Carbon monoxide is one of the deadliest gasses known to cause serious health hazards. Thousands of people die every year due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
It is a common gas in any household that can leak from different items, such as generators or kitchen gas stoves. You can also get exposed to carbon monoxide if you have a traditional open fireplace in the house. Since this gas is odorless, you can’t detect it right away, which can cause slow poisoning.
But, what if you can install the right device for detecting carbon monoxide in your house? It might be possible for you to avoid life-threatening accidents and health complications due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Prevention is always better than cure, and that’s why we’re here to review the eight best carbon monoxide detectors that can be absolute lifesavers.
So, without wasting any more time, let’s get on with it!
Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Whether you’re looking for a basic model or a more advanced device, here’s the list of the 6 best carbon monoxide detectors to keep you and your loved ones safe.
1. Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector – Best for Backup Battery
We’ll get started with the Kidde carbon monoxide detector that’s specially designed to detect high carbon monoxide levels in your house with its electrochemical sensors. It prioritizes the health and safety of you and your family over anything else because of its high-quality performance. Install this CO detector in the house and put all your worries to rest.
The first thing that attracted us to this carbon monoxide detector from Kidde is its backup battery. It allows the device to detect carbon monoxide continuously, even during any sudden power outage.
Carbon monoxide leaks can happen at any time without any prior notice. But thanks to this Kidde carbon monoxide detector, you can stay prepared and alert to face anything. The device uses high-tech electrochemical sensors to accurately measure the carbon monoxide levels inside the house to keep you protected.
Furthermore, the plug-in power source and the easy installation process make using this device completely hassle-free. It can detect low carbon monoxide levels and dangerous gas levels immediately to trigger the alarm. This carbon monoxide detector also comes with a 10-year warranty period for your convenience.
Even though the 85-decibel alarm sound is excellent to alert you if there’s a carbon monoxide leak, it can drive your kids and pets crazy. The loud alarm of this detector can go off even with the slightest rise in the CO levels, ruining your peaceful household environment.
What We Like
- Comes with battery backup
- Detects low and high levels of carbon monoxide
- Easy installation
- 10-year product life
What We Don’t Like
- Alarm sound quite harsh
2. Google Nest Protect CO2 Detector – Best Smart Detector
Next up, we bring you the Google Nest Protect, which works like a smoke alarm, a smoke detector, and a carbon monoxide detector. It is one of the best carbon monoxide alarms and has an AI-enabled smart voice alarm. This carbon monoxide and smoke detector combo can be the perfect device to create a smart home environment.
From smoldering and fast-burning fires to rising carbon monoxide levels, it detects everything and sends an alert to your phone. It also comes with an AI-enabled voice system to let you know when there are any fire hazards or carbon monoxide leaks in the house.
This carbon monoxide alarm has long-lasting CO sensors that can detect even the slightest change in carbon monoxide levels. At the same time, the split-spectrum sensor helps to detect smoke from fast and slow fires.
The LED display of the device alerts you if there’s an emergency. Its soothing green night light lets you know that everything’s fine, while the yellow light gives you a heads up when there’s a little smoke or CO. If the device is showing a red light, it means the CO or smoke has reached dangerous levels inside the house.
While Google Nest Protect is quite effective for smoke and carbon monoxide detection, many customers have complained about several incidents of false alarms. This smart carbon monoxide detector often disconnects from your residential Wi-Fi network and again reconnects automatically, raising several false alarms that can be quite misleading.
What We Like
- Easy phone alerts
- Split-spectrum sensor for effective smoke detection
- 10-year carbon monoxide sensor
- Different LED display lights
What We Don’t Like
- Several instances of false alarms
3. First Alert Dual-Power Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Detector – Best with LED Display
The plug-in carbon monoxide detector from First Alert comes with a digital display to make carbon monoxide detectors inside your house much easier compared to other carbon monoxide detectors. Its 85-decibel alarm is loud enough to alert you when the CO levels are dangerously high.
The First Alert home carbon monoxide detector comes with a super-easy plug-in installation, so you can simply plug it into any wall socket and let it do its work. It requires two AA batteries to provide some extra battery backup in case your power is out. Hence, this device is excellent for offering round-the-clock protection against carbon monoxide.
It has a backlit, easy-to-read LED display that helps you continuously monitor whether the CO levels inside the house have reached an unhealthy limit. And, thanks to its advanced electrochemical sensor, you can accurately measure CO concentrations.
