It’s that time of year again – Daylight Saving Time. This is a great time and reminder to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. It is essential to have a working smoke detector in your home to warn of any fires or other dangers occurring, especially if it’s in the middle of the night when you and your loved ones are asleep.
Check your smoke detector’s expiration date
I remember a fire captain first introducing me to the fact that smoke detectors have an expiration date written on them. I had no idea smoke detectors go bad. Then he showed me a test with a controlled burn with an expired smoke detector with new batteries versus a new smoke detector. The old one took far more smoke and about a minute longer to sound the alarm. That minute could be the difference between life and death. I promptly replaced all my expired smoke detectors with fresh ones.
Some are better than others. With so many different types of detectors on the market, it can be difficult to choose which one to buy. That’s why we’re helping you make that choice.
What should I look for when buying a smoke detector?
Type of smoke detector
Depending on what you feel you need for your home, you can buy two different types of smoke detectors: ionization and photoelectric. Ionization detectors are more responsive to flaming fires, while photoelectric detectors are more responsive to smoldering fires. I recommend having both types of detectors or dual-sensor detectors that combine both types of sensors for better protection.
Power source
Smoke detectors can be powered by batteries, hardwired into your home’s electrical system, or a combination of both. Hardwired smoke detectors are generally more reliable, although battery-powered ones can be easier to install and maintain.
Interconnectivity
If you want multiple detectors in your home, it would be best to have them interconnected so that they can communicate with each other. If one detector goes off, all the detectors in the house will go off too. This feature can give you extra protection by making sure everyone in your house can hear the alarm.
Smart features
Some smoke detectors now come with smart features, such as the ability to connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network and send alerts to your phone. this can be especially helpful if you are not at home when your smoke detector goes off.
Testing and maintenance
Make sure to choose a smoke detector that is easy to test and maintain. I recommend that test your smoke detectors once a month and replace the batteries every six months. Try looking for a newer model as well because it may have features that make testing and maintenance easier, such as voice alerts that tell you when it’s time to replace the batteries.
Regulatory certifications
Make sure your smoke detector is certified by UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards. The last thing you want is for your smoke detector to die out when you need it most, and these certifications will ensure that the detector has been tested and meets safety requirements.
Price
I know we’re in a rough spot right now with our economy, however, investing in a high-quality detector will further guarantee that your safety and the safety of your loved ones will not be at risk. Don’t skimp on price when it comes to choosing a smoke detector.
Once you figure out what you need in a smoke detector when considering the 7 tips above, you can start looking for the right one that fits you best. Here are 5 options that we’ve picked out for you.
Top 5 Smoke Detectors
1. X-Sense Smoke Detector
Credit: X-Sense
This detector has a combination of smoke and CO detectors that detect both smoke and carbon monoxide using a photoelectric smoke sensor and an electrochemical CO sensor. It is built with a sealed lithium battery that provides 10 years of continuous power, saving you from changing batteries and power outages. Plus, it meets the UL 217 and UL 2034 safety standards. At the time of publishing, this product had over 3,700 global reviews with 79% giving it 5 stars.
2. Google Nest Protect Smoke Alarm
Credit: Google
The Google Nest Protect Smoke Alarm is also both a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector. It is battery-operated and has a built-in voice as well that speaks up to give you an early warning when there’s smoke or CO in your home. Its split spectrum sensor looks for both fast burning and smoldering and tells you where the danger is. At the time of publishing, this product had over 12,000 global reviews on Amazon with 83% giving it 5 stars.
Get Google Nest Protect Smoke Alarm
3. First Alert Smoke Detector
Credit: First Alert
The First Alert smoke detector is a dual smoke and carbon monoxide detector that is reasonably priced on Amazon for just $36.99 at the time of publishing. It comes with a battery backup which means constant monitoring, even if there’s a power failure. It is simple to use, with a single test and silence button, and a side load battery compartment. At the time of publishing, this product had over 23,000 global reviews with 83% giving it 5 stars.
Get First Alert Smoke Detector
4. Kid Smoke Detector
Credit: Kidde
This Kidde smoke detector has both fire and CO detectors with alert modes, LED lights, and a voice alarm that states, “Fire. Fire”, “Warning. Carbon Monoxide”, or “Low Battery.” It comes with ionization sensor technology, and the smoke detector detects invisible fire particles, with 85-decibel alarm alerts of fire. Plus, it is battery-operated and can still work even if the power goes out. At the time of publishing, this product had over 31,000 global reviews with 79% giving it 5 stars.
5. Alert Pro Smoke Detector
Credit: Alert Pro
The Alert Pro smoke detector is another great smoke and carbon monoxide detector unit that is battery-operated. It is suitable for all where it is possible to produce carbon monoxide, such as your home kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom. The 85 dB alarm provides a clear, loud warning when carbon monoxide or smoke is discovered, and each buyer gets a 5-year warranty. At the time of publishing, this product had over 1,800 global reviews with 66% giving it 5 stars.
Pro Tip: Test your smoke detector to ensure that it’s working properly around daylight savings when you change your clocks. This is typically done twice a year, in the spring and fall, when daylight savings time begins and ends. The next time change is March 12th, 2023.
To test your smoke detector, simply press the test button on the device. If the alarm sounds, then it’s working properly. If it doesn’t sound, then you should replace the battery or the entire unit, depending on the age and type of smoke detector you have.
Have you tried one of these smoke detectors yet? Let us know how they work for you.
Related:
21 comments
Thank you, l have been looking for a smoke and CO2 detector for a couple of weeks and this really helps.
I have a home that’s less than 1900 sq ft, yet I have 8 hardwired smoke detectors. My last home had 4 and was about the same size. The proliferation of these codes to have more and more of these in the home is ridiculous. In any case, it’s very expensive to change all these after 10 years…. Thank you for the research into these, saves me a lot of time now that I’ve got to buy replacements.