What PurpleAir does

PurpleAir, founded in 2015 in Draper, Utah by Adrian Dybwad, designs and sells low-cost laser-based air quality sensors that measure particulate matter (PM2.5), temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas levels. The hardware is built around Plantower PMS-series laser particle counters paired with Bosch BME environmental sensors, with WiFi connectivity pushing readings into a cloud-hosted real-time map that aggregates data from more than 35,000 sensors globally. Sensors are manufactured in the USA and offered in five primary models — the flagship Zen ($299), the outdoor-capable Flex ($289), the indoor Touch ($209), the ultra-compact PIXEL ($139) using a Bosch BMV080 detector, and the Classic/Classic Plus ($229–$239) — alongside accessories such as outdoor power supplies, USB adapters, replacement laser counters, and microSD cards.

The business model is direct-to-consumer and direct-institutional hardware sales through the company's own e-commerce site, with no mandatory subscription and the PurpleAir map, API, and developer portal provided free with sensor purchase. Customers span residential consumers, K-12 schools and universities, municipal and state government agencies, community and environmental justice nonprofits, citizen science projects, and academic researchers, with operational deployments reported across North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and Oceania. Strategic integrations with the U.S. EPA (AirNow Fire and Smoke Map), Google (Maps and Search), NASA JPL (satellite calibration), Environment and Climate Change Canada (AQHI map), Weather Underground, and Windy.com distribute PurpleAir data into high-traffic public channels and institutional workflows.

Validation by the South Coast AQMD AQ-SPEC program — at 97% correlation with federal reference equipment, described as the program's highest result at the time — has been the principal credibility catalyst and supports adoption across regulated and research use cases. The company is privately held, founder-owned, and reportedly bootstrapped, with a stated headcount of 1–10 employees.

Name

PurpleAir

Legal name

PurpleAir, Inc.

Website

https://www2.purpleair.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PurpleAir manufactures low-cost WiFi-enabled air quality sensors that measure PM2.5 and environmental conditions, feeding a global real-time map. Founded in 2015, the company serves consumers, schools, governments, and researchers across 35,000+ deployed sensors worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Air Quality Monitoring Sensors

NAICS

Industrial and Commercial Fan and Blower and Air Purification Equipment Manufacturing (333413)

SIC

Industrial & Commercial Fans & Blowers & Air Purifing Equip (3564), Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Sensors (Temperature/Humidity/Gas/Air Quality) (HDAHALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (Criteria Pollutants & Air Toxics) (EUAHACAA), Airborne Chemical Exposure Monitoring (VOCs, Solvents, Gases) (EUAHAGAA)

Keywords

• Air quality monitoring
• Particulate matter sensors
• IoT environmental sensors
• Air quality data network
• PM2.5 monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Draper

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sensor Sales: Primary revenue from selling air quality monitoring hardware. Sensors are one-time purchases with no mandatory subscription. Customers pay upfront for physical devices that measure and transmit air quality data. The PurpleAir service (map access, API) is provided free with sensor purchase.
2. Accessories and Replacement Parts: Revenue from complementary products including outdoor power supplies ($45), indoor USB adapters ($9.99), replacement laser counters ($25-$55), microSD cards, and the Tempest Weather System ($349). These represent ongoing revenue opportunities from existing customer base.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PurpleAir manufactures low-cost air quality monitoring sensors that measure particulate matter (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10) and other environmental data. The company has deployed more than 35,000 sensors globally and sells the devices directly to consumers and organizations through e-commerce channels, while also aggregating the readings into a public real-time air quality map.

Product overview

PurpleAir is an air quality monitoring company that manufactures a portfolio of hardware sensors for measuring particulate matter (PM2.5), temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas levels. The product lineup centers on five sensor models: the flagship Zen ($299) and Flex ($289) for versatile indoor/outdoor use, the compact Touch ($209) for indoor monitoring, the ultra-small PIXEL ($139) for portable standalone use, and the Classic/Classic Plus ($229-$239) for outdoor monitoring. Accessories include outdoor power supplies ($45), USB adapters ($9.99), replacement laser counters ($55), and MicroSD cards for offline data logging. The Tempest Weather System ($349) is offered as a partner product. All sensors connect via WiFi to the PurpleAir Real-Time Map platform, which aggregates data from over 35,000 sensors globally, and expose data through the PurpleAir API for developer integration. The ecosystem integrates with major platforms including Google Maps, EPA AirNow Fire and Smoke Map, Weather Underground, Windy.com, and NASA for satellite calibration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Paku: A dedicated mobile app that transforms PurpleAir sensor data into an easy-to-use format, giving users quick access to convenient air quality reports.

