Why I Returned IKEA Air Quality Monitors: VINDSTYRKA & VINDRIKTNING

As someone who lives in Australia and cares deeply about indoor air quality – especially during bushfire season. I was excited to try IKEA’s budget-friendly air quality monitors: VINDSTYRKA and VINDRIKTNING. But after a few weeks of testing both, I decided to return them.

Here’s why.

The Test Environment: Bushfire Season

I evaluated both devices during the height of bushfire season, when air quality was visibly poor and smoke blanketed the skies. This was the ideal time to put these monitors to the test—if they could handle this, they’d be useful year-round.

VINDSTYRKA: Inaccurate PM2.5 Readings

The VINDSTYRKA is marketed as a smart indoor air quality monitor that measures:

While the temperature and humidity readings seemed accurate enough, the PM2.5 readings were not reliable at all.

Even when outdoor visibility was drastically reduced due to heavy smoke—and other sensors in my home were reporting very poor air quality—the VINDSTYRKA continued to show low PM2.5 levels, suggesting the air was safe. This was misleading and could give users a false sense of security.

Missed Opportunity: Other PM Data Not Reported

One of the most disappointing aspects of the VINDSTYRKA is that its internal particle sensor is capable of measuring a wide range of particle sizes—including 0.3µm, 0.5µm, 1.0µm, 2.5µm, 5.0µm, and 10.0µm. These sizes correspond to commonly used air quality metrics: PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10.0. However, IKEA only displays PM2.5 and doesn’t expose the rest of the data. This is a missed opportunity, as having access to a fuller range of particulate readings could help users better understand what’s in the air and how dangerous it might be. Especially during events like bushfires, knowing PM1.0 or PM10.0 levels can be crucial for assessing air quality risks beyond just fine particulates.

VINDRIKTNING: No PM Readings at All

The VINDRIKTNING is a more basic unit that uses a color-coded light to show air quality levels. It doesn’t show any numerical PM readings, which makes it nearly impossible to understand exactly how bad the air is or if it’s improving.

While it’s plug-and-play and easy to use, the lack of actual data makes it more of a decorative indicator than a reliable tool.

Why PM2.5 Ratings Matter

PM2.5 refers to particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns, often produced by wildfire smoke, vehicle emissions, and other pollutants. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, leading to:

• Respiratory issues
• Heart problems
• Aggravated asthma
• Long-term health risks

In short, accurate PM2.5 monitoring is critical, especially during fire season in Australia.

IKEA’s Air Quality Ecosystem: Great Concept, Flawed Execution

IKEA offers several air purifiers—FÖRNUFTIG, STARKVIND, and UPPÅTVIND—that are designed to work alongside these monitors. However, these purifiers rely on the monitor’s readings to regulate performance (especially when integrated via smart home platforms).

If the monitor isn’t accurate, the air purifier won’t know when to ramp up its filtration. That undermines the whole system.

Final Thoughts

I wanted to love IKEA’s air quality monitors-they’re affordable, stylish, and part of a larger smart ecosystem. But accuracy and reliability must come first when it comes to health and safety.

Until IKEA improves the performance of VINDSTYRKA and adds real PM monitoring to VINDRIKTNING, I can’t recommend them—especially in a country like Australia, where air quality can turn dangerous quickly during bushfire season.

If you’re serious about monitoring your air, look into dedicated air quality monitors with proven accuracy and detailed PM readings.