifier or air purifier. Some major benefits can be gained by modifying your indoor environment in other ways: If you have central heating and cooling, checking and changing your filter every month removes some allergy-inducing particulates, reducing how hard your air purifier would need to work and making your air conditioner more efficient at the same time. Don't underestimate the impact of regular cleaning practices. "Wash your bedsheets once a week in hot water, clean and vacuum one to three times per week," said Dr. Parikh. She also mentions that keeping vigilant about leaks can prevent mold growth, and removing rugs and carpets in favor of easy-to-clean hard surfaces can further lower allergens. Keeping the windows closed during high pollen season can reduce pollen allergies, and keeping pets out of sleeping areas can help prevent pet-dander-related allergies at night. Encasing mattresses and pillows can discourage mold and dander from getting trapped in these upholstered materials, releasing them into your sleep air space. The Asthma & Allergy Friendly certification offers suggestions on air cleaners, filters, bedding options, and encasings that meet independent testing standards. Still, many other brands also exist that can help you reduce exposure to allergens in your mattress and pillows. According to Dr. Parikh, putting stuffed animals in a high-heat dryer for 20 minutes every week can diminish microbial growth and reduce allergen potential for children who play with them. Expert allergy tips The same behaviors that boost your immune system in other contexts can also be helpful for environmental allergies. Good sleep, regular exercise and eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins will only benefit your indoor allergy journey. That being said, some allergens generate a strong response even in people who have taken appropriate steps to boost their immune system's health. LeafyPod Some people find that, if they aren't allergic to common house plants, adding indoor plants helps keep the air fresh in their homes. Environmental changes, as mentioned in this piece, are a major factor in reducing indoor allergies, but medical treatment can also help. "If you're very allergic, allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) with a board-certified allergist may be a great treatment for you to desensitize yourself to your indoor allergens and thus become less allergic over time," said Dr. Parikh. Talk to your medical professional about whether your particular allergies are likely to respond well to allergy shots and whether that's the best next step. The bottom line Levoit If you suffer from indoor allergies, it's wise to experiment with environmental changes that can reduce symptoms or help your medication more effectively reduce your suffering during particular times for springtime allergies. Air purifiers can have a positive impact, reducing total particulate matter in your air if you size them appropriately to your space and opt for a highly effective filter like a HEPA filter. Humidifiers and allergies are a more complicated combo, with careful use potentially reducing the dry airway symptoms brought on by very dry environments. Casual use of a humidifier without proper maintenance can potentially increase humidity to the point where mold and dust mite growth increases. Failing to clean a humidifier properly can put minerals and mold spores into your air. With proper maintenance and an eye to reasonable humidity, however, even a humidifier can help mitigate the impact of indoor allergens.
CNET
26-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
Memorial Day Deal: Act Fast to Secure This Tapo 2K Security Camera for Just $25
Memorial Day is coming to an end and so are many of the excellent Memorial Day deals we've seen. If you've been wanting to make upgrades to your home security setup, now is the time to act. A home security camera is a key part of any good setup and the only way to improve that is to save money on your new camera. So, what if we told you that you can pick up a TP-Link Tapo 2K indoor-outdoor security camera for just $25 right now? This deal is available on both the black and white finishes, so just pick the one that best suits your setup. But keep in mind, we don't know when this deal will disappear so secure it while you can. The TP-Link Tapo 2K camera can be used indoors and outdoors, which means you can use it as a general outdoor camera for your home, an indoor camera for your business or even as a baby monitor in the nursery room. It has 2K video quality for crisp, clear captures and sharp footage and has motion detection for people, pets and vehicles, ensuring it captures whoever or whatever is on the move. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. This security camera comes with color night vision with a range of up to 30 feet, providing excellent coverage even in low light. It's also weatherproof, so you don't have to bring it inside when it rains. Looking for more deals? Be sure to check out our list of the best Memorial Day deals still live right now. Why this deal matters A reliable security camera can make your home feel much safer. Tapo cameras are already affordable, but with this 38% discount, they're an even better value. It's a terrific deal for anyone in the market for a new camera.
