Question

What is everyone using for smart smoke & CO2 detectors that work with ST and Alexa? Also were you able to get a deal, looking to save some money.  

Answer 1

IMO - some things you have to go old school tried and true and smoke/fire and carbon man oxide are one of those things! If you want to put a nest unit on each floor go for it, but all the “smart” smoke and carbon Monoxide have mixed reviews and IMO it’s not worth your families safety. Also “want to save money” aka: go cheap shouldn’t go in the same sentence as “my family’s safety”. but hey, you do you ‍♂️‍♂️

Comments

@avitzur um, no one is going cheap and defectors are made to the exact same standards whether they make noise only or have a z-wave chip. Don’t be ridiculous. My smoke alarms that automatically trigger all others, turn on the lights and unlock the door are quite a bit safer than the “old school” ones they replaced.  

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@consolation while made to a "standard" is true there is massive differences in Photoelectric vs Ionization and if you did research on the types utilized by the companies making "smart" detectors you would also see there ratings and that they are not comparable to those produced by someone like Kiddie for example. But again, to each there own, agree to disagree here. And the OP specifically said "looking to save money" that means going cheap - I didn't say everyone of them are cheap - i said the ask was for "cheap".  

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Kidde primarily makes photoelectric sensors, which are the same used in Nest and First Alert. There are differences between photoelectric/ionizing detection methods, but neither are superior to the other. The standards involved in validating smoke detectors are rigorous. As long as you aren't buying some no name alibabe garbage, you're good to go. High horse not required.