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Radon test kits detect the presence of radon gas, a byproduct of uranium decay in rock and soil. Radon can enter homes by seeping through cracks in the foundation, slowly accumulating until it reaches dangerous levels. Prolonged exposure to this harmful gas can cause health issues like headaches or even cancer.
Radon is tasteless, odorless, and colorless, making it undetectable without specialized radon testing equipment. These home technology tools can measure radon levels over a few days or months or provide continuous monitoring. Since no level of radon exposure is considered safe, knowing which radon sensor you can rely on is essential.
After tapping a home safety expert for insights and testing a few popular options, we chose the Airthings Corentium Home Radon Detector as the best radon test kit. It’s portable, has an easy-to-read screen, and takes multiple measurements to capture trends. Below, we detail what we like and don’t like about this product and the rest of our picks so you can choose one of the best radon test kits to keep your family safe.
- BEST OVERALL: Airthings Corentium Home Radon Detector
↓Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: First Alert RD1 Radon Test Kit
↓Jump to Review - UPGRADE PICK: Airthings Wave Plus Smart Radon Detector
↓Jump to Review - BEST SMART: Airthings View Plus Smart Air Quality & Radon Monitor
↓Jump to Review - BEST SHORT-TERM: AccuStar Short-Term Charcoal Canister Radon Test Kit
↓Jump to Review - BEST LONG-TERM: Ecosense RadonEye Radon Sensor & Detector
↓Jump to Review
Radon Test Kits Comparison Chart
| Product Name | Type | Results | Portability |
| Airthings Corentium Home Radon Detector | Battery-operated device | Instant on device | Portable |
| First Alert RD1 Radon Test Kit | 1-time test kit | Must be mailed to lab; results emailed 3 to 5 days after lab receipt | Portable |
| Airthings Wave Plus Smart Radon Detector | Battery-operated smart device | Instant in app and on device | Portable; mounts to wall or ceiling |
| Airthings View Plus Smart Air Quality & Radon Monitor | Battery- or USB-powered smart device | Instant in app and on device | Portable; mounts to wall |
| AccuStar Short-Term Charcoal Canister Radon Test Kit | 1-time test canister | Must be mailed to lab; results available next business day | Portable |
| Ecosense RadonEye Radon Sensor & Detector | Plug-in device | Instant in app and on device | Portable but requires outlet |
Our Top Picks
After researching dozens of radon test kits and testing a few as part of our guide on the best air quality monitors, we recommend the following six options for their ease of use, accuracy, and value.
Best Overall
Airthings Corentium Home Radon Detector
What We Like
- First results shown on screen within 24 hours
- Lightweight and portable
- Displays both long- and short-term readings
What We Don’t Like
- Some users’ units stopped working after a few years
Specs
- Type Battery-operated device
- Results Instant on device
- Portability Portable
The Corentium Home radon detector kit by Airthings is one of the first continuous radon test kits to use batteries, allowing you to take it into any space that needs testing. The clear digital display provides both long- and short-term radon levels, revealing daily fluctuations as well as overall averages. Once you’ve tested your home for at least 30 days, Airthings also makes it easy to generate a free self-inspection report through its website.
Though this portable radon detector does start delivering readings within 24 hours, the manufacturer recommends waiting at least 20 days before taking action if levels appear high. This ensures plenty of time for results to stabilize, so you know your readings are reliable. To test another area after your first test is complete, simply reset the unit and move it to a new location.
Get the Airthings Corentium Home radon test kit at Amazon, Ace Hardware, Walmart, or Airthings.
