There are four basic types of smoke detectors for your home: ionization smoke detectors, photoelectric detectors, dual-sensor detectors that combine both, and smart detectors that connect to wi-fi.
Each type of smoke detector has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, ionization models excel at detecting flaming fires, while photoelectric detectors work best for smoldering fires. As an added layer of protection, dual-senor detectors offer the best of both worlds — they’re great at detecting both types of fires.
1. Ionization Smoke Detectors
| Models: Available in battery-operated and hardwired options. Installation Skill Level: Battery-operated models are fine for beginners, but hardwired units require expert knowledge or professional installation. Cost: Basic battery-operated models usually cost between $10-20 per unit, while hardwired ionization detectors generally range from $15-30 per unit. |
A common type of smoke detector available for your home is an ionization smoke detector. Ionization detectors use a small portion of radioactive material to create an electric current between two charged plates. When smoke enters the chamber where those plates reside, it disrupts the flow of ions, which causes the alarm to sound.
| PROS | CONS |
| ✓ Great at detecting flaming fires, aka fires that create a large amount of fire and a smaller amount of smoke. | ✗ Not as good at detecting smoldering fires, which burn slower, at lower temperatures, and produce more carbon monoxide. |
| ✓ Very sensitive to small smoke particles. | ✗ More likely to create false alarms from environmental factors like dust or humidity. |
| ✓ Cheaper than photoelectric smoke detectors. | ✗ Environmental risk due to radioactivity. |
Did your smoke detector stop working and you need to swap it out? Read how to do it in our guide: How to Replace a Smoke Detector.
2. Photoelectric Smoke Detectors
| Models: Available in battery-operated and hardwired options. Installation Skill Level: Battery-operated models are fine for beginners, but hardwired units require expert knowledge or professional installation. Cost: Basic battery-operated photoelectric detectors typically cost between $15-30 per unit.Standard hardwired photoelectric models usually range from $20-40 per unit. |
A photoelectric smoke detector uses a small beam of light that aims into a small chamber with a sensor inside. The light beam is angled away from the sensor, but when smoke enters the chamber, it causes the light to reflect into the sensor and sets off the detector.
| PROS | CONS |
| ✓ Works well at detecting smoldering fires. | ✗ Slower response to flaming fires. |
| ✓ No radioactive isotope. | ✗ Susceptible to false alarms from dust or steam. |
| ✓ Lower maintenance costs because they require less frequent cleaning. | ✗ More expensive than ionization detectors. |
| ✓ Less likely to be set off by smaller smoke particles like from cooking. |
3. Dual-Sensor Smoke Detectors
| Models: Most popular as hardwired models, but also available in battery-operated. Installation Skill Level: Battery-operated models are fine for beginners, but hardwired units require expert knowledge or professional installation. Cost: Basic battery-operated dual-sensor detectors typically range from $25-45 per unit. Standard hardwired dual-sensor models usually cost between $35-60 per unit. |
A dual-sensor smoke detector combines ionization and photoelectric methods. It has both types of sensors in one chamber. Smoke entering the unit trips one or both sensors and sets off the alarm.
| PROS | CONS |
| ✓ Great at detecting either flaming or smoldering fires. | ✗ More complex than other types of smoke detectors, which means harder maintenance and more that can malfunction. |
| ✓ Less chance of false alarms. | ✗ More expensive than ionization or photoelectric models. |
4. Smart Smoke Detectors
| Models: Mostly available as hardwired options, with a limited selection of battery-operated. Installation Skill Level: Battery-operated models are fine for beginners, but hardwired units require expert knowledge or professional installation. Cost: Basic smart smoke detectors usually start around $80-120 per unit, while multi-sensor models can cost $180-250+ per unit. Some smart detector systems may require additional equipment like a hub or bridge device, which can add $30-80 to the total cost. |
Smart smoke detectors connect to your home’s wi-fi and can be linked to your other devices, like your phone or house lights. That way, your lights will flash if there’s a fire to give you additional warning. Smart smoke detectors are available in ionization, photoelectric, and dual-senor models.
| PROS | CONS |
| ✓ Smart detectors send phone alerts when they detect fire, smoke, or carbon monoxide, which gives you more warning, even when you’re not home. | ✗ Most expensive option. |
| ✓ Instead of an obnoxious chirping sound, smart smoke detectors send you phone alerts when they need new batteries. | ✗ Only works via Wi-Fi. |
| ✓ Smart smoke detectors can test themselves. | ✗ May not send alerts or link to other devices with a weak signal. |
| ✓ Some smart smoke detectors give you vocal instructions for what to do during a house fire. |
FAQ About Smoke Detectors
Battery-operated smoke detectors are more affordable and easier to install than a hardwired smoke detector system. However, they are also more limited. Since they’re not synced to one another, only the detector in the room with the fire will alert, which provides less warning.
Hard-wired smoke detectors, on the other hand, are connected as a network throughout your home. When one detects a fire, the rest will sound, giving you more warning. However, they are also much more expensive and difficult to install, requiring specialized electrical knowledge.
Some smoke detectors are combination units that detect carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and extreme heat, while others provide verbal warnings of fire instead of just beeping. There are also smoke detectors specifically designed for the deaf and hard of hearing that utilize flashing lights instead of sound to provide warnings of a house fire.
Find a Handyman Near You
The four main types of smoke detectors offer plenty of home protection based on your budget. I recommend smart smoke detectors because of their ease of use. Not only do they test themselves, but they also don’t make that annoying chirping sound when their batteries need to be changed.
Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable, skilled handymen and handywomen in seconds and leave the rest to us.
Main Photo Credit: Pixel-Shot / Adobe Stock Free / License
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