Inside ambient one

Most consumer air quality monitors estimate. They use low-cost sensors that respond to a broad range of gases without distinguishing between them. They drift. They saturate. The readings are suggestive, not reliable.

ambient one uses Swiss-made sensors. Three measurement techniques working together. Data you can actually trust.

Laser scattering — particulate matter

Used for PM1.0, PM2.5, PM4.0, and PM10.

A laser beam is directed at an air sample. Particles scatter the light. The angle and intensity of that scatter reveals both the size and concentration of particles present. It's a direct physical measurement — not an inference.

This is the same technique used in professional environmental monitoring equipment. The difference is we've put it in something you can carry.

Metal oxide — gases

Used for VOC index and NOx index.

Metal oxide sensors detect gases by measuring changes in electrical resistance when target gas molecules interact with the sensor surface. Response is fast. Sensitivity is high. The sensor learns your baseline over time, so the index it reports is relative to your normal environment — not a generic average.

Photo-acoustic NDIR — CO₂

Non-dispersive infrared measurement.

Infrared light is absorbed by CO₂ molecules, causing a pressure change in the air sample. That pressure change is detected and quantified. It's a more direct and stable measurement method than metal oxide alone, which is why it's used specifically for CO₂ — a gas where precision matters.

ambient one is built to last and designed to be repaired.

The housing is anodised aluminium. The e-ink display uses no power when static — it only draws current when the reading changes. The rechargeable battery runs for days between charges. A USB-C port handles both charging and data.

The modular data port at the base connects to the Charging Dock and Charging Dock Pro, which adds additional sensor capability — including formaldehyde detection — without replacing the core unit.

Every component can be disassembled and reassembled. Replacement parts will be available. We don't build things we expect you to throw away.

Particulate: PM1.0, PM2.5, PM4.0, PM10

Gases: CO₂, VOC index, NOx index

Environment: Temperature, Humidity

Formaldehyde: Via Charging Dock Pro

Display: E-ink

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Bluetooth LE

Smart home: Home Assistant

Battery: Rechargeable, USB-C

Housing: Anodised aluminium

Dimensions: 122 × 84 × 36 mm

Weight: ~550g

Finish: Silver or Black

ambient one pairs with the Ambient Works app on iOS and Android.

Live readings. Historical charts. Activity tagging — link what you were doing to what the air was doing. Custom thresholds for your space. Smart tips based on your environment and patterns.

The data is yours. It stays on your device and your account. We don't sell it.

The Charging Dock holds ambient one on your desk or workbench via a magnetic connection. The Charging Dock Pro adds a formaldehyde sensor — useful for woodworkers, furniture makers, and anyone working regularly with MDF or composite materials.