Best Reviewed
Smoke Detectors
- Best all-around smoke detector First Alert SA302CN *Est. $25
- Ionization smoke detector with 10-year battery First Alert SA340CN *Est. $20
- Photoelectric smoke detector First Alert SA710CN *Est. $17
- Interconnected dual-sensor smoke detector Kidde PI2010 *Est. $35
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Photoelectric smoke detector
- Senses slow fires well
- 10-year warranty
- Inexpensive
- Lack of sensitivity with high-flaming fires
If your home contains only ionization alarms that sense fast, flaming fires, experts say you'll need to add a few photoelectric models that better detect the smoke from slow smoldering ones. Reviews are less plentiful for the latter type, but Consumer magazine, a publication based in New Zealand, gives high marks to First Alert SA710CN (Est. $17). Owner reviews are scarce for this smoke alarm, but those we saw on Amazon.com are extremely complimentary, though most users don't indicate whether or not they've experienced fire or smoke in their homes. If you want an alarm that contains both ionization and photoelectric sensors, reviews most frequently recommend the First Alert SA302CN (*Est. $25).
The best reviews for the First Alert SA710CN come from professional review sites like Choice magazine and Consumer magazine. User reviews from Amazon.com are useful in determining how the alarm works over time in actual homes.
First Alert SA302CN Double Sensor Battery-Powered Smoke and Fire Alarm
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| First Alert SA710CN Smoke Alarm with Photoelectric Sensor | |
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Our Sources
1. Choice magazineDetails/Subscribe
The Australian-based consumer review site, Choice magazine, gives a detailed account of the First Alert SA710CN. It ranks third out of the 15 models they tested, with an overall score of 83 out of 100. The alarm scores best with smoldering fires (score of 93 out of 100), but lower than other models for flaming fires (77 out of 100) because it is only a single-sensor unit.
Review: Smoke Alarms Review and Compare, Editors of Choice magazine, March 2, 2010
2. Consumer magazineDetails/Subscribe
This New Zealand consumer publication tests and ranks 18 smoke detectors. The First Alert SA710CN ranks third overall. Testers say the model is good for detecting smoldering fires and is very easy to use. They also like how inexpensive the model is. No bad points are listed for the detector.
Review: Smoke Alarms, Editors of Consumer magazine, March 5, 2010
3. Amazon.com
More than a dozen users give the First Alert SA710CN an average score of 4 stars out of 5. Most owners say it has fewer false alarms than other models.
Review: First Alert SA710CN Smoke Alarm with Photoelectric Sensor, Contributors to Amazon.com
Smoke Detectors Runners Up:
2 picks including: Amazon.com, Choice magazine…
2 picks by top review sites.
Kidde PI9010 Battery-Operated Dual Ionization and Photoelectric Sensor Smoke Alarm
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Kidde KN-COSM-B Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Talking Alarm
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