Best Bang for the Buck
First Alert RD1 Radon Test Kit
What We Like
- Listed under the EPA’s Radon Gas Measurement Proficiency Program
- Low price includes lab fees in most states
- Results emailed 3 to 5 business days after receipt
What We Don’t Like
- Can only be used once
- User pays shipping costs
Specs
- Type 1-time test kit
- Results Must be mailed to lab; results emailed 3 to 5 days after lab receipt
- Portability Portable
The First Alert RD1 home radon test kit is a simple and effective way to detect dangerous radon gas in your home. It essentially functions as a disposable radon detector that you allow to sit for a few days and then send away for results. To use, simply open the sealed activated charcoal packet, place it in the lowest livable area of your home, and leave it. After 2 to 4 days, seal it up and send it to the lab. Within 3 to 5 days of lab receipt, you’ll receive the results by email.
Unlike most mail-in radon test kits, this simple charcoal option includes the laboratory fee for most states (excluding New Jersey), though you will need to pay for shipping. Still, its price and reliability are difficult to beat for those looking for a one-time, short-term test.
Get the First Alert radon test kit at Amazon, Lowe’s, or First Alert.
Upgrade Pick
Airthings Wave Plus Smart Radon Detector
What We Like
- Provides continuous results via Bluetooth
- Monitors radon, CO2, VOCs, humidity, temperature, and air pressure
- Visual indicator shows current air quality
What We Don’t Like
- Detailed results only available within Bluetooth range
Specs
- Type Battery-operated smart device
- Results Instant in app and on device
- Portability Portable; mounts to wall or ceiling
While the Airthings Wave Plus radon and air quality monitor is more expensive than our top two picks, it also tests a lot more than just radon. Once set up, this unit provides continuous readings for radon gas buildup, carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), humidity, temperature, and air pressure.
The Wave Plus radon gas monitor runs on batteries and is easy to mount on a wall or ceiling. Its on-unit color-coded display indicates whether air quality is good (green), fair (yellow), or bad (red). For more detailed information, pair the unit with the Airthings app via Bluetooth for real-time reading and tips on how to improve indoor air quality. You can also see current and past readings on Airthings’ web dashboard.
What our tester says: “This Airthings monitor is quite an overachiever! As part of a larger test, we exposed it to a dish of oil-based stain for 2 hours. When we checked back in, the light was red (indicating hazardous air quality), and the app showed the volatile organic compound levels had spiked.”—Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Airthings Wave Plus radon test kit at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Smart
Airthings View Plus Smart Air Quality & Radon Monitor
What We Like
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity; compatible with IFTTT, Homey, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa
- Detects a wide range of pollutants and irritants
- Data available on unit, app, and Airthings website
What We Don’t Like
- Requires 6 AA batteries
Specs
- Type Battery- or USB-powered smart device
- Results Instant in app and on device
- Portability Portable; mounts to wall
This smart monitor from Airthings makes it easy to check levels of radon, PM2.5 (particulate matter), CO2, temperature, VOCs, air pressure, and humidity. It also provides pollen forecasts so those with allergies can stay informed about outdoor conditions. As a continuous radon monitor, this unit has its own display showing current levels, and users can also check the app or Airthings website for long-term readings. It also features a visual indicator with green, yellow, and red status lights for at-a-glance monitoring.
The View Plus is compatible with IFTTT, Homey, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa and runs via batteries or the included USB-C cable. You can place it virtually anywhere indoors to test levels in multiple locations or mount it to the wall to ensure continually safe radon levels in a basement.
Get the Airthings View Plus radon test kit at Amazon or Airthings.
Best Short-Term
AccuStar Short-Term Charcoal Canister Radon Test Kit
What We Like
- Same-day results available if received by noon
- Easy to use; requires zero technological know-how
- Durable canister design keeps results safe
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t measure radon; only reports whether levels are under 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter)
Specs
- Type 1-time test canister
- Results Must be mailed to lab; results available by next business day
- Portability Portable
This short-term test kit by AccuStar uses activated charcoal to absorb radon and its byproducts over a 48- to 96-hour period. Its easy-to-use design simply requires you to leave the unit undisturbed for a few days, mail it in, and wait for the results, which can arrive same-day if the canister is received by noon.
