The Top Ten Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors

A carbon monoxide detector is essential if you run any appliances that burn fuel such as kerosene heaters, water heaters, gas central heating, boilers etc. Carbon monoxide is produced when there is not enough oxygen present to produce the non toxic carbon dioxide and can be caused by inadequate maintenance of equipment. To be safe you should install a detector on each floor of your house as a minimum and preferably outside each room where anyone sleeps.

During times, such as the hurricane season, when there is a higher chance of power outages always ensure that batteries are replaced so that you are fully protected. Also be aware that all CO detectors need to be replaced every five years and most will have an audible warning to alert you to the end of their useful life. We've looked at some of the most popular, bestselling carbon monoxide detectors and assessed them for ease of use, value for money and other features. We've also looked at reviews by actual customers at Amazon.

To see all the range of carbon monoxide detectors see carbon monoxide detectors at Amazon.

For more information see Carbon Monoxide Detectors for Sale

No 1 Kidde KN-COP-IC Hardwire Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Battery Backup and Digital Display. Kidde are well known for the quality of their carbon monoxide detectors and this model is one of the bestselling ones on Amazon. It uses a patented Nighthawk electrochemical sensor and has a clear display which is updated every fifteen seconds. It also displays the highest CO level since resetting. The monitor is hardwired but also has a battery backup so that it will work even if there is a power failure.

The Kidde KN-COP-IC Hardwire Carbon Monoxide Alarm has an average rating of five stars at Amazon. Customers found it easy to install and effective with battery backup included.

Quote: 'Very easy to install. Digital readout is very easy to read. The detector alarm is louder than the firex. Battery backup is a must and this product has it. Very happy with this product. ' and 'This product looks and works great. I have been using them for over 1 year in my garage. Highly recommended.'

Conclusion

Just works! Reliable with battery backup in case of power cuts.

No 2 First Alert CO615 Carbon Monoxide Plug-In Alarm with Battery Backup and Digital Display is a plug in detector with a digital display and a battery backup. It is accurate as it uses an electrochemical detector and has a test/silence button plus a low battery warning and end of life timer so you know when it's time to change the detector. The plug is on a wire (as opposed to built into the unit so can be placed anywhere and plugged into a power socket.

It sells on Amazon for around $34.

The First Alert CO615 Carbon Monoxide Plug-In Alarm has been reviewed by almost 60 customers on Amazon and has a four star rating.

Quote: 'The product is nicely constructed, easy to use, and seems to work well. I like the fact I can push one of the buttons located on the front of the unit to see if the unit has picked up any CO levels from the area it is located. It is designed to plug into a wall electrical outlet and also has a battery backup. The unit is small and appears out of the way when it is plugged in and being used. So far, the two units I bought are working well so I give this product a rating of 5 stars' and 'I've owned this product for 3 years. Simply plug it into the wall, the unit comes with a battery for battery back up. It is very small and unobtrusive compared to my previous kidde unit and doesn't take up both outlets - nice design'

Conclusion

A neat, non intrusive CO detector that works and has a battery backup. Good value for money and reliable.

No 3 First Alert CO600 Plug In Carbon Monoxide Alarm. This alarm is cheaper then the above at under $20. It is a 120v plug in detector using an accurate electrochemical alarm. It has an easy to use test/silence button and end of life timer. A very simple, cheap easy to use CO detector. There is no battery backup.

The First Alert CO600 Plug In Carbon Monoxide Alarm has been reviewed by over 20 customers at Amazon who gave it an average four star rating. People liked the simplicity, just plug in and it's ready.

Quote: 'This fits the bill perfectly -- just plug it in, and it works. Other models have more advanced features, such as a digital display or a batter backup, but if you're looking for simplicity and a low cost, this is a great choice.' and 'This product works as advertised. It is simplicity itself to install, and does not cover up all outlets when plugged in. This indicated to me that some thought went into its design. I purchased 2 units, and both are working perfectly.'

Conclusion

Simple, low cost CO detector that works as advertised.

