Old smoke detectors can still do their jobs, but they belong to a past generation of technology. With infamous battery beeps, false alarms, and clunky designs in the older models, it’s no surprise that today’s smart devices have stepped in with a new kind of smoke detector that’s connected, capable, and much easier to live with. Upgrading is easy with our list of the best smart smoke detectors currently available, beginning with the all-around excellent Nest Protect.
Note: Check your state regulations for smoke detectors before buying and installing. States may have requirements for what kind of smoke detectors need to be in existing dwellings, and even where smoke detectors need to be located. Some devices offer both battery and hardwired versions because of this. You can find out more here.
Nest Protect
- Easy setup
- Clear warnings, including spoken alarms
- No hub required
- No more gestures to shut it off
- Limited integration with Nest thermostat
The Protect is part of Google’s Nest family, which means it can easily work alongside other Nest products, and it’s guaranteed to be compatible with Google’s Home app. It also works really well, with a “split-spectrum” sensor that can self-test itself for accuracy, double-check readings, and generally make sure there’s really an emergency before it goes off. It also has motion sensors, and it can light up a “Pathlight” as a nightlight when you have to grab a midnight snack.
Alerts go right to your phone, and you can use the app to quiet the alarm instead of climbing up to the detector itself. Other information, like low battery warnings, is handled by the app, too. It’s exactly what today’s smart smoke detector should be, making Nest Protect an easy top recommendation.
First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound
- Tons of customization options
- Built-in Alexa speaker
- Compatible with HomeKit
- Expensive
The First Alert model is, in some ways, like the Nest Protect. It has customizable nightlights, app controls and alerts, a great low battery notification, and other similar features. However, this detector is a better fit for those outside Google’s ecosystem: Specifically, it comes with a built-in Alexa and speaker, which allows you to ask the detector questions or even have it play music. You don’t even need an Echo device. It’s also compatible with HomeKit, and you can use voice alerts instead of just beeps to provide the house with more specific information.
First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound is hardwired, which makes it a good choice for new developments, as most states require hardwired smoke detectors for all new construction.
First Alert Onelink Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detection
- Easy battery replacement
- Supports Alexa
- Quirky design
This product has everything you could ask for: an all-in-one smoke and carbon monoxide detector that’s also a smart device. It will gather information and send notifications to your smartphone and respond to voice alerts. There’s a specific app for the device, but if you don’t want to download it, you can use Alexa, the Apple HomeKit app, and the Home App, making it similar to our other First Alert Pick. This alarm system will fire off a sharp 85-decibel alarm to alert and wake up people inside the home in the event of a problem.
The First Alert Onelink Dual Sensor’s battery compartment paves the way for simple battery replacement; its slide-off door offers easy access. If you don’t want to have to worry about changing out batteries, you can also find a hardwired model from the same company.
Amazon Echo
- Compact footprint
- Vastly improved sound quality
- Clock shows more useful info
- New temperature sensor
- Added Wi-Fi features
- Only works as Wi-Fi booster if you're already on Amazon eero network
Although it doesn’t have a built-in smoke detector, you can enable Alexa Guard to get smartphone alerts when your existing (non-smart) smoke alarm is going off. That’s a pretty cool feature — and it’s especially enticing if you don’t want to go through the hassle of installing a new device. Alexa Guard will also alert you if glass breaks, making it an easy way to add some smart security features to your home.
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