Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 6, 2024
Often called as the "silent killer", carbon monoxide is an extremely dangerous gas that you can't actually see or even smell. With ...Read more
PROS

Owing to the Self-Check function the appliance analyses the battery status every 10 seconds without actually draining it too much. This gives you an idea of when it is time to replace the batteries or switch the unit to the AC connection.

CONS

The user manual could be a tad bit more informative.

OUR VERDICT

The X-Sense CD07 CO detector features an advanced electrochemical sensor that can detect dangerous carbon monoxide levels in the air with accuracy down to 30 ppm. Conversely, the long-lasting battery of the appliance ensures stable operation for months on end.

detailed parameters
Sensitivity

30 ppm

Alarm signals

First 4 minutes: 4 quick beeps and 4 red flashes every 5.8 seconds.
After 4 minutes: flashes red 4 times every 60 seconds and 4 quick beeps every 60 seconds

Response time

70 ppm CO Concentration 60 – 240 minutes
150 ppm CO Concentration 10 – 50 minutes
400 ppm CO Concentration 4 – 15 minutes

Alarm sound level (at 10 feet)

85 dB

Convenience

LCD screen, Real-time CO level, TEST/SILENCE button, Self-Check function, Low battery warning, Mounting bracket included

Power source

Plug-in (AC), 3 V CR123A lithium battery (non-replaceable)

Warranty

10 year limited

PROS

The electrochemical Kidde KN-COPP-3 CO detector can be mounted in several ways and rotate both vertically and horizontally. The device comes supplied with everything necessary for its installation saving you the trouble to buy any other accessories additionally. 

CONS

Rather bulky compared to other models.

OUR VERDICT

The KN-COPP-3 Nighthawk CO detector from Kidde is a solid choice for those who are concerned about their safety. The sensor updates CO levels every 15 seconds and shows the results on an easy-to-read backlit LED screen. The device corresponds to all requirements of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) UL2034.

detailed parameters
Sensitivity

30 ppm

Alarm signals

4 quick beeps, 5 seconds, off, repeat. The display shows CO concentration from 30 to 999 ppm

Response time

70 ppm CO Concentration 60 – 240 minutes
150 ppm CO Concentration 10 – 50 minutes
400 ppm CO Concentration 4 – 15 minutes

Alarm sound level (at 10 feet)

85 dB

Convenience

Peak level memory, Test button, 15 seconds update rate, LED screen shows CO level

Power source

Plug-in (AC) or 9V Battery back-up

Warranty

10-year limited

PROS

Easier to use than ever! All you need is just plug this detector into an outlet and it is ready to go. In case of a power outage, a strong batter will act as a back-up.

CONS

That the operation indicator light blinks red might be rather confusing at first. 

OUR VERDICT

The First Alert CO605 is designed for small residential and industrial areas. It's made of shockproof plastic, comes in a small size, and has all light and audio alerts you'd want to have a total peace of mind.

detailed parameters
Sensitivity

30 ppm

Alarm signals

4 beeps, pause, 4 beeps, pause. The LED flashes red with the same pattern as the alarm

Response time

70 ppm CO Concentration 60 – 240 minutes
150 ppm CO Concentration 10 – 50 minutes
400 ppm CO Concentration 4 – 15 minutes

Alarm sound level (at 10 feet)

85 dB

Convenience

Single test/silence button, Alarm LED

Power source

Plug in (AC) or 9V Battery back-up

Warranty

7-year limited

PROS

Equipped with two LED indicators, this carbon monoxide detector will persistently blink until you reset it or the levels of CO decrease to the safe numbers. 

CONS

The supplied batteries can be of poor quality.

OUR VERDICT

Owing to a low-profile body, this Kidde CO detector will perfectly fit any modern interior, including hotel rooms, campuses, and other public facilities. Thanks to its alarm system audible across 10ft distance, there's no chance you may miss the warning signal. 

detailed parameters
Sensitivity

30 ppm

Alarm signals

Red LED flashes with 4 quick beeps, 5 seconds pause, repeat

Response time

70 ppm CO Concentration 60 – 240 minutes
150 ppm CO Concentration 10 – 50 minutes
400 ppm CO Concentration 4 – 15 minutes

Alarm sound level (at 10 feet)

85 dB

Convenience

Low battery signal, Event memory, Test/reset button, Green alarm LED, Red power LED

Power source

Plug-in (AC) or Battery operated (3 AA batteries included)

Warranty

10-year limited

PROS

The unique peculiarity of this detector is that in addition to the visual indicator it has an audible alert reminding you to replace batteries when they run low. 