Products and services

• PurpleAir Air Quality Sensor
• PurpleAir Real-Time Air Quality Map

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% correlation with federal reference monitors in AQ-SPEC evaluation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreTechnology or IntegrationPurpleAir sensor data is integrated into the EPA AirNow Fire and Smoke Map, providing real-time crowd-sourced air quality readings alongside official monitoring stations during wildfires. The EPA applies correction equations to PurpleAir data to ensure accuracy comparable to regulatory-grade monitors.
• GooglecoreTechnology or IntegrationGoogle incorporates PurpleAir data into Google Search and Google Maps, displaying air quality information alongside mapping services. Uses EPA correction equations to ensure data accuracy for user-facing air quality displays.
• NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratorycoreTechnology or IntegrationNASA uses PurpleAir sensors to calibrate and validate satellite-based measurements of air quality, particularly for PM2.5 pollutants. Ground-level sensor data helps improve the accuracy of satellite observations used in environmental monitoring and research.
• Weather UndergroundmajorTechnology or IntegrationWeather Underground integrates PurpleAir sensor data into weather reports, displaying PM2.5 levels alongside temperature, humidity, and other weather conditions for comprehensive environmental monitoring.
• Windy.commajorTechnology or IntegrationWindy.com, a popular weather forecasting service, utilizes PurpleAir data to provide comprehensive air quality visualizations on their interactive maps alongside global weather patterns.
• South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD)coreTechnology or IntegrationThe South Coast AQMD utilizes PurpleAir sensors to create high-resolution air quality maps and fill gaps in their monitoring network, providing detailed, localized data for residents in the South Coast region.
• Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)majorTechnology or IntegrationECCC includes PurpleAir data alongside government monitors on their AQHI (Air Quality Health Index) map, helping Canadians get a comprehensive view of air quality conditions across the country.
• Ford Dream BuildersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFord Dream Builders installed PurpleAir sensors in Bakersfield, CA schools, providing students with air quality data as part of educational and community empowerment initiatives.
• Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMontana DEQ deploys PurpleAir sensors in high schools across the state as part of the PurpleAirs in Schools program, spreading air quality awareness and enabling data-driven health decisions.
• Sandy City, UtahminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSandy City partnered with PurpleAir to install air quality sensors throughout the city, supporting a community monitoring network that gives residents access to real-time air quality insights.
• Minneapolis, MinnesotaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinneapolis launched community-driven air monitoring efforts using PurpleAir sensors, identifying areas of air quality concern and running a sensor lending program for residents.
• CleanAIRE NCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCleanAIRE NC, a community-based organization, deploys PurpleAir sensors to empower local residents, with sensors placed in Charlotte, NC's historic West End neighborhood to monitor pollution levels.
• RISE CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch Innovations using Sensor Technology in Environmental Justice Communities (RISE) helps research groups from environmental justice communities monitor their own air quality using PurpleAir sensors, providing training programs and tools for resident-led research.
• Coalition for Clean AirminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization, Coalition for Clean Air works on air quality advocacy and education.
• Clean Air CarolinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization, Clean Air Carolina focuses on air quality advocacy in North Carolina.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• AirGradient: AirGradient is an open-source, low-cost air quality monitor that uses similar Plantower and Bosch sensors to publish crowdsourced data. It targets the same DIY, education, and prosumer buyers as PurpleAir and represents a direct open-source alternative at a similar price point.
• Atmotube: Atmotube produces portable, pocket-sized air quality monitors measuring PM and VOCs. It is comparable to the new PurpleAir PIXEL in targeting on-the-go personal air quality monitoring rather than fixed installations.
• Sensirion: Sensirion is a Swiss sensor manufacturer producing PM, VOC, NOx, and environmental sensors used in many third-party air monitors. It is comparable as a component supplier and a possible substitute for the Plantower sensors PurpleAir uses, while also competing in the OEM sensor space.
• Plume Labs (accuweather): Plume Labs (now part of AccuWeather) developed the Flow personal air quality tracker and global air quality data platform. It is comparable to PurpleAir as a mobile and data-driven air quality play with consumer and developer-facing products.

Direct peers

• IQAir: IQAir is a Swiss-based air quality monitoring company selling professional and consumer-grade PM2.5 and gas monitors with its own global AirVisual map. It competes with PurpleAir across residential, government, and school deployments, but at a higher price point.
• Awair: Awair makes indoor air quality monitors that track PM2.5, chemicals, CO2, temperature, and humidity with a connected app. It overlaps with PurpleAir's indoor Touch and Zen products for the health-conscious homeowner segment.
• Airthings: Airthings sells consumer and prosumer indoor air quality monitors (radon, PM2.5, CO2, VOCs) with a subscription-enabled app. It is a direct peer in the connected indoor air monitor category with a similar retail and prosumer go-to-market.
• Aeroqual: Aeroqual manufactures professional and industrial air quality monitoring stations for particulates and gases. It targets the same government, research, and industrial buyers that PurpleAir serves with higher-grade and regulatory-compliant instruments.

Broad incumbents

• TSI Incorporated: TSI is an established manufacturer of high-precision aerosol and air quality instrumentation used in research, occupational health, and regulatory monitoring. It represents the regulatory-grade incumbent that PurpleAir's low-cost, high-correlation sensors increasingly challenge.
• Honeywell: Honeywell is a broad industrial conglomerate whose Building Technologies and Sensing & Productivity divisions sell indoor air quality sensors, HVAC monitoring, and gas detection for commercial buildings. It is a broad incumbent competing for the same institutional and commercial deployments that PurpleAir targets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/purpleairq
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@thepurpleair
• Facebookfacebook.com/ThePurpleAir
• Instagraminstagram.com/thepurpleair
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/purpleair

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PurpleAir