Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Detector 10 Year Battery

Best Smart Smoke Detector

The Nest Protect features both a carbon monoxide and split-spectrum smoke detector that detects both fast and slow-burning fires and delivers clear verbal instructions to explain why its sensor was triggered and what you should do next.

• Dimensions: 5.3″ x 5.3″ x 1.5″
• Weight: 0.87 pounds
• Battery type: Three AA batteries
• Battery life: N/A, only uses batteries as backup power source

Pros: Spoken instructions, phone notifications

Cons: Lacks ionization sensor, may not be ideal for those not technically savvy, requires three AA backup batteries

The color-changing LED, along with the verbal commands and smartphone notifications, made the Nest Protect fun to test out and operate. My first aerosol test activated its “heads-up” function, which issued a verbal warning that it detected a small amount of smoke. This would be a convenient feature if the smoke was due to burning toast or another non-emergency especially for anyone who might get overwhelmed by loud noises. By giving you the chance to resolve the problem before the smoke levels rise, you can prevent the unit from going into full-blown alarm mode. My second aerosol spray was enough for the Nest Protect to assume there was an actual fire, and it sounded its alarm immediately.

Where Should I Install My Smoke Detector

Even the best smoke detectors are only effective if they’re installed correctly. The NFPA recommends installing alarms inside and outside of every bedroom and on every level of your home, including the basement. It also recommends installing both photoelectric and ionization smoke alarms or a dual-sensor detector, as they can provide more protection than just one type of sensor.

Andler said that smoke alarms should be placed on your ceiling, not on the wall. Since smoke rises and begins gathering at the ceiling first, they have a much better chance of detecting smoke than a wall-mounted detector. As we mentioned earlier, seconds count when it comes to escaping a house fire, so correct placement is extremely important.

Andler also stressed the importance of having additional smoke detectors. He said that in the event of a fire in your home, hallway smoke detectors can sound their alarms much earlier than a bedroom alarm. The early warning from hallway alarms can provide the extra time you and your family need to escape safely.

He also recommends having a smoke alarm near but not inside the kitchen to reduce the chances of false alarms. The Arizona Burn Foundation recommends keeping your detector at least 10 feet away from the stove.

Where To Install A Carbon Monoxide Detector

Carbon monoxide is a gas that is created when common fuels are burnt. Gas, wood, propane, and other sources create carbon monoxide gas. This type of gas has no taste, smell, or colour, and its deadly.

When this gas appears in poorly ventilated spaces, it will accumulate and can make you sick, or worse. This is why its important to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Continue reading to learn more about the best place to put a carbon monoxide detector.

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Flaws But Not Dealbreakers

The main downside of the SA511CN2-3ST is that this wireless unit is available only with photoelectric sensorsnone of First Alerts ionization alarms have wireless connectivity. For maximum protection against both slow-burning, smoldering fires and fast-burning, flaming fires, your home needs both types of sensor, and the best-case scenario is that theyre all linked to the same system. But that isnt possible with First Alert alarms.

Another drawback of the SA511CN2-3ST is that it isnt particularly attractive. It looks like, well, a smoke alarm. First Alert has other models with a much more streamlined look , but to get the wireless connectivity, the photoelectric sensor, and the voice and location alerts in a single unit, your only option is the model were recommending. The good news is that once smoke alarms are installed, everyone stops noticing them.

Best Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Detectors Of 2022

Consumer Reports’ lab tests reveal the best detectors for protecting you and your loved ones

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Most smoke and carbon monoxide detectors look the same, so you might think that they basically are the same. As long as theyve been certified by a testing organization, such as UL or Intertek Electrical Testing Labs , they should work just fine, right? Not exactly.

We need to test detectors because some fail at CO detection, and there are differences in how quickly different models respond to CO, says Bernie Deitrick, Consumer Reports test engineer for smoke and CO detectors. I have never tested a model that failed our fire and smoke tests, and it is reassuring to know that such critical devices actually work.

A detectors ability to sense carbon monoxide can mean the difference between life and death. According to the CDC, every year more than 400 Americans die from accidental CO poisoning, and about 50,000 Americans end up in the emergency department.

To determine the type you need, remove the detectors in your home from their mounts. If there are wires connected to them that run into the wall or ceiling, you need hardwired detectors. If there are no wires, you need battery-powered detectors.

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Best Hardwired Smoke Detectors

CRs take: The First Alert 3120B is a dual-sensor smoke detector, meaning it has both a photoelectric sensor for detecting smoky fires and an ionization sensor for detecting flames. Thanks to its use of both types of sensors, this First Alert receives top scores in our flaming fire and smoldering fire tests. Its hardwired with a battery backup, which makes it a good candidate for newer or remodeled homes that have wiring for detectors, and it features a hush button to silence nuisance alarms. It can be interconnected with additional detectors so that if one goes off, they all go off and alert you to danger even if youre in a different room or on a different floor from the fire.

