Best Smoke Detectors
If you’re looking to buy the best smoke detector, take a look at our unbiased reviews of the best models on the market and our carefully crafted buyer’s guide that will give you more insight.
If you’re looking to buy the best smoke detector, take a look at our unbiased reviews of the best models on the market and our carefully crafted buyer’s guide that will give you more insight.
Do you know that having a smoke detector can help reduce the risk of dying from a fire in your home? Even though smoke alarms might not stop fires, they can save your life. Because of that, choosing the right model with the right features will help protect your home against smoldering smoke and flaming fires. Luckily, they are very affordable and widely available with a range of choices, from those with noisy alarms to models with phone notifications. If you’re looking to buy the best smoke detector, take a look at our unbiased reviews of the best models on the market and our carefully crafted buyer’s guide that will give you more insight.
Let’s take a look at our top picks for the best smoke detectors in 2019. The first model is our editor’s choice, First Alert BRK 9120B. Another model from First Alert, the SA511CN2-3ST is our best wireless alarm. On our list are also two models from Kidde – the Kidde KN-COSM-BA is the best CO/smoke combination alarm, while the Kidde i4618AC Firex is the most budget-friendly. Finally, our best smart alarm is the Nest Protect Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm.
Highlights
The First Alert BRK 9120B is one of the best smoke detectors you can find on the market. It is hardwired and has a 9-volt electric battery backup, thanks to which the device will keep your home safe even in a case of power outage.
The alarm can connect to other smoke alarms and compatible devices, like door closers or bells, from First Alert. Also, the light signal of this device will notify you if the smoke detector needs to be checked, replaced or cleaned. Instead of wasting your time trying all the options on all the devices, it will tell you which one demands which action.
With 85 decibels, the alarm will be able to wake you up, but it also has a silent button, making it easy to turn off false alarms. At $12 per unit, it is very affordable. If you buy it through Amazon, you get expert installation with the purchase. Even though it is an ionization device, you might need to consider getting a photo-electrical device that will detect slow-burning fires.
Highlights
The First Alert SA511CN2-3ST smoke detector offers both the security the connected systems have and the simple installation process of the smoke detectors that are battery-only. It can connect to a maximum of 18 additional smoke alarms, which is ideal for larger homes.
The batteries and the entire system are very easy to install with the included mounting hardware because the smoke alarm is depended on the wireless network instead of the regular hardwiring. It is battery operated and has an 85-decibel alarm and 11 programmable locations that will use voice alerts to tell you which room is in danger. Additionally, it will let you know when the battery is low with a chirp and a different-colored LED light. It also has a voice alert that can sound instead of a beep or a tone.
The First Alert smoke detector is the only model that has this many features combined into one device. This UL-certified alarm comes at $70 in a two-pack, with both units and any additional ones interconnected with each other. If one sounds, they all sound, giving you additional time to try to identify the problem and evacuate. Since the wireless-connection setup is internal, you do not need a phone app, and you can even designate each unit by location to indicate the room where the danger might be coming from.
Highlights
The Kidde i4618AC smoke detector can be connected with other smoke alarms developed by Firex and you can make a network of smoke detection in your home. However, it is a hardwired unit, which will require expert installation from a professional.
It has a front-loading battery door that allows easy replacement of the 9-volt battery without dismounting the unit. The device also has a low battery indicator that will notify you when you need to replace the battery. With a silent button, you will also be able to turn off false alarms effectively.
However, the alarm does have some downsides. While the product is designed to work for 10 years, it only comes with a 5-year warranty. Additionally, you should also buy a photoelectric alarm if you want to be entirely protected. The upside is that with a price of $15 you will get a good-quality smoke alarm that you can rely on.
Highlights
The Kidde KN-COSM-BA combines a regular smoke detector that also contains a carbon monoxide alarm. This product will eliminate the need for installing multiple devices and spending money on them.
This 85-decibel sound device features a voice alarm that will say pre-defined phrases like “Low Battery”, “Warning Carbon Monoxide”, or “Fire”. It also has LED lights of different colors that show if the alarm is functioning properly, needs a new battery, or senses a danger. The alarm also comes with many accessories that you might need.
However, since it is an ionization-only alarm, for better protection you will need to buy a dual sensor or just a photoelectric detector. The Kidde KN-COSM-BA will last for ten years, but the warranty only lasts for five years. However, there is nothing to worry about since this good value device will protect your home from smoke and carbon monoxide.
Highlights
The Nest Protect is a smart-home enabled detector that connects with other devices that are in your home over a wireless network and notifies you and your smartphone when it senses smoke. You can easily manage the detector and alarms with the Nest Protect mobile app that will automatically alert Nest users of any smoke, carbon monoxide detection, or fire. It can also use other Nest devices to alert you about a fire with flashing light bulbs.
