Smart homes go beyond energy savings to deliver real protection for your family and property. While devices like Nest thermostats can halve your power use in a week—as we've experienced firsthand—they also offer advanced monitoring. These six smart detectors provide alerts for smoke, carbon monoxide (CO), air quality issues, and more, giving you peace of mind whether you're home or away.
Nest, trusted for its innovative thermostats, brings the same reliability to the Nest Protect smoke and CO alarm. Instead of a piercing siren, it uses clear voice alerts to specify the location and severity of smoke or CO detection.
Via the Nest app, monitor real-time and historical data from the past 10 days remotely. Buy Nest Protect Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Battery (S2001BW) on Amazon: $119.00
The Birdi—formerly known as Canary—goes beyond basic smoke and CO detection. It tracks dust, soot, pollen, temperature, humidity, airflow, pollution, and particulates for a full view of your indoor air quality.
Alerts hit your phone instantly; silence false alarms from the kitchen easily. Birdi notifies about nearby fires, landline calls, and even impending natural disasters—it's a comprehensive environmental sentinel.
Pre-order Birdi at getbirdi.com ($120).
Upgrade existing smoke or CO detectors affordably with the Roost Smart Battery. For just $40, get smartphone notifications anywhere.
Manage multiple alarms, and receive timely low-battery warnings—no more chirps. Pre-order at smartroost.net ($40).
Perfect for SmartThings or Z-Wave hubs, this detector triggers alarms and phone alerts for smoke or CO. Notify contacts or emergency services remotely.
Integrate with smart lights or plugs to illuminate escape paths. Buy First Alert Z-Wave Smoke + CO Alarm on Amazon: $39.43
Monitor VOCs, particulates, CO2, CO, temperature, and humidity with Foobot. Gain insights into your home's health and act to improve it.
No built-in smoke sensor, but excellent for overall air quality. Foobot Indoor Air Quality Monitor (Compatible with Alexa, Nest, IFTTT) on Amazon: $229.00 (Note: Obsolete/Discontinued).
Combining ionization and photoelectric sensors, Halo WX detects fast-flaming and smoldering fires effectively. It also spots CO, uses voice/visual alerts, and provides tornado warnings.
Pre-order from Indiegogo ($100).
For under $20, build your own with Arduino: SainSmart MQ7 CO sensor ($9) or CG312 MQ2 smoke/gas sensor ($10), plus a Wi-Fi module.
Smart monitoring is evolving rapidly. These detectors make your home safer and more insightful. Would you try a smart air monitor? Share your experiences below!
