The 10 Best Smoke Alarms in 2021 - Smoke Detector Alarms - Popular Mechanics

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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.

What to Consider

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 manufactures 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 Chose

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.

1

Most Affordable

First Alert Hardwired Smoke Alarm

First Alert amazon.com

$11.56

Key Specs
• Dimensions: 5.6 x 5.6 x 2.2 inches
• Item Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Power Source: Hardwired with battery backup
• Sensor Type: Ionization

This best-selling smoke detector may have a low price tag attached, but it offers excellent value and solid features. The hardwired smoke detector has an ionization sensor and is interconnectable with up to 18 compatible devices. 

There's a single test-and-silence button, and the backup nine-volt battery is installed on the side of the unit with a tamper-resistant bracket, plus the smoke detector comes with a universal mounting bracket. It's tested to meet UL standards, and like most smoke detectors, the alarm sounds at a loud 85 decibels.

• Solid smoke alarm for an excellent price
• Interconnectable with up to 18 units

• No dual sensor

2

A Step Up

Kidde Lithium Battery Smoke Alarm

Kidde amazon.com

$18.87

Key Specs
• Dimensions: 1.5 x 5.6 x 5.6 inches
• Item Weight: 10 ounces
• Power Source: Battery
• Sensor Type: Ionization

Using ionization technology, this smoke alarm from Kiddie comes with a 10-year lithium battery, and will beep twice every 30 seconds when it's time for the battery to be replaced. 

It's compact, with a low profile and a simple, streamlined design. The test and silence buttons are slightly larger than most and are positioned front and center for easy access. It's UL-certified and comes with a standard mounting bracket, a limited 10-year warranty, and features an 85-decibel alarm. It gets high marks from customers, with an average 4.7 stars from more than 5,000 reviewers.

• Compact, with clean lines
• Separate buttons for test and silence

• No dual sensor
• Isn't interconnectable

3

Premium Single-Sensor

X-Sense Standard Smoke Detector

X-Sense amazon.com

$27.99

Key Specs
• Dimensions: 5.7 x 5.7 x 2 inches
• Item Weight: 10 ounces
• Power Source: Battery
• Sensor Type: Photoelectric

Perhaps the best feature of this highly rated smoke alarm is that it's designed to self-check the battery every 60 seconds—and if there's an issue, it'll flash and beep. There's a three-color LED light indicating the unit's status which is bright and easy to see, and the smoke detector also features automatic activation when it's placed in the mounting bracket. It's photoelectric, so best placed away from the kitchen, and it's UL-certified. The only slight drawback is that it's a bit clunky.

• Automatic battery self-check
• Easy to see status of LED indicator

• No dual sensor

4

For Google Nest Homes

Google Nest Protect

Google amazon.com

$119.00

Key Specs
• Dimensions: 5.3 x 5.3 x 1.5 inches
• Item Weight: 1 pound
• Power Source: Battery or hardwired
• Sensor Type: Photoelectric (split-spectrum)

If you have a Google Home ecosystem, Google's Nest Protect is the best smart smoke detector to buy. The second-gen model has a "split-spectrum" sensor that adds a blue LED to a traditional infrared photoelectric sensor, and the combo is supposed to do a better job of detecting a wider range of particles from fast-burning and smoky fires, plus it also detects carbon monoxide.

Through the app, you you'll get phone alerts if there's a problem in the house and you can also run tests when you aren't home, though the device performs battery and sensor checks an impressive 400 times a day. 

There's also an optional path light that triggers when you walk underneath it, plus it's available in a battery-operated or hardwire option.

• Detects carbon monoxide and both types of fires
• Optional pathway light
• Comes hardwired or battery-operated
• Sends app notifications when there's an emergency

5

Battery-Powered Dual-Sensor

First Alert Battery-Operated Dual-Sensor Smoke Alarm

First Alert amazon.com

$42.99

Key Specs
• Dimensions: 2 x 5 x 5 inches
• Item Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Power Source: Battery
• Sensor Type: Photoelectric, ionization

This dual-sensor, battery-operated smoke alarm is on sale for $40 and change at the time of this writing and detects both types of fires: fast-burning with high flames, plus slow-burning, smoldering fires that produce a lot of smoke. 

It's fairly compact with a five-inch diameter, though its overall design isn't as streamlined as some other options. That said, safety comes first, and this smoke detector ranks high where it really counts. It's UL-certified and features a 10-year lithium battery, along with an 85-decibel alarm.

