The potential application of SWCNTs as mass nanosensors is examined for a wide range of boundary conditions. The SWCNT is modeled via nonlocal Rayleigh, Timoshenko, and higher-order beam theories. The added nano-objects are considered as rigid solids, which are attached to the SWCNT. The mass weight and rotary inertial effects of such nanoparticles are appropriately incorporated into the nonlocal equations of motion of each model. The discrete governing equation pertinent to each model is obtained using an effective meshless technique. The key factor in design of a mass nanosensor is to determine the amount of frequency shift due to the added nanoparticles. Through an inclusive parametric study, the roles of slenderness ratio of the SWCNT, small-scale parameter, mass weight, number of the attached nanoparticles, and the boundary conditions of the SWCNT on the frequency shift ratio of the first flexural vibration mode of the SWCNT as a mass sensor are also discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.