Over 75% of Amazon Shoppers Swear by This $17 Smoke Alarm
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Why We Love This Deal
We’ve just finished the peak season for heating equipment fires in the home, but the truth is that your home is susceptible to fires at any time. That’s why it is best to keep a steady eye on your smoke alarms to see if they need new batteries or have to be replaced entirely, as needed. If you're looking to upgrade the units in your home, there’s a deal on the No. 1-ranking smoke detector on Amazon that makes it just $17.
The First Alert SMI100 Battery-Operated Smoke Alarm is 15% off, making it $17. First Alert is considered a “Top Brand” by Amazon because when customers buy its products, they don't normally return them. Over 100,000 First Alerts were bought this winter. We’ve found that 77% of those who have these in their homes swear by them, giving them a 5-star rating, but even the manufacturer doesn’t recommend them as a one-and-done solution for your home.
Here, we’re going to look at why, help you determine what you really need, and also find you a great deal on these products.
First Alert SMI100 Battery-Operated Smoke Alarm, $17 (was $20) on Amazon
What Shoppers Should Know
- Size: 5.4 inches
- Power Source: 9V battery
- Operating Humidity: 10-95% RH
- Special Features: Reduces cooking nuisance alarms.
- Standardization: UL 217
- Best Use Case: Residential fire and smoke detection for safety purposes.
The SMI100 is a simple-install fire alarm that uses a classic battery system instead of complicated direct wiring, meaning it's easy to DIY install, no electrician required. Its battery panel is on the side, popping out easily, so you won’t have to take down your alarm every time you need to change the battery (don’t worry, it’ll alert you when you need to do so). The First Alert SMI100 uses 9V batteries, the rectangular ones, and is designed to last a long time with them.
Though Amazon’s store page doesn’t explicitly mention it, once you get your SMI100 in your hands, you’ll see “Conforms to UL STD 217” on the back. This means that it is up to the latest standards, created in mid-2024, and will also be less likely than your old detectors to give off false alarms from naturally occurring cooking steam. The SMI100 effectively operates in up to 95% relative humidity.
Related: Walmart Is Selling a $200 Sun-Blocking Pop-up Tent for $90
Is the First Alert SMI100 Enough?
First Alert recommends that every floor of your home and each bedroom have a smoke detector for proper peace of mind. But, this isn’t the only thing they recommend, as homes should have carbon monoxide detection alongside simple fire alarms. To quote the EPA, “Each floor of the home needs a separate detector. If you are getting a single carbon monoxide detector, place it near the sleeping areas and make certain the alarm is loud enough to wake you up.”
And that’s where First Alert’s combo smoke and carbon monoxide alarm comes into play. The combo product, which is also highly-rated, is just $20 more than the base model and covers all your detection needs from one unit. Considering that Amazon’s bestselling carbon monoxide detector, the Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector, is $24 and just handles carbon monoxide, you start to see why shoppers repeatedly go to First Alert for value home safety gear.
What Shoppers Are Saying
One shopper reported that the SMI100 has already “saved me twice” from alerting them after leaving food in the broiler so long that it started burning. Another shopper mentioned that “it is pretty loud,” so if the worst comes, you’ll likely hear it. Be sure to test your unit after installing the battery for maximum preparedness.
Other shoppers rave about the simple setup. As one put it, “Installation was a breeze—basically two screws and you’re done.” Another shopper said all you need is a Phillips head screwdriver, but you’re likely to have an easier time with a simple driver.
The First Alert SMI100 Battery-Operated Smoke Alarm is just $17 right now, and the carbon-monoxide-detecting upgrade is $37. Also, be sure to check out First Alert’s fire extinguishers if, like the person above, you get clumsy with the broiler from time to time.