Which smoke detectors

And for help picking the right types of detectors for your home, check out our smoke and carbon monoxide detector buying guide. First Alert B. Thanks to its use of both types of sensors, this First Alert receives top scores in our flaming fire and smoldering fire tests.

Kidde PI 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.

This top-notch detector receives strong scores in our tests for flaming fires and smoldering fires. This model receives high scores in our tests for both flaming fires and smoldering fires, and runs on a built-in year alkaline battery. It receives great scores in our high- and low-CO-level tests and a Very Good rating for the accuracy of its CO-level display. That lets you know if you need to have things checked out.

It also has a battery backup and the ability to interconnect with other compatible alarms. First Alert CO Aside from its voice alerts, this model features the ability to wirelessly interconnect with other compatible alarms. It also has a peak memory feature, which logs the highest CO reading so you can see if there was a problem while you were away from home. First Alert SCB. It performs well in our CO and smoldering fire tests, though it receives a Poor rating in our flaming fire test.

If you decide to go with this detector, you may want to also consider purchasing a battery-powered ionization smoke detector, such as the Kidde RF-SM-DC , that receives an Excellent rating in our flaming fire test if you want a hardwired one, you may have to pay an electrician to install the proper wiring so that it can be placed near the First Alert detector. Pros: Can suit dustier areas, such as lofts, the area near your bathroom or rooms where people smoke.

Optical or photoelectric alarms are light sensors. They contain an infra-red LED which, every few seconds, pulses a beam of light into the sensor chamber to check for smoke particles. As smoke enters, the infrared light is scattered onto the photodiode light receptor, triggering an alarm. They detect the larger smoke particles from slower smouldering fires. Cons: Not so good for dusty areas, such as lofts, or steamy areas such as bathroom landings.

Smart smoke alarms are designed to sound the alarm when they detect smoke, as a conventional smoke alarm would. All of the smart smoke alarms we've tested are optical models. Pros: The best smart smoke alarms will trigger quickly and will sound the alarm on your phone, as well as through the alarm itself.

They will have easy-to-use apps and be straight forward to set up, maintain and use. In one of our tests it was slow to sound and in others, one sample tested failed to detect any smoke at all. Find the best smart smoke alarm for your home with our smoke alarm reviews.

An interesting by-product of the new breed of smart alarms is the fire-related data being collected, as is the case with Google, which makes the Nest Protect smoke and CO alarm. For example, Google said it developed a Steam Check feature, which ensures the alarm knows the difference between steam and smoke. This feature was developed from a combination of conventional lab testing and real data from the home. UK smoke alarms are mostly likely to sound on pancake day, according to Google. Some models can be tested by shining a torch on the alarm, or by using a household remote control such as a TV remote.

This eliminates the need to climb a ladder or reach up with a broom handle to press a button — especially good for high ceilings or if you're not very mobile. Pressing this button silences nuisance alarms for a few minutes — handy if you've burnt the toast and set off the alarm, as it gives you some quiet while the smoke dissipates.

Some alarms can even be silenced by remote control. Battery-powered models should monitor their own battery level and warn you when the battery needs changing by beeping every few seconds. Some models feature a light that turns on when the alarm is activated. This is helpful if there's a power failure during a fire, as it can guide you out of the house.

Most mains-powered and some battery-powered alarms can be connected to each other, so that if one goes off, so do the rest, helping ensure that everyone in the home is alerted as soon as possible.

For people with hearing difficulties there are special products available, such ultra-loud alarms, strobe lights, and vibrating pads for your bed. Most modern smoke alarms have insect screens to help prevent insects setting off false alarms. But it's worth giving the smoke alarms a clean with a vacuum cleaner every once in a while to ensure dust hasn't built up in the air inlets, as it could set off nuisance alarms or even reduce the alarm's effectiveness at detecting smoke.

Smoke alarms are legally required for most residences in Australia. Here are the requirements for each state and territory. This is only a summary and laws can change: please check your state's current requirements when replacing a smoke alarm, or when building or renovating. While the minimum may be one alarm per home, more alarms might be required depending on the layout of the home.

Click the state name for links to relevant state authorities and regulations. Note that under the Building Code of Australia, all homes built or substantially renovated since require mains-powered smoke alarms with battery back-up, and where there are multiple alarms, these may also need to be interconnected.

NSW : at least one alarm per level or per apartment. The ionizing radiation helps detect small amounts of smoke in the air, as with a flaming fire. When smoke enters the sensor chamber, the current of the ionizing radiation is disrupted, which triggers the alarm.

Dual sensors include both photoelectric and ionization sensors. These are considered the safest smoke and fire detection devices. Smoke alarms can save a life, but they have to be properly installed and maintained.

Check batteries: According to a report, dead batteries are a major factor in smoke alarm failures. Arm every level: The National Fire Protection Association NFPA recommends putting a smoke detector on every level of your home: in every bedroom, outside every sleeping area, and in your basement. On floors without bedrooms, install alarms in the living area or near stairways. Mount high: Smoke rises.

Instead, mount fire alarms 3 feet below the ceiling so they can accurately read smoke. Never run out of batteries: Set up recurring delivery for smoke alarm batteries on Amazon. Keep it clean: Dirt and debris interfere with the sensors on your smoke alarm. Dusty buildup can lead to false alarms or delayed detection during an emergency. Whether you have a photoelectric alarm or an ionization detector, regular cleaning will keep your smoke alarm in working order.

Dodge drafts: Keep smoke alarms away from windows, doors, and air ducts. Drafts can disrupt the operation of smoke detectors and increase the occurrence of nuisance alarms. Get connected: Connecting your smoke alarms ensures everyone in your home knows about the emergency. You can install the connection easily and it will sound the siren throughout the house using each of your fire alarms. It takes a few extra steps to set up and test, but it means family members in every room will get the warning.

Even though it's on the expensive side, we picked the Google Nest Protect as the best smoke detector because it's just so darn helpful. Beyond being able to detect carbon monoxide and different types of fires, the app removes the frustration that comes with typical fire alarms.

Try changing the batteries first. If the beeping continues, the device may be sending false alarms. Make sure it's far enough from the bathroom or stove to avoid sensing heat or steam any time you use the room. There are pros and cons to smart smoke detectors, but it boils down to your preference and budget. For the best results, we recommend testing your smoke detectors once a month.

You should have at least one smoke detector per floor and outside of each of your sleeping areas. Smoke and fire detectors warn you when an emergency happens, but how do you prevent a fire in the first place? Start with a few common safety practices like careful cooking, cleaning out lint traps frequently, and storing flammable products safely. It's also a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher on hand in the house and show everyone how to use it.

To determine the best smoke alarms, we scoured industry research and evaluated product features, performance, and specs. Our five best smoke alarms were selected from 12 top devices that were compared for reliability, effectiveness, price, and customer satisfaction.

Learn more about how we conduct reviews like this one from our methodology page. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon.

About Contact Press Blog. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. This is not a guarantee. SafeWise is an independent review site. We may earn money when you click links on our site. Learn more. Smart Home FAQ. Best Smoke Detectors of We scoured industry research, ratings, and reviews to bring you the best smoke detectors.