The best smart smoke detectors go beyond sounding an alarm inside your house— they can also instantly send an alert to your smartphone so you can call emergency services. That extra warning time can mean the difference from light damage to a total loss in an emergency.
At the moment, our favorite pick — but by no means perfect — is the X-Sense Smart Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detector Combo, which gets you a pack of five interconnected alarms for around $200. However, this kit doesn't include any hardwired alarms, which may be a dealbreaker for those who have newer construction. And, while you can have it send you an alert to emergency services, you can't connect it to any smart home platforms.
We're waiting to get our hands on a new First Alert smart smoke and carbon monoxide detector, which is the spiritual successor to the now-discontinued Nest Protect, which for years was at the top of our list. The new device — available for $129 — will replicate much of what the Nest Protect does. It will, though, only work within the Google Home ecosystem.
If you already have non-smart smoke detectors in your home, the least expensive route to take is to use a smart speaker to listen for the sound of a smoke alarm.
If you have one of the best Alexa speakers, you can sign up for Alexa Emergency Assist ($5.99/month, $59/year). When enabled, your Alexa smart speakers will listen for smoke and CO2 alarms, and will send you an alert on your smartphone if they hear a siren, as well as connect you with an urgent response agent.
Alternatively, if you have a Nest Aware subscription (starting at $6/month), you can set your Google Home speakers to listen for alarms, which will then send you an alert on your smartphone.
The Apple HomePod mini, as well as the Apple HomePod (2nd generation) can also listen for smoke and CO2 alarms, and send an alert to your phone. Unlike Alexa and Google Home, using this feature does not require a subscription.
Ring and Kidde have partnered up to release their own detector, which will cost $54.97 (smoke) and $74.97 (smoke & carbon monoxide). These models, which are available exclusively at The Home Depot, are wired-only. Ring is also launching a special professional monitoring service for these devices, which costs $5/month, which will alert emergency services in the case of an event.
The best smart smoke detectors you can buy today
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Best overall
One feature I really like in a smart smoke detector is interconnectivity; that is, if one alarm goes off, they all go off, giving you a better chance of hearing that there's a problem. However, many of the best smart smoke detectors with this feature require them to be hardwired, which could be an issue in older homes.
Like the Nest Protect, the X-Sense Smart Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detector Combo will activate all of its alarms if one of them senses trouble. And, they're battery-powered, so you can easily put them in any room you like. What's more, you get five alarms for just under $200, so you can affordably cover most of your house.
X-Sense's alarms are a bit different, in that they require you to first install a hub, which acts as a wireless bridge between the alarms and the cloud. Setting up the hub wasn't all that difficult, though, and installing the alarms and linking them to the hub was equally painless.
X-Sense's app is also a cinch to use, and provides real-time info on each alarm, its battery level, and if it's sensing anything. You can also use the app to configure each alarm in terms of volume and the tone it sends out.
However, none of X-Sense's smart smoke detectors have the option to be hardwired, which means that they may not be compatible with newer construction which requires at least one alarm to be hardwired.
Up to 12 people can connect to the app, so more than one person can get an alert if an alarm goes off. If you want extra peace of mind, you can also subscribe to X-Sense's professional monitoring service (powered by Noonlight), so emergency responders will be dispatched to your house in the event of a fire.
About the only thing I wish the X-Sense would have is a link to other smart home services, such as Alexa or Google Home. Otherwise, it's a pretty good value for the price.
Be sure to be mindful of its placement: I put one a few feet outside the door to my bathroom, and the X-Sense was triggered when it detected a blast of hot air and steam from my shower. However, it did set off all the other alarms in my house, so at least I know it works.
Best for Alexa
The Amazon Echo Dot doesn't have a smoke detector built in, but if you subscribe to Alexa Emergency Assist ($59/year), it can listen for smoke and CO2 detectors (as well as glass breaking), and alert you on your smartphone if if hears something. This way, you can keep your older smoke detectors, but still get a notification on your phone if you're away and something's amiss.
Apart from that, it's also a great little smart speaker on its own. For the price, the sound is more than good enough as a personal listening device. It also has presence and temperature sensors built in. and it can double as an eero Wi-Fi satellite, should you want to extend the reach of your mesh Wi-Fi system in your home.
Read our full Amazon Echo Dot review.
