Compare Smoke Detectors

Pick any two to four of the 10 ranked smoke detectors and read them side by side. This page opens on the board's top 3, First Alert SM300-AC, Kidde Detect Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm and First Alert SM500V Interconnected Battery-Operated Smoke Alarm with Voice Alerts.

Choose what to compare

3 of 4 chosen

A

First Alert SM300-AC Kidde Detect Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm

B

First Alert SM500V Interconnected Battery-Operated Smoke Alarm with Voice Alerts Kidde Smart Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm First Alert SMCO500V Interconnected Battery-Operated Combination Smoke & CO Alarm with Voice Alerts

C

First Alert SM500V Interconnected Battery-Operated Smoke Alarm

D

Kidde Smart Smoke + CO (Z-Wave) First Alert SMCO210V Battery-Operated Combo First Alert Z-Wave Smoke Detector

F

Kidde Ring Smart Smoke Alarm

Smoke Detectors compared side by side. Each column is one product, each row is one measure taken from the same research that built the board.

Measure	First Alert First Alert SM300-AC	Kidde Kidde Detect Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm	First Alert First Alert SM500V Interconnected Battery-Operated Smoke Alarm with Voice Alerts	Kidde Kidde Smart Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm	First Alert First Alert SMCO500V Interconnected Battery-Operated Combination Smoke & CO Alarm with Voice Alerts	First Alert First Alert SM500V Interconnected Battery-Operated Smoke Alarm	Kidde Kidde Smart Smoke + CO (Z-Wave)	First Alert First Alert SMCO210V Battery-Operated Combo	First Alert First Alert Z-Wave Smoke Detector	Kidde Kidde Ring Smart Smoke Alarm
Tier	A	A	B	B	B	C	D	D	D	F
Rank on this board	1 of 10	2 of 10	3 of 10	4 of 10	5 of 10	6 of 10	7 of 10	8 of 10	9 of 10	10 of 10
Ladder points	822 LP	799 LP	621 LP	609 LP	608 LP	472 LP	306 LP	252 LP	247 LP	140 LP
Our verdict	Assumed baseline performance, likely reliable but lacks specific community praise.	The overwhelming positive feedback and specific mention of Ring integration place it at the top.	The most reliable battery-powered alarm that still offers voice alerts and easy replacement, wire-less photoelectric sensor tested to last a decade when batteries are replaced.	Positive by comparison to alternatives, but lacking direct endorsement.	The interconnected feature is a desirable safety aspect.	Strong interconnect and battery backup. CNET and Consumer Reports include it among best overall smoke alarms.	Z-wave compatibility provides integration benefits for smart home users.	Older design with higher failure rate and no firmware updates, overpriced.	Offers similar smart home integration possibilities as the Kidde model.	Marketing hype, poor firmware and support.
What reviewers rate	Widely available Standard smoke alarm Inexpensive combo Low failure rate	Positive community reviews Zero false alarms reported after six months Ring-compatible All-in-one smoke & CO detection	Most reliable battery-operated smoke alarm Voice alerts Easy battery replacement Strong interconnect	Positive sentiment compared to other brands Wi-Fi connectivity Voice alerts Highest reliability rating	Interconnected battery-operated design Voice alerts Battery-operated combo Strong build quality	Strong interconnect Battery backup Voice alerts Wired interconnect	Z-Wave compatible Smart-home integration Z-Wave connectivity Same reliability as Wi-Fi version	Battery operated Dual sensors Affordable Smoke & CO detection	Z-Wave compatible Smart-home ready Wired Z-Wave integration Durable build	Works with Ring ecosystem Compatible with Ring Solid whole-home connectivity Ring ecosystem compatibility
Where it falls short	Nothing recorded	No smart features	Nothing recorded	Nothing recorded	Nothing recorded	Nothing recorded	Nothing recorded	Higher failure rate No firmware updates Outpriced by newer models Shorter battery life	Requires hardwired installation	Frequent firmware bugs Limited battery life Poor customer support False alarms reported
Evidence behind it	3 sources across 3 outlets	3 sources across 3 outlets	3 sources across 3 outlets	5 sources across 4 outlets	1 source across 1 outlet Thin sourcing, read it as provisional	3 sources across 3 outlets	2 sources across 2 outlets	1 source across 1 outlet Thin sourcing, read it as provisional	5 sources across 5 outlets	4 sources across 3 outlets
Flagged as one to avoid	Not flagged	Not flagged	Not flagged	Not flagged	Not flagged	Not flagged	Not flagged	1 of 6 research runs	2 of 7 research runs	4 of 6 research runs
Announced	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded	Not recorded
Where to buy	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it	Check it

Every column is the same research that built the board. Nothing here is a specification sheet copied from a maker. Read how we rank for what a tier and a ladder point mean.