We scoured industry research, ratings, and reviews to bring you the best smoke detectors.
May 18, 2022
It’s easy to forget your smoke alarm’s there until it starts beeping or chirping. But while we take them for granted, they’re always keeping tabs on fire safety.
Our top pick Google Nest Protect is expensive, but all its extras make it worth the price. It offers remote notifications, a light, voice notifications, and more.
The best smoke detectors
- : Best overall
- : Best budget pick
- : Best multipack
- : Best interconnectable
Compare smoke detectors and alarms
Smoke detector | Best for | Price | Sensor type(s) | Power source | Smart features | Learn more | Read review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | $167 | Photoelectric and electrochemical |  Wired or battery | Yes
| View on Amazon | Read review | |
| Budget pick | $20 | Photoelectric | Battery |  No
| View on Woolworths | Read review | |
| Best multipack | $62.90 | Photoelectric | Battery | No
| View on Kogan | Read review | |
| Best interconnectable | $40.39 | Photoelectric | Wired (battery backup) | No
| View on Kogan | Read review |
Prices are accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
1. Google Nest Protect: Best smoke alarm overall
Best overall
The Google Nest Protect keeps your home protected in more ways than one. Sure, it can detect smoke, but with its split-spectrum sensor, it detects smoldering fires as well as fires with active flames. It also detects carbon monoxide with an electrochemical sensor.
When a smoke or carbon monoxide detector is triggered, the Nest Protect will flash its built-in light, sound an alarm, and use voice alerts to let you know exactly what type of emergency it's detecting. It also sends alerts to your phone through the app.
Though we prefer the wired version, there is a battery-powered model if you don't mind changing the batteries from time to time.
The drawback is it's expensive for a fire alarm. Still, the benefits are worth the price, especially if you have a smaller home that doesn't need too many smoke detectors. If you're on a budget, it's better to opt for the next pick.
Pros
Mobile alerts
Wired or battery power
In-app battery warnings
Carbon monoxide alarm
Light 
Cons
Expensive 2. Quell Photoeletric: Best budget smoke alarm
Best budget
If you're looking for a bare-bones smoke detector that does what it says on the tin and nothing else, the budget-friendly Quell Photoelectric Smoke Alarm is for you.
It's good quality, affordable, and available from Woolies, so you can even pick one up during your weekly shop.
Pros
Loud 85dB alarm
Affordable
Test/hush button
Battery included Cons
No smart features 3. 24M: Best smoke alarm multipack
Best multipack
If you've got a larger home, you'll want to have more than just one smoke alarm. This three-pack from 24M offers a cost-effective solution for covering a few key areas.
It's got pretty basic features, much like our budget pick above, but we like that it's made of a fire-retardant material, meaning it should continue sounding in the event of a fire.
Pros
Loud 85dB alarm
Fire retardant material
Test/hush button
Battery included Cons
No smart features 4. Clipsal: Best interconnectable smoke alarm
Best interconnectable
In Queensland, all rental properties (and, by 2027, all dwellings) are legally required to have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms. Even for non-Queenslanders, interconnected smoke alarms are the safest choice. This one from Clipsal is good quality, reliable, and can connect up to 40 other alarms for total coverage of your home.
On the downside, if you want to connect two or more alarms, an electrician is required.
Pros
Interconnectable
Backup battery (included)
Loud 85db alarm Cons
Electrician installation required Final word
Even though it's on the expensive side, we picked the Google Nest Protect as the best smoke detector because it's just so darn helpful. Beyond being able to detect carbon monoxide and different types of fires, the app removes the frustration that comes with typical fire alarms.
How we reviewed the best smoke detectors
To determine the best smoke alarms, we scoured industry research and evaluated product features, performance, and specs. We also pored over expert ratings and real customer reviews.
Our four best smoke alarms were selected from dozens of devices that were compared for reliability, effectiveness, price, and customer satisfaction. Learn more about how we conduct reviews like this one from our methodology page.
Disclaimer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time of publish and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer’s website at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. SafeWise Australia utilises paid affiliate links.
