Review: Corentium Home 2 Radon Detector by Airthings
When we think of a tasteless, odorless, invisible killer in the home, carbon monoxide (CO) comes to mind – but there is another often overlooked danger: radon.
In Canada, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking, and the number one cause among non-smokers. CO kills about 300 Canadians a year, while radon-induced lung cancer claims over 3,200 lives — about eight a day.
“The problem is fixable and entirely preventable,” says Dr. Aaron Goodarzi, Canada Research Chair for Radiation Exposure Disease at the University of Calgary. “But people can’t be satisfied.”
What is radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced when uranium in soil and rock breaks down. Outside it disperses harmlessly. But when it seeps into homes through cracks, drains or gaps around pipes, it can accumulate to dangerous levels.
Breathing in radon means inhaling radioactive particles that damage lung cells. Over time, this can lead to lung cancer – often without warning.
Health Canada estimates that one in ten Canadian homes have radon above the recommended guideline of 200 Bq/m³ (becquerel per cubic meter). This means that 200 radon atoms decay every second in one cubic meter of air. And while lower levels carry less risk, there really is no completely safe level of radon.
Some parts of Canada report among the highest average indoor radon levels in the world, second only to Poland.
Why Testing Matters
Radon levels can vary dramatically from home to home—even on the same street. Old or new, every house is vulnerable – because radon is invisible, the only way to know your level is to test it.
Homeowners have three main options:
• Professional testing -can be expensive and requires scheduling.
• Traditional alpha track kits – Simple and cheap, these one-time-use 90-day devices are posted in a laboratory for analysis, which only a snapshot.
• Digital Monitoring – Devices such as the new Airthings Corentium Home 2 provide continuous, real-time readings and can be reused indefinitely.
While mail-in kits and professional services each have their place, the Corentium Home 2 strikes the perfect balance between accuracy, affordability and convenience. Unlike one-time kits, it continuously tracks radon over time. Unlike expensive professional services, it is a one-time investment with no recurring costs.
A smarter way to monitor radon
Airthings, a Norwegian leader in air quality monitoring, has developed the Corentium Home 2 to make testing easy, accurate and affordable. Builds on the original model, adding temperature and humidity tracking, enhanced Bluetooth LE, and optional SmartLink integration.
Unlike its predecessor and other detectors, it can also run completely standalone – no Wi-Fi, smartphone or app required. Just insert the two included AA batteries and let it work. At just 2.4 × 1.1 × 4.45 inches (61 × 29 × 113 mm) and 5.08 oz (144 g), it is compact and portable. The battery life lasts about 2-3 years.
Performance and accuracy
The Corentium Home 2 starts collecting data immediately but takes about a week for its readings to stabilize. That’s because radon fluctuates throughout the day, and the unit continuously samples the air to calculate an accurate average. After the first week, readings are reliably within about 10% of lab-grade results, improving to 5% after two months.
Because radon levels change with weather, ventilation and season, Health Canada recommends testing for at least three monthsideally in the winter when the houses are sealed and pressure differences draw more radon from the ground. Continuous monitoring captures these long-term variations, helping homeowners make informed decisions.
Continuous monitoring captures long-term variations, helping you understand patterns and make informed mitigation decisions.
Clear, actionable information
On its LCD display you can see at a glance:
• Short- and long-term radon averages (1-day, 7-day, 30-day, 1-year)
• Temperature and humidity readings
• A simple Good / Fair / Poor indicator
• Bluetooth and SmartLink connection status
Pair it with the free Airthings app to access interactive charts, historical trends and personalized tips. The app also offers firmware updates to improve performance and enables remote monitoring when adding an Airthings Hub or compatible View device.
take action
If your long-term readings exceed 200 Bq/m³, as it did in my home, Health Canada advises mitigation – such as sealing the foundation crack or installing a sub-slab depressurization system. Certified radon professionals can help determine the best approach.
Once the reduction is complete, the Corentium Home 2 can verify the results over time – something disposable kits cannot do.
Cost and Availability
The Airthings Corentium Home 2 retails for $249.99 CAD with a one-year warranty, extendable for free to 5 years if registered within 30 days. It is available through Airthings.com, Amazon, and other major retailers.
Final thoughts
Radon may be invisible, tasteless and odorless – but it is not undetectable. Awareness, measurement and action are the keys to protection.
The Airthings Corentium Home 2, with its impressive balance of accuracy, portability and simplicity, helps make your testing easy and ongoing. It’s a great investment in the health of your home – and your family.
With November marking National Radon Action Month, there’s no better time to get tested. Detecting and reducing radon is a small action that can make a life-saving difference.
If you discover elevated levels, call a certified professional and download Health Canada’s free radon reduction guide at Canada.ca/Radon.
Find out more about Airthings Corentium Home 2:
Read other articles in the Dangers of Radon series.
HIGHLIGHTS
Key benefits: Why the Airthings Corentium Home 2 stands out
• Continuous, real-time radon readings – see changes as they happen.
• Standalone operation – works fully without an app.
• Tracks temperature and humidity for environmental context.
• Portable, battery-powered, and easy to move.
• No lab fees or recurring charges – one time purchase for continued peace of mind.
• Optional Bluetooth & SmartLink app integration for insights and graphics.
The syndicated edition of the article appears at Troy Media and 32 affiliated syndicated sites.
Greg Gazinalso known as the Gadget Guy and Gadget Greg, is a syndicated veteran tech columnist, communications, leadership and technology speaker, facilitator, blogger, podcaster and author. Reach him @gadgetgreg or at GadgetGuy.ca.