No 4 Kidde KN-COPP-3 Nighthawk Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Battery Backup and Digital Display. The Nighthawk detector plugs directly into an outlet and has a battery backup in case of a power outage. It has a digital display that shows the present CO level plus a memory for the peak level recorded. There is a test and reset button and a loud 85 decibel alarm. In addition to plugging directly into a power socket there is also an eight foot power cord so that you can place it anywhere that is convenient. It is small and unobtrusive and accurately detects CO from 30 to 900 parts per million. The Kidde KN-COPP-3 Nighthawk Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Alarm sells on Amazon for around $40.

Over 100 customers reviewed the Kidde KN-COPP-3 Nighthawk Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Alarm at Amazon giving it an average rating of three and a half stars.

Quote: '...this particular unit has an advantage in that it can be placed directly over an outlet, or the included power cord can be used to allow higher wall mounting or placement on a table/shelf/etc'  and 'his alarm seems to be everything it claims to be. Initially plugged it in my garage until I brought it inside. The alarm went off when the garage door was closed too soon after our car was pulled out. I bought this before I read a great review on this product in Consumers Reports. This is a great product' 

One person said 'I was praised by the fire officials for having a unit that digitally displayed the level of CO in the house. This permitted the fire department to better assess the exact risk and rate of CO leakage.'

Many people gave this product five stars but the lower average rating is from a number of customers who had to replace the battery frequently. A possible solution to this is to use a lithium ion battery that has a much longer life.

Conclusion

Works well but has a problem with short battery life.

No 5 First Alert CO400 Battery Powered Carbon Monoxide Alarm. This is a budget priced CO detector selling for around $17 on Amazon. It is a simple to use detector that is battery operated (batteries included) with a test button, low battery warning and end of life warning.

Customers at Amazon gave it an average rating of four stars with the majority giving it the top five star rating.

Quote: 'This model does what it is supposed to do, the more expensive models just have more features that you probably will not notice on an everyday basis anyway.  This is the least expensive model we have seen that functions, so we hope at this price everyone should have one in their home and garage.' and 'Ordered the First Alert CO400 on 4/5 via Amazon Prime's free shipping and received 4/6! Super fast shipping...so definitely happy about that. The unit was very easy to setup and I like the fact that I don't have to plug it in.'

Also ' It is perfectly simple. Easy to install, easy to maintain and very economical. I assume it works because it hasn't gone off and I haven't woke up dead yet! The test button indicates it's working properly and the battery is easy to change.'

Conclusion

Simple, easy to use detector that is affordable so you can place enough around your home to be fully protected.

No 6 Kidde KN-COSM-B Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Talking Alarm.  This is a combined CO and smoke alarm that uses ionization and photoelectric sensing technology for the smoke alarm and electrochemical sensing for the CO alarm. The voice warning announces the time of problem such as "Fire! Fire!" or "Warning! Carbon Monoxide!" so that there is no confusion about the hazard. The battery backup requires 3 AA batteries. the Kidde KN-COSM-B Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm sells on Amazon for

Customer Reviews

Quote: 'I recently bought several Kidde Combination Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Alarms/Dectectors. Although not tested under battle conditions, this product is very impressive; it talks loudly & clearly warning of carbon monoxide or smoke. Amazing!!  and 'The new ones I bought from Amazon where to replace the same product. They have about a 5 year life than you buy new ones. Its a great combination product.'

A few negative reviews were from customers with malfunctioning units.

No 7 Kidde 900-0089 Nighthawk Carbon Monoxide Alarm. This CO detector has the option of being wall or table mounted (with the included stand) and is battery operated. It features a continuous display with an updated reading every 2 1/2 minutes so you can monitor changes in the CO levels. It detects levels from 0 to 999 parts per million and has a test/reset button. A memory keeps the peak levels to display when needed. It has a seven year life span (longer than many other detectors). Easy to locate where you need it as you aren't dependent on a power outlet. The Kidde 900-0089 Nighthawk Carbon Monoxide Alarm sells for around $70 on Amazon.

