Where there is smoke, there is fire. For this reason, according to the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, 13 out of 14 homes in the United States have smoke alarms. Unfortunately, 50 percent of home fires happen in homes that do not have smoke alarms. Sixty percent of fire-related deaths happen in houses that do not have smoke alarms.
There is no reason for you and your family to be a statistic. Buying a smoke detector on the market can save your life. To know what the smoke alarm for your home is, you need to read smoke alarm reviews.
We have created the definitive smoke alarm guide to help weed through the ineffective and mediocre smoke alarms and focus on getting the smoke detector available for your home.
Best Smoke Detectors:
1. First Alert Z-Wave Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Alarm
It is not surprising that another unit produced by First Alert finds its way to our list. First Alert for many people is the answer to the question of who makes the smoke detector to protect you and your family from smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide.
The First Alert PRC710 is a product that is designed to last. It has a sleek design, allowing it to blend in perfectly with your modern-looking wall or ceiling. In the case of false alarms, it is easy to simply mute the unit by pushing the test/silence button. The unit is designed to be mounted on your ceiling or on your wall using a simple twist-and-lock feature.
Smoke detector reviews rant and rave about the unprecedented 10-year limited warranty that First Alert offers for their product.
This is as many smoke alarm reviews state, a simple yet effective product. It does not have all of the bells and whistles that some of the more expensive models that might connect to your phone or to your Wi-Fi system have, but it is functional and will alert you and your family of any fire or carbon monoxide danger.
Pros
- Combined photoelectric smoke and electrochemical carbon monoxide sensors
- A patented smoke injury system increases the accuracy and speed of smoke detection
Cons
- Extremely sensitive and may result in false alarms
2. Google Nest Protect Smoke Alarm
This is the smoke detector of this type we are going to review today. Many smoke alarm reviews refer to this product as the product that all other smoke alarms look up to.
The unit is equipped with a Split-Spectrum sensor. It can be silenced from your phone, and the unit is smart enough to automatically test itself. What makes this one of the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is the fact that it lasts for up to 10 years.
With this unit, you do not have to guess what is wrong because it tells you why the alarm was triggered and will send an alert to your phone.
The Split Spectrum Sensor technology allows the unit to detect fast-burning fires that do not produce a lot of smoke, as well as slow-burning fires such as those on mattresses that produce a lot of smoke. Whether you choose to purchase the battery-powered version or the wired version, it only takes a few minutes to set this unit up and get it connected to your phone.
The carbon monoxide sensor is designed to last for 10 years. It is equipped with ambient light sensors, a 2 W speaker, and a warning that can produce 85 dB of sound. This is more than enough to alert your family to any danger. It comes equipped with a two-year manufacturer warranty.
When you look at all of the features this unit offers, including its Wi-Fi connectivity, it’s easy to see why it finds itself topping many of the smoke alarm reviews.
There are no products on the market today that can match the smoke and carbon monoxide detection ability of this product.
Pros
- The unit has been redesigned to have a refined appearance that fits in with any home
- The app has an alarm silence feature and other mobile-connected features that enhance the power of this product
Cons
- The history feature is subpar and does not offer enough features to merit someone upgrading from the previous model of this unit
3. First Alert SA320CN Dual-Sensor Smoke and Fire Alarm
The First Alert BRK 3120B is considered by many to be the dual-center smoke alarm currently available. A nice thing about this product is that it is manufactured by First Alert.
This is a company that has built a strong reputation when it comes to designing hardwired smoke detectors and battery-operated smoke detectors on the market.
What makes this unit so powerful is that it can detect fast fires that may not produce a lot of smoke thanks to its ionization sensors. At the same time, it can detect a slower-burning fire that may produce a lot of smoke thanks to its photoelectric sensors.
Since this unit has a dual power source, you do not have to worry about the unit falling on you. It is equipped with intelligent sensing technology. This minimizes the chances of you having to deal with false alarms.
When the alarm is triggered, it is an 85 dB alarm, which is loud enough to wake everyone in an entire home. Its dual-latching features make it a secure unit, and its ability to interconnect with other alarms makes it a nice addition to any home security system.
This is an effective yet simple unit. It is the best type of smoke detector to use in your kitchen and hallways. It is reliable and is produced by a company with a reputation for excellence.
