Handheld Particle Counter Industry Expert Reviews, Comparisons and Comments

Do You Need to Know Which Is the Best Handheld Particle Counter for Your Application? Read Our Comparisons and Nonbiased Reviews.

If you are researching handheld airborne laser particle counters and searched Google for handheld particle counter, then you are in the right place. ParticleCounters.Org team of industry professionals has reviewed and compared the top handheld particle counters in one easy to read chart. We test the leading handheld laser particle counters by LightHouse, Met One, IQAir and more. We show you what particle counters are entry level and which have the more advanced features needed for clean room environments or general air quality.

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The main use for handheld particle counters is checking contamination levels and locating sources of particle emissions. The small size and weight of these particle counters make them ideal for point-of-use measurement of particle contamination at critical locations. Hand held particle counters have proven themselves in many settings. Medical industries can monitor their air filter systems for microorganisms such as a bacterium or fungus particles. Filter manufacturers can test their filter effectiveness. Cleanroom industries can perform quick status checks of their cleanrooms. HVAC personnel can determine indoor air quality quickly. [More Information...]

Laser Particle Counter Reviews...

Product	Pros	Cons	Features	Application	MSRP
Lighthouse Handheld 2016 Particle counter	• Easy to use and read interface • Ergonomic design • Removable rechargeable battery for non-stop use • Easily interfaces with 6 port mini-manifold • Large data storage for particle, environmental data, location & time • One handed Operation	• Thermal printer is not built-in. Printer is sold separately.	• 0.2-2.0 micron • 0.1 cfm • 6 channels • Removable Temp/RH & Isokinetic Probe • Download data to PC or printer • Backlit touch-screen interface w/ zoom •Concentration limit 4,000,000/ft³ • Alphanumeric location labels • Internal audible alarm	Airborne contamination monitoring & testing. Cleanroom. Aerospace. Test filters. Computer disc production. Semiconductor LAF & biohazard benches. Air curtains. Operating rooms. Med device production. Medicine. Automotive paint spray booths. Indoor air quality.	$5,975.00 Learn more about this handheld laser particle counter.
Lighthouse Handheld 3016 Laser Particle Counter	• Easy to use and read interface • Ergonomic design • Removable rechargeable battery for non-stop use • Easily interfaces with 6 port mini-manifold • Large data storage for particle, environmental data, location & time • One handed Operation	• Thermal printer is not built-in. Printer is sold separately.	• 0.3-10 micron • 0.1 cfm • 6 channels • Removable Temp/RH & Isokinetic Probe • Download data to PC or printer • Backlit touch-screen interface w/ zoom •Concentration limit 4,000,000/ft³ • Alphanumeric location labels • Internal audible alarm	Airborne contamination monitoring & testing. cleanroom Aerospace Test filters Computer disc production Semiconductor LAF & biohazard benches Air curtains Operating rooms Med device production Medicine Automotive paint spray booths Indoor air quality.	$3,700.00 Read more about this Lighthouse handheld laser particle counter.
Kanomax 3887 Handheld Laser Particle Counter	• Easy to use and read interface • Versatile power options include alkaline, rechargeable or AC adaptor • Handheld for ultimate portability • Data storage • Excellent value for the cost	• Unable to perform continuous unattended operation like portable or remote particle counter systems • NiMH Rechargeable Batteries last about 3 hours during use	• 0.3-5.0 micron • 0.1 cfm • 3 channels displayed simultaneously • Download data to PC or printer	Filter testing Cleanrooms Mold testing IAQ Investigations Food Industry Aerospace Surgical Rooms Paint Spray Booths	$1,875.00 Free Shipping Read more about the Kanomax 3887 particle counter
Kanomax Model 3886 GEO- alpha Particle Counter	• Easy to read interface • Versatile power options include alkaline, rechargeable or AC adaptor • Handheld for ultimate portability • Data storage • Good value for the cost	• Unable to perform continuous unattended operation like portable or remote particle counter systems • NiMH Rechargeable Batteries last about 3.5 hours during use	• 0.3-5.0 micron • 0.1 cfm • 5 channels monitored, 2 displayed simultaneously • Download data to PC or printer • Optional isokinetic, air velocity, and temp/RH probes	Cleanroom spot checking IAQ HVAC troubleshooting Filter testing Food industry Aerospace Surgical Rooms Paint Spray Booths	$2,999.95 Free Shipping Call to learn more about the Kanomax 3886 particle counter
Lighthouse Handheld 3016 Black Series Airborne Particle Counter	• Comes with accessories kit • Easy to use and read interface • Ergonomic design • Removable rechargeable battery for non-stop use • Easily interfaces with 6 port mini-manifold • Large data storage for particle, environmental data, location & time • One handed Operation	• Thermal printer is not built-in. Printer is sold separately.	• 0.3-10 micron • 0.1 cfm • 6 channels • Removable Temp/RH & Isokinetic Probe • Download data to PC or printer • Backlit touch-screen interface w/ zoom •Concentration limit 4,000,000/ft³ • Alphanumeric location labels • Internal audible alarm	Airborne contamination monitoring & testing. cleanroom. Aerospace. Test filters. Computer disc production. Semiconductor. LAF & biohazard benches. Air curtains. Operating rooms. Med device production. Medicine. Automotive paint spray booths. Indoor air quality.	$call for price Research this handheld airborne laser particle counter.
Lighthouse Handheld 3016 IAQ Indoor Air Quality Particle Counter Read professional review of the Lighthouse Handheld 3016 IAQ Particle Counter	• Mass concentration mode for EPA Particulate Matter standards • Easy to use and read interface • Ergonomic design • Removable rechargeable battery for non-stop use • Easily interfaces with 6 port mini-manifold • Large data storage for particle, environmental data, location & time • One handed Operation	• Thermal printer is not built-in. Printer is sold separately.	• 0.3-10 micron • 0.1 cfm • 6 channels • Removable Temp/RH & Isokinetic Probe • Download data to PC or printer • Backlit touch-screen interface w/ zoom •Concentration limit 4,000,000/ft³ • Alphanumeric location labels • Internal audible alarm	Airborne contamination monitoring & testing. Mold Issues. Baseline research. Find source of pollution. Test filters. Verify clean ducts. Test before CIH. IAQ inspection. LAF & biohazard benches. Air curtains. Operating rooms. Automotive paint spray booths. Monitor production areas.	$3,700.00 Read more on this air laser particle counter.
