The Best Smart Smoke Detectors for Advanced Peace of Mind

Best Overall

Google Nest Protect Smoke & CO Alarm 2nd Generation

5

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The Google Nest Protect is a pioneering smart smoke detector that, in its second iteration, remains at the top of the market. Despite the high price tag, our tester gave it a full 5 out of 5 stars for its combination of quality and user-friendliness. As a testament to the easy setup process, our reviewer was able to install two battery-powered Nest Protect units (hardwired installation is an option as well) in the span of 20 minutes. The devices quickly connected to the Wi-Fi network and the Nest app, where heads-up smoke alerts come through and can be dismissed before the full, very loud alarm goes off.

The Nest Protect even features advanced technology in terms of smoke detection, combining the strengths of photoelectric and ionization sensors into a split-spectrum sensor that better detects both smoldering and flaming fires, in addition to greatly reducing false alarms. Our tester reported that this alarm "is smart enough to distinguish real smoke from shower steam or minor cooking smoke." When compared with two other models he tested, the Nest Protect was the only device that didn't sound as a result of cooking—despite being "mounted right next to one of the offending alarms." The built-in carbon monoxide (CO) detector is similarly accurate and lasts 10 years. The device also self-checks all its sensors and battery levels 400 times a day, with speaker tests once a month.

Besides notifications on the app, the Nest Protect itself issues voice prompts that describe what's happening (and where), with the ring of light around the center button changing colors. The ring's glow can be activated via a motion sensor in the dark, serving as a night light that became a surprisingly valuable bonus feature in our reviewer's home.

Price at time of publish: $115

_{Power Source: Hardwired or battery | Compatibility: Wi-Fi, Google Home | Sensors: Split-spectrum | Extras: Carbon monoxide monitoring, battery self-check, voice prompts, motion-sensor light}

Best Budget

X-Sense XS03-WX Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm

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Any smoke detector with smart features will understandably cost more than a standard alarm, but with the XS03-WX Wi-Fi Smoke Detector from X-Sense, the price hike is much less dramatic. It represents an affordable way to connect your smoke detector to the internet and control it remotely through a mobile app. This model includes the ability to receive real-time alerts, silence false alarms, and check the status of the replaceable lithium battery.

With no option for wiring the XS03-WX directly to your electrical system, installing the device with the included mounting screws or adhesive is straightforward and quick. It fits well into just about any home setup, thanks to a compact circular shape at roughly 3 inches across and 2 inches deep. The smoke sensor is photoelectric, responding faster to smoldering fires than flaming ones, and there's no carbon monoxide sensor (in this or any other X-Sense Wi-Fi models). For this reason, having separate ionization detectors and CO detectors is recommended for full coverage.

Price at time of publish: $40

_{Power Source: Replaceable CR123A lithium battery | Compatibility: Wi-Fi, X-Sense app | Sensors: Photoelectric | Extras: Battery self-check}

Best with Carbon Monoxide Monitoring

Kidde P4010ACSCO-WF Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Smart Features

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Kidde, a leading manufacturer of fire safety products, took some time before entering the smart smoke detector arena, but its Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Smart Features is well worth considering if you're looking for a device with double-duty detection. Beyond the established brand, as a UL-listed product tested and certified for reliable home use, you can feel confident in its performance with CO and fire hazards.

The Kidde Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm requires hardwiring to your home's electrical system, with a 10-year lithium battery as a backup. Connecting your Wi-Fi network unlocks its smart capabilities, including remote access, notifications, and a Smart Hush feature for false alarms. You can also issue commands through the Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voice assistants (though it's incompatible with Apple HomeKit), and the device itself provides voice alerts in addition to its 85-decibel alarm. Plus, if you happen to have other Kidde alarms that are hardwired and interconnected to this one, they all activate and send phone alerts when any of them go off.

Price at time of publish: $80

_{Power Source: Hardwired; lithium battery backup | Compatibility: Wi-Fi, Amazon Alexa, Google Home | Sensors: Photoelectric | Extras: Carbon monoxide monitoring, voice prompts}

Best for Alexa

First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound

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Although safety and peace of mind are top priorities for any smoke detector, the First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound adds a unique element of convenience and entertainment through a built-in Amazon Alexa smart speaker. You can ask Alexa to control other smart gadgets, tell you the news, read audiobooks, or play music straight from this smoke detector's strong, premium speakers. The Safe & Sound also supports Apple's HomeKit platform and AirPlay if you use Apple devices rather than Alexa. Either way, you will likely want to put the speaker to good use to justify a price that's about twice as much as a Google Nest Protect.

