Air quality has become an essential part of home climate control, yet we have barely seen native Matter air quality sensors hit the market since the category was introduced in Matter 1.2. While some air purifiers include built-in sensors, they are often less flexible for automation compared to standalone devices, similar to how a separate thermostat valve offers better control than a boiler’s internal gauge.
Sonoff has stepped in to fill this gap with the global release of two important devices: the AirGuard 07P, which focuses on particulate matter, and the AirGuard 08P, which monitors carbon dioxide. This release is timely, coinciding with Ikea’s launch of its new Matter-supported Alpstuga sensor. Before you decide which one fits your setup, here is my take on Sonoff’s latest offerings.
TL;DR
Fors:
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Native Matter support via Wi-Fi
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Fast pair and setup experience
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Large display for metrics
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Built-in siren with adjustable threshold
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Sensitive sensors
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Physical buttons for basic configuration
Againsts:
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Boxy and raw design
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No TVOC
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Power cord required
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High price tags
Unboxing and setup
The two devices arrive in Sonoff’s classic packaging. Inside, you find the sensor and a long USB-A to USB-C cable. In my testing, they worked perfectly with standard phone chargers and Ikea USB power adapters.
The design is strictly utilitarian. Both sensors feature a square case with a large digital display on the front and a smart indicator light in the top corner that changes color based on air quality levels. Honestly, they look like a downgraded version of the Ikea Vindstyrka. The Ikea alternative features a much better industrial design and a backlit screen that improves readability, whereas the Sonoff units feel a bit plain.
While the sensors can sit flat on any surface, it is better to use the kickstand. This improves the viewing angle and prevents the device from tipping over if the power cord is accidentally pulled (e.g., by a pet). In general, the always-on light indicator is bright enough to be visible across the room.
The pairing experience was smooth. I easily paired them with four ecosystems in a row: Apple Home, Home Assistant, Google Home, and SmartThings. Both sensors utilize 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for connectivity. A major plus is that both the 07P and 08P can be set up entirely through Matter natively without ever touching the vendor’s eWeLink app.
However, I did encounter trouble connecting the sensors to Alexa, where the devices would go offline after a failed sharing attempt. I also tested them with Homey before wrapping up the review, and they worked surprisingly well, displaying all readings correctly.
Day to day experience
The first thing you will notice is the siren. It is surprising to hear an air quality monitor ring aloud like a smoke detector or water leak sensor. Personally, I do not think high CO2 or dust levels require such an urgent warning in a home space, so I kept it muted. However, for those who are clinically sensitive to air quality, this health-first feature could be valuable.
The sensors are extremely sensitive in a good way. They utilize high-quality sensor modules with a mini fan that runs constantly to actively sample airflow. When I used compressed gas to clean my desk while photographing the devices, the readings spiked instantly and triggered the red warning light. The data also aligned roughly with my other dedicated air quality monitors, with no abnormal drifts observed over a week of use.
Similarly, the 08P’s CO2 readings accurately tracked occupancy, hovering around 500-600 ppm when I was alone and rising above 700 ppm when a friend visited.
Regarding noise, the internal fan is very quiet. You can only hear it operating if you place your ear right next to the device. I kept them on my desk and did not notice them even during quiet nights. It is also worth mentioning that the physical buttons on the device allow for feature toggles and calibration without needing the app.
In Matter platforms, the devices expose a wide range of data. The 08P provides readings for Carbon Dioxide, Humidity, Temperature, and an overall Air Quality Index rating. The 07P offers PM2.5, PM10, Humidity, and the Air Quality Index rating.
This highlights a key concern: you likely need to buy both units to get a complete picture of your home’s air. Furthermore, neither sensor offers TVOC readings.
As for the automation, some Matter platforms won’t let you use a specific reading of CO2 or PM2/10 sensors as a trigger, you can only use the provided air quality index level for notifications and automations with purifiers. SmartThings, Home Assistant, and Homey do support such advanced automations.
Connectivity was solid. Despite having a high-interference radio environment at home, the Matter connection remained stable across Home Assistant, Apple Home, SmartThings, and Google Home. I did not experience a single unexpected drop-off during my weeks of testing. They have achieved the gold standard in stability, since average users do not encounter complex network/radio conditions and typically use only one or two ecosystems simultaneously.
Vendor app features
Like most Sonoff offerings, these sensors offer deep customization if you choose to use the eWeLink app. After the initial Matter setup, a five-second press on the device puts it into pairing mode for the vendor app.
The app unlocks features like calibration, unit switching, and specific threshold configurations. You can also manage the alarm sound, indicator light behavior, and “do not disturb” schedules. A nice touch is the contextual advice; the app interprets the AQI rating to tell you specifically how long to run an air purifier or if you should open a window.
While these insights are useful, they highlight a limitation in the current ecosystem: you cannot easily bring a Matter air purifier into the eWeLink platform to automate these actions based on the sensor’s advice. If you prefer continuous firmware updates and don’t use the app often, remember to enable auto-updates, as Sonoff rarely pushes firmware updates via the native Matter OTA path.
Final thoughts
I have mixed feelings about these two sensors. I do not love the design to be honest; Sonoff has proven they can do better with products like the sleek 05P water leak sensor or the 04P door sensor. By comparison, these look like plain white-label devices listed on AliExpress. However, the performance is undeniable. The solid Wi-Fi connectivity, sensitive measurements, and rich on-device customization are rare finds in the current Matter market.
(My air quality sensors.)
The difficult part of the judgment comes down to price. The 07P (€39.9/$39.9) and 08P (€49.9/$49.9) are way more expensive than Ikea’s Matter-over-Thread options ($29.99), which integrate multiple sensor types into a better-designed body. However, Ikea requires a Thread Border Router. If your smart home is built on Wi-Fi, or you are scared away by the negative comments on Thread, the Sonoff AirGuard 07P and 08P are basically the only global options available right now.
And on a side note to Eve: we are still waiting for that promised Matter firmware for the Eve Room.
(Image Source: Matter Alpha/Ward Zhou)
