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Buying Guide: Finding Your Next Smart Smoke Alarm
Traditional smoke detectors have been around for decades. Typically installed on the ceilings or walls of houses and apartments, these machines have served their purpose of alerting danger as soon as any sign of smoke is detected. What happens, though, when a smoke alarm is doing its job by ringing loudly, but there’s no one home to hear it? A small spark can turn into a full-fledged fire by the time someone hears and can take action, damaging — or potentially destroying — your home and the things inside it.Enter smart smoke alarms. These high-tech gadgets are equipped with the latest features, ready to call for help at the first sign of danger. There are many different options to choose from, so deciding which smart smoke alarm to buy can be a daunting task. To help you out, we’ve created this list that highlights the finest smart smoke alarms in 2023.
Google Nest Protect Smart Smoke Alarm
Best Overall
Ring Smart Smoke Alarm and CO Listener
Easiest to Install
X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Detector
Most Affordable
What Is a Smart Smoke Alarm?
Smoke detectors have been a staple in every home for as long as we can remember, warning inhabitants of impending danger as soon as it’s detected. Smart smoke alarms are designed to improve upon the existing advantages offered by standard smoke detectors — these devices not only sound alarms when danger is detected, but they can be linked with your smartphone to instantly notify you no matter where you are in case there’s a fire or gas leak in your home. This allows immediate action to be taken, saving not only your most prized possessions but potentially saving lives as well.Advantages of Smart Smoke Alarms
Smart smoke alarms offer many advantages when compared to traditional smoke detectors. The most notable among these is their connectivity with your smartphone, instantly notifying you in addition to sounding a loud alarm. Smart smoke alarms are also much more responsive than normal smoke alarms, detecting a fire or CO gas leak faster and providing more information about the specific room where danger has been detected. These devices also can distinguish between a real fire, steam from a shower, and even fumes from cooking. You can also connect your smart smoke alarm to other compatible devices, like a home assistant, to manage all the affairs of your home in one convenient place. Smart smoke alarms are also usually self-sufficient, automatically checking themselves in case their batteries need to be replaced.Hardwired vs Battery-powered
Smart smoke alarms typically come in two variations, and these are related to how they operate. The first type is hardwired smart smoke alarms — these devices are powered through your home’s electrical system and only use batteries as a backup. They give you the advantage of being able to connect them with other alarms in the house to signal each other in the case of an emergency.The other variation is battery-powered smart smoke alarms. These devices can be mounted anywhere in the home, as they pull their power from the battery attached to them. These smart smoke alarms can also easily be moved, though their batteries may require frequent replacement, which can be a hassle.What to Look for in a Smart Smoke Alarm
Some key features should be considered when shopping for a smart smoke alarm:Notification style
All smart smoke alarms notify their users in case danger is detected, but the style of notification can vary and have a big impact on the device’s usefulness. Some smart smoke alarms provide voice alarms, dictating the exact location of the danger detected as well as the type of fumes, while others feature color-coded lights that signal the type of emergency visually. Sending notifications to your smartphone is a staple for all smart smoke alarms, and these can be viewed at any time, no matter how far away from your device you may be.Smoke and carbon monoxide detection
The two most important dangers that a smart smoke alarm should protect you from are fire and carbon monoxide gas leaks. Some devices detect one or the other, while others can detect both — make sure to check which detection system a particular alarm includes before finalizing your purchase. The ideal smart smoke alarm would be a device that detects both smoke and carbon monoxide, offering more convenience and less hassle when it comes to installation and management.Multi-user access
The top smart smoke alarms allow for multiple users to connect to the system, letting everyone receive alerts in case of an emergency. Be sure to check whether the device you’re interested in supports multi-user access to protect your home and family as much as possible.Google Nest Protect Smart Smoke Alarm
Best Overall
The Google Nest Protect Smart Smoke Alarm is the most technologically advanced smoke alarm on this list. This device offers all the standard features you’ll want from a smart smoke alarm, like smoke and CO detection, a loud alarm, and real-time notifications through its Google Nest app, along with some more advanced functions as well.This smart smoke alarm can be used to detect both slow and fast-burning fires, and it can double as a light, illuminating when motion is detected nearby. You can choose to install this smart smoke alarm by either hardwiring it or simply using batteries, and it can offer you 10 years of protection before you’ll require a replacement. This smart smoke alarm is the top choice on our list thanks to its advanced, user-friendly features that are designed to keep you and your home safe.
Pros
- Detects both smoke and CO
- Loud, easy-to-silence alarm
- Sends smartphone notifications through Nest app
- Includes a motion-activated light
- Can be hardwired or powered by batteries
Cons
- Pricey compared to other alarms
Ring Smart Smoke Alarm and CO Listener
Easiest to Install
The Ring Smart Smoke Alarm and CO Listener is a great add-on device for anyone who wants the benefits of a smart smoke alarm without the hassle of installing a brand new device. Working alongside your existing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, this device will listen for any alarms and immediately notify you on your smartphone. This smart smoke alarm’s installation process is quick and easy, it works in real-time, and it also saves you the hassle of having to buy a brand-new device.It is important to note, though, that this device can’t detect fires or carbon monoxide itself, and it must be installed directly next to your existing smoke detector for it to function properly. It’s also a bit pricier than other smart smoke alarms that can offer smoke detection instead of just listening for alarms, but if you’re looking for such a product, then this one is a solid choice.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Ring app offers user-friendly experience
- Comes with batteries included
- Compatible with 10-year-old smoke detectors or younger
Cons
- Doesn’t detect, only listens for alarms
X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Detector
Most Affordable
The X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Detector is a miniature device containing all the essential features you could want in a smart smoke alarm. It’s easy to install and manage with the TuyaSmart and Smart Life apps, and it will send you real-time notifications so you can stay up to date with what’s happening in your home.This smart smoke alarm comes with a self-check function that constantly monitors its Wi-Fi connection and battery status, making device maintenance even easier for you. Its highly sensitive alarm can detect danger and quickly alert everyone nearby with its 85 Db sound, and you can conveniently silence this smart smoke alarm from its mobile app.
Pros
- Includes a photoelectric sensor to detect smoke
- Sends real-time app notifications
- Convenient self-check function
- Loud alarm that can be silenced easily
Cons
- Not very durable
People Also Asked
How do smart smoke alarms work?
Smart smoke alarms, like most other smart devices, typically connect to the Wi-Fi network already present in your home. This allows the device to communicate with your smartphone, sending alerts and notifications when smoke or carbon monoxide is detected.
What is the difference between photoelectric and ionization sensors?
Your smart smoke alarm may specify that it works using either a photoelectric or ionization sensor. Though both are equally responsive, photoelectric sensors are generally regarded as responding better to smoldering fires, while ionization sensors respond better to flaming fires.
How often should I replace my smart smoke alarm?
Smoke alarms, whether smart or traditional, are typically said to have a life expectancy of up to ten years. This is because the sensors attached to the alarms usually wear out by then, so to continue working effectively, they must be replaced. It’s important to note that these ten years must be dated from the manufacturing date, not the installation date. If your smart smoke alarm has no label specifying this, it’s better to replace it with a new one just to be sure.
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