Are There Any Good Battery Smoke Detectors Available?

Finner on 16/10/2023 - 11:43

I need to replace my battery powered smoke detector, but every option on the Bunnings website has terrible reviews so it's hard to know which brand to trust or which to get.

It's just 1 detector in a one bedroom apartment that sits in the hallway just outside the kitchen, so can be prone to false alarms from burnt toast, etc. - for this reason, I understand a photoelectric detector is my best option.

I have also considered whether it's worth it to get a Google Nest Protect and get it hard wired in, and I've also seen recommendations for the First Alert Z-Wave detector, but haven't found availability in Australia.

Are there any from Bunnings that are actually reliable, or am I better off going down the wired Nest Protect (or similar) route?

Thanks!

Electrical & Electronics Smoke Alarm

Comments

  • blitzkrieg on 16/10/2023 - 11:59
    +1

    I've been using the Nest Protect (battery Powered) for over 2 years now. Going strong and how the ease of use.
    It always warns me with a built it voice about any potential smoke and lets me know that its going to ring if the smoke doesn't clear up.
    This happens when I sometimes cook in a wok in the kitchen and turning on the exaust to full quickly clears it up as well.

    I'll continue to stick to Nest for the foreseeable future. Don't have anything negative to say about it.

    • Finner on 16/10/2023 - 12:47
      +1

      I haven't seen any battery ones available locally, they've discontinued them here? Maybe it's worth me looking around for an import, they do seem to get solid reviews, and the pre-warning sounds helpful, especially when living in an apartment.

  • bobbified on 16/10/2023 - 11:59

    but every option on the Bunnings website has terrible reviews

    so can be prone to false alarms from burnt toast, etc

    "Burnt toast" isn't a "false alarm". Are the reviews "terrible" because the alarm sounds when there's smoke? Just like it's designed to? lol

    All smoke detectors must meet the Australian Standard AS 3786.

    • Finner on 16/10/2023 - 12:44
      +1

      A lot of the reviews are alarms going off at 2am for no apparent reason, or 10 year batteries only lasting 2, etc.

      The false alarms were more a comment about the location of my smoke alarm outside the kitchen, and that I understand a photoelectric detector would help to minimise these in my situation.

  • try2bhelpful on 16/10/2023 - 12:15

    You won’t know how well your detector works unless you get a real fire.

    Our Bunnings one went off the other day and we couldn’t find a reason, which concerned us. Fortunately the man hole is right next to where the detector was so we could check in the roof cavity. However, we’ve had this one for a couple of years and this is the only time it has gone off.

  • Summoner on 16/10/2023 - 13:14
    +1

    We replaced ours with Red Smoke Alarm through local electrician bit more than a year ago. No false alarms yet. One of the alarms battery had an issue after about 6 months. Their support answerd call after hours to teach me how to disable the beeping noise. Warranty procedures were quick and easy. Happy so far.

  • jhaley3180 on 16/10/2023 - 15:37

    I run both hard wire and battery nest protects. They are the best smoke alarms I've ever had. Self test, let me know if any issues, interconnected, night light….. Couldn't rate them high enough!

  • Guesty on 16/10/2023 - 15:50

    Another vote for the Nest Protect. We have the night light function enabled too which is handy for the kids. Original batteries lasted 7 years until they needed replacing.

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