Top 10 Carbon Monoxide Detectors 2023
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#1
10.0
X-Sense SC07-W Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Battery powered
- Detects smoke
- Voice alert and silent alarm
- LED display, wireless interconnection
Picked by 108 people today!
#2
9.8
X-Sense XC01 Carbon Monoxide Alarm Detector
- Battery powered
- Not a smoke detector
- 85-decibel alarm
- electrochemical CO sensor
#3
9.3
Kidde 3153 Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm
- Plug-in to use and battery backup
- Not a smoke detector
- Beep alert system
- Low-battery and end of life alerts
#4
9.2
First Alert CO400 Carbon Monoxide Detector
- Battery operated
- Not a smoke detector
- Beep alert system
- Low-battery and end of life alerts
#5
8.9
X-Sense Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm
- Lithium battery-powered
- Not a smoke detector
- Audible and visual alarms
- Digital display and peak CO concentration memory
#6
8.8
First Alert CO605 Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Detector
- Plug-in to use and battery backup
- Not a smoke detector
- Beep alert system
- Low battery alert and end-of-life chirp
#7
8.6
Klein Tools ET110 CO Tester
- Battery powered
- Detects smoke
- Audible and visual alarms
- Backlit display, Auto-power off, carrying pouch and 4xAAA batteries
#8
8.4
First Alert CO600 Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Detector
- Plug-in to use
- Not a smoke detector
- Beep alert system
- End-of-life chirp
#9
8.3
X-Sense XC04-WX Smart Carbon Monoxide Detector
- Battery powered
- Not a smoke detector
- App notification alerts
- LCD display, smart phone compatible
#10
8.2
First Alert CO5120BN Carbon Monoxide Detector
- Hardwired with battery backup
- Detects smoke
- Beep alert system
- Electrochemical sensor
We also considered 2 other:
Our Top Choice
#1
10.0
X-Sense SC07-W Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Battery powered
- Detects smoke
- Voice alert and silent alarm
- LED display, wireless interconnection
Picked by 108 people today!
About Our Rankings:
Our recommendations are based on expert comparisons between available products in each product category. For carbon monoxide detector, we chose the topics that we think matter most to our users, and provide consise, clear comparisons of the features that matter. Our rankings change day-to-day based on our proprietary algorithms, that crunch data to identify top-performing products and tailor recommendations to exactly what our readers are looking for.
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Carbon Monoxide Detector Buyer's Guide
Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors can keep your family and pets safe. Unlike other home hazards like fires and smoke, carbon monoxide is completely undetectable to the human senses. It is an “invisible killer” and over time can wreak havoc on your body and mind.
A good carbon monoxide detector will keep track of carbon monoxide levels and notify you if they reach dangerous concentrations. Carbon monoxide detectors are actually mandated by law in most states/counties and certain living spaces must be equipped with one.
There are a few important things to know about carbon monoxide detectors. We put together this list of some features you should keep an eye out for when buying.
Sensor Type
The vast majority of carbon monoxide detectors will have one of three sensor types: an electrochemical sensor, a metal-oxide-semiconductor, or a biometric sensor.
Electrochemical sensors are probably the most common type. They use electrodes and chemical solutions to measure carbon monoxide concentrations in the air.
Metal-oxide sensors have a silica chip in the circuitry. When this chip comes into contact with high concentrations of carbon monoxide, the electrical resistance is lowered and the alarm is tripped.
A biometric sensor works by reproducing carbon monoxide’s effect on hemoglobin in the blood. A liquid gel inside the detector changes color when exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide while another sensor detects the color change and trips the alarm. Biometric sensors are probably the most accurate type of sensor.
Detector Sensitivity
The sensitivity of your carbon monoxide detector determines how much CO it can detect before the alarm trips. The UL standard is that CO alarms must be designed to go off within 90 minutes of exposure to CO levels of 100ppm or higher, 35 minutes when exposed to CO levels of 200ppm or higher, and within 15 minutes of sensing CO levels of 400ppm.
The majority of detectors will go off when exposed to CO levels higher than 50ppm after a few hours. Sustained CO levels higher than 70 ppm can cause mild to moderate symptoms while prolonged exposure to CO levels between 150ppm and 200ppm can cause disorientation, unconsciousness, and even death.
Power Source
Carbon monoxide detectors can be hardwired, plugged in, or run on batteries.
Hardwired CO detectors run on your home’s electricity. Some detectors are designed with a standard 120V plug so you can just place them in any normal outlet. Many of these detectors also have backup batteries in case of power outages.
If you are buying a CO detector that does not run on electricity then we recommend looking for one with a long battery life. Most CO detectors use either AA or 9V batteries and last about 5-7 years. Pretty much all detectors have some way of notifying you when the battery is low, whether it is a blinking light or a beeping sound.
Installation
You should try to find a detector that is easy to install. As we already mentioned, some CO detectors plug directly into electrical outlets and others require you to attach them to the wall or ceiling. Keep in mind that wall-attached CO detectors should be placed about 2 feet below the top of the ceiling. CO does not really rise or fall but mixes homogeneously with normal air which means you want the sensor at about the level of the air you are breathing.
Maintenance
In general, CO detectors do not require much maintenance. They should be tested about once every month or so and most models include a test button. You should also regularly change the batteries. In rare cases, you may have to clean the sensors every now and then. This is most common with metal oxide sensors that can pick up layers of oxidation that affect the sensor calibration.
Smart Features
More and more CO detectors are incorporating smart features so you can integrate them with the rest of your home security system. Some CO detectors connect to an app that pushes a notification to your phone if the alarm is tripped and some let you control the detector straight from the app. There are also CO detectors that can tell you exactly where CO levels are the highest.
Other Features
Other useful features of CO detectors include LED night lights, easy to read digital displays and sensors for detecting smoke and heat. Another feature that is more common in modern detectors is the ability to link multiple detectors together so they notify each other when they go off.
Trusting Our Top Pick
Navigating the many choices for every consumer purchase can be challenging. Our team spends hours doing research, combing through forums, and reading consumer reviews on even the most basic of household items, and we summarize that information in clear, precise comparisons. Join the millions that have trusted Sotaku.com to help them make smarter buying decisions. We help our readers spend their money wisely and find the right product to suit their specific needs. Our independent expert reviews and data-driven shopping recommendations empower you find the carbon monoxide detector that’s right for you.
What Sets Us Apart?
We leverage user data to understand decision-making and put the best products in front of each user. We tailor our comparisons to what matters to our user’s needs, specific or broad. We keep our content up to date, we are constantly looking for new merchants and products to compare, and we are quick to remove any that are outdated or no longer meeting our standards. Our rankings change day-to-day based on our proprietary algorithms, that crunch data to identify top-performing products and tailor recommendations to exactly what our readers are looking for. Have a question or want to make a recommendation? We love to hear from our readers and are always looking for new products to include on our site. Get in touch!
Written By Ryan W.
Ryan graduated with a degree in journalism and spent years building his writing career in the tech media field. An avid fan of gadgets and tech in general, Ryan has spent years testing and reviewing a wide array of devices. He specializes in reviewing everything from laptops and smartphones to more niche items like smart home devices and security cameras.
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