Show HN: Air Lab – A portable and open air quality measuring device

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Simulator & Firmware Approach

  • People are impressed the web simulator runs the real firmware compiled to WebAssembly, not a mock.
  • Thread highlights how this made debugging easier and became a compelling “try before you buy” demo, even inspiring meta-praise as a Show HN in its own right.

Display & UX Design

  • Several commenters feel the default “playful” animations and small numbers de‑emphasize the core measurements.
  • Suggestions: large always‑visible numbers, strong color cues, fewer modes, clearer button mapping, less reliance on blinking LEDs.
  • Author notes a screensaver mode and larger-font layouts exist / are planned, and the layout is still evolving.

Sensors & Missing PM2.5

  • Big recurring criticism: no built‑in PM2.5/PM10 sensor, despite wildfire smoke being a major concern.
  • Some argue that without particulates an “air quality” device feels incomplete at this price.
  • Device exposes an extension port; future upgrade kits and tiny Bosch PM sensors are mentioned as options.

Connectivity & Ecosystem

  • Strong interest in Home Assistant, MQTT, BLE, Zigbee, and especially future Matter support.
  • Use cases: automate HVAC/HRV, fans, purifiers, and alerts when indoor air worsens vs outdoors.

Price, BOM & Manufacturing Realities

  • Many see ~$230 as expensive compared to Aranet4, IKEA Vindstyrka, AirGradient, Airthings, etc.
  • Others point out small-batch hardware needs ~5–7× BOM to be viable and cite tariffs and mandatory US export via CrowdSupply as significant cost drivers.
  • Desire for a stripped-down, cheaper, “data‑only” variant (possibly no display) is common, especially for lower‑income regions.

Power, MCU Choice & Portability

  • ESP32-S3 is viewed as easy to develop on but power-hungry versus ultra‑low‑power BLE chips; deep sleep mitigates this somewhat.
  • E‑paper and a lanyard form factor get praise for portability; some wish for PoE or solar for semi‑permanent installs.

Use Cases, Alternatives & Accuracy

  • Commenters discuss concrete benefits: sleep quality, CO2 in small rooms, cooking and wildfire smoke, humidity management, allergy reduction.
  • AirGradient and others are frequently recommended as more accuracy‑ and PM‑focused, while Air Lab is praised for design, openness, and portability.
  • Calibration/drift of CO2 and VOC sensors, and lack of clear guidance, are flagged as an industry‑wide problem; lab validation for Air Lab is planned but not yet complete.