In the wake of frequent fire incidents, having a smoke detector is an absolute necessity these days. Here are some stats by NFPA, three out of five deaths from house fires were in properties where no smoke detector was installed. Now less than half of the houses in the United States have a working smoke detector installed. One can understand it is of extreme importance to have these installed in the house. So let’s take a look at the best smoke and carbon monoxide detector that one can install and ramp up their security arrangements.
Five Best Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Detector For 2020 –
- First Alert SCO5CN – Editor’s Choice (No.1 Pick)
- First Alert SC7010B – Best Hardwired Alarm
- Combination Smoke and CO Detector Alarm – Pristine Display
- Kidde 21010170 Alarm – Easy Setup Alarm
- Alexa Enabled Smoke & CO Alarm – Futuristic Detector
1. First Alert Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm | Battery Operated, SCO5CN – Editor’s Choice (No.1 Pick)
Product Description
Weight – 0.66 Pounds
Dimensions – 2 x 5 x 5 inches
Sound – 85 decibels
Tech – Photoelectric
Warranty – 7 Years
Small and inexpensive this Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detector from First Alert is our No.1 choice for many reasons. This is a battery-operated detector which is always good to have to stay clear of power failures if at all it happens. This is both a smoke and carbon monoxide detector so that you don’t have to buy both of these separately.
Pros In Details –
- Powered by batteries and thus not dependent on any external power source.
- Batteries also mean there is no need for an electrician and the entire setup can be done by yourself.
- Not only does it have an 85-decibel alarm sound as a warning but an indicator light on the front as well. These in combination are effective to warn house owners before any mishap.
- It comes with a 7-year warranty which is quite good compared to other detectors.
- Equipped with an end of life signal so that the user is not left in the dark when the time comes to replace the detectors.
- Has an alert signal which will warn the user when to change batteries. This happens when the alarm is running low on battery.
- A test/silence button so that the user can test after the insertion of batteries whether the detector is working properly or not.
- Insertion of batteries is smooth and can be done without removing the entire detector from the ceiling.
Cons
- Ships to anywhere in the United States except for New York.
Final Verdict
This alarm is our No. 1 pick because it has all the ingredients of a great detector. Sure it doesn’t have any fancy functions to boast about but a good detector needs to have all the bases covered in terms of its basic functions. And this detector has all that with a pretty reasonable price to show. New Yorkers though can look at our next pick below as this doesn’t ship there.
2. First Alert SC7010B Smoke Carbon Monoxide Detector – Best Hardwired Alarm
Product Description
Weight – 0.7 Pounds
Dimensions – 5 x 5 x 2 inches
Sound – 85 decibels
Tech – Photoelectric
Warranty – 10 Years
Another detector from First Alert makes our list. This one is particularly different from the one above as this is a hardwired alarm. That doesn’t mean it is completely dependent on physical wires to run. It has a separate battery slot as a backup, just in case of a power failure.
Pros In Detail
- Hardwired alarms like these are full proof in a way that there is always a constant power supply. A constant supply in the form of direct power and in the form of batteries in case of an outage means that you can sleep tight as their operation is never disrupted.
- Due to features such as electrochemical Carbon Monoxide sensing technology plus a photoelectric sensor, smoke is detected 360 degrees inside the house.
- The alarm sound is loud enough to be heard even if one is having any hearing disabilities.
- A 10-year warranty is claimed by the manufacturer, something unheard of in case of other detectors.
- It comes with batteries. AA type batteries are used for this.
- Locking features to prevent the stealing of the detectors.
Cons
- Hardwired means an electrician is preferred to do the installation.
Final Verdict
If you’re a firm believer in hardwired alarms then this is your best bet. Not only it has a lot of takers online but the advanced 360-degree feature it has is also unique. And even though the expense is a bit more because of the installation, it is worth it as hardwired alarms like these coupled with a battery backup are full proof.
3. Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm | Digital Display for Travel Home Bedroom and Kitchen – Also Great
Product Description
Weight – 0.4 Pound
Dimensions – 5 x 4.7 x 1.9 inches
Sound – 85 decibels
Tech – Photoelectric & Electrochemical Sensor
Warranty – User will have to check with the manufacturer on this
This combo alarm is another entrant on our list. One of the very few detectors with an LCD screen to accurately detect and display carbon monoxide levels. This is again a battery-operated device so the entire setup can be done without an electrician. The thing to take note is that a regular AA battery won’t work for this detector, it will require you to put a 9V battery to ensure it starts operating.
Pros In Detail
- Dual Sensors to execute separate functions of detecting smoke as well as harmful levels of carbon monoxide.
- Display on the face of the alarm means another way to alert you of smoke and Carbon monoxide levels.
- Since it works on batteries there is no need for an electrician to get the set up done.
- Sensors are highly stable to differentiate between a false alarm and an actual threat.
Cons
- Completely reliant on batteries to operate.
- Change of batteries can be annoying, as one will have to take the entire device out.
- No clear warranty period mentioned by the manufacturer.
Final Verdict
Perhaps a bit offbeat but an effective alarm is what we’ll call it. It has to be drilled in so once you’ve done that there’s no worry of the detector falling off. This detector is also new compared to the other two we have mentioned but is a hit among the users.
4. Kidde 21010170 10 Year Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Detector | Photoelectric | Kitchen | Model P3010K-CO – Best Alarm In Terms Of Setup
Product Description
Weight – 0.31 Pound
Dimensions – 5.2 x 5.2 x 1.6 inches
Sound – Standard (No specific mention by the manufacturer)
Tech – Photoelectric & Electrochemical Technology
Warranty – 10 Years
Super easy in terms of setup, this alarm by Kiddle is manufactured to lessen the hassle faced by house owners during its installation. A lithium-powered inbuilt battery which will require no replacement whatsoever for at least 10 years! Lithium batteries generally last longer than the average batteries and this is the reason why Kiddle has gone this route. Thus eliminating the hassle of removing/replacing them completely. So once the alarm has run its course one can simply buy a new one without ever going into its battery drama.
Pros
- 10 Year pre-installed lithium batteries have to be the biggest plus.
- The warranty of 10 years is also good.
- It has a self-activation feature, meaning the alarm will automatically activate itself when attached to the bracket.
Cons
- No major con as such, just that the fear of the alarm failing before its designated 10 year period will always be there.
Final Verdict
Even though all these 10-year alarms sounds promising one can never expect what their true shelf life really is. This is the case with almost any alarm, so keep in mind that don’t expect any of these to last that long. Even if they last half of that period consider yourself fortunate because at the moment we have no other option than to buy these. These will not burn a hole in your pocket so the alarms mentioned above including this is probably good enough to have for at least a couple of years.
5. Alexa Enabled Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm with Premium Home Speaker | Onelink Safe & Sound by First Alert – Futuristic Detector
Product Description
Weight – 1.76 Pounds
Dimensions – 7 x 7 x 2 inches
Sound – 85 db
Tech – Photoelectric & Electrochemical Technology
Warranty – 3 Years
Now, this is a coming of age smoke detector by First Alert. Slightly bigger in dimensions as compared to a normal device, it provides voice alerts all thanks to Alexa. It can also double up as a home speaker, you can even take calls, play music and let it do its primary job to monitor smoke and monoxide all at once.
Pros
- With the power of Alexa, it uses voice alerts to alert the user.
- Doubles up as a home speaker.
- Linked to its Onelink app now you can get 24/7 notifications about your house anytime, anywhere. This is, in particular, a very strong feature especially if you’re out of your house.
- You can track battery levels from your app itself.
- It doesn’t use a lot of wiring and the installation can be done by the user itself.
- Almost all of the Alexa features are included in this device so you can play music, listen to podcasts and more.
- Amazing interconnectivity with other detectors to closely monitor your entire house and ensure you get alerts in case of a mishap.
Cons
- Bigger than a conventional alarm and thus will use more space on your ceiling. Other than this there are no major cons to report.