CONS

The closing clip on top of the battery compartment is somewhat flimsy and needs extra caution when inserting new batteries.

OUR VERDICT

Thanks to its electrochemical sensor - the most accurate and reliable on the market today, the First Alert CO410 will be your guardian 24/7. In addition, the package contains mounting hardware and 2 batteries.

detailed parameters
Sensitivity

30 ppm

Alarm signals

4 beeps, pause, 4 beeps, pause. The display shows CO concentration from 30 to 999 ppm

Response time

70 ppm CO Concentration 60 – 240 minutes
150 ppm CO Concentration 10 – 50 minutes
400 ppm CO Concentration 4 – 15 minutes

Alarm sound level (at 10 feet)

85 dB

Convenience

LED screen shows CO level, Low battery signal, Test/silence button

Power source

Plug-in (AC) or Battery Operated (2 AA batteries included)

Warranty

7-year limited

Sturdy Construction, Reliable Operation

The X-Sense CD07 is one of the most technologically advanced carbon monoxide detectors that you can find today, and surprisingly enough its price tag won’t break the bank, especially if you are looking for a reliable unit that won’t let you down in case of danger.

First things first, let’s see what’s actually so special about this particular detector model that makes it worthy of your attention. On the outside, we have a fairly standard plastic housing of a standard gas detector, but that being said, on the inside, it’s not that simple. Featuring a highly accurate CO sensor the appliance is capable of detecting poisonous gas in mere minutes.

Once dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are detected in the air, the loud, 85-dB alarm of the appliance will beep, while the LED light will flash multiple times. As per standard, the detector will notify you about the carbon monoxide levels in the room every 5.8 seconds in the first 4 minutes and every 60 seconds after the 4 minutes pass. The response time for different CO concentrations is on par with the best products on the market as well. To be more specific, the alarm will go off in 60-240 minutes at 70 ppm, in 10-50 minutes at 150 ppm, and in 4-15 minutes at CO concentrations of 400 ppm and higher.

To wrap things up, this CO detector will be a good option for users that need a reliable carbon monoxide sensor that can operate from AC power sources and lithium batteries alike. Fairly simple to install and setup, it is by far one of the most essential appliances that your house needs.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $35.99
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B086YGQHBH

More Than Just a Simple Detector

Nighthawk carbon monoxide detector from Kidde is a combination of plug-in and battery operated technologies. This model features a simple and easy-to-read digital display and has only a couple of buttons on the front of the device that come with the marks, making it easy to learn how to use the device. Overall, the unit looks pretty simple and you should have no problem setting the thing up. However, despite its seemingly simple design, what we've got here is a unique product which, unlike many other models out there, is capable of sensing even a minor change in room atmosphere, reacting down to 30 ppm of carbon monoxide levels. This is a very good result given the fact that the majority of carbon monoxide detectors can sense CO levels of 50 ppm and higher.

To add more convenience of use, the manufacturer fitted the unit with a blinking dot in the lower right corner of the screen so you can see if the appliance works as intended. If it doesn't, the unit will come up with an error message alerting you to check it out.

The Kidde KN-COPP-3 comes with a pretty loud 85 dB alarm so you can hear it well if it detects that the level of CO has changed and become dangerous for your health. With the sound this loud, you will always know if or when there's a trouble.

The installation of the unit is also a breeze owing to its low-profile construction. You've got two mounting options - plug it directly into a power outlet or use an extension cord to place it on some elevated surface (the length of the cord is 6 ft). The benefit of the Kidde KN-COPP-3 is that it can be rotated allowing you to position it both vertically and horizontally depending on the location of your outlets.

In conclusion, the Kidde KN-COPP-3 is a fairly versatile detector with a variety of features that are not overpriced.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $29.97
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00002N86A

VIDEO

Easy as It Can Be

It is always nice to have a home alarm system that you can trust in any situation. The problem is, most electrical systems are quite vulnerable to power surges and outages, which makes them less trustful should these circumstances occur. Fortunately, the CO605 from First Alert comes with the type of battery that can act as a means of backup power allowing you to benefit from continuous monitoring of CO levels no matter what.

This model is very easy to install - just plug it into the wall and it is ready to use. Its minimalistic yet functional design doesn’t feature a screen and has only one button that allows you to mute the device as well as running it in a detector test mode. To ensure that the sensor inside the device functions properly, all you need to do is hold the test button and if it works properly the detector will emit a short, loud beeping. At 85 dB, the CO605 is loud enough to hear even for deep sleepers. Thanks to an electrochemical technology used, the sensor in this model is remarkably accurate and able to detect even the least harmful levels of carbon monoxide in the room.

