We rank the following CO – carbon monoxide detectors from best to worst considering a few factors and our experience. This is our professional opinion only and of course YMMV. We would like to hear your opinion of which smoke detector you think is best – or worst – and why. All detectors below are California compliant.
Below we rank the detectors from best being first to worst – based on our experience.
Best
Kidde KN-COB-DP2 (Firex) – Plug in carbon monoxide detector. Good reliability, looks and functionality. Can be moved from room to room easily.
Also Best
Kidde C3010 – Non-plug in carbon monoxide detector with installed 10 year battery. Can be mounted at a high or low height. No need to replace the batteries for 10 years unlike most other CO detectors. Very reliable.
Almost Best
Kidde KN-COB-LP2 (Firex) – Non plug in type carbon monoxide detector. Good reliability, looks and functionality. They work all of the time – failure rate is extremely low. Can be mounted at a low or high height. Batteries need to be replaced every 18 months.
Good
Kidde Nighthawk 21007268 – Non-plug in carbon monoxide detector. Good reliability, looks and functionality. Permanent installation. Some models include a display.
Average
Kidde KN-COB-LCB-A – Plug in carbon monoxide detector type. Older model, not a current stock. Works well, unknow current availability.
Average
First Alert CO1210 – Non-plug in carbon monoxide detector. Temperature display on front. Average reliability. Should be mounted at head height, and can be confused as the thermostat instead of a CO detector. Batteries need to be replaced every 18 months.
Bad
Online off brand – Non-plug in carbon monoxide detectors with no brand name. Many brands look the same. Best to avoid these detectors which are primarily made in China. When buying a CO detectors shop Lowes, Ace or Home Depot locally. They also do not have ‘low battery life’ indicators unlike higher quality ones. They are also RECALLED, click here.
Note when shopping, Kidde and FireX are the same brand, and First Alert and BRK are also the same brand.
We did not and do not test how quickly a CO detector will trigger and sound in case of a CO incident, so its important to purchase a high quality brand that has been tested by others and that are nationally recognized safe. When in doubt buy different brands and different types of CO detectors and install more than the minimum required to be on the safe side.
Recent CO detector recalls here.
Contact us if are interested in a detector which is not on this list.