Lighthouse Handheld 5016 Laser Particle Counter	• Easy to use and read interface • Ergonomic design • Removable rechargeable battery for non-stop use • Easily interfaces with 6 port mini-manifold • Large data storage for particle, environmental data, location & time • One handed Operation	• Thermal printer is not built-in. Printer is sold separately.	• 0.3-10 micron • 0.1 cfm • 6 channels • Removable Temp/RH & Isokinetic Probe • Download data to PC or printer • Backlit touch-screen interface w/ zoom •Concentration limit 4,000,000/ft³ • Alphanumeric location labels • Internal audible alarm	Airborne contamination monitoring & testing. Mold Issues. Baseline research. Find source of pollution. Test filters. Verify clean ducts. Test before CIH. IAQ inspection. LAF & biohazard benches. Air curtains. Operating rooms. Automotive paint spray booths. Monitor production areas.	$3,600.00 Learn more about this handheld particle counter.
Met One GT-321 Hand Held Particle Counter Read expert review of Met One GT321 Laser Particle Counter	• Inexpensive	• Little functionality • Detects only 1 particle size channel at one time • No PC interface • No data storage • Unable to perform continuous unattended operation like portable or remote particle counters	• 0.3 - up microns • 0.1 cfm airflow • Select 1 of 5 particle sizes & it counts particles that size & larger. • 5-8 hour battery life	Airborne contamination monitoring & testing. Test ducting. Processes. Filter testing. Cleanroom. Emissions. Mines.	$1,650.00 Read more on this Met One handheld airborne particle counter.
Met One GT-521 Handheld Particle Counter	• Inexpensive • Selectable size range in 0.1µm increments • Identification codes enable use in network applications employing up to 99 remote sensors	• Detects only 2 particle size channels at one time	• 0.3 - 5.0 microns • 0.1 cfm airflow • Rechargeable battery • Data storage • Output to PC • Remote control by PC via RS-485 or RS-232 • Serial Printer output • Optional temperature / relative humidity sensor	Airborne contamination monitoring & testing. FMS. Ventilation testing. Filter testing. Cleanrooms. Process.	$2,500.00 Research more on this Met One handheld airborne particle counter.
Met One Aerocet GT-531 Aerosol Particle Profiler	• Inexpensive • Particle mass monitoring mode	• Detects only 2 particle size channels at one time • Cumulative - counts all particles either 0.5µm & greater or 5.0µm & greater	• 0.5 - up or 5.0 - up microns • 0.1 cfm airflow • Rechargeable battery • Data storage • Output to PC • Serial Printer output • Optional temperature / relative humidity sensor	Airborne contamination monitoring & testing Filter testing Indoor Air Quality source troubleshooting. Emissions. IAQ.	$3,090.00 Learn more about this Met One handheld air particle counter / particulate mass monitor.
GT-526 Six Channel Particle Counter	• Detects submicron nano particles • Easy to read interface • Versatile power options include alkaline, rechargeable or AC adaptor • Handheld for ultimate portability • Data storage	• Not capable of continuous multipoint monitoring like the portable, remote or dedicated particle sensors	• Handheld • 6 specific channels (0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 microns) • Ability to set sample time and parameters such as date/time and communications settings • Stores up to 8,000 records for printer, Excel or networked datalogging output	Indoor Air Quality Investigations Aerosol Research Filter Testing Monitoring for Electronics Food Processing Pharmaceutical Hospitals	$2,990.00 Call for more information about the GT-526 Six Channel Particle Counter
IQAir ParticleScan CR Particle Counter Hand Held	• Simple to use • Engineered by IQ Air, a trusted name in air purification • Handheld for ultimate portability	• Limited functionality • LED display can be misread in the wrong lighting conditions	• Cumulative or differential count • HEPA filtered exhaust air • 6 second updated sample time	Filter testing Cleanroom monitoring/testing Mold testing	$2,897.00 Read more about the IQAir ParticleScan CR particle counter
IQAir ParticleScan PRO Hand Held Particle Counter Read our review on this IQAir Handheld Particle Counter	• Simple to use • Engineered by IQ Air, a trusted name in air purification	• Limited functionality • LED display can be misread in the wrong lighting conditions	• Cumulative or differential count • Monitor particles as small as 0.3µm • 6 second updated sample time	Filter testing IAQ monitoring/testing Mold testing	$2,557.00 Learn more about the ParticleScan Pro handheld laser particle counter
Fluke 983 Particle Counter	• Easy to use and read interface • Rubber outer shell • Handheld for ultimate portability • Large data storage for particle, environmental data, location & time	• Unable to perform continuous unattended operation like portable or remote particle counter systems • NiMH Rechargeable Battery	• 0.3-10 micron • 0.1 cfm • 6 channels • Download data to PC or printer • Backlit touch-screen interface w/ zoom • Location labels • Internal alarm	Filter testing Cleanroom monitoring/testing Mold testing IAQ Investigations	$4,495.00 Read more about the Fluke 983 particle counter
Kanomax Model 3800 Handheld Condensation Particle Counter	• Detects submicron nano particles • Easy to read interface • Versatile power options include alkaline, rechargeable or AC adaptor • Handheld for ultimate portability • Data storage	• Not capable of continuous multipoint monitoring like the portable, remote or dedicated particle sensors	• 0.015 to >1 micron • 700 cc • Requires 100% reagent-grade isopropyl alcohol • Download data to PC or printer	Indoor Air Quality Investigations Aerosol Research Filter Testing Monitoring for Electronics Food Processing Pharmaceutical Hospitals	Call for Price Free Shipping Call for more information about the Kanomax 3800 handheld condensation nano particle counter

