# First Alert Z-Wave Smoke Detector

- Source: https://stierproducts.com/products/first-alert-z-wave-smoke-detector
- Category board: https://stierproducts.com/categories/smoke-detectors
- Placement: #9 of 10 in Smoke Detectors, D tier
- Brand: First Alert
- LP on this board: 247
- Last researched: 2026-08-07T04:20:53.545Z
- Method: https://stierproducts.com/methodology
- Dataset: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22062813 - every board at once, one dated snapshot per release, same licence, prices and photographs left out
- Reuse: Text, rankings, tier assignments, LP values and verdicts are free to quote and reuse with attribution to stierproducts and a link to the source URL (CC BY 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Product photographs are not covered: they belong to their respective owners and are reproduced to illustrate the product being reviewed. Do not redistribute them under this licence.

## Verdict

Offers similar smart home integration possibilities as the Kidde model.

## For

- Z-Wave compatible
- Smart-home ready
- Wired Z-Wave integration
- Durable build
- UL-listed

## Against

- Requires hardwired installation

## Flagged as one to avoid

This product entered 2 of 7 runs as one buyers cross-shop but should not buy, rather than as a pick. It is published here rather than dropped.

## Evidence

Consolidated from 5 independent outlets

| Outlet | Said by | Stance | Link | Link status |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The Spruce | - | - | https://www.thespruce.com/best-smoke-detectors-11695515 | outlet blocks automated checks |
| CNET | - | - | https://www.cnet.com/home/security/best-smoke-detector/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Consumer Reports | - | - | https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/smoke-carbon-monoxide-detectors/best-smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-detectors-of-the-year-a9237799621/ | fetched and confirmed |
| First Alert Blog | - | - | https://www.firstalert.com/blogs/safety-corner/smart-wired-vs-battery-smoke-detector-find-the-right-fit-for-your-home | fetched and confirmed |
| Facebook HomeAssistant | - | - | https://www.facebook.com/groups/HomeAssistant/posts/4190900481181290/ | outlet blocks automated checks |

## Nearest alternatives on this board

| Rank | Product | Tier | Page |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | First Alert SM300-AC | A | https://stierproducts.com/products/first-alert-sm300-ac |
| 2 | Kidde Detect Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm | A | https://stierproducts.com/products/kidde-detect-smoke-carbon-monoxide-alarm |
| 3 | First Alert SM500V Interconnected Battery-Operated Smoke Alarm with Voice Alerts | B | https://stierproducts.com/products/first-alert-sm500v-interconnected-battery-operated-smoke-alarm-with-voice-alerts |
| 4 | Kidde Smart Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm | B | https://stierproducts.com/products/kidde-smart-smoke-carbon-monoxide-alarm |
| 5 | First Alert SMCO500V Interconnected Battery-Operated Combination Smoke & CO Alarm with Voice Alerts | B | https://stierproducts.com/products/first-alert-smco500v-interconnected-battery-operated-combination-smoke-co-alarm-with-voice-alerts |
| 6 | First Alert SM500V Interconnected Battery-Operated Smoke Alarm | C | https://stierproducts.com/products/first-alert-sm500v-interconnected-battery-operated-smoke-alarm |
| 7 | Kidde Smart Smoke + CO (Z-Wave) | D | https://stierproducts.com/products/kidde-smart-smoke-co-z-wave |
| 8 | First Alert SMCO210V Battery-Operated Combo | D | https://stierproducts.com/products/first-alert-smco210v-battery-operated-combo |
| 10 | Kidde Ring Smart Smoke Alarm | F | https://stierproducts.com/products/kidde-ring-smart-smoke-alarm |

The full board is at https://stierproducts.com/categories/smoke-detectors.

## What this tier means

- D: Weak. Hard to recommend when better options cost similar money.

## How to read this

- Each category is researched in four independent runs, one per lens (expert consensus, value, reliability, community pulse). Every run ranks a board of candidates that deliberately includes products buyers cross-shop but should avoid. Placements score on a ranked ladder (LP), and tiers are derived from LP, so no tier is ever assigned by hand.
- LP is this product's points on its own category ladder. It is comparable within a category and not across categories.
- Link status reports what our pre-publication link check found when it fetched the cited URL. It says nothing about the quality of the review.
- A citation with no usable link is listed rather than dropped, and is excluded from the counted total above.

## Image

https://stspimgdevmfyk46r5vwkay.blob.core.windows.net/images/products/first-alert-z-wave-smoke-detector.webp

Product photographs are not covered: they belong to their respective owners and are reproduced to illustrate the product being reviewed. Do not redistribute them under this licence.