Zigbee Smoke Detectors

Zigbee might just beat out Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as everyone's favorite way for smart gadgets to chat. But hunting down a smoke detector that fits snugly with your Zigbee setup can feel a bit like searching for a needle in a haystack.

We've pulled together a guide covering options available for folks in North America or Europe, interested in Zigbee-enabled smart smoke detectors.

Are Zigbee Smoke Detectors common?

Zigbee is expecting to sell around 4 billion chipsets by the year 2023, expanding its presence in over 37 countries globally. So, it's pretty safe to say that Zigbee-enabled devices are quite widely used. 

However, despite the protocol's popularity, there are still certain issues buyers need to be aware of before purchasing a Zigbee smart smoke detector. For instance, when it comes to smart smoke detectors, Zigbee is generally not the protocol of choice. Wi-Fi smoke detectors are much more common, like the Nest Protect.

Buyers in Europe may face challenges for entirely different reasons. Zigbee smoke detectors are more common in commercial properties. While the devices may utilize Zigbee for communications, they may not be compatible with your specific hub, so you’ll need to contact the manufacturer to confirm. 

You should look out for a Zigbee Home Automation Certificate that guarantees compliance with your system. 

Keeping all of the above in mind, we've pulled together the most popular Zigbee smoke detectors for your home. Leave a comment below if there are other devices you think should be listed.

For USA

There really are very few options for those in the US, with the Heiman the only device worth listing. Even then, it's not widely available in the US and listed here from Aliexpress. If you are not convinced, then it's worth checking out the Ecolink listener below which provides some redundancy.

Apart from that, the Heiman 60x49mm has benefits like long battery life, a visual alarm, and a whopping 85dB sound alarm in case of detection. Thankfully, there's also a ‘mute alarm' option that you can use to turn the sound off via the app. 

While this smart smoke alarm doesn't send out instant alerts for errors or low battery – it does have alarms to alert users of the impending problem.

Instead, you can rely on the Ecolink Zigbee Wireless Siren Audio Detector. This handy little device is not only compatible with Zigbee-enabled hubs, but it can also make your standard smoke detector a part of your smart home automation system without any hassle. 

The Ecolink Firefighter is an audio detector that keeps an ear out for any smoke or fire alarm system to go off and then transmits that event to your hub for real-time notification. It also comes equipped with advanced algorithms to reduce the chances of false alarms.

For Europe

The product measures about 65x40mm and takes up very little room. But don't let its dimensions fool you because it has pretty much everything you'd want in a Zigbee-enabled smoke detector. To begin with, the alarm offers compatibility with Homey, Ok Google, and SmartThings. 

It's easy to install and offers the convenience of smartphone alerts when you're away from home. There's also an audio alarm with an 85dB output and a battery life of 5 years. In short, it's everything you'd want in a smart smoke alarm.

The alarm is designed to send alerts to your Zigbee hub and sound the alarm as soon as smoke is detected. Moreover, it's incredibly energy-efficient with a battery life of ten years – meaning you won't have to worry about your sensor running out of power any time soon after installation. 

Added benefits include LED lights to signify operation and errors, insect-proof encasement, 85dB alarm, and an auto-reset feature once the smoke is clear.

The smart smoke alarm features a reliable photoelectric sensor for faultless detections and low chances of false alarms. Additionally, all Gewiss products undergo the strictest compliance procedures for quality control. 

There are also the advantages of push notifications, sensor, and battery alerts on your smartphone. The battery life offers a run-time of three years, and there's also an 85dB audible alarm.

This product measures a baffling 48x55mm in size but still manages to incorporate every feature a viable smart smoke alarm should have. The alarm sends an immediate signal to your home bridge as soon as any smoke is detected, which, in turn, activates an urgent push notification on your smartphone. There's also a visible LED light and an audible alarm to alert the occupants at home. 

Thanks to the Zigbee protocol, the alarm barely uses any power to function and has a run-time of 3 years. There's also a sound signal and a smartphone notification in case the battery is running low. 

Installation can be achieved in one of two ways: by using the included plugs and screws or with the help of double-sided tape.

The product features an IAS zone smoke sensor for optimal smoke- and temperature monitoring. As with all top-notch smoke alarms, the Develco Smoke Detector also offers users the benefit of instant alerts via a smartphone and an audible alarm for when at home. 

However, this alarm goes one step further. It reports the temperature and status of the related area to you periodically – meaning you probably never have to worry about fire hazards while you're away. The alarm is also configured for OTA updates for seamless functioning. 

The product features a photoelectric sensor to identify slow and fast fires and reduce false alerts immediately. Apart from smartphone notifications, there's also an 85dB alarm to alert anyone at home and a silence button in case of false alarms.

The Verdict

There are numerous options for buyers interested in Zigbee smoke alarm / detectors to consider – no matter where they live. 

However, we recommend you to read up about the product you’re into to ensure 100% Zigbee compliance with your setup.

Sources

gewiss.com