Final Verdict
If you are one of those that move with the changing times then there is no other option than this. To have the Alexa features, home speaker and a smoke detector all in one device is like killing a flock of birds with one stone(no bird cruelty intended). There is hardly any detector out there which keeps you in the loop about your home safety through your smartphone.
Some General Questions | Buying Guide
Are combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors good?
Of course yes! Tech advancements have made it possible for a single device to perform two different functions. It also takes less space on your ceiling and more importantly when the device does beep you don’t have to look around for which one it is. This, as well as reduction in overall cost, is the reason homeowners are now more interested in buying a combo.
Are 10-year smoke detectors good?
Install and forget is the mantra for these detectors. Normal detectors are not a viable option anymore because users don’t want to get in the hassle of changing them frequently.
How many smoke and carbon monoxide detectors do I need?
Assuming you’re using a combination detector it is advisable to have at least three of these at your house. These will cover areas like your kitchen, bedroom and living room or garage. You’ll get this flexibility with a combo detector only, if you’re using separate ones then a total of six are required. To go in depth refer to our article here.
Smoke Detector Vs Carbon Monoxide Detector
We know you have probably sat back in your Living Room, bedroom, and basement and wondered, “What is that device sitting in the corner? Oh, that’s the smoke detector.” Then, you kick yourself in the foot when you realize that it’s the carbon monoxide detector.
Yeah, we know that it can be very difficult telling the difference between the two, but that is why we are here to help you. Many think that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are the same but there are a variety of differences.
Whether you love them, hate them, or you pay them no mind there is no doubt that these little devices can save your life.
For example, In the United States over 400 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Around 20,000 visit the emergency room, with more than 4,000 hospitalized. It was also reported that between 2005–2009, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
In 38% of deaths caused by a home fire, no smoke alarms were present. While in 24% of the home fire deaths, smoke alarms were present but did not sound.
So, as you can see, based on the statistics, having both a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector is very important. Although both are very important, there are many people who either lack one of the two or both. Even the maintenance is so poor that having either one is rather redundant.
But what if we told you that there are a plethora of individuals who think that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are one and the same. Although they both are safety devices, they are set up to detect certain forms of chemicals. Be sure to follow along to discover the importance of both devices and how they can make your home much safer.
Smoke Detectors
Did you know that in 1915 the chances of surviving a house or apartment fire were one in ten? You hear that right, one in ten chance of surviving. Luckily for us, after 100 years, those changes have increased substantially. You want to know why? Because of the creation of the smoke detector.
Smoke detectors were created in the 1880s to alert people in business, houses, and apartments if there was a fire present. Now, with modern technology, smoke detectors can do much more. Early in the 20th century, there was only so far that a smoke detector could detect smoke. Now, smoke detectors can detect smoke from a much farther radius.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Have you been feeling a little dreary lately while walking around your house? You might want to check your carbon monoxide levels. Well, actually, you should have a carbon monoxide detector in your house somewhere. Oh, you don’t? Well, that’s not surprising since a significant portion of people either lack a carbon monoxide detector or they lack a functioning one.
The first carbon monoxide detectors were developed in 1925 by Chester Gorden and James Lowe. The device was created to aid commercial workers but later evolved to be the devices we use today. While smoke detectors alert you of potential fires, carbon monoxide detectors are meant to detect carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide detectors are a very recent invention – they have only been around for about 25 years. We know you are wondering, what makes carbon monoxide so dangerous? Well, carbon monoxide is a chemical that is scentless and dangerous amounts can leave you dead or with very bad respiratory problems. This is why carbon monoxide detectors were created – to detect dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
Conclusion
Although both these detectors are very different, we recommend that you purchase both or a dual detector that can detect both. Remember, you don’t want to lose your life over a lack of will to spend $25 on the devices or $2 for a pack of batteries. Also, we recommend spending a pretty decent penny on both. It has been proven that the more you spend on the detectors the longer the life and the better the quality.