Though the cost of the AccuStar radon detection kit includes laboratory fees, you will need to pay to ship the unit in. The durable canister protects the test unit while in transit, ensuring your results remain accurate and safe from interference. This low-tech pick is perfect for those nervous about determining radon safe levels on their own and real estate agents testing radon in homes for clients.
Get the AccuStar radon test kit at Amazon, The Home Depot (2-pack), or AccuStar Labs.
Best Long-Term
Ecosense RadonEye Radon Sensor & Detector
What We Like
- First reading is 90 percent accurate and available in 10 minutes
- Results shown in app and on device
- Tracks short- and long-term readings and trends
What We Don’t Like
- Some reports of Bluetooth connectivity issues
Specs
- Type Plug-in device
- Results Instant in app and on device
- Portability Portable but requires outlet
The Ecosense RadonEye home radon detector takes 30 independent counts of pCi/L levels every hour, delivering the very first reading just 10 minutes after setup. To get started, simply plug in the electronic radon detector and leave it on a flat surface to allow it to begin collecting data.
Short-term results from this radon gas detector are displayed on the unit’s OLED screen and updated every 10 minutes. Additional hourly, monthly, and yearly data is available via Bluetooth connectivity on the RadonEye app. This pick’s continuous monitoring system not only provides an average reading over time, it also sounds an alarm if radon levels exceed 4 pCi/L.
Get the Ecosense radon test kit at Amazon, Walmart, or Ecosense.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose the Best Radon Test Kits
When gathering our list of recommendations, we primarily considered the most important aspects of radon home kits—accuracy and ease of use. We selected a variety of units that make it simple to test for radon, choosing a few one-time kits that need to be sent to a laboratory as well as several that offer instant access to results via the unit itself or an app.
Most picks on our list are battery-operated units, though some can also be powered using a standard plug or a USB cable. We also included one low-tech option that does not require power at all and simply needs to sit and absorb radon for a few days before being mailed in for reading. Finally, since the prices of radon detectors can vary greatly, we were careful to include picks at a range of costs since everyone needs to be able to afford to test for cancer-causing radon gas.
What to Consider When Choosing a Radon Test Kit
To select one of the best radon kits for your needs, it’s important to consider test type, accuracy, and ease of use and installation.
Types of Radon Test Kits
A radon test kit will use one of several methods to test the air in your home for elevated radon levels. Regardless of which type of radon monitor you choose, these helpful devices are the only way to determine your family members’ exposure to this harmful gas other than a professional radon inspection.
Short-Term Radon Test Kits
Radon kits for short-term use collect readings from your home over a 2- to 90-day period and must then be sent to a laboratory for the results to be read. The lab fees necessary for proper testing are likely included with your purchase, though shipping generally costs extra.
Because short-term radon test kits are the fastest and least expensive test option, real estate agents often use them to check for safe radon levels before selling a home. However, since radon levels fluctuate, short-term test kits are not the most accurate testing method. For definitive results, long-term testing is necessary.
Long-Term Radon Test Kits
As their name indicates, long-term radon test kits are designed to test levels of radon gas over a longer period, such as weeks, months, or years. Like short-term tests, some are single-use devices that must be sent to a laboratory to be read, though others have screens or Bluetooth connectivity that allows you to monitor levels yourself.
Since a long-term radon test kit collects a greater volume of data, periodic spikes that naturally occur are less likely to raise unnecessary alarms, which may happen with more limited readings. The downside of this type of detector is that it will typically be more expensive than a one-time use or short-term kit and may not be necessary if radon levels are consistently lower than 4 pCi/L.
Alpha-Track Radon Test Kits
The alpha-track radon test kit is a long-term test that measures levels of radon using polycarbonate plastic sheets placed in the lowest livable level of the home. If radon gas is present, it will emit alpha particles that create tracks on these sheets, with higher levels of gas producing greater numbers of tracks. Once the test kit has collected data for the suggested amount of time, it is sent in to be read. Generally speaking, alpha-track tests are more accurate than short-term test kits but don’t provide the ongoing measurements offered by long-term detectors.