Pros
- The dual sensor detects smoke with ionization and photoelectric sensors
- Hardwire and battery power source means that this unit will always work because it is either receiving power from your home’s electrical system or the batteries
Cons
- This is a very simple unit that does not have advanced functions like voice alert
- Does not detect CO2
4. Kidde Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector
This product is considered to be the smoke and carbon monoxide detector because of the features it has to prevent confusion and effectively warn you and your family of danger. This eliminates any confusion that could arise if an alarm were to wake you and your family up in the middle of the night.
You do not need to worry about wiring or other complications usually associated with installing a product of this quality. This may be the best type of smoke detector for your home because it will continue to sound a verbal alarm until the hazard has been removed, or until you shut it off.
The low battery warning is continuous, but it is designed to trigger once every 15 minutes so as not to be a nuisance. The unit is relatively small, measuring around 5.75 inches in diameter and with a depth of 1.7 inches.
It has an attractive white finish and is designed to be tamper-resistant and resist vandalism and theft. It comes with a detailed user manual, a mounting bracket, and three AAA batteries, all to allow you to install the detector quickly and correctly. Many homeowners have stated that this is the smoke detector for kitchen use.
The Kidde KN-COSM-BA is perfect for anyone serious about keeping their family safe. It is one of the battery-operated smoke detectors on the market, offering clarity, effectiveness, and longevity.
Pros
- Multi-functional, serving as a smoke and carbon monoxide detector
- Verbally identifies the detected threat
Cons
- Since it is battery-operated, you will need to have a steady supply of batteries ready
5. Kidde Smoke Detector
With its sleek white design and lithium battery, this is a powerful yet attractive unit that would work well as a kitchen smoke detector.
The unit has a relatively simple design. Smoke detector reviews frequently comment on how easy it is to install this alarm. Once the unit reaches its end of life, an audible chirp lets you know it is time to remove and replace the unit.
There are two buttons on the front and an LED indicator. The test/reset button makes it easy for you to guarantee the unit is working properly, as well as reset it when the need arises.
You have the option to silence the unit for eight minutes at a time if you are cooking food that is going to produce a lot of smoke.
The ionization smoke sensors can quickly identify the virtually invisible particles produced by fire, allowing this unit to respond faster than units that just have photoelectric sensors.
This unit is the smoke detector for individuals who are looking for a simple yet powerful way to detect fire and alert their families. Its patented design minimizes the chances of unwanted false alarms.
Pros
- Simple design
- Ionization sensing technology
- Long-lasting lithium-ion battery
Cons
- Lacks a photoelectric sensor
6. Universal Security Instruments 4-in-1 Universal Smoke-Sensing Technology Hardwired Smart Alarm
The USI Electric MDSCN111 often finds itself on the top of photoelectric smoke detector reviews as well as dual-sensor smoke alarm reviews.
If one alarm triggers, all of the interconnected alarms throughout the home trigger at the same time. This provides sufficient time for you and your family to escape a dangerous situation.
The unit has a large mounting base. This is good, especially if you are replacing an existing smoke detector since the large base allows it to hide some sheetrock imperfections.
The unit has automatic testing features along with self-diagnostics to make sure that it’s working properly. This is a hardwired unit, but it comes equipped with a 9 V alkaline battery, which means that you are going to be protected even if the power goes out.
Not all smoke detectors come with included batteries.
Whether you are looking for a smoke detector for your kitchen, hallway, or bedroom, this unit will more than meet your needs. It is produced by a company that has more than 40 years of experience and a stellar reputation when it comes to keeping families safe.
Pros
- A four-in-one unit that can detect smoke, fire, carbon monoxide, and natural gas
- Comes with a seven-year warranty
Cons
- The power supply may die unexpectedly
- The unit produces many false alarm
Factors to Consider
There are other features that you should consider when determining which smoke detector to buy. While not all of these features are necessary for the detector to be effective, they do increase the performance of the unit and the chances of you getting out safely in the event of an emergency.
Determining the Power Source
You have three basic power source options. You can opt for battery power, hardwiring, and a wall plug-in unit. Most hardwired devices have the option of a backup battery. So even if the home’s power fails, you still have battery power to rely on.
With a battery-powered unit, once the battery dies, your unit stops working. Many companies are producing lithium batteries that will last the life of the alarm, so you do not have to worry about changing batteries every couple of years.