• Detects both fast-burning and smoky, smoldering fires

• Not as streamlined as other options

6

Hardwired Dual Sensor

First Alert Hardwired Dual-Sensor Smoke Alarm

First Alert amazon.com

$29.83

Key Specs
• Dimensions: 5.7 x 5.7 x 2.4 inches
• Item Weight: 14 ounces
• Power Source: Hardwired with battery backup
• Sensor Type: Photoelectric, ionization

Similar to the First Alert smoke detector above, this model also offers a dual-sensor, but it's hardwired, with battery backup. With ionization and photoelectric sensors, it covers smoky fires and fast-burning ones that produce a lot of flames. There's a single button to test and silence the unit and it's designed to provide 360-degree access to the sensor, plus it's UL-certified. The only drawback (though likely not a dealbreaker) is that it's on the large side, at nearly six inches wide and a little more than two inches thick.

• Detects both fast-burning and smoky, smoldering fires

• Larger than most other smoke detectors

7

With Voice and Location Alert

Kidde Smoke Detector With Voice Alert

Kidde amazon.com

$32.97

$28.54 (13% off)

Key Specs
• Dimensions: 5.2 x 5.2 x 1.6 inches
• Item Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Power Source: Battery
• Sensor Type: Photoelectric

Young children have a harder time waking up to an alarm versus a voice, so if you have little kids, getting a smoke detector with voice alert is a smart bet. This photoelectric model from Kiddie had an extra-large test button in the middle and a slimmer profile than some other options. It's UL-certified, powered by a 10-year lithium battery in a tamper-resistant compartment and has an 85-decibel alert.

• Good for homes with young children
• Large test button

• No dual sensor

8

Best With Carbon Monoxide Detector

First Alert Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector

First Alert amazon.com

$40.99

Key Specs
• Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 2 inches
• Item Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Power Source: Battery
• Sensor Type: Photoelectric, electrochemical

If you're looking for a smoke alarm that also detects carbon monoxide, this model is an excellent choice. It's battery-operated, with a photoelectric sensor for slow-burning, smoky fires, and an electrochemical sensor for carbon monoxide. 

Up to 18 devices can be connected to create a wireless network throughout your home, and its voice location feature has 11 pre-recorded options so it can detect where the fire is coming and signal the other units. There's a single test-and-silence button, and there's an easy-to-see indicator on front to show whether the alarm is sounding for fire or carbon monoxide.

• Includes carbon monoxide detector
• Voice location and alert
• Links to other units for wireless

• No dual sensor

9

Best low-profile

First Alert Slim Smoke Alarm

First Alert

$20.09

Key Specs
• Dimensions: 4.9 x 4.9 x 0.9 inches
• Item Weight: 7 ounces
• Power Source: Battery
• Sensor Type: Photoelectric

This slim battery-powered smoke detector is less than an inch thick, so it'll just about sit flush on your wall or ceiling. It features a photoelectric sensor, which makes it a good choice to place near a kitchen, as ionization smoke detectors are more apt to go off if you burn a piece of toast. It features a twist lock mount, a 10-year lithium battery, a lock to ensure the battery isn't tampered with, and an 85-decibel alarm.

• Inconspicuous design
• Twist lock mount

• No dual sensor

10

Best Interconnected System

X-Sense Mini Wireless Interconnected Smoke Alarm

X-Sense amazon.com

$159.99

Key Specs
• Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 1.9 inches
• Item Weight: 1.6 pound
• Power Source: Battery
• Sensor Type: Photoelectric

Interconnected smoke detector systems are becoming more popular, and those made by X-Sense get rave reviews from customers. When a single alarm is triggered by fire or carbon monoxide, it sends a signal to the rest of the system. 

This mini alarm is a mere three inches wide and an inch and a half high, and comes in a three-pack, the set of six shown, and a 12-pack, which is ideal for a multilevel house. They're battery-operated, and up to 24 units can be connected. There are a few drawbacks, however. 

Whereas most alarms come with a 10-year battery, this one lasts for 5 years. It's also a photoelectric single-sensor system, so while it offers excellent coverage, it won't pick up fast-burning fires with large flames.

• Offers widespread coverage in one package
• Extra-small size

• No dual sensor
• Battery only lasts 5 years

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.

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