Best Smart Smoke Detector
Smoke detectors are very important for every home, but, how good are they if you are not at home? This where the best smart smoke detector comes in handy, you receive notifications to your phone if anything happens.
What We Use
First Alert ZCOMBO
It’s what I use at home, and for the price it’s incredibly intelligent.
 Bestbuy.com | $39.99 | Buy Now |
 Ebay.com | $68.29 | Buy Now |
 Amazon.com | out of stock | Buy Now |
Best Smoke Detector
Nest Protect
Nest is the most one of the most expensive, but totatally worth it.
| Amazon.com | $119.00 9 new from $109.39 1 used from $119.00 | Buy Now |
| Bestbuy.com | $119.99 | Buy Now |
 Walmart.com | $122.48 | Buy Now |
| Ebay.com | $99.95 out of stock | Buy Now |
Best Integration
Onelink Safe & Sound
It expensive, but it can also double as a speaker.
| Amazon.com | $209.99 8 new from $209.99 6 used from $190.00 | Buy Now |
| Walmart.com | $237.61 out of stock | Buy Now |
| Ebay.com | $209.71 out of stock | Buy Now |
The Buyers Guide To The Best Smoke Detectors
To find a smoke detector that’s worth investing in, you need to know what you’re looking for. Which is what I want to explain in this section, by the end you’ll know which features suit your needs:
Battery Or Hardwired
Not everyone can hardwire your smoke detectors in, and in this case, it's best to find a battery operated smoke alarm. If you already have the wiring there, then the choice is up to you, hardwiring means you don't have to worry batteries at least.
Detection Type
Smoke detectors work in different ways, which means the way it detects a fire is different depending on the brand and model. For example, if you're looking to detect smoldering fires quickly, then your best option is to look for a photoelectric smoke detector.
Smart Features
As with any smart devices, smoke alarms can range in which features they utilize. This could cover voice commands or the ability to play music through the speaker. The list of features is endless, so it's a good idea to see what interests you.
Multi-Functioning
Fires and smoke aren't the only things that can kill you in your home. There's another silent killer, and that's carbon monoxide. By getting a multi-functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detector, you can feel more protected in your home than ever before.
And finally, compatibility:
Being able to link your smart alarms to other devices can hugely beneficial. With the right smoke detectors, you’ll be able to link them all together; if the alarm goes off it will let you know which room the fire is in. You’ll also be able to link in with your smart speakers and lights.
Table of Contents
The Best Smart Smoke Detectors
To help push you in the right direction, here are a few of my favorite some detectors on the market, one of which I own personally. Take a look and see what you think:
| First Alert | Nest | Onelink | Ring | Samsung | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Or Hardwired | Battery | Wired Or Battery | Wired Or Battery | Battery | Battery |
| Detection Type | Photo/ Electro | Split‑ Spectrum Sensor | Photo/ Electro | N/A | N/A |
| Multi-Functioning | Smoke & Carbon Monoxide | Smoke & Carbon Monoxide | Smoke & Carbon Monoxide | Listener | Smoke |
| Smart Features | App Alerts | App Notifications, Path Light, App Silence, Battery Backup, Fire Location | Multiroom Speaker, Voice, Fire Location, App Alerts, Path Light | App Alerts | App Alerts |
| Compatibility | Ring Alarm, SmartThings, Nexia Home, Z-Wave, WiFi | Nest, Google, WiFi, IFTTT, SmartThings, Alexa, Wink | Alexa, Siri, Airplay 2, Z-Wave | Ring Alarm System | ADT Security Hub |
| Buy | Find Best Price | Find Best Price | Find Best Price | Find Best Price | Find Best Price |
#1 – First Alert ZCOMBO
WHAT WE USE
| Bestbuy.com | $39.99 | Buy Now |
| Ebay.com | $68.29 | Buy Now |
| Amazon.com | out of stock | Buy Now |
The First Alert 2-in-1 smoke and carbon monoxide detector help you keep your family safe.
Two AA batteries power the smoke alarm, when the battery is dying you’ll receive alerts to your phone.
The smart smoke detector uses Z-Wave technology to communicate with other smart home devices around the house.
The smoke detector is certified to work with several third-party products like Ring Alarm, SmartThings, and Nexia Home.
But unfortunately, it does not link with the likes of Onelink or Wink.
It uses photoelectric smoke sensors, which have been known to reduce the number of false alarms.
It also uses an electrochemical carbon monoxide sensors; this provides the user with advanced detection of any leaking gas.
The Alarm system is loud; at 85dB, it’s more than powerful enough to blast through the house, and the linking ability means you trip multiple alarms.
Key Features
- Works with Z-Wave
- 85 dB alarm
- Dimensions: 5" x 2"
- 7-Year limited warranty
- Easy to install
- Battery powered
What Other People Say
One customer could really stand testament to how well they worked; they had an alarm notification to their phone when they were 30 miles from home. They managed to call the fire brigade in time to save the house. They had four paired up with the Abode home system.
