Even if you’re generally not into smart-home devices, a smart smoke alarm is the one essential appliance every home should have. While a traditional alarm depends on your being around to hear it, a smart smoke alarm will alert you when something is wrong, no matter where you are.
Most smart smoke detectors are hybrid devices that detect smoke and heat, as well carbon monoxide. And because they connect to your home internet, they can send you notifications via a smartphone app. An added benefit is that in addition to smoke notifications, they can send low-battery warnings long before the batteries run out, which means you’ll never have to hear those annoying chirps in the middle of the night. They also allow you to silence the alarm using an app — no longer will you have to swing around a broom or towel to clear the smoke when you’ve burned dinner. Wirecutter, a New York Times company that reviews products, recommends the second-generation Google Nest Protect for most people.
More than just alert you to fire, a smart smoke alarm that is compatible with other smart devices you own (or may purchase later) can be set up to to perform other lifesaving tasks, like shutting down your HVAC system during a fire, turning on your cameras to record, unlocking your front doors and turning on smart lighting to make it easier for you to get out and firefighters to get in.
After all this praise, however, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out one of their biggest flaws: Even the smartest smoke detector lives only 10 years. That’s because by law, your smart smoke alarm must stop working and be replaced. (So definitely don’t buy a used one off eBay.)
Another concern is how expensive some models are, such as the Nest Protect, which costs $119. Smart smoke alarms are several times more expensive than even a decent 10-year detector (though cheaper when bought as multiples). While they’re worth the cost, there are a few less expensive options. Smoke alarm listeners can hear smoke alarms going off and then send an alert to your smartphone. That capability is actually built into Amazon’s free Alexa Guard service (which uses your Echo speakers to listen for your existing smoke alarms and then sends an alert through the Alexa app), as well as Google smart speakers like the Nest Mini. We think they’re better than just a standard smoke alarm, but because they require an extra step to function, they add a potential failure point, something you don’t want in a safety device.
A version of this article appears at Wirecutter. Interested in learning more about the best things to buy and how to use them? Visit the site, where you can read the latest reviews and find daily deals.
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September 19, 2020 at 03:12AM
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