Everything You Need to Know About Smart Smoke Detectors
Smart smoke detectors are one of the many smart technologies coming to the market for homeowners. These advanced smoke detectors have more safety features than traditional smoke detectors and many of them connect directly to your smartphone and send out emergency alerts.
Everything you need to know about smart smoke detectors is here, including information about the most popular models and how you can maintain them to keep you, your family, and your home safe.
What is a smart smoke detector?
A smart smoke detector is a device that communicates with most other connected devices in your home when it detects heat or smoke. Many detectors can now be integrated into your home security system and connected to your other favorite smart devices.
There are three different types of smart smoke detectors, including:
- Photoelectric detectors
- Ionization detectors
- Detectors with two sensors
Each type of detector detects smoke differently . For example, ionization detectors quickly detect smoke from burning fires. On the contrary, photoelectric detectors will quickly detect it from a smoldering fire.
However, no single type of smoke detector is the best, as every fire that can break out in a home is different. It’s also worth noting that the location of your smoke detectors plays an important role in their ability to detect fires.
Should you buy a smart smoke detector?
The main benefit of using a smart smoke detector is that you can monitor any emergencies in your home remotely, which is useful if you are away from home on vacation, at work, or running errands. You can receive instant notifications, and if you’re at home in the event of a fire, you can disable the alarm with simple voice commands.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), research on fires shows that modern furniture is causing home fires to spread faster than in the past, when most furniture was made from natural materials. When a fire starts in a house, those inside may have limited time to put it out safely.
Because smart smoke detectors have better security features than conventional smoke detectors, they give you more peace of mind and protection. In addition, there have been cases where conventional smoke detectors have failed to detect smoke. For example, in May 2021, about 226,000 Kidde TruSense smoke detectors and combined smoke/carbon monoxide detectors were recalled.
Popular Smart Smoke Detectors
Here are some of the most popular smart smoke detectors on the market and what you need to know about them.
Google Nest Protect
Google Nest Protect can detect smoke and carbon monoxide in your home. It comes in wired and battery powered versions and not only beeps but also tells you which room the alarm is coming from and the nature of the alarm.
If you have more than one in your home, other devices will beep if one of them goes offline. Nest Protect also works with a variety of smart home devices for ease of use and connectivity.
OneLink safe and sound
Some of the main features of the OneLink Safe & Sound smart smoke detector are smart security, built-in Alexa, a premium speaker, and a customizable night light. It has a built-in photoelectric smoke, fire and carbon monoxide detector and also works with Apple HomeKit.
This smart smoke detector also sends alerts to your phone and tells you the type of emergency and where it is in your home. The companion OneLink Home app also makes it easy to check and turn off the alarm.
Smoke detector XSense XSOI-WT Wi-Fi
While the XSense XSOI-WT Wi-Fi smoke alarm may not be as advanced as Nest Protect or Safe & Sound smart detectors, it is an affordable and inexpensive option. It costs about $40 and is easy to install and intuitive. Be aware that this model does not detect carbon monoxide , the devices cannot be paired, and there is no voice assistant support.
Maintaining a Smart Smoke Detector
Before buying any smoke detectors for your home, be sure to estimate how many you need based on the size of your home. At a minimum, place one smoke detector on each level of your home – it is best to install one in each room of your home for optimal security.
The main advantage of a smart smoke detector is that you can install it and forget it. When it’s time to replace the batteries, your smartphone app will automatically alert you. Most of them will also tell you that the battery is running low, so you will never be left unprotected.