Another customer had paired the smoke detector with their SmartThings Hub. The installation was straightforward; they simply replaced it with their existing smoke alarm. They were able to add triggers like turning the lights on and linking the siren with their WiFi speakers.
Final Verdict
Luckily, I haven’t had the smoke alarm put to the real test, so I can comment on how well it works there. One thing I can say is, it certainly works when things get hairy in the kitchen. It was also super easy to set up; it only took a couple of minutes to get it all working.
Things took a little bit longer when making a more advanced alarm system, but all in all, it was straightforward. Overall this has been an excellent smoke alarm. It’s cheap enough for anyone to afford and offers fantastic protection and compatibility.
What We Liked
- Easy to install
- Good value for money
- Quick real-time updates
What We Didn’t Like
- Doesn't pair with other smoke detectors
#2 – Nest Protect Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm
BEST SMOKE DETECTOR
| Amazon.com | $119.00 9 new from $109.39 1 used from $119.00 | Buy Now |
| Bestbuy.com | $119.99 | Buy Now |
| Walmart.com | $122.48 | Buy Now |
| Ebay.com | $99.95 out of stock | Buy Now |
The Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm were designed in the USA by Google.
Nest Protect lets you know when a fire has been detected and in what room the light is located.
It does this by sending a message to your smartphone or giving voice alerts through the speaker giving you the exact location of the problem.
The smoke alarms can pick up carbon monoxide to let you know there’s a leak.
You’ll also receive low battery notifications if you opt for the battery version.
This means you never you have to worry about the battery dying without you being aware.
It also comes with a path light which is activated as you walk underneath the siren.
It connects to your WiFi system to link to other devices, and send you notifications, but it also comes with Bluetooth connectivity.
You can also hush the alarm from your phone if the siren has been identified as a false alarm making the Nest Protect one of the best smart smoke detectors.
Key Features
- App silence
- Pathlight
- Vocal Alarms + 85 dB siren
- Dimensions: 6” x 6” x 1”
- Wired or battery connection
- 2-Year limited warranty
What Other People Say
This is their first Nest product; they brought it after being advised by their son. They were very pleased they listened to his warnings after receiving a notification to their phone. After calling the fire brigade, they started to receive notification that the smoke was clearing.
People were impressed with how easy the smart alarm was to install and connect. It gave them great peace of mind knowing their house was protected while they were away. Most people would recommend the hardwired version; it meant you didn’t have to worry about the battery.
Final Verdict
It’s the most expensive smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on the list, but that’s because it can pick up several types of fire. It keeps you up to date with alerts quickly, which meant people were able to respond quickly, in the end, saving their home.
One of the nice features was the warning lights provided by the smart home smoke alarms; each light identified different problems with the system. The voice alert also came in pretty handy at identifying the location of the fire without having to look on your phone.
What We Liked
- Detects smoke and carbon monoxide
- Links to smart home devices
- Works with IFTT
- Intelligent warnings
- Self-tests
What We Didn’t Like
- Expensive
#3 – Onelink Safe & Sound by First Alert
BEST INTEGRATION
| Amazon.com | $209.99 8 new from $209.99 6 used from $190.00 | Buy Now |
| Walmart.com | $237.61 out of stock | Buy Now |
| Ebay.com | $209.71 out of stock | Buy Now |
These smart detectors are Alexa ready and Homekit ready, which means it can also work with Siri.
First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound uses photoelectric and electrochemical carbon monoxide sensors to help keep your home safe and sound.
The smart smoke alarm is easy to set up and comes with easy mobile controls.
You’ll receive notifications directly to your smart devices 24/7.
From the App, you can track the battery level, so you never run out of power at the moment you need it most.
One of the most noticeable features is the ability to link up with AirPlay 2; this allows you to use the alarms as multi-room speakers.
You can also use the speaker to alert you which room is in danger is in, And finally, it can connect with different hardwired brands.
Key Features
- AirPlay 2 and Alexa built-in
- Dimensions: 8.2” x 8.2” 3.2”
- Works as a speaker
- Battery or Wired
- Photoelectric sensor
- Emergency notifications
What Other People Say
One customer has three units installed within their smart home; each one was well built and filled the room with high-quality sound. They used Amazon services to connect the smart smoke detectors; the technician was accommodating and got things up and running quickly.
Customers that set the alarms up themselves said it was straightforward. After a few minutes of receiving the unit, it was already set up. There was some comfort in knowing the device would send you an alert if anything went wrong. There was also a lot of love for the Alexa capabilities; it worked flawlessly.
Final Verdict
The Onelink Safe & Sound comes with a lot of fancy features, which pushes the price of the smart smoke detector up. The problem is, not all the features are needed, which can almost make it feel like a waste of money. The Alexa capabilities were excellent.
It wasn’t the best quality speaker, but if you want it to accompany you, speaker, then it does a pretty good job. The most significant advantage with the First Alert Onelink alarm is the compatibility. If you have a HomeKit system, then this would be an excellent alarm for you.
