Smoke detectors are vital safety equipment in every home. They save lives by providing early warning in the event of a fire. Learn how to choose the right model for your home with our guide.
Mandatory since 2015, the smoke detector is essential in a home to alert its occupants at night in the event of a fire. For safety reasons, care must be taken to choose a good detector and to place it in the right place. How to choose it? Which one to bet on? We give you all our advice and we reveal our selection of the best smoke detectors.
WHICH SMOKE DETECTOR TO CHOOSE?
Moreover, in Canada and Usa , the only models authorized are optical detectors. The optical chamber is composed of an LED that emits a light signal and a receiver containing a photocell.
HOW DOES THE SMOKE DETECTOR WORK?
In concrete terms, if smoke invades the room, it will enter the optical chamber. The light produced by the LED will then reflect off the smoke particles, creating a light beam. The latter will then be transformed into an electric current to reach the photocell and trigger the alarm.
WHERE TO INSTALL YOUR SMOKE DETECTOR?
The legislation makes it mandatory to install one smoke detector per home. However, it is advisable to have one for 50 m2.
It is recommended to place it on the ceiling of the hallway, dining room, living room or bedroom. Conversely, it should not be located near a steam source, so the kitchen and bathroom are excluded. Also avoid dusty and poorly ventilated rooms.
HOW TO CHOOSE A SMOKE DETECTOR?
To choose a smoke detector, it is important to take into account the following criteria:
- The different types of smoke detectors: the most common work on their own. When the device detects smoke, it simply rings in the room where it is placed. Then there are the interconnected smoke detectors, perfect for large areas. When a detector rings in a room, all the detectors start ringing. Finally, there are connected smoke detectors. These work with an app that links your phone to the device. This way, you can remotely know if everything is okay at home. We have chosen to offer you three types so that you can choose the one best suited to your home and your needs.
- Battery life: All smoke alarms come with a battery provided. Alkaline batteries have a lifespan of one year, lithium batteries have a lifespan of five years. Some also work with batteries that last ten years, but these are irreplaceable. It will therefore be necessary to change the detector. In all cases, all devices are equipped with a low battery indicator. An alarm goes off to let you know.
- The price: a good detector is not worth more than thirty euros. If you pay more, it's only because of the options (not always useful).
THE MOST EFFICIENT SMOKE DETECTORS:
Smoke Detector - X-Sense
- Its ten-year lithium battery: it is irreplaceable, but it guarantees you a longevity that other batteries cannot promise. Since the detector consumes very little energy, you are making an investment. Indeed, you do not have to buy new batteries after a few years. And considering the price of the detector, it's a good deal.
- Integrated technology: it allows the detector to react very quickly to dangerous smoke while reducing the number of false alarms (cigarette smoke detection for example).
- Low battery indicator: If the battery malfunctions or is low, you will be informed immediately.
Technical characteristics:
- Dimensions: 12.2 x 4.5 cm (Ø x D);
- Noise level: 85 dB;
- Coverage: 40m2;
- Battery Type: Lithium;
- Battery life: 10 years.
Wireless Interconnected Smoke Detector - X-Sense
- These three smoke detectors are connected by radio frequency and have a very long transmission range: more than 250 m in the open air. They therefore cover a large area. You can even connect up to 24 detectors at once!
- When you receive them, you can use them immediately because they have already been connected to each other beforehand.
- Their lithium batteries have a lifespan of ten years. They may be irreplaceable, but they guarantee you a longevity that other batteries can't promise. It's a long-term investment because you won't have to buy many batteries over the years.
- They are equipped with a "silence" mode. You can therefore turn off the alarm if it has been triggered by mistake.
- When the batteries are low, a red light will start flashing, beeping every 60 seconds.
- You can use a remote control (sold separately) to test or stop the alarm of all interconnected detectors. All you have to do is position yourself less than 15 m from the detectors.
Technical characteristics:
- Dimensions: 12.2 x 4.5 cm (Ø x D);
- Battery Type: Lithium;
- Battery life: 10 years.
Smoke Detector - Smartwares
- It is equipped with a "silence" mode. You can therefore turn off the alarm if it has been triggered by mistake.
- It has a low battery indicator: if the battery malfunctions or is low, you will be informed immediately.
- It is sold at a low price. You can therefore buy several to place in a large home without breaking the bank.
Technical characteristics:
- Dimensions: 10 x 3.5 cm (Ø x D);
- Noise level: 85 dB;
- Battery Type: Alkaline;
- Battery life: 1 year.
Smoke detector - HEIMAN
- Featuring a state-of-the-art photoelectric sensor and high-quality chipset, it quickly detects dangerous fumes with fewer false alarms.
- Equipped with a 3V lithium battery, this detector offers an exceptional 10-year lifespan, ensuring long-lasting peace of mind without frequent replacement.
- Winner of the 'Red Dot Award 2017', this smoke detector has a modern and compact design, blending harmoniously into any type of environment.
- It includes a test button to easily check that it is working properly and reset the device after an alarm.