Charcoal Radon Test Kits
Charcoal radon test kits are short-term options that work similarly to alpha-track units, though they use charcoal rather than polycarbonate plastic to measure levels. Generally speaking, they’re also cheaper and faster since they only monitor radon gas for between 2 and 90 days. For this reason, they are less accurate since they are susceptible to radon spikes and possible interference during shipping.
Digital Radon Test Kits
Digital radon test kits are also known as radon detectors, and they are the most expensive type of radon tester for home use. Most digital units can be mounted to the wall or ceiling or simply placed in the lowest level of the house.
However, installation requirements typically extend well beyond mounting, as most of these kits use Bluetooth connectivity to deliver detailed readings to an app. Some digital kits also offer recent readings directly on the test unit, though their screens aren’t often large enough to display the long-term data that makes digital tests so valuable. Further adding to their worth, many digital kits also test home air quality levels of humidity, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and more.
Accuracy
Accuracy is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a radon test. Generally speaking, the longer a radon test kit collects data, the more accurate the results will be. This is because increased testing time allows you to determine average pCi/L levels without the influence of random positive or negative spikes.
Since short-term radon tests are susceptible to spikes in radon levels that can skew the average, they are considered the least accurate test option. Because they collect more data, long-term and continuous tests are the most accurate radon test kits available.
Ease of Use and Installation
Radon test kits are designed to be easy to use, both for the consumer’s benefit and to ensure accurate results. Passive radon test kits, like charcoal and alpha-track test kits, are easy to set up but must be sent to a lab for results.
On the other hand, active radon test kits, like digital radon detectors, are a bit more involved in setup but relatively easy to use after that. More advanced smart home-compatible detectors require additional technical know-how for ongoing use. It’s a good idea to consider your radon testing needs and comfort using technology before selecting a test kit.
FAQs
The following frequently asked questions section can help answer questions like “What is radon testing?” or “How much does a radon mitigation system cost?”.
Radon tests work by measuring the amount of radon in the air. Charcoal devices absorb radon, enabling lab techs to count radioactive particles to estimate levels. Alpha-track kits must also be read in labs, but they use a plastic film that produces marks when radon gas strikes it. Digital detectors have sensors that detect and count alpha particles before displaying them on the device or in an app.
Radon test kits are generally used by opening a sealed package and leaving the test kit exposed to the air for a certain amount of time. Some must be sent in to be read, while others provide measurements you can access yourself.
Radon levels should be placed on the lowest occupied level of the home. Most manufacturers recommend setting them on a surface a few feet off the floor or mounting them to a wall so they won’t be accidentally disturbed or knocked over by kids or pets.
If your home tests positive for high levels of radon, contact a qualified radon mitigation contractor. They can provide an estimate for installing a radon mitigation system that will continually remove excess radon from your home.
While buildings and homes on hillsides may be more likely to be affected by radon, any structure can be subject to radon contamination. Kevin Feak, Senior Fire Protection Engineer for the architecture and planning firm LaBella, says, “Radon is heavier than room air and will move to the lowest area. Areas below ground level, such as basements or crawl spaces, are at the highest risk.”
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide to radon recommends testing for radon at least every 2 years. The EPA also suggests testing if you renovate your home or are considering selling it, as you will need to provide test results to the buyer.
According to licensed Professional Engineer Kevin Feak, “The first step in determining your radon risk is to use the EPA’s Radon Zone Map. The second step is testing for radon with either a home test or calling a professional. Lastly, a mitigation system can be used to remove radon from your home or business.”
Different types of home radon test kits have different levels of reliability, with long-term tests being the most reliable and short-term tests being less reliable. Still, since short-term tests are typically less expensive, using them to perform more frequent tests over time can be an economical way to measure radon levels.
