This top-rated carbon monoxide detector from First Alert is battery-operated and has a digital display that shows the unit’s battery life, alarm status, and the amount of CO in the air.
We researched the best carbon monoxide detectors based on accuracy, ease of installation and maintenance, and value. Our top pick, the First Alert Powered Alarm Carbon Monoxide Detector, is battery-operated, has a digital display, and has a battery backup in case of power outages.
Here are the best carbon monoxide detectors.
Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Editor Recommended
Our Editor’s Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors Reviews
- Electrochemical sensor technology detects CO gas
- Easy installation, no wiring needed, detects during a power failure by operating on 2-AA batteries (included); Install on a wall of your home or place on a tabletop
- Green LED indicates power to the carbon monoxide detector, while an 85-decibel alarm & a red LED indicates the presence of carbon monoxide
- Event Memory records the last time carbon monoxide was detected or when the unit was last tested
- Keep your family safe with this easy to use plug in carbon monoxide alarm; It works with any standard outlet and also has a battery backup for continuous monitoring of Carbon Monoxide levels, even if there's a power failure
- Features an advanced electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor that accurately detects carbon monoxide levels, no matter where the detector is placed in the room
- Simple to use, with a single test/silence button; a loud 85 decibel alarm sounds when Carbon Monoxide levels reach dangerous levels. Low battery signal mute, quiets low battery signal for upto 8 hours
- To ensure complete protection make sure to place one on each level of your home and in each bedroom
- 7 year limited warranty; Equipped with end of life signal chirp, so you know when it’s time to replace the unit for safety
- Easy Installation - simply plug-in to a standard, 120V outlet in your home
- 9-volt battery backup provides protection during a power outage
- Digital LED display shows the level of carbon monoxide the CO alarm is sensing
- 85-decibel alarm announces when carbon monoxide is detected
- Peak Level Memory records the last time carbon monoxide was detected or when the unit was last tested
- Keep your family safe with this easy to use, battery operated carbon monoxide alarm; Battery powered alarms provide continuous monitoring of CO levels, even if there's a power failure
- Features an advanced electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor that accurately detects carbon monoxide levels, no matter where the detector is placed in the room.The alarm sequence should last 5-6 seconds. If it does not alarm, make sure fresh batteries are correctly installed, and test it again. If the unit still does not alarm, replace it immediately
- A loud 85 decibel alarm sounds when CO levels reach dangerous , Battery Replaceable - Yes
- To ensure complete protection make sure to place one on each level of your home and in each bedroom
- 5-year limited warranty; Equipped with end of life signal chirp, so you know when it’s time to replace the unit for safety
- Keep your family safe with this easy to use digital-display, 10-year battery operated carbon monoxide alarm; Battery powered alarms provide continuous monitoring of CO levels, even if there's a power failure
- Easy-to-read backlit digital display shows temperature and CO concentration; Peak Level feature displays the highest concentration of carbon monoxide measured
- Built-in 10-year lithium battery offers continuous protection for the life of the carbon monoxide detector
- A loud 85-decibel alarm sounds when CO levels reach dangerous levels
- 10-year limited warranty; Equipped with end-of-life signal chirp, so you know when it’s time to replace the unit for safety
- 5-in-1 Detectors - Real-time monitoring of carbon monoxide(PPM), combustible gas (%LEL), temperature(°F), humidity(RH%) and Backup Battery.
- Easy Installation - Plug and play. Need to remove the screen protector.
- 9V battery backup provides protection during a power outage.
- An alarm of 85 decibels (adjustable) will sound.
- We provide unconditional return and exchange within 1 year.
- Easy Installation - simply plug-in to a standard, 120V outlet in your home
- 2-AA battery backup provides protection during a power outage
- 85-decibel alarm announces when carbon monoxide is detected
- Peak Level Memory records the last time carbon monoxide was detected or when the unit was last tested
- Test-Hush Button makes testing the detector or silencing false alarms easy
- 【4-in-1 Real-Time Monitoring】Features a large, easy-to-read digital display that simultaneously shows carbon monoxide levels (PPM), combustible gas (%LEL), temperature (°F), and humidity (RH%) — providing comprehensive air quality data at a glance.
- 【Highly Accurate & Sensitive Sensors】Equipped with upgraded, professional-grade sensors to ensure fast, reliable, and precise detection of gas and CO levels, helping protect your family from invisible threats.
- 【Instant Alerts for Dangerous Gas Levels】Triggers an 85dB audible alarm and visual warning when gas concentrations exceed preset thresholds, instantly alerting you to potential leaks or carbon monoxide hazards.
