Best Radon Detectors for Your Home

In years past, radon tests required lab fees, postage, and a lot of waiting (which is tough with something as dangerous as radon). That’s why we chose smart radon detectors like the Radon Eye RD200, AirThings 2960 View Plus, and AirThings Corentium for our top spots. 

These radon test kits conduct long-term tests and instant readings of radon concentration in your home. The Radon Eye RD200 provides a quick reading within 10 minutes of setup and a more accurate reading after 1 hour—pretty fast considering the 72-hour wait for lab results.

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The RD200 is a continuous radon monitor that checks the air 30 times per hour and updates its readings every 10 minutes. You can check the radon concentration in your home on the device’s digital screen or the device’s app. 

If levels reach dangerous heights, you’ll be alerted by the RD200’s alarm or within the app. We recommend giving this detector and others plenty of time to read the air in your home before acting quickly. The longer you leave a radon detector out, the more accurate the readings generally become. 

If you’ve moved to a new home in an area with high radon concentration, this is an investment worth making. With its detailed readings and easy setup, the initial $200 for this radon detector is well worth the money. 

Part of what makes this radon detector so smart is its ability to detect other kinds of environmental issues in your home, including air quality, carbon dioxide, VOCs, humidity, temperature, air pressure, and even pollen. That's why we chose the Wave Plus over the Wave and Wave Mini.

In the past, radon detectors weren’t the sexiest devices in your home. But the AirThings Wave combines smart features with beautiful design to keep your family safe from the ground up.

The AirThings Corentium even works in dusty and humid conditions like your crawl space or basement (where radon tends to collect the most). Because you get your readings instantly, you won’t need to pay for lab fees or postage stamps to send it off. 

However, this radon detector isn’t as fast with its readings as our top two choices. The specifications say you get the best results after 24 hours of the detector sitting in place. But this isn’t uncommon in devices like it. Overall, we recommend giving any detector you use plenty of time to get the most accurate reading.

Think of this radon detector like a smoke or carbon monoxide detector but for radioactive material. If you've already tested your home for radon and found higher levels, having a device like this can help you keep an eye on the threat.

You are responsible for the return postage costs, and the price does not include the lab fee costs for New Jersey residents.

The detector placement and length of the test depend on the type of radon detector you choose. For the best results, be sure to read the instructions carefully. 

Radon is a radioactive gas produced by decaying elements underground.¹ It enters your home through cracks in the foundation and walls in areas like your basement. So it’s best to place your radon test kit or radon detector at the lowest level of your home. 

• If testing short-term radon concentration, be sure to close all doors and windows before and during the test. 
• Avoid humid areas like your bathroom or laundry room to avoid malfunctions.
• Crawlspaces, construction joists, and sump pumps can create false positives or incorrectly high results. 
• Document the test by writing down the start date and time of the test, especially if the test takes over 72 hours.
• Follow all instructions for the radon detector or radon test for the most accurate results.

Some areas are more vulnerable to radon than others. This EPA map shows the highest levels in northern states like Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Iowa.

If you live in or are moving to one of these areas, start with an inexpensive short-term test. Depending on your findings, you can invest in a full radon detector to monitor levels.

To learn more about radon testing, we reached out to the EPA. Our contact told us there are two main types of radon testing devices—passive radon testing and active radon testing.

Passive radon testing is generally less expensive and includes long- and short-term devices like these.

• Charcoal canisters
• Alpha-track detectors
• Charcoal liquid scintillation devices
• Electret ion chamber detectors

These types of radon tests don’t require power because they use chemical or electromagnetic methods to sense radon in the air.

If you’re just starting with your radon tests, we recommend trying these first because of the low price. Depending on the results you get, you may want to contact a radon professional to help or opt for an active test to continuously monitor radon levels.

Active radon testing devices, on the other hand, usually require power to function and offer hourly readings. “These include continuous radon monitors and continuous working level monitors” and tend to cost more. Many of the radon tests we included in our lineup fall under this category.

Whether you’re concerned about radon levels in your basement, crawl space, or regular living areas, the Radon Eye RD200 is the best long-term solution. 

It’s pricier than the rest on our list, but its readable LCD screen, frequent display updates, and app access make this detector worth it.

Before reviewing radon detectors, we learned the science behind this radioactive gas, how it affects humans, how it gets into homes, and how radon tests and detectors work. All the videos, articles, and digging gave us a better understanding of what makes a quality radon detector or radon test. 

After we got the science down, we compared different tests and detectors side by side based on factors like waiting time for the first reading, alert modes, and displays. 

See how we apply our own scientific method in reviews like this and more from the Safewise methodology page. 

• How To Protect Your Home From Radon
• Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors
• What to Look for When Buying an Older Home
• How to Detect a Gas Leak in Your Home
• Best Air Purifiers
• What Are VOCs?

1. Environmental Protection Agency, “What is radon?” Accessed April 17, 2024.
2. National Cancer Institute, “Radon and Cancer,” Reviewed December 6, 2011. Accessed April 17, 2024.