Other than this, the CO detector comes with a test button to silence any non-threatening or false alarms. The device also alerts you with a single beep every minute if its battery is running low so that you can add fresh batteries immediately.
Even though the CO detector is quite effective in displaying high carbon monoxide levels, it doesn’t really work if the CO level in your house is lower than 30 PPM. So, if you’re exposed to a low carbon monoxide level for a long time, it won’t offer the best protection against accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.
What We Like
- Easy to plug in
- Continuous monitoring
- Advanced electrochemical CO sensor
- 7-year limited warranty
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t display low CO levels
4. X-Sense Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm
Moving on with our list of the best carbon monoxide detectors, we bring you the portable carbon monoxide detector from X-Sense that comes with a digital display. It allows you to regularly monitor the CO levels inside the house so that you’re well-prepared for an emergency. You’ll be well-equipped to deal with any CO leaks with this device.
This X-Sense carbon monoxide alarm offers instant alerts so that you can stay prepared at all times. It is equipped with an electrochemical sensor that can last up to ten years, so your family will stay safe and protected against carbon monoxide poisoning using this device.
This battery-powered carbon monoxide detector offers easy installation without any hassle. You can install it on a wall or keep it on top of a working desk, wherever you want. The convenient silence or test button will help you mute false alarms no matter where you install the device.
Along with displaying the carbon monoxide concentrations inside the house, the LED display highlights the battery life. The 3-color LED indicator shows whether the detector is working correctly or if the device needs a new battery.
Many customers have complained that the digital display of this CO detector doesn’t always show the accurate carbon monoxide reading in your house. It often shows dangerously high carbon monoxide concentrations when in reality, there’s no carbon monoxide present in the house.
What We Like
- Fairly compact design
- Flexible installation
- 3-color LED indicator
- Replaceable lithium battery
What We Don’t Like
- Might show wrong CO readings
5. Siterwell Carbon Monoxide Detector
Next, we have the carbon monoxide detector from Siterwell that has advanced electrochemical CO sensors to offer accurate readings so that you can stay prepared at all times. It comes with a 10-hour non-disturb mode to prevent any undesired alarm sound when you’re sleeping. Also, it’s a battery-operated safety device and quite convenient to use without much hassle.
You can trust the Siterwell carbon detector alarm to work like a charm when it comes to stable and consistent performance. Its Import Figaro sensor is designed to read carbon monoxide concentrations ranging between 0 and 10000 PPM.
The detector comes with colored LED lights to indicate whether everything is right in your house. You have nothing to worry about if you see the green LED flashes. But the device shows red flashes of LED light during the alarm state.
It also comes with a test or silence button to mute the CO alarm within five minutes with a simple push if there’s a false alarm. The device has a 7-year lifetime warranty, so you need not worry about replacing the detector any time soon.
The biggest drawback of this device is that it doesn’t work in kitchens, furnace rooms, or garages and can trigger false alarms. If you have a gas leak from the gas appliances in the kitchen, you can’t detect the carbon monoxide concentration using this detector. Hence, its applications are quite limited.
What We Like
- Sensor range from 0 to 10,000 PPM
- LED indicator
- Test/silence button
- 7-year lifetime warranty
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t work in garages, furnace rooms, and kitchens
6. FDUIOSPF Carbon Monoxide Detector
The detector helps in the continuous monitoring of CO and is fully battery-powered for your convenience. You can install it anywhere and won’t need any wall socket or nearby power outlet. So, you can trust this CO detector to protect the house and keep your family safe from carbon monoxide leaks.
The carbon monoxide detector is portable and easy to install. It’s battery-powered, so you can use it just fine, even during a sudden power outage. The detector will ensure that your family is safe and protected in your house around the clock.
It can accurately measure the CO concentrations inside the house, thanks to its advanced electrochemical CO sensor. If it detects dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide, its 85-decibel alarm is loud enough to make everyone alert about the situation.
The alarm timing varies depending on the carbon monoxide concentrations. If the concentration is high, the alarm will be triggered quickly. Overall, the smart features of this device can be excellent for offering protection against any serious risk from carbon monoxide.
Even though you’ll need two AAA batteries to operate this smart device, the manufacturer doesn’t provide any batteries with the package. It is fully battery-powered, so you cannot plug it into a wall socket and need to buy the batteries separately.