Customers at Amazon gave the Kidde 900-0089 Nighthawk Carbon Monoxide Alarm an average rating of four and a half stars with all customers giving this model either four or five stars.

Quote: 'Having true battery power is nicer than the plug in versions that always seem to need new batteries. After 6 weeks of service, the battery level has lost 1 bar. At that rate, battery changes will be 2xs a year. When the battery does need changing, I plan on putting it outside to air for a day or two as recommended by the fire department. ' and '...this is a great tool to have in your home. This one is made very well and I love that it has a stand and we can just keep it on a table in our home. This way we don't have it fixed to a wall and can move it to different rooms if need be. Definitely a worthwhile buy'

Conclusion

A reliable, easy to use CO detector although a little pricey!

No 8 First Alert SC05CN Battery Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarm. This alarm detects smoke with the photoelectric sensor and CO with the electrochemical sensor. There are different lights and sounds to distinguish between a fire or CO alert. There is also a low battery alarm and an end of life alarm to remind you to replace the unit. batteries are included. The First Alert SC05CN Battery Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarm sells on Amazon for around $28.

Customers reviewing the First Alert SC05CN Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarm gave it an average of three and a half stars. Overalll the majority of people were pleased with their purchase although a few people reported faulty models that needed to be replaced.

Quote: 'After a carbon monoxide scare at our home we were very glad to find this product. It was easy to set up and easy to place. We would recommend every home locate these units throughout.'  and 'I like the fact that the CO detector/Smoke alarm are combined. I used to have them in the house separately. They work great, easy to install. Can't beat this price.'

Conclusion

Good value for a combined smoke and CO alarm.

No 9 First Alert GCO1CN Plug In Combination Explosive Gas/Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Battery Backup. This model is slightly different from the others in that it detects both CO and other gases such as methane, propane and natural gas. It is plugged into a power outlet or it can be mounted above an outlet and plugged in with the cord. It has a large digital display and a battery backup for use during power outages. It also has a low battery alert. The First Alert SC05CN Battery Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarm sells on Amazon for around $45.

Customers at Amazon gave the First Alert Combination Explosive Gas/Carbon Monoxide Alarm an average rating of three and a half stars.

Quote: 'We live offgrid, and use propane for cooking, refrigeration, water heating, clothes drying, and generator. We had a propane leak, and this unit notified us before we could smell it. It also notified us of a CO2 issue when the generator vent was closed off. Well worth the money. Can't put a price on your families life!and 'This alarm seems to function fine - no false alarms or other problems yet. My only complaint is that it's designed so that when you plug it into one outlet in a duplex receptacle, it also covers up the other outlet (unless you use the option to detach the alarm from the plug and mount it elsewhere on the wall).'

Some people reported false alarms with this unit. be aware also that it is not a smoke detector.

No 10 First Alert SCO501CN-3ST ONELINK Battery Operated Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Voice Location. This detector connects to other First Alert ONELINK enabled alarms wirelessly to give you a network of detectors for added security. It is a combination alarm for both carbon monoxide and smoke and has 11 programmable locations so that you are instantly alerted to area of danger. Test button, low battery alarm and end of life alarm are, of course, included. The First Alert SCO501CN-3ST ONELINK Battery Operated Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm sells on Amazon for around $70.

Amazon customers gave the First Alert SCO501CN-3ST ONELINK Battery Operated Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm an average of four stars. They like the easy set up, the combination CO and smoke detection and the ability to network alarms. They didn't like the price! At around $70 a network of alarms can be pricey!

Quote: ' While expensive, their cost is the only downside I've experienced in a year and a half of ownership and two of these units are really the best way to install networked CO and fire detectors in a tall house. ' and 'These do require setup beyond just putting batteries and mounting, but it was easy considering that each unit must have a spoken location associated with it so that the spoken alarm can explain things like "Warning. Carbon Monoxied detected in Basement" or "Warning. Smoke detected in Hallway".'

Conclusion

Work well and networking them means you can find out there's a problem in the basement while you are in the bedroom! Downside - they are expensive.