Let’s review a few features that need to be considered
- Type of Smoke Detector
- Hardwired or Battery
- Interconnect Capability
- Alert Type
We mentioned the two types of detectors, photoelectric and ionization previously, batteries, and interconnects. In 2025, while you can still get them, I wouldn’t buy anything that wasn’t up to the new 2024 standard.
Alerts
Pretty much every smoke detector can emit a sharp siren, but some of them can also provide Voice Alerts. Some studies suggest many respond better to Voice alerts than sirens. Some allow only for pre-recorded messages, some allow you to set the names of each detector when interconnected so you can determine the source of a particular alert.
Power
My building was built in the 70s, so it had no hardwired power for smoke detectors. I invested in having mine wired, to make sure a dead battery didn’t cause a disaster. I also live in New York, where smoke detectors have to have a ten year battery life.
Interconnect Capability
The two different types of interconnections are wireless and wired. Newer construction tends to have wired interconnected smoke detectors, but this isn’t a guarantee. While I wired for power, I did not interconnect my detectors.
You can solve the problem of having no wires by having a hardwired smoke detector with a wireless interconnect. Looking at the First Alert website, however, they don’t offer this option with the latest detection technology, nor does Kidde, at least not that I could find. The last model they have that fits those parameters can also bridge wired and wireless interconnects, so I assume eventually they’ll make a new version with up to the modern smoke detection standards.
So, that leaves my previously recommended solution. A device that turns your wired interconnect into a wireless relay in my case the Zooz Z-Wave Relay. This allows the smoke detectors to signal my home monitoring system over the Z-Wave ptotocol when triggered. The device can also act as a relay to power a light or other option if needed, and it can work as part of a full hardwired interconnect system.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of options in this area. Wireless hardwired interconnected smoke detectors seem rare, but why the manufacturers don’t offer an accessory that takes power off the line and wirelessly takes the place of the interconnect wire? Or some sort of retrofit option from a third party? I’m not sure the certification requirements that might be necessary, but it seems there might be interest.
Options from the Big Manufactuers
Fortunately, while First Alert offers wireless interconnect and hardwired detectors, not with the latest sensors. They do offer it with the hardwired detection option, either the SMI105-AC smoke detector, with 10 year backup battery, or the carbon monoxide variant, the SMICO105-AC. First Alert’s commercial division, BRK, also offers near identical detectors.
The other popular brand is Kidde. which offers the 30CUA10, hardwired, with a 10 year backup, or the Smoke Detector only option, the 20SA10.
Conclusion
In the end, you should get the best smoke detector you can to protect your home and loved ones. You are probably fine to keep the older models until they need replacement, but when getting new ones why would you wait for failure?