On the safety side, the Safe & Sound holds up to the established reliability of the First Alert brand, with a photoelectric sensor and a carbon monoxide detector. It's a hardwired alarm designed to easily replace your existing hardwired detector with a sealed-in 10-year lithium battery backup. It also includes a night light with customizable brightness and colors to help guide you in the dark.

Price at time of publish: $278

_{Power Source: Hardwired; lithium battery backup | Compatibility: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit | Sensors: Photoelectric, electrochemical | Extras: Carbon monoxide monitoring, voice prompts, smart speaker, customizable night light}

Best for HomeKit

First Alert Onelink Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector

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For users of Apple iPhones, iPads, and the Siri voice assistant, finding devices that work with Apple's HomeKit smart home ecosystem isn't always easy. Fortunately, there are smart smoke detector options for HomeKit users, including First Alert's Onelink Smart Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm. Once you've connected it to your home Wi-Fi network and HomeKit, it can integrate with other HomeKit gadgets and any automations you've set up. This second-generation model is also compatible with Amazon Alexa for additional flexibility.

The Onelink smart alarm offers two-in-one smoke and carbon monoxide detection and the option to choose your power source: a hardwired model with a sealed 10-year battery backup or a version with a replaceable five-year battery and an easy-to-access battery door. The hardwired units can interconnect with compatible alarms, and the battery-operated ones can do so wirelessly. You also get remote app notifications common to smart smoke detectors, but Onelink notifications can be delayed and won't trigger if an interconnected alarm sounds as opposed to the main unit.

Price at time of publish: $136

_{Power Source: Hardwired or battery | Compatibility: Wi-Fi, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit | Sensors: Photoelectric, electrochemical | Extras: Carbon monoxide monitoring, voice prompts}

Best Smoke Alert Monitor

Ring Alarm Smoke and CO Listener

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Today's smart smoke detectors make it relatively efficient to connect your smoke alarms to the internet, but in certain situations a device like the Ring Alarm Smoke and CO Listener might be a worthwhile alternative. It's not a detector itself but a gadget that you install near an existing smoke or CO detector (within 6 inches in this case) that listens for when the alarm goes off. Hearing an alarm then triggers the notifications that get pushed to your phone.

Importantly, the Ring Alarm Smoke and CO Listener requires the presence of a Ring Alarm Security System, so it makes sense primarily if you already have that smart security platform protecting your home. If you do, the listener adds a straightforward, easy-to-install fire prevention element to the mix. It's worth noting that if you've signed up for professional monitoring through Ring, the listener will automatically dispatch the fire department to your home if it hears an alarm, with no way to cancel the call. This automation makes false alarms potentially costly affairs.

Price at time of publish: $35

_{Power Source: Lithium battery | Compatibility: Ring Alarm Security System (Z-Wave) | Sensors: Not applicable | Extras: None}

Best for Z-Wave

First Alert ZCombo Wireless Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm

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Setting up your house with Z-Wave, a wireless mesh network (devices that work together to form one Wi-Fi network) generally dedicated to smart home systems, can offer several advantages over using more traditional Wi-Fi-only products. First Alert's 2-in-1 Z-Wave Wireless Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Alarm (sometimes called ZCOMBO) is a smart detector ideal for Z-Wave-based smart hubs like Samsung SmartThings, Ring Alarm, or Nexia Home Intelligence. But it's incompatible with Wink or First Alert's own Onelink system.

Besides using a different wireless protocol, the Z-wave alarm works similarly to other smart smoke detectors. It sends mobile alerts through the smart home app you connect to, though it lacks extra features like voice prompts or self-checks. A photoelectric smoke sensor and an electrochemical CO sensor give it more versatility and convenience, as does an easily accessible battery compartment for basic AA batteries. However, there's no option for hardwiring it to your electrical system or wirelessly interconnecting it with alarms outside of your smart hub.

Price at time of publish: $47

_{Power Source: Replaceable AA batteries | Compatibility: Z-Wave, Ring Alarm, Samsung SmartThings, Nexia Home Intelligence | Sensors: Photoelectric, electrochemical | Extras: Carbon monoxide monitoring}