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The 5 best smart smoke detectors for your home in 2024

Google Nest Protect
Google Nest

You should never ignore the importance of smoke detectors, but old models are being replaced by smart smoke detectors for more safety features and extra convenience. If you haven’t upgraded yet, it’s highly recommended that you do so with the best smart smoke detectors that we’ve rounded up here. There are many kinds to choose from, so we selected smart smoke detectors that cater to different needs. Once you’ve installed your purchase, you’ll regret not making the switch much sooner.

The best smart smoke detectors

  • Buy the if you want the best smart smoke detector in the market.
  • Buy the if you have a Ring smart home setup.
  • Buy the if you want visual status updates.
  • Buy the if you want an affordable smart smoke detector.
  • Buy the if you want a hardwired smart smoke detector.

Google Nest Protect

Best smart smoke detector for any home

Nest Protect
Nest
Pros Cons
Google Nest’s split-spectrum sensor Relatively expensive
Alerts through Google Home app
Carbon monoxide sensor

The Google Nest Protect continues to be our top choice among the best smart smoke detectors partly because of its split-spectrum sensor that can test itself for accuracy, double-check reading, and just make sure that there’s really an emergency situation before it sounds the alarm. Alerts go straight to your smartphone through the Google Home app, and it can also send out voice alerts to provide an early warning for any danger. The Google Nest Protect can also detect the invisible but deadly carbon monoxide, and it can also serve as a night light when you walk under it in the dark.

Specifications
Power source Battery
Weight 16 ounces
Sensor type Split-spectrum

First Alert Z-Wave Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Best smart smoke detector for Ring-powered smart homes

The First Alert Z-Wave Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Alarm on a white background.
First Alert
Pros Cons
Works seamlessly with Ring system Small lights for status
Detects smoke and carbon monoxide
85-decibel horn

If you’ve already invested in the Ring ecosystem of smart home devices, including the Ring Alarm Base Station, the First Alert Z-Wave Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Alarm is an excellent choice. You’ll receive real-time notifications in the Ring app when it detects smoke or carbon monoxide, and it’s also equipped with an 85-decibel horn that alerts everyone in the house when there’s danger. It runs on 2 AA batteries, which can easily be replaced through its battery door at its side.

Specifications
Power source Battery
Weight 11 ounces
Sensor type Electrochemical, photoelectric

Aegislink Wi-Fi Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector

Best smart smoke detector for your peace of mind

The Aegislink Wi-Fi Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector with its companion app.
Aegislink
Pros Cons
Colored LED status light with display No smart home integration
Checks itself every 60 seconds
Lateral air vents

Some people may have the incessant need to keep checking if their smoke detector is working properly. While this is less of a hassle with smart smoke detectors as you can check through their app, the Aegislink Wi-Fi Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector makes this even easier with its colored LED light that signals if there’s an issue, plus a display that gives you information on what’s going on in your home. The device checks itself ever 60 seconds to make sure that there’s no problem, and its lateral air vents make it easier for its sensors to detect smoke and carbon monoxide.

Specifications
Power source Battery
Weight 3.2 ounces
Sensor type Electrochemical, photoelectric

X-Sense Smart Smoke Detector

Best smart smoke detector for those on a tight budget

The X-Sense Smart Smoke Detector with its companion app.
X-Sense
Pros Cons
Real-time notifications to up to 12 people No visual status indicator
Compact design
Fire truck dispatch with Protect+ Premium

The X-Sense Smart Smoke Detector may be affordable, but it has what it takes to protect your family with its ability to send real-time notifications for alarms, faults, and low battery warnings to the X-Sense Home Security app. Its compact design will even allow you to bring one when you travel, and you can share the device with up to 12 different accounts on various devices. You can also subscribe to Protect+ Premium, which will dispatch a fire truck to your home when an alarm is triggered.

Specifications
Power source Battery
Weight 4.5 ounces
Sensor type Photoelectric

Kidde Smart Smoke Detector

Best smart smoke detector for no battery replacements

The Kidde Smart Smoke Detector on the ceiling.
Kidde
Pros Cons
Hardwired with backup battery Doesn’t detect carbon monoxide
Voice alerts and alarm
QR code for setting up

The Kidde Smart Smoke Detector is hardwired, which means you don’t have to worry about replacing its batteries every once in a while, though it also has a 10-year backup battery to keep you protected in case of a power outage. The smart smoke detector can send real-time notifications to the Kidde app on your phone, but it can also issue voice alerts and ring an 85-decibel alarm. Once installed, you can set it up simply by scanning its QR code on the app, and you can monitor its status through its LED light.

Specifications
Power source Hardwired
Weight 11.2 ounces
Sensor type Photoelectric

How we chose these smart smoke detectors

You should always have an active smoke detector in your home for your family’s safety, and a smart smoke detector will further improve your protection against fires. There’s an overwhelming number of options out there though, but we narrowed everything down to our selection of the best smart smoke detectors by focusing on the features that should be considered as the most important.

Reliability

Your family’s safety in case of a fire depends on your smart smoke detector, so buying a reliable one is the highest priority. You wouldn’t want to end up with a smart smoke detectors that fails right when you need it the most, so we stuck with the most trustworthy brands and those with excellent reviews from other shoppers. There are many other options in the market, but the ones that we’ve highlighted above are among the top choices that you can depend on.

Compatibility

One of the biggest reasons to upgrade to a smart smoke detector is its compatibility with your smartphone or your smart home setup, so you won’t be maximizing the device if it won’t work with what you currently own. We chose smart smoke detectors that are compatible with the most popular systems to make sure that you can access their features, because if you can’t, there’s no point in upgrading from an old smoke detector.

Value for money

You have the choice between affordable and expensive smart smoke detectors, but no matter which one you go for, we made sure that you’ll be getting your money’s worth. Cheap smart smoke detectors should still offer what you should expect from such devices, while premium ones shouldn’t have exorbitantly high prices because of technology that you may not be able to maximize. If you’re going to spend on a smart smoke detector, you shouldn’t lose sight of the goal of getting the absolute best value for your cash.

This article is managed and created separately from the Digital Trends Editorial team.

Editors' Recommendations

Aaron Mamiit

Aaron received a NES and a copy of Super Mario Bros. for Christmas when he was 4 years old, and he has been fascinated with tech ever since. A gamer at heart, Aaron believes that while the tech industry is often dealing with side quests and boss fights, it always remains on track with the mission to save the world.

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