Handheld particle counters span several industries, but can be split into two classifications. They either work for dirty environments or clean environments. These terms, of course, are relative. A clean environment would be a cleanroom or critical environment as specified in the Federal Standard 209E or ISO 14644-1. Acceptable maximum levels of contamination in cleanroom environments range from 10 particles of 0.1 micron size per cubic meter to 35,200,000 particles of 0.5 microns size per meter. A dirty environment is what we consider the air you are breathing right now, regular, naturally occurring indoor or outdoor air which can be 50 times dirtier than the dirtiest cleanroom.

Airborne particles are commonly either biological contaminants, gaseous contaminants or dust.

Did you know that there is 3 types of dust? Heavy dust, Settling dust and suspended atmospheric dust. Heavy dust is the layer of dust on furniture and floors. Settling dust is the particulate's in the air floating around before it turns into heavy dust. Suspended Atmospheric dust is minute particles slowly settling or suspended by slight currents and existing in varying amounts in all air. There is least dust at high levels over the ocean and most at low levels over cities.

Biological contaminants include mold, fungus, bacteria, viruses, animal dander, dust mites, pollen, human skin cells, cockroach parts or anything alive or living at one time. These are the biggest enemy of Indoor Air Quality specialists because they are the contaminants that cause health problems. Levels of biological contamination depend on humidity and temperature that supports the livelihood of micro-organisms. The presents of pets, plants, rodents and insects will raise the level of biological contamination.

Gaseous contaminants are produced by certain chemicals or materials. As far as gases go, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) are the most common source of health problems. VOCs are released from building materials, paint thinners, plastics, cosmetics, dry cleaning solvents, petroleum fuels, termites, and wood preservatives to name a few. High vapor pressure of VOCs contribute to sick building syndrome. Particle counters can not detect gaseous contaminants, though there are multi gas meters that do. Gaseous contaminants can be adsorbed by activated carbon or charcoal. Certain air cleaners or purifiers have the ability to reduce VOCs from indoor air using carbon or charcoal.