"What is the Best Carbon Monoxide Detector for your Family?"
The best Carbon Monoxide Detector will mostly likely be off two different brands, First Alert or Kidde.
When you choose, you need to know if you want a battery-powered detector or an AC power detector. You also have the options of buying 'combination' detectors that can sense different elements like smoke and carbon dioxide.
Generally, you should consider detectors that only sense carbon dioxide. There are more things that can go wrong with the combination detectors and there are higher chances of false alarms.
High-Rated Detectors
First Alert CO615 Carbon Monoxide Plug-In Alarm with Battery BackUp and Digital Display
This detector plugs in to the outlet and also has a battery backup. This will give you peace of mind in case of power outages.
Out of the reviews out of Amazon, 81% of the reviews were positive (4 or 5 stars) and 12% were negative (1 or 2 stars).
One of the negative aspects of the detector is that it has a plug on a wire. This allows the detector to be able to be placed on objects like tables. The issue is that the detector wobbles. It does not have any type of stand to help prop it up.
Kidde KN-COPP-B-LPM Battery-Operated Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Digital Display
This detector is a carbon monoxide detector only. It is able to be placed on a table and does not need to be plugged directly into the wall.
This detector is rated pretty highly within Amazon. Consumers like the fact that it is able to be placed on tables. It is very useful for basements where you do not have to worry how to place it on a concrete wall.
Consumers also like the larger digital display so the CO levels can easily be seen.
Low-Rated Detectors
First Alert SC05CN Battery Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarm
This item is a combination carbon monoxide detector with a smoke alarm. At first thought, this item seems like a good idea because you are 'killing two birds with one stone'. You can feel safe for both fire and carbon monoxide.
The alarm beeps three times for fire and chirps four times for carbon monoxide. This could get confusing if you do not know this, so if you do hear any beeps, take appropriate action. Meaning, get out of the house.
Buyer beware with this item. On Amazon, there is a considerable percentage of people (33%) who gave the alarm the worst rating.
A main concern with the item is that it tends to malfunction very quickly after opening and installing it. One person claimed that the detector failed after a week after incessant beeping. It chirps three times periodically.
Kidde KN-COEG-3 Nighthawk Plug-In Carbon Monoxide and Explosive Gas Alarm with Battery Backup
This detector has a combination carbon monoxide and explosive gas detection and alarm system. This would be a helpful detector in ensuring that harmful gases will not harm your family.
Unfortunately this detector does not rank highly. More than 50% of the people gave the detector a negative ranking.
This detector has been reviewed as giving off false alarms. This can be very disturbing and disruptive to families because they get scared whenever the false alarm goes off.
