Best Smoke Detectors - Top Reviews in 2024

In order to evaluate safety features, battery life, and ease of installation, we looked into and tested some of the best smoke detectors that are currently available online. You may also need the best batteries for smoke detectors, best smart thermostat or best furnace humidifiers for your home. 

1. Google Nest Protect 2nd Generation

Important Specifications 

• Brand: Google

• Style: Battery

• Power Source: Battery Powered

• Color: White

• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 5.3 x 1.5 x 5.3 inches

• Item Weight: 1 Pounds

• Alarm: Audible

• Sensor Type: Photoelectric

Product's highlights

For complete home security, this smart alarm can detect both smoke and carbon monoxide. An app on your phone lets you test the alarm, check the alarm's status and battery life, stop false alarms, and more. Although it can be nice, the voice alert is gentler than most, which can not convey the same urgency as a loud beeping warning. You can choose the best course of action by knowing whether it detects smoke or carbon monoxide.

While away from home, you can use the app to keep an eye on the alarm. It has a nightlight that turns on when you walk in front of it at night. 

Pros

• Can use the app to test, quiet, and check battery life.

• Detects carbon monoxide and smoke

• Voice of calm alert

• Available as a hardwired or battery-powered device

Cons

• Pricey

2. Kidde Hardwired Smoke Detector

Important Specifications 

• Brand: Kidde

• Style: Hardwired Smoke Detector

• Power Source: Corded Electric

• Color: White

• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 8.1 x 7.4 x 2.8 inches

• Item Weight: 0.01 Pounds

• Lower Temperature Rating: 40 Degrees Fahrenheit

Product's highlights

Changing batteries has never been simpler than with the Kidde hardwired smoke detector. The slide-load battery door on the front makes it easy to keep this smoke detector operational. This smoke detector is the only one on our list that has a quick-change battery.

Additionally simple to install, this Kidde smoke alarm can be linked to additional alarms to form a complete home smoke detection system.

Pros

• Fast-changing battery

• Interconnectable

Cons

• Compatibility issues with legacy models

3. Kidde Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Smart Features

Important Specifications 

• Brand: Kidde

• Style: Hardwired Combination Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detector

• Power Source: Corded Electric

• Color: White

• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 1.91 x 5.59 x 5.59 inches

• Item Weight: 0.6 Pounds

• Lower Temperature Rating: 40 Degrees Fahrenheit

• Compatible Devices: Up to 24 Kidde devices

Product's highlights

Depending on what it detects, this smart detector employs a voice alert that shouts "fire" or "carbon monoxide," and a loud 85-decibel siren. Even better, you can set up other family members' and friends' phones to get the alert as well as send it to your phone via an app. It is also Google and Alexa compatible and can alert you using those smart home gadgets as well. You will always be aware of any CO or fires in your home, even when you are away, thanks to all of these alerts.

Despite having fewer testing and monitoring features than some other smart detectors, it is more affordable. Although it is hardwired and therefore needs professional installation, a 10-year lithium battery is already present.

Pros

• Voice alert and alarm

• Notifications to your phone, your family, and your friends

• Can be checked and controlled with smart home devices

• Backup battery is present

Cons

• Needs to be professionally installed

4. Kidde FireX Hardwire Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Combination Detector 2 Pack

Important Specifications 

• Brand: Kidde

• Style: Detector

• Power Source: Corded Electric

• Color: White

• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 5.79 x 5.79 x 1.85 inches

• Item Weight: 0.7 Pounds

• Lower Temperature Rating: 40 Degrees Fahrenheit

• Compatible Devices: Up to 24 Kidde devices

Product's highlights

A hardwired smoke detector makes it easier for it to work with additional sensors to build a complete home safety system. The Kidde FireX hardwired detector increases the level of protection by being able to detect both smoke and carbon monoxide. It does feature a 9V battery backup, which is a crucial safety measure, in case the power goes out. All of the system's alarms activate when one of them detects smoke or carbon monoxide. Even if you are on a different floor or in a different room of your house, this helps warn you to threats. If it detects smoke or CO, it will notify you through voice alarm.

Pros

• Detects carbon monoxide and smoke

• A networked system

• Backup batteries for power outages

• Utilizes additional Kidde bases

Cons

• May requiring expert installation

5. FIRST ALERT Hardwired Smoke Detector with Battery Backup

Important Specifications 

• Brand: FIRST ALERT

• Style: Hardwired

• Power Source: Battery Powered

• Color: Dual Sensing Smoke Alarm

• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 5.7 x 5.7 x 2.4 inches

• Item Weight: 0.85 Pounds

• Alarm: Audible

• Upper Temperature Rating: 38 Degrees Celsius

• Sensor Type: Photoelectric, Ionization

Product's highlights

Ionization sensors or photoelectric sensors are used by smoke alarms to detect smoldering fires, respectively. The First Alert BRK 3120B detector uses both to give thorough safety detection, unlike other devices that favor one way over the other. Despite being hardwired, it contains a 9V battery backup to supply power in the event of a power failure. Unless your property currently has a hardwired smoke detector, you'll probably need to hire a pro to install this device.

Pros

• A pair of sensors

• Firmly connected to a system

• Powered by batteries

Cons

• Doesn't identify CO

1. How do smoke alarms function?

Ionization smoke alarms are more sensitive to enormous flames because they include a small amount of radioactive material that ionizes the air around them. Ion flow is disrupted and the alarm is set off when smoke enters the chamber. On the other hand, photoelectric alarms react well to smoldering fires. 3 A light sensor is used by this kind of alarm to operate. When smoke enters a sensor chamber, light from a source inside the chamber is reflected, signaling the alarm. You can never tell what kind of fire you could have, therefore for maximum safety, your home should always have both types of protection.

2. How is a smoke detector battery changed?

You must first take off the cover in order to replace the smoke alarm's battery. The majority of covers twist open, although some require the use of a screwdriver. According to your model, your user's manual should provide specific instructions, and most of them are simple to adjust once you've taken off the cover. Simply unplug the previous battery (many people use 9V or AA batteries, although other people use lithium) and install the new one. Ensure that it is firmly in place and facing the appropriate direction.

After replacing the battery, use the test button to make sure it was installed properly. Battery positioning could be the cause of the test alarm not going off.

3. Do I need a lot of smoke detectors?

Every level of your home, including the basement, should have a smoke alarm.

Smoke alarms are the quickest way to detect fire and stop it from spreading to other areas of the house, therefore you should have one outside every sleeping space and one in each bedroom. You can still install additional battery-operated alarms throughout the house even if your house already has a certain number of hardwired ones. It is preferable to have more alarms than not enough when it comes to preventing fires.

Smoke detectors don't appear to receive the same attention as home security systems, and this can be a costly error for something that is so crucial to home and personal safety. According to NFPA, having smoke alarms can reduce the risk of dying in a house fire by 55%.