This 85-decibel device also has a wakeful sound that will tell you where it senses the smoke. Its alarm will warn you if the battery is low with a smartphone notification. It also sends notifications for smoke emergencies and dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
Nest Protect will last for ten years, but it only has a two-year warranty. Since this is a dual-sensor smoke and carbon monoxide combined device, the Nest Protect provides everything that you need for your safety with a high price of $100.
Since there are a lot of smoke detectors to choose from, it can be difficult to pick the best one. After seeing our top picks, you might be wondering what to look for in a smoke alarm, but the choice ultimately depends on your personal preferences and the features that are important for your daily life and safety. It is crucial to be informed before purchasing a smoke detector, so we’ve put together this guide to help you.
Three types of smoke alarms are photoelectric, ionization, and dual-sensor detectors that rely on the previous two.
Using an ionization smoke detector is best for finding small particles that smoke coming from flaming fires usually has. Smoldering fires make smoke that has larger particles, so an ionization alarm might not be good at detecting them. These devices also contain Americium-241, which is a radioactive material located between two plates that are electrically charged. The material will ionize the air around it to create a current between these two plates. Smoke disrupts the current in the device and activates the alarm. However, they can be easily triggered with a small smoke coming from burnt food or even steam from showers, and therefore you are at risk of getting false alarms if you place them near a kitchen or a bathroom.
When it comes to photoelectric smoke alarms, a light source is pointed to the sensing chamber at a specific angle and when the smoke is present, it will trigger the alarm. This type of detector is best for fires that will make a lot of smoke but without visible flames. Even though this type of device is not prone to false alarms, they can still randomly set off if there is a buildup of dust in the detector.
The dual sensor detectors are a combination of the previous two – ionization and photoelectric sensors. Some models need both sensors to properly trigger the alarm before the fire, which will minimize the risk of false alarms but possibly delay it too, while others only need one of them to sound the alarm, which is a bigger risk false alarms.
These devices can rely on batteries or be hardwired into the electrical system of your home and have batteries as a backup for power outages. The recommended option is hardwired alarms that will be placed on your ceilings or walls, and then automatically connected with other smoke devices of your house. Since they can be interconnected with other devices, installation will require a professional which can be costly. Battery-only smoke devices are cheaper and more convenient for installation – you can even install them yourself. The batteries are either AA or Lithium rechargeable that need to be changed once in a while. Models that use lithium batteries will last longer, but regardless of the battery type, they still need to be replaced once or twice a year if they’re not used.
We’ve already discussed that some smoke or carbon monoxide (CO) detectors can be linked together or to other units in your house. Connecting the devices means that all of them will go off if one of them is triggered, which is useful, adds to your security, and informs you of any fire danger even.
These devices will connect to your wireless network, and you will be notified on your smartphone if the battery is low and if the device is switched off or on. Apart from that, it will also inform you when there is a fire, even if you’re away from the house. It is compatible with different smartphones and with any voice assistants and smart hubs.
Many models have a silent button that will silence an alarm instead of having to disable the entire unit, which will minimize the chances of forgetting the batteries. However, you need to keep in mind that this button is only a temporary measure, and the alarm will sound again if triggered.
Every smoke detector should have at least one LED light that will show updates. This feature is essential for hearing-impaired individuals. Some alarms also have a safety light that will illuminate the room in the dark.
Some smoke alarms can also function as carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. The device will have a digital display of the CO levels at all times, so you can check them anytime you want. Some models can also show the peak CO level that happened since the last reset, letting you know about any spikes that might have happened while you were sleeping or away.
Certifications are an essential aspect to consider when getting a smoke alarm. If a device has a certification, it means that experts guarantee that it will protect you. One of them is Underwriters Laboratories Standard (UL) that will indicate that the smoke detector passed the worldwide recognized safety standards.
Some smoke detectors have voice alerts that will inform you verbally about the danger. Instead of using texts or smartphone notifications, the device will use a voice alert to tell you where in your home the fire incident has occurred.
Smoke devices should be installed on the walls or ceilings in every part of your house, including the basement and attic. They should also be put slightly apart from clutter and dust, to avoid false alarms. Place ionization devices at least ten feet away from the appliances that can trigger them, like showers and kitchen appliances.
Smoke detectors, like other appliances, have their advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage is safety. They protect you from any fire hazards, and in some cases, from carbon-monoxide as well. These products will notify you if there is smoke or a small fire in your home so that you can evacuate faster and call for an emergency. Additionally, most models are hardwired, which means that they power from electricity and use batteries as a backup in case of power outages.
On the other hand, these devices can have higher prices, and some require professional installation that will cost you even more. Additionally, if the standardized smoke detector is out of warranty, it can cost a lot to repair. Also, non-fire related things can trigger these devices and cause them to give false alarms, which can be very frustrating and annoying.
Michael is a professional writer based in Boston and someone who has always been fascinated with the mysteries of sleep. When he’s not reading about new sleep studies and working on our news section, you can find him playing video games or visiting local comic book stores.