Top 10 Best Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors in 2020

Here are Amazon's most highly-reviewed smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with varying power sources, sensors, and features. Plus, they all met UL safety standards!

Given that you are considering something so crucial for your home's safety, deciding on a particular smoke and CO detector requires extra effort. Our buying guide will inform you about common alarm types and features. 

Existing state or town regulations regarding smoke and CO detectors will significantly affect your decision-making process. These rules will guide you on how many detectors to get, like if it's a per floor or per room basis. They will also talk about the detectors' placement and type.

Some states have specific regulations on the power source of the detector, limiting your options further. The power sources would be explained in detail later on.

The following link provides a quick rundown of existing legislation on smoke and CO detectors. Another way to clarify is to contact your state or local housing department.

There are generally three types of power sources for smoke and CO detectors: hard-wired, battery-operated, and plug-in. Hard-wired alarms are connected to a house's electrical wiring and require professional installation. These usually come equipped with backup batteries, which kick in during power failure.

Another type of detector uses batteries. The battery life varies across models; some need annual replacement while others contain sealed lithium batteries that last only for the device's lifetime. 

Lastly, you have alarms that are plugged directly into an outlet. While these don't require batteries or professional installation, there is a long distance between the outlet and device for the wire to travel. 

Non-hardwired alarms are generally easier to install and come with the hardware needed to mount the device on the ceiling or wall. A drill is often needed, though. 

Some states require battery-operated detectors to have a 10-year capacity. Meanwhile, newer constructions are governed to install only hard-wired alarms. We recommend looking over state laws and regulations as this could also affect the resell value of your home, if applicable.

The next important consideration is the device's quality, namely, if it was manufactured under the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard. We recommend going for a model with as recent a manufacture date as possible since these devices tend to lose their sensor capabilities over time.

In December of 2019, the UL standard for smoke alarms was updated, saying that manufacturers needed to make their smoke detectors distinguish between cooking smoke and smoldering fires. The upgrade's deadline was May 2020; therefore, recently manufactured detectors should differentiate between the two. 

The UL update also included that all detectors released after May 2020 need to consist of smoke and CO detection and not just traditional single sensor type. This can help ensure a particular model is "freshly made" since it contains both features. The product description should include these details.

When talking about an alarm's features, think about your preferences. For example, do you prefer voice alerts or a beeping sound? Also, a "smart" alarm will require more setting up but can create a seamless security system. 

Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can kill. How then can you address this risk? A CO detector's main task is to gauge the current CO's levels in a room and inform those living on the premises. 

A smoke and CO detector with LED indicators or LCD displays will quickly tell you the CO concentration measured in parts per million (ppm). When CO levels increase and remain above 70 ppm, those in the room could experience fatigue, headaches, and nausea. 

Sustained CO concentrations above 150 to 200 ppm can lead to disorientation, unconsciousness, even death.

A detector with a wide range of CO detection is highly recommended. For example, some models can detect CO concentration within a 30 to 999 ppm range and have varying indicator lights to inform homeowners. You can also get detectors that broadcast CO levels through audio announcements if the blinking lights go unnoticed. 

Smart detectors often connect to WiFi and can send you smartphone alerts for further safety precautions. As for the general alarm, we recommend a siren that's over 80 decibels to ensure everyone is notified of the potential risk. Other voice or sound alerts that indicate low battery or another status are often not as loud.

If you have a bigger home with multiple levels, an interconnected detector system ensures maximum safety. The notification will come from all detectors and not just the one picking up the smoke or high CO concentration, notifying you promptly wherever you are.

One thing to note with interconnected alarms is that they are usually only compatible with detectors of the same brand or model. So if you have existing detectors installed, this might limit your options. 

You can also choose a set of two or three detectors, which quite a few manufacturers offer. Some even include as many as 12 alarms in one purchase, making it easy to outfit your entire home.

In case your house is left unattended for extended periods, you can also look at the detectors' capability to connect to your security system. Some can call you or automatically notify the police or fire department when dangerous smoke or CO levels are picked up.

When it comes to fire detection, a product with multiple sensors is best. There are two main types of smoke alarm sensors: ionization or photoelectric. 

The first is for detecting small flaming fire particles, usually those that flare, explode, and are fast to occur. Photoelectric sensors, on the other hand, respond faster to smoldering, smoky fires. Dual-sensor smoke detectors ensure that both types of fires are promptly detected.

Here is a quick rundown on the typical areas smoke and CO alarms are installed to ensure optimal safety: on each floor of the house, in each bedroom, in the living room, at least 10 feet away from a stove or furnace, in hallways close to sleeping areas, at the top of stairways, and the bottom of a stairway leading to a basement.

The device should be mounted on the ceiling with a minimum six-inch gap from the wall or on the wall with a minimum six-inch distance from the ceiling.

We recommend reading the installation manual thoroughly if a particular model has requirements regarding the distance from stoves, furnaces, water heaters, and other appliances.

You can never be too sure when it comes to safety! Here are a few more devices that offer heightened security for everyone in the family. 

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have been designed to replace outdated detectors while offering the convenience of two functions in one product. Whether it's individual alarms or an integrated system, smoke and CO detectors are a must-have in every home. 

Author: Hana Otsuka

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