We rank the following smoke detectors from best to worst considering a few factors and from our experience. This is from 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.
This list only applies to smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detector reviews are here. Detectors listed from best to worst- and remember, our opinion only.
Best
Google Nest – Nest wins the #1 award as best overall due to the price, features and reliability of the detector. Network ready. Great ratings. Both battery and hard wired types are available and can be networked together. Smart Night light technology. Good looking and #1 smart smoke detector on the market. And fun fact here. Exempt from the 10 year battery backup rule read here.
Very Good
Kidde P3010CU – Combo detector with 10 year battery and voice alert for smoke and CO incident. Battery type only. Easy to install. Very reliable. Flexible use. Alarm level is good.
Still Better
Kidde i2010SCO – Combo hard wired only detector with 10 year battery backup and voice alert for smoke and CO incident. Similar to the one above but to be used if you have an electrical box. Don’t use these if you are not connecting to a 120volt box – they won’t work. Very dependable.
Still Better
Kidde i9010 – Smoke detector only – not a combo unit. Very reliable and affordable. No voice alert but alarm is loud. Easy to install. Battery type only – not to be connected to 120volts but can be installed over electrical boxes in most areas. Very commonly used. Very dependable.
Better
Kidde i4618 – Hard wired smoke detector only – not a combo unit. Very commonly used and a work horse detector. 9volt battery backup which needs to be replaced every 18 months though, no 10 year battery. Only install with 120volt. Very reliable unit.
Just OK
Kidde Pi2010 – Dual sensor hard wired smoke detector only – not a combo unit. Not commonly used. Has older design. 9 volt battery backup which needs to be replaced every 18 months. Only install with a 120 volt system.
Just OK
First Alert 0827B – Smoke detector only with 10 year battery, no voice alert. Not a combo unit. Average reliability. Available at Lowes.
Not so great
First Alert PR710 – Smoke detector only with 10 year battery, no voice alert. Low profile. Not a combo unit. Poor reliability – battery does not last 10 years hence needs to be replaced before the 10 year mark. Sold at Costco.
Not so great
First Alert PRC700 – Smoke and CO combo detector with 10 year battery, no voice alert. Low profile. Not a combo unit. Poor reliability – battery does not last 10 years hence needs to be replaced before the 10 year mark. Hassle with First Alert customer service.
Not so great
First Alert SA511 – Smoke Detector only. Networkable and wireless connectivity. Not great reliability. Bulky looking when installed, and certainly not low profile. Alarm though is very loud – which is good for safety reasons.
Not so great
First Alert Micro Design 1039765 – Nice design but the 10 year battery does not last long and you have to call First Alert to get a new one when the battery fails before the 10 year mark. Hard to install, you need a micro screw driver. Emphasis on design over reliability and practicality. Alarm is not so loud.
Not CA Legal
Siterwell smoke detectors – Runs off a 9volt battery and has no 10 year battery installed. Poor quality, purchased on Amazon. Avoid these and other similar brands if you want to be code compliant. Best to shop Home Depot or Lowes or a local store when in CA. Alarm level is low.
Keep in mind just because you can purchase smoke detectors on Amazon, they are not all CA compliant. CA compliant battery detectors must have a 10 year life battery if they are a non-hard wired type smoke detector or a combo detector. Amazon carries any type and will ship non-compliant detectors to California. Local Home Depot and Lowes stores only have California compliant detectors, so always best to shop local when located in California to make sure you get a compliant and safe detector.
Google Nest (battery only type) detectors, as well as other ‘wireless’ or networkable detectors are exempt from having to have a 10 year battery, read here.
Contact us at 310.800.4418 if you have any questions.