Best for HomeKit
Like the Amazon Echo Dot, the Apple HomePod mini isn't a smart smoke detector in its own right, but it can listen for the sound of a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm going off, and then alert you via the HomeKit app on your phone, tablet, or Apple Watch. Even better: If you have a security camera on HomeKit, the notification will also display an image from that camera, making it easier to see if there's a true emergency, or if it's just a false alarm.
Apart from these abilities, the HomePod mini is a great little smart speaker in its own right, delivering great audio for its size, and bettering the Amazon Echo. It also has a temperature and humidity sensor, can be paired with another HomePod mini for stereo sound, and comes in a variety of colors.
The Apple HomePod 2 also has this ability, so Apple's premium smart speaker is worth checking out if you're looking for better-quality audio, and don't mind its higher asking price.
Read our full Apple HomePod mini review.
Also consider
How to choose the best smart smoke detector
Fire and smoke detection sensors
All smoke detectors use one of two types of sensors to detect fires. Ionization-type sensors are best at detecting fast-burning fires, while photoelectric sensors are generally better at alerting you about smoldering, or slow-burning fires. You should have both types of alarms in your house. Smoke alarms such as the Nest Protect are designed to pick up both types of fires.
Carbon monoxide and other gas detection
Even if you don't have a fire in your home, you can be suffocated by carbon monoxide. A good detector should also protect you against this.
Hardwired vs. battery-powered
If your home has hardwired alarms, they will all be interconnected, so that if one goes off, they all will go off. Hardwired alarms also receive their power from your home, and only use batteries as backups. Standalone detectors run on batteries alone, so they may need to be replaced more often, and cannot signal each other in the event of an emergency (Nest's and OneLink's alarms are an exception to this). However, it's a lot easier to mount standalone smoke detectors where you need them.
Regardless of whether the alarms you purchase are battery-powered or wired, you should look to purchase alarms that are interconnected, as they're give you a much better chance of waking you in the event of a fire.
How we test the best smart smoke detectors
To determine which smart smoke detector is best, we first install them in our home, to see how easy it is to get up and running. We then evaluate their app and user interface, as they need to be intuitive even for non-techie homeowners. If the device is compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant, we also factor that into our review.
Where applicable, we also take into consideration the type of smoke and carbon monoxide detection built into the device. And, where possible, we use a simulated smoke spray to ensure that it actually works.
For greater detail on our testing methodology and rating system, please go to our how we test page for more information.
Smoke detector FAQs
What are the types of smoke detectors?
Most smoke detectors fall under one of two types:
Ionization-type sensors are best at detecting fast-burning fires.
Photoelectric sensors are generally better at alerting you about smoldering, or slow-burning fires. You should have both types of alarms in your house.
Additionally, can purchase smoke alarms that are either standalone or interconnected; most organizations recommend interconnected alarms, as in the event of a fire, every alarm in your home will sound, which increases the chance you'll hear it and escape safely.
As of July 2024, a new standard for smoke alarms was adopted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, with the aim of reducing false alerts. Now, smoke detectors must be good at detecting both fast-burning and smoldering fires, but not be so sensitive as to be triggered by food cooking.
To pass this test, two standardized hamburger patties are broiled 10 feet away from a smoke alarm. If the alarm doesn't go off, it passes the test.
Where should I place a smoke detector?
The National Fire Protection Association recommends you should have smoke detectors mounted in the following locations:
- Inside and outside each bedroom in your house
- In your living room (or den or family room) or near the stairway to the upper level, or in both locations.
- In the basement, on the ceiling at the bottom of the stairs leading to the next level.
Smoke alarms should be mounted on the ceiling or high up on a wall. If you have a ceiling that has a peak, the smoke detector should be placed within three inches from the top, but at least four inches down from the peak.
Smoke alarms should also be mounted at least 10 feet from any cooking appliance to minimize false alerts.
Do not place a smoke detector near a window, door leading outside, or near a ventilation duct.
How often should you replace your smoke detectors?
A smoke detector should be replaced every 10 years, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. That's because the sensors inside the alarm deteriorate, and lose their effectiveness over time. However, you'll most likely have to replace the smoke detector's battery more than once over its lifespan.
How often should you test your smoke alarms?
In general, you should test your smoke alarms every month to make sure they still work. You can test most of them by pressing the center button; if you hear it sound, then you know it's working. Most smoke alarms will emit an intermittent beep when their battery is running low on power.
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