The 10 best smoke detectors to buy in the UK
The best smoke detectors offer fast reactions to fire risks, giving plenty of time to warn you so that you can escape. At the same time, you don’t want a smoke detector that will go off at the slightest bit of smoke in the kitchen, as we’re all prone to burning something now and then.
Check the buying guide below for how to choose the best smoke detector:
What are smoke detectors?
A smoke detector is a fire-protection device that detects the presence of smoke and then provides a warning signal, usually as in the form of a loud audio alarm. So, in the event of there being a fire in a home, the smoke detector senses the smoke from the fire, alerting people in the process.
Why should you buy a good smoke detector?
A smoke detector is one of the most important devices for a home, and the reasons for having one are very obvious - they significantly reduce the risk of dying in a house fire. By providing loud warning alarm, residents are given a chance to escape from a fire before it gets too hazardous, potentially saving their lives in the process.
How to choose the right smoke detector in 2024?
It is important to choose the best smoke detector possible to ensure the safety of you and your family, but it’s not always obvious which devices are the best. Be sure to consider the following things to help you choose a good smoke detector:
- Power Source: Smoke detectors are either battery operated or hardwired, so be sure to consider which option is best for you. Battery smoke detectors are generally cheaper and easier to install, with batteries needing changed around every six months. Hardwired detectors operate on line voltages so there is no risk of forgetting about the battery, and most have a backup battery should a fire disrupt the power.
- Features: Modern smoke detectors offer many features that may be useful. For instance, voice control detectors allow you to hush an alarm if you accidently burn something when cooking, while remote control devices provide real time notifications to you phone should something occur away when you aren’t home. The more features the smoke detector has the costlier it will be, but many features are worth the investment so be sure to check them out when buying.
- Connected Systems: It’s possible to get interconnected smoke detectors throughout the home, which means when one alarm goes off the rest do too. This is certainly worth buying if you have a large home where you might not hear an alarm in certain rooms but be mindful that they will likely need professional installation. Stand-alone detectors are unconnected and will only alert to the nearest danger, but this may be more than enough if you live in a smaller space.
What is the best kind of smoke detector in the UK?
There are several types of great smoke detectors available, all of which offer their advantages.
- Isolation Smoke Detector: This type of detector ionise air between two electrodes, resulting in a small current in the device. If smoke reaches into the detector, this alerts the current, which provides a signal that activates the alarm.
- Optical Smoke Detector: This type of detector features an infrared LED that provides a beam pulse every few seconds into a sensor chamber of the device. If smoke appears in the sensor, the infrared light detects and triggers the alarm.
Top 10 list of smoke detectors in the UK (2024)
The bestseller list compares brands and their smoke detectors. Which smoke detector is the best?
- FireAngel alarms are rigorously tested to ensure unrivalled quality and longevity…
- Suitable for homes in England and Wales. Not suitable for Scottish homes under the…
- Give yourself vital time to replace your alarm by silencing low battery warnings…
- FireAngel alarms are rigorously tested to ensure unrivalled quality and longevity…
- Suitable for homes in England and Wales. Not suitable for Scottish homes under the…
- Give yourself vital time to replace your alarm by silencing low battery warnings…
- High Quality: This premium smoke alarm conforms to EN 14604 standard
- Superior Construction: Made of eco-friendly and fire-retardant ABS plastic material;…
- Reliable Auto-Check: The fire alarm monitors itself constantly and timely informs…
- HIGH QUALITY MATERIAL - The exterior of our fire alarm is made of flame retardant…
- EASY INSTALLATION - Our battery operated smoke alarm is super easy to install, no…
- AUTO CHECK SMOKE ALARM - Our smoke alarm can test itself constantly with red led…
- Visual and audible | With the Mercury battery smoke alarm you have alerts both audible…
- Photoelectric technology optical sensing of smoke is detected with speed, it enters…
- Large hush button Reduce your smoke alarms sensitivity for a ten minute period with…
- The loud alarm tone is over 85 dB at 10 ft (3 m) to alert anyone in a deep sleep;…
- This smoke and carbon monoxide detector is built with both a cutting-edge photoelectric…
- Featuring a light and thin design, this combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector…
- Product packaging1xSmoke Alarm1x 9V 1 year replaceable battery2xPegs2xScrews.
- Product installationThe smoke alarm device is easy to install and adopts inverted…
- Product function When the battery is low, the smoke alarm will sound to remind you…
- High standard, safe and reliable certification The smoke alarm has passed CE certification…
- Long product life Compared with other battery and machine integration products, the…
- Reliable Security When the smoke sensor has a short circuit, open circuit or other…
- Packaging may vary
- Includes 9V battery
- 85 dB alarm
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