Smoke detectors have gotten a lot cooler thanks to modern technology. They're not just basic alarms anymore, especially when they team up with home security systems. Imagine linking up different alarms, checking on them with your phone, and keeping an eye on your place no matter how far you roam in the world. This high-tech setup brings in tons of interesting parts, like making sure all alarms shout together or seeing what's up in your home while lounging on a beach. Discovering all the ways these advanced systems can make life safer and easier might just surprise you!
While Wi-Fi is a popular choice for smart home connectivity, it's not readily available everywhere. Bluetooth is a great alternative, especially if you only want connectivity within the confines of your house or if you do not have Wi-Fi.
Best Bluetooth Smoke Detectors
Are Bluetooth Smoke Alarms Common?
Well, that depends on what you mean by a Bluetooth smoke alarm. There are smart alarms available that have Bluetooth connectivity in them, but they do not use Bluetooth as the primary wireless connection. Instead, Wi-Fi seems to be the most popular option. Bluetooth is mainly used for initial pairing of detectors and devices, along with some basic features. Some alarms use Bluetooth when you’re in range, but switch to Wi-Fi if there isn’t a connected phone nearby.
However, Wi-Fi isn’t always available. For example, if you have a smoke alarm installed in a cabin in the woods, or in a residential vehicle, you’d want a wireless medium other than Wi-Fi. In this case, Zigbee and Z-Wave are more common. They offer better range, are less power-hungry, and are the primary source of connection for many smart hubs, such as the Samsung SmartThings hub.
Nevertheless, if you’ve your heart set on a Bluetooth smoke alarm, we have prepared a quick overview of some of the best Bluetooth smoke detectors on the market today!
If you are in the US
The Onelink smoke- and carbon monoxide detector uses Bluetooth to interconnect with other alarms, and is available in both hardwired and wireless variants.
- The alarm from First Alert and Onelink will tell you exactly where the danger is coming from and what kind of danger it is.
- The alarm is suitable for both fires and carbon monoxide leaks.
- You can connect all of your alarms using Bluetooth. Then, if one alarm goes off, all of the alarms will sound to alert you of the danger.
This smart Onelink smoke alarm will produce voice alerts to tell you about the location and the type of danger in your home. The speakers are good too, so you will hear the alerts from anywhere in the house.
You can also connect the alarm with others in your home using a Bluetooth mesh – check out the instructions here. If they’re connected through Bluetooth, then one alarm going off will cause all other alarms to go off, too.
The smoke- and carbon monoxide detector is quite easy to install and set up. You won’t need to hire anyone to do that for you. It might, however, be challenging to connect it to your smartphone.
- If you have a Onelink or Homekit hub mesh or are simply interested in creating a separate Bluetooth mesh, the alarm will be very easy to install and use.
- The alarm will send a message to your phone if something is going on in the house. This way you can stay on top of everything even when you’re not home.
- Using voice alerts, the alarm will audibly notify you of the presence of danger in your home, its precise location, and its type.
- Easy-access battery door for the wireless variant.
- Difficult to connect with smart home hubs other than Homekit.
- Requires a Onelink Wi-Fi mesh for the complete set of features.
The Nest Protect is a stylish smoke detector that is compatible with most installation designs. The Nest can communicate to you and your family members through your smartphones.
- Nest Protect speaks to you in a friendly human voice to alert you of any danger in the house.
- The alarms are interconnected. The alarm located in the room you’re in can alert you of the fire happening in another room.
- You can turn off false alarms using your phone. In the phone app, choose to turn off the alarm.
While it doesn't use Bluetooth primarily, it does have the option – more information here.
Check to see the status of the alarm when nobody’s home. Stay safe even when you’re far away from home. Everybody in the family can have their own Nest account on their phone. No need to share your password with anyone or send screenshots back and forth.
This combination smoke- and carbon monoxide alarm comes with a 10-year battery and Bluetooth connectivity for connecting multiple alarms.
- The alarm’s battery is meant to last for 10 years at least. That means that you don’t have to worry about your fire alarm needs for a decade.
- The smoke detector has a voice alarm feature. You can program it to announce what the problem is and where it is located.
- You can set up your First Alert alarm to send notifications to your Apple device through HomeKit.
This smoke- and carbon monoxide detector by First Alert is durable, can be controlled via a phone app, and offers voice alerts that can be pre-programmed.
If you purchase multiple at a time, you can connect all of them via a Bluetooth mesh. Then, if one alarm goes off, the others will sound, too. In addition to that, the alarm can voice where the danger is coming from and what the danger is.
The alarm boasts HomeKit connectivity. If you have an Apple device, you can connect the alarm to it, and receive updates and notifications in case the alarm goes off.
- It can be connected with other fire alarms through Bluetooth. Hence, if one alarm is activated, other alarms will sound too.
- The alarm can detect both smoke and carbon monoxide.
- The alarm comes with a 10-year limited warranty.
- Large in size, and does not blend into its surroundings easily
- Bluetooth only for interconnectivity between multiple alarms, you’ll need Wi-Fi to control it via the mobile app.
If you are in Europe
Netatmo’s smoke alarm sends real-time updates to your phone in case of an emergency. It doesn’t matter how loud and efficient your fire alarm is if you’re not home. So it is good to have a device that will reach out to your phone directly.
- The Netatmo Smart Smoke Alarm works with Apple HomeKit.
- The photoelectric or optical smoke detector will keep you and your family safe from light and heavy fires.
- The smoke alarm communicates with your phone directly. Thus, when a fire starts, it will send a notification to your smartphone to alert you of the danger.
The smoke detector comes with a sealed 10-year battery that doesn’t need changing. This way you won’t ever run out of battery and neglect your fire alarm.
The Smart Home Smoke Detector by Medion will let you know if there is any danger through your phone, or via Alexa’s voice alerts.
- You can use voice commands by connecting the alarm to Alexa.
- You can control the fire alarm and check on it using your phone. This is done through Bluetooth Low Energy.
- The smoke detector perceives smoke in your house and triggers an alarm to sound all over the house.
The alarm is very perceptive to all kinds of smoke. It is also relatively loud, so it won’t go unnoticed. Its phone apps work via Bluetooth when you’re in range, and if you're away, the Alexa app can alert you to any dangers.
The Verdict
Bluetooth smoke alarms offer a lot more than interconnected meshes. To choose the device with the right features, you should know where and how you are going to use these alarms. It is also important to know if the alarm is compatible with any smart home device already in your home.
The Onelink smoke- and carbon monoxide detector uses Bluetooth to interconnect with other alarms, and is available in both hardwired and wireless variants.
- The alarm from First Alert and Onelink will tell you exactly where the danger is coming from and what kind of danger it is.
- The alarm is suitable for both fires and carbon monoxide leaks.
- You can connect all of your alarms using Bluetooth. Then, if one alarm goes off, all of the alarms will sound to alert you of the danger.