What We Like
- Accurate CO readings
- Easy installation
- Not affected by power outages
- 85-decibel alarm sound
What We Don’t Like
- Batteries not included
Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors Comparison Table
Product | Type | Display | Power Source | Battery Life (years) | Alarm Sound (dB) | Certification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector | Battery-powered | Digital display | Battery | 10 | 85 | UL 2034, CSA 6.19, EN 50291-1 |
Google Nest Protect CO2 Detector | Battery-powered or hardwired | Digital display | Battery or hardwired | 10 | 85 | UL 2034, EN-50291 |
First Alert Dual-Power Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Detector | Dual-power (plug-in/battery) | Digital display | Plug-in or battery backup | 10 | 85 | UL 2034, CSA 6.19, EN 50291-1 |
X-Sense Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm | Battery-powered | Digital display | Battery | 10 | 85 | UL 2034, EN 50291-1 |
Siterwell Carbon Monoxide Detector | Battery-powered | Digital display | Battery | 10 | 85 | UL 2034, EN 50291-1 |
FDUIOSPF Carbon Monoxide Detector | Battery-powered | Digital display | Battery | 10 | 85 | UL 2034, EN 50291-1 |
Buying Guide for the Best Carbon Monoxide Detector
Now that you know about the best CO detectors, it’s time to look into our buyer’s guide that might help you make a well-informed purchase decision. Here, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about carbon monoxide detectors and highlighted the key factors that you must consider while choosing the best product.
1. CO2 Detector Accuracy
When it comes to detecting the carbon monoxide concentrations in your house, accuracy is everything. Even the slightest differences in the readings can lead to serious risks regarding your health and safety.
It’s always best to double-check the accuracy of the CO readings before selecting a carbon monoxide detector. Look for detectors having advanced electrochemical CO sensors that can offer instant and highly accurate readings.
2. Easy Installation
Easy installation is another important criterion that you must consider before purchasing a carbon monoxide detector. If you have an empty wall socket, you can go for a plug-in unit, but it might not work during a power outage.
If you don’t want to install the detector inside a power socket, you can choose a fully battery-powered device that’s much easier to place. You can keep it on the desk or hang it on the wall, wherever you want, without any professional help.
3. Battery Backup
Top carbon monoxide detectors come with a sufficient battery backup so that you can monitor the carbon monoxide concentrations in your house, even if there’s a power outage or the battery is running low. It’s best to select the detectors that have extra batteries included in the pack so that you don’t need to run out to get new batteries during an emergency.
Why do you need a carbon monoxide detector?
Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that’s known to cause severe health hazards, including asthma and other lung diseases. You can’t see it or smell it and won’t be able to realize it when you’re exposed to the gas. Thus, installing a carbon monoxide detector will help you continuously measure the CO concentrations inside your house to maintain health and safety.
Can a carbon monoxide detector measure other gasses?
While there are some smart devices that can measure smoke and carbon monoxide, they cannot usually measure any other explosive or hazardous gasses. Their sensors are specially designed to measure only the carbon monoxide concentrations in your house.
How often should I replace my carbon monoxide detector?
Most carbon monoxide detectors last between five and seven years. It is recommended to replace them every five years, regardless of their type or model.
What should I do if my carbon monoxide detector goes off?
If your carbon monoxide detector goes off, immediately evacuate your home and call 911 or your local emergency number. Do not re-enter your home until emergency responders declare it safe.
What is the difference between a battery-operated and a plug-in carbon monoxide detector?
Battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors are portable and do not require an electrical outlet. Plug-in carbon monoxide detectors are wired directly into your home’s electrical system and are usually equipped with a battery backup. Both types of detectors are effective and reliable if installed and maintained properly.
How do I test my carbon monoxide detector?
Most carbon monoxide detectors have a test button that allows you to check their functionality. Press the test button and wait for the detector to sound an alarm. If the detector does not sound an alarm, replace its batteries or replace the detector. It is recommended to test your carbon monoxide detector once a month.
Conclusion
With that, we come to the end of our detailed product reviews and buyer’s guide regarding the best carbon monoxide detectors currently available on the market. We hope you have a better understanding of how these smart home devices work after going through our article to choose the best carbon monoxide detector.
If you want our recommendation, we suggest you try out the Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector because of its high-quality performance and accurate readings. You can also go for the Google Nest Protect if you are looking for a carbon monoxide and smoke detector combo. It’ll help you detect smoke and carbon monoxide and also send phone alerts for your convenience.
But you should also look for other brands and products before making any decision. On that note, we’ll sign off. Take care and stay safe!
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