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A smart smoke detector does what a regular alarm cannot: it tells you your home is in danger when you are not there. The best models send push alerts to your phone, announce the type of danger and its location out loud, and tie into the smart home platforms you already use.
We researched the current smart smoke and carbon monoxide detector lineup, comparing published specifications, app quality, smart home compatibility, and owner feedback. One important note: Google discontinued the Nest Protect in 2026, so we did not include it as a current pick — Google itself named First Alert’s new smart alarm as the compatible replacement.
The short answer: The First Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm is the best smart smoke detector for most homes. It is the alarm Google points Nest Protect owners toward, it sends phone alerts through the First Alert app, and it interconnects with other alarms so the whole house sounds at once. If you already have Kidde hardwired alarms, the Kidde Smart detector below drops into that system for less money.
Our top smart smoke detector picks
| Pick | Best for | Key strength | Everyday Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Alert SC5 Hardwire | Most homes | Google’s recommended Nest Protect replacement, phone alerts, whole-home interconnect | 4.6/5 |
| Kidde Smart Hardwired (P4010ACSCO-WF) | Existing Kidde systems | Drops into current Kidde hardwire setups, Alexa and Google support | 4.4/5 |
| First Alert SC5 Battery | Homes without hardwiring | Same smart features with no wiring required | 4.5/5 |
| X-Sense XS01-WX | Budget Wi-Fi protection | Direct Wi-Fi with no hub, 10-year battery, under $30 | 4.3/5 |
1. First Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm — Best Overall
Typical price: about $130
Everyday Rating: 4.6/5
Best for: most homes, especially former Nest Protect owners looking for a replacement
The SC5 is the smart alarm Google itself points to as the compatible replacement for the discontinued Nest Protect. It connects to your Wi-Fi and sends smoke and CO alerts straight to your phone through the First Alert app, whether you are home or away. It uses voice alerts with a heads-up warning that tells you the type of danger and which room it is in, and it interconnects with compatible First Alert alarms so when one sounds, they all do. Precision Detection technology is designed to reduce cooking-related nuisance alarms, the Quick Connect plug makes installation straightforward, and a battery backup keeps it working during power outages.
Pros:
- Google’s named replacement for the Nest Protect
- Phone alerts through the First Alert app from anywhere
- Voice alerts announce danger type and location
- Interconnects with other compatible alarms for whole-home coverage
- Battery backup during power outages
Considerations:
- Requires existing hardwiring (a battery version exists — see pick 3)
- Smart features run through First Alert’s app, not a broader smart home dashboard
2. Kidde Smart Hardwired Smoke & CO Detector (P4010ACSCO-WF) — Best for Existing Kidde Systems
Typical price: about $90
Everyday Rating: 4.4/5
Best for: homes already wired for Kidde alarms that want smart alerts without rewiring
This Kidde alarm combines smoke and carbon monoxide detection in one hardwired unit with a sealed 10-year lithium battery backup, so you never replace a battery for the life of the alarm. It connects to Wi-Fi and sends real-time notifications through the Kidde app, works with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice status checks, and uses voice alerts that announce “Fire! Fire!” or “Warning! Carbon Monoxide!” over the 85-decibel alarm. Its standout trait is hardwired interconnection with other select Kidde alarms: if any alarm in the home sounds — even a non-smart one — all of them sound and you get a mobile notification. At around $90 it is the most affordable hardwired smart option here.
Pros:
- Interconnects with existing Kidde hardwired alarms for whole-home activation
- Sealed 10-year battery backup — no battery changes
- Voice alerts plus app notifications through the Kidde app
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Strong value for a hardwired smart alarm
Considerations:
- Wi-Fi smart features only work when AC power is connected
- Kidde’s app reviews are more mixed than the hardware itself
3. First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm — Best Battery-Powered
Typical price: about $130
Everyday Rating: 4.5/5
Best for: homes without hardwired alarm circuits, renters, and older houses
The battery version of the SC5 brings the same smart protection to homes with no alarm wiring. It sends smoke and CO alerts to your phone through the First Alert app, uses voice alerts with a heads-up warning that names the danger and its location, and interconnects with other compatible alarms. Precision Detection technology helps cut down on nuisance alarms from cooking, and the app notifies you when batteries run low — eliminating the classic 2 a.m. low-battery chirp. It is also listed as compatible with and a replacement for Google’s Nest Protect.
Pros:
- Full smart alerting with no wiring required
- Low-battery notifications through the app instead of midnight chirps
- Voice alerts announce danger type and location
- Interconnects with other compatible alarms
Considerations:
- Batteries will need replacing over the alarm’s life, unlike sealed 10-year models
- Same price as the hardwired version, so wired homes should pick that one
4. X-Sense XS01-WX Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm — Best Budget
Typical price: about $26
Everyday Rating: 4.3/5
Best for: affordable Wi-Fi smoke alerts in bedrooms, rentals, and second homes
The X-Sense XS01-WX connects directly to your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi with no hub required and sends real-time push notifications to the X-Sense app when smoke is detected. It runs on a replaceable battery rated for up to 10 years of standby life, sounds an 85-decibel alarm, and supports device sharing so family members can all receive alerts. At roughly a quarter of the price of the premium picks, it is the cheapest way to get genuine remote smoke alerts rather than a “dumb” alarm you can only hear from inside the house.
Pros:
- Direct Wi-Fi connection — no hub or subscription needed
- Very low price for real remote alerts
- Long-life battery with app-based battery monitoring
- Shareable with family members through the app
Considerations:
- Smoke-only — no carbon monoxide detection, so pair it with a CO alarm
- No voice alerts or room-location announcements
- Newer brand with less long-term track record than First Alert or Kidde
What to look for in a smart smoke detector
- Smoke + CO in one unit: Combination alarms protect against both threats from a single ceiling spot. If you buy a smoke-only alarm like the X-Sense, add a separate CO detector on each level.
- Remote alerts: The whole point of “smart” is a push notification when you are away. Check whether alerts go through the manufacturer’s app and whether they work over cellular, not just home Wi-Fi.
- Hardwired vs. battery: Hardwired alarms with battery backup keep working in outages and can interconnect over the wire. Battery models are easier to install but need battery swaps; sealed 10-year batteries remove that chore.
- Interconnection: When one alarm sounds, every alarm should sound. Look for models that interconnect with your existing alarms so a basement fire wakes the upstairs bedrooms.
- Voice and location alerts: A spoken “Smoke in the kitchen” is far more useful than an identical beep from every room, especially with kids or overnight guests.
- Nuisance alarm resistance: Cooking steam is the top cause of disabled alarms. Precision or photoelectric sensing designs that reduce false alarms are worth prioritizing, because an alarm you ripped off the ceiling protects no one.
- Smart home compatibility: Decide whether you need Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit integration, or whether simple app alerts are enough. Not every smart alarm supports every platform.
Verdict
For most homes, the First Alert SC5 Hardwire is the smart smoke detector to buy: it is the alarm Google itself recommends as the Nest Protect replacement, it sends reliable phone alerts, and it interconnects for whole-home coverage. Homes already wired for Kidde should save money with the Kidde Smart detector, which drops into existing systems. If you have no alarm wiring, the SC5 Battery version delivers the same smarts, and the X-Sense XS01-WX is the budget way to get remote smoke alerts — just remember it does not detect carbon monoxide.
Everyday Ratings are research-based editorial scores based on published specifications, independent reviews, owner feedback, and typical value. These products were not personally hands-on tested by EverydayRated. Prices and availability change frequently.