CNET
07-05-2025
- CNET
How One Portable Air Quality Monitor Changed How I Saw My Home
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. Switchbot's Meter Pro shows local air quality anywhere you put it and is small enough to fit in a pocket. Tyler Lacoma/CNET The air in your home affects everything from how you recover from workouts to how you sleep at night. But keeping track of it isn't always easy. Issues like too much carbon dioxide from cooking or humidity issues can be tough to track, especially in the rooms where they originate. That's why this wireless air quality sensor from SwitchBot caught my eye -- then surprised me with what it revealed about my home. This affordable, tiny monitor tracks temps, carbon dioxide levels, humidity and more right out of the box. You can position it anywhere in your house to check on how air quality shifts in the kitchen, if your fireplace is making things worse in the living room or if the kid's room has healthy air at for around $50 with current discounts. That's a great deal compared to spending money on a pricey air purifier. When I reached out to SwitchBot for a comment, they summed up the Meter Pro handily along with some advice on how to use it, saying, "By tracking CO₂ levels, temperature and humidity, users can make informed decisions about ventilation and indoor temperature and humidity control, leading to better sleep, increased productivity, and overall well-being." As I tested the Meter Pro with carbon dioxide monitoring, I found some air quality surprises in my own home, learned what the app can do and was surprised by how easy the smart meter was to use. Read more: 9 Surprising Things We Learned Monitoring Our Air Quality in 3 Locations A smart air quality monitor for any spot in your home The SwitchBot Meter Pro works well alone or with other smart devices. SwitchBot Switchbot's Meter Pro with carbon dioxide monitoring can work indoors or outdoors (or both with the right add-on), but the carbon dioxide feature makes it a much better indoor option. You can also move it to specific spots where you're worried carbon dioxide may be higher. The monitor works by showing you parts per million, a common method to measure carbon dioxide particles in the air, and updates itself regularly. "The SwitchBot Meter Pro CO₂ Monitor employs Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) technology, utilizing Swiss-made sensors for high-precision CO₂ detection," SwitchBot told me. "It measures CO₂ levels ranging from 400 to 9,000 ppm with an accuracy of ±50 ppm. In addition to CO₂, it monitors temperature and humidity, providing a comprehensive overview of indoor air quality." Those sensor proved accurate, too. And if you're using the standalone device, it's effortless to set up. I unboxed the meter, pulled out the battery tab to activate the battery, and it immediately started displaying nearby air quality. You'll note in my photos that by default the temperature appears in Celsius, but that's no problem. A small button on the top of the meter let me switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit instantly. The hardest part was deciding where to put it. Making sense of air quality numbers SwitchBot's Meter Pro gives you all the details about your room's air quality. Tyler Lacoma/CNET During testing I moved the SwitchBot Meter Pro frequently, positioning it on various counters and tables to see how it changed. I quickly learned the carbon dioxide levels in my home were close to the maximum acceptable level -- anything above 1,000 ppm and it's time to consider making changes like more ventilation or air purification. That's where our lab-tested recommendations can shine. The high numbers weren't entirely surprising. When I tested, we were in the tail end of smoke season here on the West Coast and the air outside was still relatively smoky, something that has a major impact on carbon dioxide levels, even indoors. Also, my home uses natural gas for both fireplace heating and cooking, another factor that bumps up carbon dioxide numbers. As regional fires died down, air quality in my home notably improved, with PPM declining to 600 to 700 ppm. It was even better in some other homes where I brought it for a quick test, indicating there may still be work for me to do to improve air quality. In addition to temperature and carbon dioxide levels, the meter monitors humidity (my ranges in the high desert were pleasantly comfortable during the wetter fall season) and shows you the current weather. That makes it a nice hub for a quick view of what's going into your lungs. Add a mini hub for more control and better battery life SwitchBot's app provides a plethora of information. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Connecting the app via Bluetooth opened a world of possibilities -- well, once I created an account and applied numerous firmware updates, anyway. Using the app, I could adjust how often the meter updates to save on battery life. The battery is rated for around 12 months of use and recharges via USB-C, so it's not a major issue. But I found increasing the frequency of updates let me test air quality more easily with no noticeable drawbacks. You can use the Meter Pro as is, but it gets a sizable functionality boost with the SwitchBot Hub Mini ($40). My model came with one, so I was able to set it up and connect the SwitchBot app. That enabled some of the more advanced features like notifications and remote monitoring, so it's a quality-of-life improvement if you want to spend a bit more. With the hub, the app also lets you set alerts, either via notifications or with sound alarms, based on triggers like when the temperature, humidity or parts per million reaches certain levels. That also lets you do things like get low temperature alerts in rooms (or garages) that are distant from your thermostat so you know when they may need extra heating. Diving into air quality stats, customization and more SwitchBot's preferences allow for lots of readout customization. Tyler Lacoma/CNET The SwitchBot app isn't quite finished yet. As I discovered, you can view the local dew point and vapor-pressure deficit, as well as get weather forecasts if you're willing to provide the app with your address. The app also includes a history chart so you can see patterns over time. Deeper into settings, even more options emerge. You can recalibrate the temperature and humidity settings if they seem a bit off for your climate, then manually adjust your idea of a "comfort" level to control when the monitor warns of a problem. The Hub Mini also provides compatibility with common voice assistants, such as Amazon Alexa. That allows you to set up automations with other Alexa-compatible devices, like a smart thermostat or even a humidifier. While the app does mention the ability to store your long-term air quality data in the cloud for a fee, there's absolutely no need to do this if you are using only the Meter Pro, so subscriptions aren't a concern for this monitor. An air quality monitor for any home SwitchBot's Meter Pro with carbon dioxide monitoring is compact, highly portable and accurately measures air conditions in any part of your home with its Swiss-made sensor. Add the current low cost of $50 to $60 and it's an ideal monitoring solution for anyone who isn't sure what the air is like in their home and wants to keep an eye on air quality this winter. One last note: If you're interested in purchasing this air quality monitor, make sure you're choosing the option with carbon dioxide monitoring. SwitchBot has a similar Meter Pro that does everything but monitor carbon dioxide levels. The new version with carbon dioxide monitoring is a much better package, even with the higher price.