Since the CO605 plugs directly into the socket, some customers may find that the device is somewhat big and occupies a lot of space near the outlet. However, if you have a spare socket and space isn't an issue for you, the CO605 is certainly a good device that you can get in order to protect your house from hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $17.59
Stock In stock
ASIN B000ND74XA

Minimalistic Yet Convenient

This particular model from Kidde is a wireless, battery-operated CO alarm system which takes three AAA batteries to function. For convenience, the device has a signal indicator that informs the user about the time when the batteries run low and need to be replaced. This way, you will not need to guess whether your device works or not.

The best carbon monoxide detector is the one that never goes off, which is true in relation to devices that operate without failures. So if you want to acquire a carbon monoxide detector that would provide you with a complete peace of mind ensuring your safety, the Kidde KN-COB-B-LPM CO Alarm is one of the best offers on the market. Featuring two LED lights on the body, it is easy to see if the detector requires troubleshooting. One of the lights flashes red to denote the normal operation of the device, while the other one blinks green if the CO concentration in the room elevates reaching dangerous levels. If either of the lights stops working, you will be aware immediately that it needs repairing or replacement.

The main advantage of battery-operated detectors over outlet-powered ones lies in the fact that the former ones can be placed virtually anywhere, independently of power outlets. That said, it's still best to avoid areas that are too close to kitchen appliances and mount the alarm at least 5 feet away from them. This will give the device some extra milliseconds to register the leak and help prevent false alarms.

Since carbon monoxide is lighter-than-air gas, it may take some time for it to concentrate in the room before CO levels become dangerous. That is why it's vital to take measures long before the problem occurs. The Kidde KN-COB-B-LPM CO Alarm can be a good solution to opt for considering its price, convenience of use, and efficiency.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $14.31
Stock In stock
ASIN B004Y6V6K4

Your Home Guardian

Made with a distinct First Alert quality, the CO410 is a prime example of a reliable carbon monoxide detector. Suffice it to say, it's one of the few devices out there that has been designed with the use of an electrochemical technology, one of the most accurate technologies introduced to the market today.

Powered by 2 AA batteries, the First Alert CO410 device is easy to use and install. The mounting hardware comes included with the purchase and you will not spend longer than a few minutes to mount it on a wall (or where you want).

To save your gambling whether it's already time to change batteries or not, the device has a battery charge indicator which will notify you of the battery discharge in two ways - visually and with a distinct audible sound signal. Having mentioned batteries replacement, we should also mention a little shortcoming coming that way. Many users have mentioned that a battery door hatch on the battery compartment is somewhat flimsy and might not hold if pulled too hard, so you'd be better off opening it with care when inserting a new set.

Though CO is invisible and it's not possible to smell it, with the First Alert CO410 you will not put your life in danger since this device will warn you about high CO levels immediately by emitting distinct sounds. Four consecutive beeps will alert you about the CO concentration becoming too high and urge you to leave your house as soon as possible.

Without a doubt, a home security system cannot be complete without a carbon monoxide detector so if you need one you can put your trust in, take a closer look at the CO410. It can become an ideal addition to your home alarm system.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $30.88
Stock In stock
ASIN B000OCSAUQ

What Is a Carbon Monoxide Detector?

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, and invisible gas that is extremely toxic to a human being if endeavored in high concentration. The danger of this gas is that you never can say whether you're already exposed to it or not and what CO levels are in your house unless you use a special detecting device. So if you worry about the safety of your family and want to reinforce your home security system, you won't do without a carbon monoxide detector, a device designed to monitor CO concentration in your home.

Most carbon monoxide detectors come with a CO sensor as well as alarm and controlling components. While some of the models only signal users about dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, many devices can actually show you the numbers so you can see how bad the situation is.

Carbon monoxide detecting devices may require a different power source. Depending on where you plan to mount it, you can choose an electrical device that plugs directly into an outlet or a battery-powered one that can be attached anywhere you wish, independently of the electricity source. In these detectors reviews, you'll find both types of devices so it should be easy for you to choose the most suitable one.

If you've only started to set up your own home security system, we can recommend you to take a look at our reviews of smoke detectors and security cameras as well.

Sources:

1. Neil B Hampson Should the Placement of Carbon Monoxide (Co) Detectors Be Influenced by Co's Weight Relative to Air? The Journal of Emergency Medicine, April 2012.

2. 3 Ways to Detect Carbon Monoxide, wikiHow.

3. Angela Black How Carbon Monoxide Detectors Work? HowStuffWorks.

4. Health Effects: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Exposure and Risk, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, January 10, 2017.

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