DFRobot Gravity ENS160 Air Quality Sensor
What this sensor is
The DFRobot Gravity ENS160 Air Quality Sensor is an advanced indoor air quality (IAQ) sensor that measures:
TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compounds)
eCO (equivalent CO)
AQI (Air Quality Index)
It's a smart gas sensor with built-in processing, so you get ready-to-use air quality data
Core Concept (VERY IMPORTANT)
This sensor does NOT measure real CO directly
Instead:
Estimates eCO from VOC gases
So:
Good for air quality monitoring
Not for precise CO measurement (use SCSense)
Interface: I2C
Operating Voltage: 3.3V 5.5V
Current Consumption: ~29 mA
Warm-up Time: < 3 minutes
eCO Range: 400 65,000 ppm
TVOC Range: 0 65,000 ppb
I2C Address: 0x52 / 0x53
Working Principle
Uses MOX (Metal Oxide) gas sensing
Gas exposure resistance change
Internal algorithm converts it into:
AQI
TVOC
eCO
Uses TrueVOC technology for better accuracy and stability
Pinout (Gravity Interface)
VCC (+) 3.3V / 5V
I2C Clock
SDA (D) I2C Data
Plug-and-play with DFRobot Gravity connectors
Key Features
Multiple outputs (AQI + TVOC + eCO)
Built-in smart algorithm (no complex math)
Fast response (<3 min warm-up)
Auto baseline correction (long-term stability)
High anti-interference performance
Applications
Smart home air monitoring
Air purifiers
HVAC & ventilation systems
Indoor pollution monitoring
IoT environmental systems
2. Needs temperature & humidity compensation
For best accuracy:
Use with:
SHT40 / SHT41
Improves VOC accuracy significantly
3. Indoor use only
Not designed for outdoor harsh environments
4. Sensor heating effect
Internal heater can slightly raise temperature Keep away from temp sensor
ENS160 vs SGP40
Feature | ENS160 | SGP40 |
Output | AQI + eCO + TVOC | VOC Index |
Processing | Built-in | Needs algorithm |
Ease of use | Easy | Medium |
Accuracy | Higher | Good |
When to use this
Use DFRob
Smart indoor air monitoring
IoT air quality projects
Better alternative to MQ sensors
When NOT to use
Avoid if:
You need true CO measurement
Outdoor environmental monitoring
Industrial gas detection
Final Understanding
This sensor = smart indoor air quality analyzer One of the best V