The 7 Best Smoke Detectors of 2021

Best Overall: FIRST ALERT BRK 9120LBL Hardwired Smoke Detector with Battery Backup

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One of the best smoke alarms in terms of performance, reliability, and value is the First Alert Smoke Detector. This hardwired alarm uses both photoelectric and ionization to detect smoke, giving you peace of mind that your family will be alerted if a fire ever breaks out.

The First Alert Smoke Detector must be hardwired into your home, but it also includes a battery backup so it will still function if the power ever goes out. It features both photoelectric and ionization sensors for comprehensive fire detection, and there’s a button on the device that you can press to silence any false alarms—like if you burn popcorn. This same button can be used for monthly testing of the device. What’s more, this fire detector has an end-of-life signal that lets you know when it’s time to replace the unit.

Best Smart: Google Nest Protect Wired Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector

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If you’re willing to spend a little more on a smoke detector, the Nest Protect is a top-rated smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarm. This unit comes in both hardwired and battery-powered models, and it connects to your phone via WiFi to send real-time updates on what’s happening in your house.

The Nest Protect includes a variety of useful features beyond smoke and carbon monoxide detection. This smart product automatically tests itself to save you the hassle, and it sends alerts to your phone whenever it detects a problem, letting you know there’s an emergency even when you’re not home. If there’s a false alarm, you can silence the detector from your phone, and when you walk underneath the unit at night, it lights up to help you see better.

Best Battery-Operated: Kidde Battery-Operated Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Voice Warning

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If you’re not particularly handy, you might prefer to buy battery-powered smoke detectors, which don’t require any wiring to install. One of the best options in the category is the Kidde Battery-Operated Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm, which operates on three AA batteries.

This product is a fire alarm and carbon monoxide detector in one, with a voice alarm that will alert you to whether there’s fire or carbon monoxide in the home. Its alarm sounds at a loud 85 decibels, so it should wake you up if you’re sleeping.

When the batteries need to be replaced, the unit will announce that the batteries are low and give off a chirping alarm. The only downside to this product is that it only uses ionization technology, so it may not detect slow, smoldering fires as well as a product with a photoelectric sensor.

Best Basic: FIRST ALERT Dual-Sensor Smoke and Fire Alarm

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Many modern home smoke detectors come with lots of features, but if you just want a basic, no-frills model, you should consider the budget-friendly First Alert Dual-Sensor Smoke and Fire Alarm. It doesn’t talk, light up, or connect to your phone, but this unit will let you know if there’s ever an emergency in your house—and isn’t that what really matters?

These smoke detectors are battery-powered, and they require two AA batteries. Because there’s no wiring needed, the First Alert detectors are easy to install, and they have both photoelectric and ionization sensors for comprehensive fire detection.

If there’s ever a fire, you should be able to hear the 85-decibel siren no matter where you are or if you’re sleeping, and if it’s a false alarm, you can silence the unit by pressing the button on the front.

Best Dual Sensor: Kidde Dual Sensor AC Hardwire Interconnect Smoke Alarm

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There are two types of fire sensors: ionization sensors, which are best for detecting flames, and photoelectric sensors, which are more responsive to smoldering fires. For comprehensive fire protection in your home, the National Fire Protection Association recommends dual-sensor alarms, which combine both these technologies.

Beyond our best overall pick, one of the best dual-sensor smoke detectors out there is the Kidde Hardwire Smoke Detector with Ionization/Photoelectric Dual Sensors. This hardwired alarm includes a 9V battery backup in case of a power outage, and it can be used as a standalone unit or part of an interconnected system. The design is tamper-resistant to prevent unwanted changes or theft, and there’s a hush feature to silence false alarms. The alarm itself operates at 85 decibels.

Best 10-Year Battery: Kidde Code One 10-Year Sealed Battery Smoke Detector with Ionization Sensor

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The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends changing the batteries in your smoke detectors every six months or so, and that can get pretty expensive if you have several units installed throughout your home. To solve this common problem, several companies now offer smoke detectors with 10-year lithium batteries so you don’t have to worry about frequent maintenance.

One of the top-rated products in this category is the Kidde Code One 10-Year Sealed Battery Smoke Detector. This product is powered by a lithium battery that can last up to 10 years, and the battery is sealed into the unit, preventing unwanted tampering and ensuring the alarm is always on—you can also check the green LED light to ensure it’s functioning properly.

This smoke detector is easy to install since there are no wires needed, and it includes a smart hush feature to silence false alerts. The Kidde Smoke Detector uses ionization sensors to detect invisible fire particles, but it does not include a photoelectric sensor.