What We Liked
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit
- Speaker sounds good
- 85 dB siren
What We Didn’t Like
- Nice mounting brackets
- Very expensive
#4 – Ring Alarm Smoke and CO Listener
| Bestbuy.com | $69.99 | Buy Now |
| Ebay.com | $87.26 out of stock | Buy Now |
| Amazon.com | out of stock | Buy Now |
This product from Ring isn’t an alarm, but a listener.
It picks up the noise from your existing smoke detector when the alarm is sounded; the listener will send a notification to your smart device of choice.
This means the unit cannot detect smoke, fires, or carbon monoxide.
They work in conjunction with UL listed smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that are no older than ten years.
Setting up the devices is easy; it’s a case of placing the unit near your smoke alarm.
The whole thing takes a couple of minutes.
The Ring listener has a battery life of three years, depending on how many times it’s used.
If you’re looking for cheap devices that can work with your existing alarms, then this is a great option. It requires no professional installation and can work with other Ring devices.
Key Features
- Z-Wave connectivity
- 3-Year battery life
- Dimensions: 2.95” x 2.95” x 1.06”
- Requires a Ring Alarm System
- No tools required
- Works with UL listed smoke and CO detectors
What Other People Say
Their whole house is filled with smart devices from Ring; they have the doorbell system and have now added two listeners to their network. This helped them with their homeowner’s insurance policy; they used it to cover their main two smoke/CO detectors.
Another customer said they worked fantastically, once they got them set up. Everything installed quickly, and linking them to the App was straightforward. The problem was completing the test mode; they had to reset the listeners multiple times before it worked.
Final Verdict
The Ring Listener kit works in conjunction with the Ring alarm set, so if you aren’t running that system, the alarm isn’t an option for you. If you do, smart listeners can provide you with a cheaper alternative to buying a new alarm.
They do a great job of turning your dumb alarm into something a little more special. Setting up the unit is easy; it’s a case of plugging in some batteries and placing it in the desired location. Overall a good option for Ring enthusiasts, it links easy and is relatively cheap.
What We Liked
- Cheap
- Easy to install
- Compatible with Ring
What We Didn’t Like
- Requires a Ring Alarm kit
- Only listens
#5 – Samsung Electronics F SMK-1 ADT Smoke
| Walmart.com | $77.99 out of stock | Buy Now |
| Amazon.com | out of stock | Buy Now |
This is an addition from SmartThings smart home alarm. There’s one thing to note before you go any further; the alarm requires a SmartThings ADT security starter kit to function.
In the end, this means it will not link directly to your SmartThings Home Hub.
Their smart smoke alarms let you know when there has been an extreme change of temperature, or if smoke is located in your home.
You can also use the ADT professional monitoring service if anything goes wrong, you know someone is waiting ready to deal with the issue.
If the alarm goes off, you can create alerts like lights turning on and off to help you wake, or warn neighboring houses, something is wrong.
The SmartThings alarm will not detect CO, which requires a separate device, which also needs to be paired into the ADT system.
Key Features
- Battery operated
- Easy to install
- 1-year warranty
- Dimensions: 4.5” x 1.8” x 4.5”
- Built-in 85dB Siren
- 24/7 Monitoring
What Other People Say
They loved the wire-free installation; it really made their life a lot easy installing the smart home alarm. They were also very pleased with how quickly they received the notifications to their phone. Even while they were traveling, they could check the status, or if they were at home, a message would pop up on the TV.
A lot of people were unhappy that the alarm didn’t work with the hub. The thing is, it says in the description it requires and ADT Starter Kit. Most people were pleased with how it performed as a smart smoke detector and how quickly the alerts were sent.
Final Verdict
For the price, it’s not bad. The problem is it’s not great. For the same price, you can get First Alert smoke alarms, which perform far better. It’s a pain having to purchase the ADT starter kit just to run the system. That being said, if you already have it, then it’s not too bad.
The other downside would be that it can’t detect carbon monoxide, which means you have to add another device to the system. Overall it’s not for me, and I probably wouldn’t be suggesting it to any of my friends.
What We Liked
- Good smoke alarms
- Compact design
- Loud siren
What We Didn’t Like
- Requires an ADT security system
- Poor battery life
But This Is The Best Smart Smoke Detector
If you’re looking for the very best Smoke/CO detector, then you don’t get much better than the Nest Protect smart smoke detector.
It has all the fancy features, and can detect up to seven types of fire, giving you the best possible protection,
But, it does come at a price which not everyone can afford, which in that case you’re best of going for the First Alert ZCOMBO.
It’s cheap but still has a lot of connection options for you to get stuck into. Not only that, but the smart smoke alarms can link up with plenty of third-party providers.
If you think I’ve missed something off the list, then don’t forget to comment below. If not, why not check out some more home protection devices like the best water leak detector.