- 【Peace of Mind Around the Clock】Provides continuous 24/7 air quality monitoring for natural gas, CO, temperature, and humidity, helping prevent accidents caused by leaks, poor ventilation, or changing indoor climate.
- 【Versatile Use in Multiple Spaces】Ideal for homes, apartments, kitchens, basements, and other enclosed environments where gas leaks or carbon monoxide buildup may occur. An essential safety device for any household.
- Plug-in carbon monoxide comprehensive detector: The plug-in carbon monoxide comprehensive detector clearly displays the changes in temperature, humidity, and carbon monoxide concentration in the home. The installation location is not restricted. The plug-and-play design is more convenient to use and supports the US standard 110V-220V AC power socket.
- Easy to use: Equipped with advanced temperature, humidity and carbon monoxide sensors, the product does not require any operation. Just plug in the power supply to use it normally. The button can switch the temperature and humidity, screen brightness, switch buzzer and other functions.
- Alarm function: We have upgraded the alarm function. When the concentration exceeds 50PPM, the product will quickly issue an alarm sound of more than 85dB to remind you that there is carbon monoxide gas in the surrounding environment and you need to open the window for ventilation in time.
- 3-speed brightness adjustment design: You can press the brightness adjustment button to adjust the brightness. When you choose to turn off the screen brightness, the indicator light on the screen will flash every 30 seconds to remind you that the product continues to detect the surrounding air quality. Please note: The screen indicator light will only flash when the screen brightness is turned off.
- Self-test function: The carbon monoxide concentration is usually displayed as 000PPM. If you want to regularly check whether the product is working properly, you can press the "O" button to perform a self-test. When the product enters the self-test step, short press the "O" button to make a "beep" sound, then the green light flashes 3 times, and the red light flashes 3 times, indicating that the product is working properly and the self-test step is over.
- Easy Installation - simply plug-in to a standard, 120V outlet in your home
- 9-volt battery backup provides protection during a power outage
- Digital LED display shows the level of carbon monoxide the CO alarm is sensing or states "GAS" when explosive gas is present
- 85-decibel alarm announces when carbon monoxide or explosive gas is detected
- Peak Level Memory records the last time carbon monoxide was detected or when the unit was last tested
Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors Buying Guide
Before choosing the best carbon monoxide detector you should consider the following options:
1. Battery-powered or plug-in: Most carbon monoxide detectors are battery-powered. If your home uses gas for cooking or heating, you should buy a carbon monoxide detector that has a long-lasting battery.
If your home has a fixed fuel-fired heater, then a plug-in detector will work. A plug-in detector will usually have a battery as a backup.
2. Interconnected or single: An interconnected detector will be part of a network with other detectors in your home. All of the interconnected detectors are triggered at the same time.
They are useful in large homes where there may be a gas leak in one part of the house and the occupants could move to a different area of the house and be exposed to the gas.
There are two types of interconnected detectors: D link and parallel link. A D link detector will sound even if one of the other detectors in the network is not working. A parallel link detector will only sound if all of the other detectors in the network are triggered.
3. Audible alarm or visual alarm: Not all carbon monoxide detectors have a sound alarm. If your home is completely silent, such as if you are deaf, then you should buy a detector with a visual alarm.
But if you have a working alarm in your house, such as a smoke alarm, then a detector without a sound alarm will be sufficient.
4. Number of beeps: Not all carbon monoxide detectors make a noise when they detect the gas in the home. Some have a visual alarm and some have both a sound alarm and a visual alarm.
If your detector has a sound alarm, then you should buy one with a number of beeps to indicate the level of danger. The more beeps, the higher the level of danger.
What else you should know about the best carbon monoxide detectors
1. What are the best carbon monoxide detectors on the market?
Some of the best carbon monoxide detectors on the market are the Kidde Nighthawk Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Alarm, the First Alert CO606 Carbon Monoxide Alarm, and the Honeywell 5808W3 Wireless Photoelectric Smoke and Heat Alarm.
2. How do carbon monoxide detectors work?
Carbon monoxide detectors work by measuring the amount of carbon monoxide in the air. If the level of carbon monoxide gets too high, the detector will sound an alarm to warn people to get out of the area.
3. What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headaches, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and confusion.
4. How can I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?
There are a few things you can do to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
– Make sure all fuel-burning appliances in your home are properly vented.
– Do not use a gas stove to heat your home.
– Do not use a charcoal grill indoors.
– Do not leave a car running in an attached garage, even if the garage door is open.
5. What should I do if my carbon monoxide detector goes off?
If your carbon monoxide detector goes off, you should leave the house immediately and call 911.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best carbon monoxide detectors. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best carbon monoxide detectors will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.