Best photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide detector

Staff, Courtesy of Google

Despite booming real estate prices, there’s still plenty of home-buying happening right now. Installing smoke detectors (and carbon monoxide detectors) is at the top of new homeowners’ must-do lists. For those already settled, it’s smart to consider upgrading your units to newer models—or buying additional ones to created an interconnected system—to give your home better coverage. But with so many options on the market and technical details that aren’t easily digestible at a glance, it can be tough to find the right smoke detector for your family and setup. Read on for our top recommendations to consider, plus important shopping advice and tips.

The 10 Best Smoke Detectors

What to Look for in a Smoke Detector

There are three types of smoke detectors: single-sensor ionization units and photoelectric units, as well as dual-sensor units that combine both technologies. Ionization detectors can pick up small particles emitted from fires that burn quickly and produce a lot of flames. Photoelectric detectors sense larger particles from fires that produce a lot of smoke and smoldering. Dual-sensor smoke detectors use both methods, and therefore provide the best protection.

Smoke detectors are either battery-operated or hardwired, with batteries as backup in case of a power outage. According to the U.S Fire Administration, smoke detectors should be tested monthly and batteries replaced every year. Smoke detectors should also be UL-certified. As a side note, the standards for UL certification are due for an update in June 2022, and are expected to prohibit manufacturers from producing single-sensor smoke detectors—which is even more reason to consider a dual-sensor unit.

Several smoke detectors are interconnectable, so multiple units of the same make and model can be linked, and all alarms will be triggered if there’s a fire in one area of the house. There are also smart smoke detectors and units that have LED light alerts, location alerts to detect the fire’s exact location, and voice alerts, which are said to be more effective in waking young children. As for where to install smoke detectors, you’ll need one on every level of your home, including the basement and attic, and one outside of every bedroom.

Finally, some units do double duty as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and we cover some below. If your smoke detector doesn’t include a carbon monoxide detector, it’s essential to purchase a separate unit to detect the odorless gas, which can leak from household appliances such as gas stoves or ovens and dryers, as well as other sources including power generators, furnaces, and water heaters.

How We Selected These Smoke Detectors

Every single smoke detector we cover below has an average user rating of at least four stars. We cast a wide net in making our selections, digging into our own research and considering expert sources such as Wirecutter and Consumer Reports. We feature smoke detectors across price points, starting at about $12 for something basic but effective to high-end, multiunit systems that cost more than $100. We also include different kinds of smoke detectors as mentioned above, such as single- and dual-sensor models, as well as models that include carbon monoxide detectors.

Most Affordable

First Alert

First Alert Hardwired Smoke Alarm

A Step Up

Kidde

Kidde Lithium Battery Smoke Alarm

Premium Single-Sensor

X-Sense

X-Sense Standard Smoke Detector

Best for Google Nest Homes

Google

Google Nest Protect

Battery-Powered Dual-Sensor Alarm

First Alert

First Alert Battery-Operated Dual-Sensor Smoke Alarm

Hardwired Dual Sensor

First Alert

First Alert Hardwired Dual-Sensor Smoke Alarm

Best for Homes With Kids

Kidde

Kidde Smoke Detector With Voice Alert

Best With Carbon Monoxide Detector

First Alert

First Alert Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector

Best Low-Profile

First Alert

First Alert Slim Smoke Alarm

Best Interconnected System

X-Sense

X-Sense Mini Wireless Interconnected Smoke Alarm

Rachel Klein Rachel Klein Rachel Klein has been a professional editor and writer for more than a decade, with a background in digital media, publishing, and journalism.

Are photoelectric smoke detectors the best?

What is the top rated smoke and carbon monoxide detector?

Are combo smoke and carbon monoxide detectors good?

Is First Alert or Kidde better?