CRs take: Another top performer in our tests is the Kidde PI2010, which receives high scores in our flaming fire and smoldering fire tests. This hardwired, dual-sensor alarm features a battery backup, a hush button, and the ability to interconnect with other compatible detectors. To determine which other models are compatible with this one, check with Kidde.

Best Hardwired: Kidde Firex Hardwire Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Combination Detector 2 Pack

Courtesy of Home Depot

• Detects smoke and carbon monoxide

• Interconnected system

• Battery backup for power outages

• Works with other Kidde bases

• May need professional installation

Having a hardwired smoke detector helps it integrate with other sensors to create a comprehensive home safety system. The Kidde FireX hardwired detector can sniff out both smoke and carbon monoxide, adding to the protection power. It does have a 9V battery backup in case the power goes out, a necessary safety precaution. When one alarm in the system detects smoke or carbon monoxide, they all sound. This helps alert you to dangers even if you are in a different room or floor of your home. It uses a voice alarm to tell you if it detects smoke or CO.

Installation of hardwired detectors can be a bit more complicated, but Kidde systems use compatible bases. If you are replacing another Kidde product, you can likely use the same location to hardwire this detector and eliminate the need to touch up walls or paint. If you are installing a hardwired system for the first time, you will likely need to get the help of an electrician to run wires safely. This adds to the already high cost of these detectors. Buying in packs of two or more can save some money.

Power Source: Hardwired with 9V battery backupSensor Type: PhotoelectricPack Size: 1 or 2

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Why Trust The Spruce

This article was researched and written by Katie Begley, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. When researching top smoke detectors, she considered superior performance, multiple sensors, and installation. Katie also consulted with home inspector Dave Mitchell to see what he recommends for installation and required placement.

Best Dual Sensor: First Alert Brk 3120b Hardwired Photoelectric And Ionization Smoke Alarm With Battery Back

Amazon

• Hardwired to work with a system

• Battery backup power

• Needs professional installation

Smoke alarms use either photoelectric sensors to detect fast-burning fires or ionization sensors to detect smoldering fires. While most prioritize one method over the other, the First Alert BRK 3120B detector uses both to provide comprehensive safety detection. It is hardwired but has a 9V battery backup to provide power if there is an outage. Unless you are already using a hardwired smoke detector in your home, you will likely need to get professional installation for this unit.

This detector is a bit more expensive than other smoke-only detectors. But given its reliable detection of every type of fire that could threaten you or your home, it is well worth the cost. However, it does not detect carbon monoxide, so you will need to purchase a separate detection unit if needed.

Power Source: Hardwired, with 9V battery backupSensor Type: Photoelectric, ionizationPack Size: 1 or 6

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Best Overall: First Alert Sco7cn Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Detector

• Easy to install and change the batteries

• Batteries need to be changed out periodically

The First Alert Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector can pick up trace amounts of smoke and carbon monoxide, and given its utility, it has a surprisingly low price point. If you are looking to upgrade or replace multiple detectors in your home, this is our top recommendation.

This dual-use detector features a voice alarm that tells you whether it detects smoke or carbon monoxide. This is important because it helps emergency responders know how to respond to the call and can also help you and your family egress safely. The detector is battery-powered, which makes it a breeze to install, although you will need to change out the batteries every six months. You can do this using the easy access point on the front.

In addition to having both audible and visual alarms, the test/silence button is also helpful and is clearly labeled on the front of the unit. If you experience a false alarm that you know you can silence, just press the button. Hold it down to test the alarm, which should be done at least once every time you switch out the batteries. You can also use this button to silence the annoying low-battery chirp alarm for up to eight hours. Just make sure to go back and actually switch out the batteries.

Power Source: 2 AA batteriesSensor Type: PhotoelectricPack Size: 1

Also Great: First Alert Sa303cn3 Battery Powered Smoke Alarm

*At the time of publishing, the price was $8.

To have the most complete fire-detection system, we recommend adding a First Alert SA303CN3 Battery Powered Smoke Alarm to each floor. This model is an ionization alarm, so its designed to be better than our other picks at detecting a fast, flaming fire. Its not as good as the others at detecting smoky fires, however, so we dont recommend it as a primary alarm. According to our research, ionization alarms are also prone to nuisance alarms, particularly from shower steam or cooking smoke, so make sure to place them accordingly.