Battery Backup
The battery backup in your hardwired alarm will warn you when the battery is getting low. Depending on the unit you select, it may chirp, there may be an LED display, or you may receive a low-battery voice message.
Interconnectivity
Some alarms come with the option to link them with other alarms in the home. So if the smoke alarm in one room triggers, all of the alarms in the home will sound. Many of these units provide a verbal alert indicating in which room the alarm was triggered.
Homeowners who have a multilevel home may want to consider purchasing an alarm or a detector with this feature. In a small single-level home, this interconnection may not be necessary.
Digital CO Display
Most carbon monoxide detectors are designed to sound an alarm once the CO levels reach 70 ppm. However, people with certain conditions, such as cardiovascular issues, children, or women who are pregnant may be harmed by as little as 30 ppm of carbon monoxide in the home.
The digital display will help you see if the carbon monoxide levels in the home are rising, even if they have not reached a level that would trigger the alarm.
Hush Button
When an alarm triggers a false alert, maybe because you are cooking or barbecuing, it can be very unnerving and frustrating. In times past, the only option was to disable the unit by disconnecting it from its power source or unplugging the battery.
The downside of this is that it is easy to forget to re-plug the unit or reconnect it to its power source. Hush buttons temporarily deactivate the unit and then reactivate it after a set time. Some units have remote control hush buttons or hush buttons that can be activated from your mobile device.
Strobe Lights
Strobe lights are an awesome feature, especially in homes where there are hearing-impaired individuals. Some units come equipped with strobe lights, whereas others include the option to add a strobe light.
Voice Alarms
Most people understand how easy it is to sleep through the beeping of an alarm. However, it is easier to wake up when you hear someone’s voice. This is the principle behind alarms that have a voice alert. Some even have the option of allowing the homeowner to record their voice or have someone else record their voice so that it can sound in the event of an emergency.
Safety Lights
In the event of an emergency, it is easy for confusion to ensue. Smoke alarms with safety lights provide a safe path of illumination. This could mean the difference between life and death if an emergency takes place at night.
So what is the smoke and carbon monoxide detector? The answer is going to vary depending on your needs. If you have a home with high ceilings, then a hardwired unit or a unit with a lifelong battery may work the best. If you have a large home, then consider getting a unit that connects with the other detectors in your home.
Homes with hearing-impaired individuals would benefit from detectors with a strobe light, and homes with children may benefit from detectors that include safety lights and voice alarms.
FAQ
Most manufacturers recommend replacing the smoke alarm every 10 years. Why is this recommended?
The NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code states clearly that smoke alarms should not be used for more than 10 years from the date they were manufactured. From this point, an alarm cannot be counted on to provide the needed protection.
Are there any areas where I should not install a smoke detector?
Smoke detectors should not be installed inside your kitchen. They should be installed just outside the kitchen. This is also true of any other place in your home where dust, fumes, or steam is likely to collect. If a smoke detector was installed right outside of the bathroom, steam generated during a hot shower may trigger it inadvertently.
My home alarm system has a smoke detector. Is this enough?
The smoke detector that comes with your alarm system is going to be as good as the one you will purchase for yourself. It is good to verify that you have enough detectors installed. If not, purchase more. As a rule of thumb, you should have detectors outside of every bedroom, at least one detector on every level of the house, and detectors inside the bedrooms.
Do I need to test my smoke alarm every month?
Yes. Monthly testing will allow you to guarantee that your batteries are still working in a battery-powered unit and that units that are daisy-chained together have not had any wire damage done by either an animal or wear and tear. Most units have a very simple test button on them and can be tested in just a few seconds.
Summary
There are a lot of options available when selecting smoke detectors. You do not want a smoke detector that is sub-par, has a lot of false alarms, or worse yet will not trigger when you need it to. All of the units that we have mentioned have stellar smoke alarm reviews and have worked well for many people.
As you search for the smoke detector for your home, keep in mind some of the available options as well as the size and layout of your home. To get the most out of your unit, you will need to become familiar with and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Test your unit frequently, and replace batteries when needed.
Regardless of the model or unit you choose, your home must have one. If you do not have smoke detectors, if you do not have a sufficient amount of them, or if your smoke detectors are reaching their 10-year limit, now is the time to take action and replace them.
We have tried to provide you with a detailed and concise description of some of the smoke detector models available. Now the choice is yours. Do not put your and your family’s safety at risk any longer. Buy a smoke detector today.
