Different makes and models will be slower or faster to detect smoke coming through and have different alarms working at different volumes. Some even feature voice alarms or strobing lights. However, any alarms sold in the UK have to meet BS EN 14604:2005, which specifies the requirements, tests and performance criteria for smoke alarms using optical or ionisation sensors. Heat alarms are governed by the separate BS 5446-3:2003 standard. Ionisation alarms ionise the air between two electrodes. These are positively and negatively charged, creating a small current inside the chamber.

An interesting by-product of the new breed of smart alarms is the fire-related data being collected, as is the case with Google, which makes the Nest Protect smoke and CO alarm. Google told us that it uses data from its alarms to provide ‘meaningful insights’ for its customers and to improve the product. Interlinked smoke alarms will use the same optical or ionisation technology mentioned above, so, they're not a type of alarm in their own right. Pros: Good for bedrooms, landings and hallways, and near to kitchens as they aren’t as prone to false alarms from cooking. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to use optical alarms in living rooms, bedrooms or downstairs hallways where you either have a lot of upholstered furniture and soft furnishings or the alarm is likely to be set off by cooking fumes. Keep ionisation alarms for upstairs hallways or areas where dust or exposure to the elements (say, through an open door) might potentially set off an optical sensor. If in doubt, go optical or use a multi-sensor alarm. Use of ionisation alarms is generally being discouraged by many fire services, and some manufacturers have now discontinued their ionisation products. All of the major manufacturers (Aico, FireAngel and Kidde) make smoke and heat alarms that will work in combination with one another and we have tested pairs of smoke and heat alarms from each of them.

Sealed 10 Year Smoke Alarms

Fire and rescue services attended over 150,000 fires last year in England alone, and while the number of fire fatalities dropped to their lowest ever figure, 240 people still lost their lives. Buying a smoke alarm is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your home, your life and the lives of your family and friends. It can give you early warning of a fire before it spreads, and the best chance of getting everyone safely out of the house. Smart features: Smoke detectors with smartphone connectivity allow you to shut off nuisance alarms without having to climb a ladder. Smart features can also let you know if the alarm goes off while you're not home.

To make sure you're choosing the best smoke detector for your home, it's important to understand their different features. Smart smoke alarms are designed to sound the alarm when they detect smoke, as a conventional smoke alarm would. But the unique selling point of a smart smoke alarm is the ability to send alerts to your phone when there’s a fire.If it does go off inadvertently, the large, central test/mute button makes it easy to silence, saving your ears from a thrashing. As with the Pro Connected, it buys you ten minutes to clear the air, while a “sleep easy” function gets you eight hours of quiet if you press the button once the low battery warning starts. Little touches such as this elevate the ST-622Q above your run-of-the-mill smoke alarms, making it one of the best options for most households. Although I wasn't able to test the X-Sense XSO3-WX, I have hands-on experience with several X-Sense models, including the discontinued X-Sense SD01, our previous winner in this category. I have had great experiences with both functionality and overall build quality of the units. The XSO3-WX offers the same simple installation process as its siblings — use a pair of screws to mount in place or adhesive tape if you'd prefer something less invasive. I broke these tests up throughout the day to allow time for the spray to dissipate and the detectors to return to their working levels. Although I didn't personally test the First Alert BRK 7030BSL and X-Sense XSO3-WX, I have experience with other First Alert and X-sense models and consider them a reliable and effective option. Expert interviews

Their distinguishing feature is the fact that they can be linked to other alarms, both heat and smoke alarms, so that when one senses danger they all sound. The ability to connect up to 24 Kidde devices using neither WiFi nor hard-wired electricity makes this battery-powered device dependable, especially if you have issues with your electricity or internet service provider. Wireless devices communicate with each other and other devices without the use of connecting wires. This can be through interlinking by radio or through wi-fi. Pros: Can suit dustier areas, such as lofts, the area near your bathroom or rooms where people smoke.

Smoke detectors can work effectively for up to 10 years, but you still need to test them every month to make sure they function as they should. If you have a battery-powered unit, you'll want to replace the batteries every six months. That said, if your smoke detector has an integrated carbon monoxide detector, you'll need to replace the unit every five to seven years, according to the manufacturer's directions. This could be critical if you’re out when there’s a fire. All of the smart smoke alarms we've tested are optical models. Smart smoke alarms not only trigger the alarm in your home but also send an alert to your phone. Ideal if you are out, or on holiday.

The NFPA recommends installing alarms inside and outside every bedroom and on every level of your home, including the basement. Andler also says you should place smoke alarms on your ceiling, not the wall, since smoke rises and begins gathering at the ceiling first. He also stressed the importance of having additional smoke detectors throughout your home. In the event of a house fire, hallway smoke detectors may sound their alarms much earlier than units in the bedroom. Installing your smoke alarm near the kitchen instead of in the kitchen also reduces the chances of false alarms, according to Andler. The Arizona Burn Foundation recommends keeping your detector at least 10 feet away from the stove. Smoke particles change the balance of the current. When this happens a signal is sent to the integrated circuit and the alarm sounds. Experts told us that smoke detectors should always be placed on ceilings, and you should have at least one detector inside and outside of each bedroom. Of course, it is entirely possible to get connected smoke alarms that hook up directly to your home network via Wi-Fi, or through a proprietary connection or a Zigbee or Z-Wave hub. The advantage with these is that they can warn you of a fire through an alarm or alert on your smartphone, and also, with some systems, trigger smart lighting to come on. How we test smoke alarms The latter are pricier when you buy for the first time, but you won't have to factor in the expense of replacement battery costs.In Scotland, since February 2022, interlinked smoke and heat alarms have needed to be fitted in all homes. The best smoke alarms you can buy in 2023 1. Google Nest Protect: Best smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarm Heat (thermal) alarms detect heat (hot air) instead of smoke. The alarm is triggered when the temperature within the sensor chamber reaches over 58 degrees Celsius – generally when a fire is well established.