Staff, Courtesy of Google
Despite booming real estate prices, there’s still plenty of home-buying happening right now. Installing smoke detectors (and carbon monoxide detectors) is at the top of new homeowners’ must-do lists. For those already settled, it’s smart to consider upgrading your units to newer models—or buying additional ones to created an interconnected system—to give your home better coverage. But with so many options on the market and technical details that aren’t easily digestible at a glance, it can be tough to find the right smoke detector for your family and setup. Read on for our top recommendations to consider, plus important shopping advice and tips.
The 10 Best Smoke Detectors
What to Look for in a Smoke Detector
There are three types of smoke detectors: single-sensor ionization units and photoelectric units, as well as dual-sensor units that combine both technologies. Ionization detectors can pick up small particles emitted from fires that burn quickly and produce a lot of flames. Photoelectric detectors sense larger particles from fires that produce a lot of smoke and smoldering. Dual-sensor smoke detectors use both methods, and therefore provide the best protection.
Smoke detectors are either battery-operated or hardwired, with batteries as backup in case of a power outage. According to the U.S Fire Administration, smoke detectors should be tested monthly and batteries replaced every year. Smoke detectors should also be UL-certified. As a side note, the standards for UL certification are due for an update in June 2022, and are expected to prohibit manufacturers from producing single-sensor smoke detectors—which is even more reason to consider a dual-sensor unit.
Several smoke detectors are interconnectable, so multiple units of the same make and model can be linked, and all alarms will be triggered if there’s a fire in one area of the house. There are also smart smoke detectors and units that have LED light alerts, location alerts to detect the fire’s exact location, and voice alerts, which are said to be more effective in waking young children. As for where to install smoke detectors, you’ll need one on every level of your home, including the basement and attic, and one outside of every bedroom.
Finally, some units do double duty as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and we cover some below. If your smoke detector doesn’t include a carbon monoxide detector, it’s essential to purchase a separate unit to detect the odorless gas, which can leak from household appliances such as gas stoves or ovens and dryers, as well as other sources including power generators, furnaces, and water heaters.
How We Selected These Smoke Detectors
Every single smoke detector we cover below has an average user rating of at least four stars. We cast a wide net in making our selections, digging into our own research and considering expert sources such as Wirecutter and Consumer Reports. We feature smoke detectors across price points, starting at about $12 for something basic but effective to high-end, multiunit systems that cost more than $100. We also include different kinds of smoke detectors as mentioned above, such as single- and dual-sensor models, as well as models that include carbon monoxide detectors.
Most Affordable
First Alert
First Alert Hardwired Smoke Alarm
A Step Up
Kidde
Kidde Lithium Battery Smoke Alarm
Premium Single-Sensor
X-Sense
X-Sense Standard Smoke Detector
Best for Google Nest Homes
Google Nest Protect
Battery-Powered Dual-Sensor Alarm
First Alert
First Alert Battery-Operated Dual-Sensor Smoke Alarm
Hardwired Dual Sensor
First Alert
First Alert Hardwired Dual-Sensor Smoke Alarm
Best for Homes With Kids
Kidde
Kidde Smoke Detector With Voice Alert
Best With Carbon Monoxide Detector
First Alert
First Alert Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector
Best Low-Profile
First Alert
First Alert Slim Smoke Alarm
Best Interconnected System
X-Sense
X-Sense Mini Wireless Interconnected Smoke Alarm
Rachel Klein Rachel Klein Rachel Klein has been a professional editor and writer for more than a decade, with a background in digital media, publishing, and journalism.