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Best Smart Combination Detectors

CRs take: For a smart smoke and CO detector that connects directly to WiFi, check out the First Alert Onelink Smart 1042135. This model receives strong scores in all our tests, with the exception of flaming fires because it lacks an ionization sensor. If you go with this detector, you may want to also consider purchasing a battery-powered ionization smoke detector, such as the Kidde RF-SM-DC. This First Alert comes in both battery-powered and hardwired versions, can interconnect with other compatible detectors, and works with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit/Siri for voice and app control.

Best Smart: Google Nest Protect 2nd Generation

• Can test, silence, and check battery life from the app

• Detects smoke and carbon monoxide

• Calming voice alert

• Available in battery-powered or hardwired

This smart alarm detects both smoke and carbon monoxide for thorough home protection. You can check on the status of the alarm and the battery life, silence false alarms, and even test the alarm from an app on your phone. The voice alert is friendlier than most, which can be pleasant but may not impart the same urgency as a loud beeping alarm. It does tell you whether it detects smoke or carbon monoxide, which is helpful to determine the right response.

The Google Nest Protect is an expensive alarm, which isnt surprising given its interconnectivity and extra convenience features. You can monitor the alarm while away from home via the app. It includes a night-light that activates if you walk under the light at night. You can purchase it in packs of one or three, and it is available in battery-powered and hardwired options.

Power Source: Battery-powered or hardwiredSensor Type: PhotoelectricPack Size: 1 or 3

“Given that our new house is three stories, we opted to create a network of Nest Protects, with one on the ground level and another on the second floor. The volume of the voice messages is clear without being too loud, and communication is broadcast from both devices as well as through the app.”Nathan Borchelt, Product Tester

The Spruce / Nathan Borchelt

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An Important Note On Fire Safety

Working smoke alarms are essential in any home, but you should treat them as just one piece of a comprehensive fire-safety plan. Your plan should include other safety items such as fire extinguishers and escape ladders, but most important, you should base your plan on an awareness of what to do in case of a fire. Firehouse Magazines Timothy Sendelbach told us, The best advice I can offer is to practice fire drills, using the test button on the alarm, to familiarize family members with the sound and recommended actions to be taken upon activation. For more information, we recommend the NFPAs page on how to make a home fire escape plan.

Why You Should Trust Us

We spoke to a number of people in the fire-safety industry: Joseph Keenan, assistant fire marshal of the Burlington Fire Department Judy Comoletti, division manager for public education at the National Fire Protection Association John Drengenberg, consumer safety director at UL Timothy Sendelbach, editor-in-chief of Firehouse Magazine, who has 30 years of experience in fire and safety services and Tom Kiurski, training coordinator and director of fire safety education for Livonia, Michigan, as well as a columnist with FireRescue1. Kiurski has 35 years of experience in the fire services.

In addition, we spent hours reading hundreds of pages of smoke-alarm studies, such as the NFPAs massive Smoke Alarms in U.S. Home Fires report, the National Center for Healthy Housings Evaluation of the 10-Year Smoke Alarm Project report , and Vision 20/20s The Smoke Alarm Problem report , among many others. Note that the National Center for Healthy Housing is partially funded by The Home Depot Foundation.

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Best Interconnected Smoke Detector

The X-Sense Wireless Interconnected comes as a set of three, six, or 12 separate smoke detectors with a range of more than 820 feet each, so they can cover small and large spaces safely.

• Dimensions: 3″ x 3″ x 1.9″
• Weight: 0.2 pounds
• Battery type: 5-year removable lithium battery
• Battery life: Up to 5 years

Pros: Small size is easy to install, easy to find silence button in the dark, covers large areas

Cons: Does not have a built-in battery

Even though the X-Sense Wireless Interconnected smoke detectors are smaller and lighter than typical ones, they still meet UL 217 standards. They also beeped at the same 85-db level as every other model tested. Their red alert lights were easy to see, and because of their side-mounted position, they reflected off the ceiling to increase visibility.

Because they are interconnected, all the units will sound even if only one detects smoke, so you’ll be notified regardless of where you are in your home when a fire breaks out. They performed effectively in every test I did and were all relatively sensitive, responding within two aerosol sprays. Since the silence button is also the alert light, it was easy to quickly find the button to silence the unit, even in low light.

How To Install A Carbon Monoxide Detector

Installing carbon monoxide detectors isnt too difficult. You can follow the instructions on the package if you have the right tools. A battery-operated detector installation should be quite straightforward. You only need to make a few holes and mount the detector on your ceiling or your wall. If you are installing several carbon monoxide detectors, give us a call so we can help you with placement and put together a detailed protection plan.

If you need it to be connected to your electrical system, then you should hire someone to handle that for you. Ontime Electric will come to your home and install carbon monoxide detectors in critical areas throughout your home. Because these detectors are so important and potentially life-saving devices, it is recommended that you hire a professional electrician to install a carbon monoxide detector for you.

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