The Best Smoke Detectors
No home should stand without a series of smoke detectors on the lookout for fire hazards. Taking the proper steps to alert you and your loved ones to an incoming blaze can save lives and possessions. Better yet, many modern detectors will do more than just alert you to the presence of smoke. To help you find the best options, we've researched the market to give you a host of features to choose from. Take a look for yourself and choose your next smoke detector today.
What to Look For
When it comes to fire safety, there are a few things to bear in mind. For starters, some detectors are powered directly by AC wiring, so they negate the need for batteries but take a little longer to install than battery-powered options. Also, a loud alarm is paramount so that you can rise to the occasion in the event of an emergency. Finally, some models offer interconnected alarms so that the whole house is alerted if smoke is found at a single location. With these considerations in mind, we found our top pick with the 9120B from First Alert. This hardwired alarm has a serious pedigree, and its dual-power protocol is sure to put your mind at ease. If you’re looking for a multipack that’s easy to install, check out the battery-powered 3-pack from Lecoolife. Read on to find the best option for your home.
First Alert 9120B Hardwired Smoke Alarm
The tried and trusted choice
First Alert manufactured and distributed one of the first residential smoke alarms to run on batteries over 60 years ago. Today, after decades of refinement, the flagship model 9120B stands out from the pack as a dependable standard issue for home use. First Alert has been consistently voted as one of the most trusted brands in home safety by American consumers, and this reliable and affordable detector certainly lives up to the reputation.
Pros:
- The 85-decibel alarm will leave no room for doubt when this detector catches a sniff of danger.
- This detector is hardwired for continuous operation, but a battery backup will keep it online in the event of a power outage.
- You won’t just be covered against billowing smoke with this model. The onboard carbon monoxide detector will also sound the alarm if it catches wind of this toxic scentless gas.
Cons:
- Some users may find that these smoke detectors are too sensitive since they can be set off easily from stovetop smoke.
Kidde I12040A Smoke Detector
No need for power ups
This AC-wired alarm covers all the bases at a competitive price, so you won’t have to dig deep into your pockets to give your home residents the safety they deserve. The hard-wired power means that you won’t incur the repeated expense of battery replacement, but a standard 9V backup battery onboard ensures that you’ll still be protected if the mains electricity fails. Interconnection technology means that you can program all the alarms in your house to sound in the event of smoke detection, alerting everyone inside in one fell swoop.
Pros:
- If you’re tired of false alarms while you cook or smoke indoors, the Hush feature on the I12040A can silence all alarms for a nine-minute interval.
- These units attach to walls and ceilings on a quick-connector base, making them easy to remove and replace when changing batteries.
- The alarm sounds with a powerful 85 decibels of volume, so it can easily wake up heavy sleepers.
Cons:
- The AC-wired power requires some electrical expertise during installation, meaning that this detector takes longer to set up than battery-powered options.
Lecoolife Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector, 3-Pack
Up and away
If you’re in the process of equipping a new house or apartment, you’ll likely need more than a single detector to offer safe coverage of the entire property. Fire safety specialists recommend that you install at least one detector on each floor of your home, with an additional detector in fire hazard hotspots like the kitchen and garage. This 3-pack from Lecoolife offers a one-stop solution to fire safety needs. Thanks to the device’s portable battery power, you won’t have to tinker with the wiring to get the full set up and running.
Pros:
- These detectors boast an impressive 10-year lifespan from their built-in lithium batteries, so you don’t have to worry about replacing the batteries for a long time.
- The practical LCD screen displays current carbon monoxide levels, helping you to keep track of any potential leaks.
- These optimized photoelectric smoke sensors are designed to reduce the instance of false alarms from humidity changes, cooking fumes, and other everyday occurrences.
Cons:
- Largely due to the included batteries, these detectors are a little pricier per unit than most hard-wired options.
Google Nest Protect
The smart solution
Smart homes are on the rise across the globe, offering residents interactive control and systematic insight into their living environment. If you’re looking for a smoke detector that can integrate into an existing smart home infrastructure, this could be what you’re looking for. Although it’s noticeably more expensive than the average detector, Google’s Nest Protect comes packed with many contemporary features that you just won’t find in traditional competitors.
Pros:
- With wifi connection enabled, the Nest Protect can send alerts to your smartphone. That way, it will alert you to smoke detection alarms and low-battery indicators, even when you’re away from the house.
- You can silence this alarm using the Nest app, so you won’t have to clamber atop chairs and tables to find that hard-to-reach button.
- The carbon monoxide detector is certified for up to 10 years of use, so you can trust this detector to keep you safe for some time to come.
Cons:
- These smart units aren’t compatible with ethernet, so you may have to invest in a signal extender if you have wifi coverage issues in your home.
X-Sense Wireless Interconnected Smoke Detector, 6-Pack
All systems go
Link up your defenses with this multipack pack of detectors from X-Sense. The interconnected detectors help spread the alarm across the entire household. And once all six detectors are connected in a wifi array, you’ll be sure to get the signal loud and clear from all alarms once a single node in the system detects a whiff of smoke or carbon monoxide. With each detector performing a smoke concentration analysis three times every 10 seconds, this 6-pack offers a one-stop solution for home fire safety.
Pros:
- These alarms have an impressive 10-year lifespan. With a battery life of five years, you’ll only have to change the batteries once.
- The insect-proof grills on these alarms ensure that no creepy crawlies can enter the circuitry to cause havoc inside.
- X-Sense units can be connected in arrays of up to 24 detectors, so this is the ideal option for those that need coverage for large properties.
Cons:
- These sensitive alarms might not be best suited for kitchens or garages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my smoke detector also alert me to the presence of carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a toxic odorless gas that is produced during incomplete combustion and can sometimes leak from gas systems in the home. The vast majority of modern detectors also measure the presence of carbon monoxide in the air and will alert you if these levels become dangerous. We recommend these types of detectors, so make sure to check the product listing for this feature.
How many smoke detectors do I need in my home?
You’ll need to take the size and shape of your home into account when determining how many detectors you need to keep you safe. Fire safety experts recommend placing at least one detector on each floor of the house, though you might want to increase this number if you live in an exceptionally large property or if some rooms are particularly isolated. Common risk areas like kitchens and garages should be equipped with their own detector.
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