Where every alarm goes, and which ones are worth buying

Best Smoke Detector

X-Sense SC07-W Wireless Interconnected Smoke & CO Alarm

Wireless interconnect with no wiring, plus a CO cell and a ten-year battery.

9.0/ 10

Best Combination Alarm

X-Sense SC07-W Wireless Interconnected Smoke & CO Alarm

Both listings, wireless interconnect, a CO readout and nothing to maintain.

9.0/ 10

Best Near a Kitchen

X-Sense SC07-W Wireless Interconnected Smoke & CO Alarm

Photoelectric with a hush control and interconnect — the right spec for near a cooker.

9.0/ 10

Best Smart Alarm

First Alert SC5 Smart Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Phone alerts, Google Home, and the bracket already on your ceiling.

8.4/ 10

Best CO Detector

Kidde Nighthawk KN-COPP-3 Plug-In CO Alarm

Peak-level memory down to 11 ppm is the feature that finds a slow leak.

8.4/ 10

Best Low-Level Monitor

Defender LL6270 Low-Level CO Monitor

Displays from 5 ppm and alerts in the teens — everything a listed alarm cannot do.

7.4/ 10

Best for Travel

Kidde KN-COPP-B-LPM Battery CO Alarm with Digital Display

Battery, display, peak memory. It travels and it tells you a number.

8.3/ 10

Best Home Extinguisher

Amerex B500 5 lb ABC Dry Chemical Extinguisher

All-metal, rechargeable, correctly rated. The default for a reason.

8.1/ 10

Best for the Kitchen

First Alert EZ Fire Spray AF400

No pin, no gauge, no aim, and it wipes up with a cloth.

7.0/ 10

Best for a Car

First Alert HOME1 Rechargeable Home Extinguisher (2.5 lb)

2.5 lb, rated, rechargeable, with a bracket. The right size class for a vehicle.

8.4/ 10

Best for Battery Fires

Amerex B500 5 lb ABC Dry Chemical Extinguisher

It will not stop the cells. It will stop the room catching.

6.4/ 10

Best Fire Blanket

JJ CARE Fire Blanket Kit

The only kit here that includes the gloves you actually need.

7.6/ 10

Best for the Kitchen

JJ CARE Fire Blanket Kit

Right size, right kit, gloves in the box.

8.0/ 10

Best 2-Story Ladder

First Alert EL52-2 2-Story Fire Escape Ladder (14 ft)

Rigid steps and standoffs make the descent survivable rather than terrifying.

7.9/ 10

Best 3-Story Ladder

First Alert 3-Story Fire Escape Ladder (24 ft)

At this height the standoffs stop being optional.

6.9/ 10