- Made from high-quality, eco-friendly and flame-retardant materials, ensuring safety and durability.
- The promise of lifetime customer service adds extra value to the purchase, building trust in the product.
Technical characteristics
- Power Source: 3V lithium battery.
- Color: Available in a set of 5.
- Item Weight: 67 Grams.
- Higher Temperature Rating: Can operate up to 50 degrees Celsius.
- Sensor Type: Photoelectric.
- Material: ABS+PC, eco-friendly and flame retardant.
- Certifications: TÜV, RoHS, Reach, and EN14604.
WIFI Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector - X-Sense
- Please Note: XS01-WX supports Wi-Fi; it does not support wireless interconnection and cannot be used with a base station; multiple XS01-WX units added to the app will operate independently and will not communicate with each other
- Real-Time Notifications: Control the XS01-WX smart smoke alarm remotely via the mobile app and get quick app notifications for alarms, faults, and low battery warnings
- Direct 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Connection: The battery-powered smoke detector can be connected to the X-Sense Home Security app via the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network without a base station
- Fast Fire Dispatch Within Just 3 Seconds: By subscribing to the (optional) Protect+ Premium subscription plan which provides 24/7 professional monitoring service, when an alarm is triggered, you will receive a message from the monitoring center within 3 seconds to verify the emergency. After the emergency is verified, a fire truck will be dispatched immediately
- 10-Year Sensor Life: This smoke alarm comes equipped with a photoelectric sensor that detects slow-burning and smoldering fires and has a long lifespan of up to 10 years
- Device Sharing Feature: Using the X-Sense Home Security app, you can share your devices with up to 12 different app accounts so the shared users can receive real-time push notifications
Smoke & carbon monoxide detector - Google Nest
- Smart detection, quick action: Google Nest Protect knows the difference between a concern and a full-on emergency and will alert you accordingly. If it detects a little bit of smoke or rising levels of CO, it gives you a heads-up. If it gets worse, it flashes red, activates the alarm, and talks to you, letting you know exactly what's going on.
- Convenient connectivity: This device connects with your smartphone and will notify you the moment it senses something out of the ordinary at home. It'll tell you if the alarm is sounding, batteries are running low, or a sensor is malfunctioning, giving you peace of mind while you're away from home. WiFi connection with internet access and compatible phone or tablet with the free Nest app and Bluetooth 4.0.
- Informative, not annoying: Got an alert on your phone but turns out you simply burned the toast? No worries. You can easily hush the alarm from your phone using the Nest app, simple as that. What's more, the Steam Check feature ensures the alarm doesn't go off simply because of a hot shower.
- Split-Spectrum Sensor: This feature can conveniently detect both fast and slow-burning fires, and also sports a 10-year CO sensor to detect and pinpoint the toxic, invisible presence of CO. Your device will then speak up and let you know exactly what and where the issue is.
- Battery backup: This model Google Nest Protect connects to your home's wiring for power, and includes a battery backup for power outages.
Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm
- Keep your family safe with this battery operated smoke and carbon monoxide alarm; battery powered alarms provide continuous monitoring of CO and smoke levels, even if there's a power failure(Operated by 2 x 1.5V AA Batteries (not included)
- 2-in-1 Accurate, Reliable & Highly Sensitive Alarm: Equipped with both photoelectric smoke sensor and electrochemical CO sensor that work independently of each other; every second counts; detects both fast and slow-burning fires, and instantly notifies you when dangerous smoke or CO concentration is detected while minimizing false alarms; provides the ultimate protection from 2 deadly threats, all contained in 1 unit
- Indicator lights on the face of the unit display the presence of smoke or carbon monoxide, while an 85dB siren provides a clear, loud warning upon detection
- Simple to Use: Test/Silence button enables you to test the alarm weekly, and to easily silence the alarm when false alarms occur; malfunction and low battery warnings allow you to easily know the working status of the alarm; in case of an emergency, an alarm tone of over 85 dB will sound throughout your entire home, instantly alerting the entire household, even those in sleep, The unit is of malfunction if the unit sounds all the time, Reinstall the battery to repeat the operation Until normal.
- Quick & Easy Installation with Guaranteed Quality: Product Dimensions: 4 * 4 * 1.5 inch, Requires no rewiring; easy to mount on any wall or ceiling with the included mounting bracket, screws and anchor plugs; certified to meet the UL safety standards for your peace of mind and absolute confidence in our product. you can get: 1. two detector alarms with Mounting bracket, 2. one manual, 3. four screws.
First Alert SCO5RVA Battery Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm
- Combination smoke detector/carbon monoxide alarm detects two threats
- Battery-operated unit installs quickly and easily without an electrician
- Photoelectric sensor detects smoke while minimizing false alarms
- Electrochemical CO sensor alerts you to carbon monoxide danger. Age 3 - 8 years
- A single button tests the unit or silences the alarm. Where to install - kitchen, living room, basement, bathrooms, hallway, indoors
- Date on the alarm indicates when the alarm was manufactured.