The smart smoke and CO detector market in 2026 is undergoing its biggest shakeup in a decade. Google discontinued the Nest Protect in March 2025 after 11 years as the category leader, partnering with First Alert to produce the SC5 as its official replacement at $129.99. Meanwhile, Amazon's Ring partnered with Kidde to launch Wi-Fi-connected smoke and CO detectors starting at just $55, dramatically undercutting the premium segment. Matter/Thread support is arriving via Heiman and others, promising local-first, cloud-independent detection for the first time. [src1, src2, src4]
The First Alert SC5 is the top overall pick for Google Home users, offering seamless Nest Protect replacement with Precision Detection Advanced Sensing technology and Google Home app integration. For Alexa/Ring households, the Kidde Smart Smoke & CO with Ring ($75 hardwired) delivers excellent value with real-time push notifications through the Ring app. For smart home enthusiasts running Home Assistant or Apple Home, the Heiman Matter smoke detector offers local Thread connectivity without cloud dependency. [src1, src2, src5, src6]
| Model | Price | Detection | Connectivity | Ecosystem | Power | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Alert SC5 (Battery) | ~$130 | Smoke + CO | Wi-Fi, Nest Weave | Google Home | CR123A batteries | Best overall (Google) | Check price |
| First Alert SC5 (Hardwire) | ~$130 | Smoke + CO | Wi-Fi, Nest Weave | Google Home | 120V + backup | Best hardwired (Google) | Check price |
| Kidde Smart Smoke & CO with Ring | ~$75 | Smoke + CO | Wi-Fi | Alexa, Ring | Hardwired + AA | Best value (Alexa) | Check price |
| First Alert SMCO410 Z-Wave | ~$40-50 | Smoke + CO | Z-Wave Plus | Ring Alarm, SmartThings | 10-year battery | Best for Z-Wave hubs | Check price |
| Heiman Matter Smoke Detector | ~$35-45 | Smoke only | Matter/Thread | Apple Home, SmartThings, HA | Battery | Best for Matter/Thread | Check price |
| Gentex Place Any Space | ~$139 | Smoke + CO | Wi-Fi | Gentex app | Hardwired + backup | Best premium | — |
| X-Sense XS01-WT | ~$30-40 | Smoke only | Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) | Tuya/Smart Life | CR123A battery | Best budget Wi-Fi | Check price |
The official successor to the Nest Protect, built in partnership with Google. Precision Detection Advanced Sensing technology detects both fast-flaming and smoldering fires while reducing cooking false alarms. Sends instant push alerts to your phone via Google Home app and triggers a loud 85dB alarm. Interconnects with existing Nest Protect units via Nest Weave mesh, so you can migrate gradually. Available in both battery and hardwired versions at the same price. No subscription required. [src1, src2, src4]
Announced at CES 2025 and shipping since April 2025, this Kidde-Ring collaboration delivers Wi-Fi smoke and CO detection at nearly half the price of the First Alert SC5. Connects directly to home Wi-Fi without requiring a Ring Alarm hub. Push notifications through Ring app, voice alerts that identify the hazard type. Enhanced sensing technology reduces cooking false alarms. Optional Ring professional monitoring for $5/month adds emergency dispatcher contact. Hardwired with AA battery backup. [src2, src5]
The 2025 replacement for the popular ZCOMBO-G. Z-Wave Plus certified, works with Ring Alarm base station, SmartThings, Hubitat, and Home Assistant via Z-Wave. Detects both smoke and CO with a sealed 10-year lithium battery. No Wi-Fi required, which means no cloud dependency and no recurring fees. Requires a Z-Wave hub for smart features — without a hub it functions as a standard detector. [src1, src7]
One of the first Matter-over-Thread smoke detectors on the market. UL 217 9th Edition certified. Works natively with Apple Home, SmartThings, and Home Assistant without cloud reliance — alerts are processed locally via Thread border routers. Dual-beam photoelectric sensor for precision smoke detection. Compact and portable. Smoke only — no CO detection. Requires a Thread border router (Apple TV 4K, HomePod Mini, or compatible hub). [src3]
From a commercial fire protection company with decades of industry experience. Reacted to smoke faster than any other detector tested per professional reviews. Features include ambient temperature/humidity sensing, motion detection, and customizable nightlight. Room-specific variants available: Kitchen ($250, adds VOC/gas detection), Nursery ($350, adds air quality monitor + camera + white noise), Garage ($300, heat sensing + camera). Wi-Fi connected via Gentex Place app. No ecosystem integration with Google/Alexa/Apple yet — standalone app only. [src6]
Compact 3.1-inch photoelectric smoke detector with direct Wi-Fi connection via Smart Life/Tuya app. Smartphone push notifications when smoke is detected. 85dB alarm. Smoke detection only — no CO sensor. CR123A battery lasts approximately 1 year with Wi-Fi active (vs 5 years without Wi-Fi). 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only. Good entry-level option for renters or supplemental coverage. [src3, src7]
→ First Alert SC5 ($130). Only smart smoke/CO detector with native Google Home integration since Nest Protect discontinuation. Interconnects with existing Nest Protects. [src1, src4]
→ Kidde Smart Smoke & CO with Ring ($75) for best value. Or First Alert SMCO410 Z-Wave ($40-50) if user has a Ring Alarm base station and prefers no cloud dependency. [src2, src5]
→ Heiman Matter smoke detector ($35-45) for local Thread-based alerts without cloud. Add separate CO detection if needed. For Z-Wave setups, First Alert SMCO410 works well with Home Assistant. [src3]
→ First Alert SMCO410 Z-Wave ($40-50) for smoke + CO with Z-Wave hub, or X-Sense XS01-WT ($30-40) for basic Wi-Fi smoke alerts without a hub. [src3, src7]
→ Gentex Place system starting at $139/unit. Room-specific models add specialized sensors. Best detection speed in testing but no major ecosystem integration. Expensive at scale. [src6]
→ First Alert SC5 ($130) for Google users, Kidde Smart Smoke & CO with Ring ($75) for Alexa users. Both detect smoke and CO, send phone alerts, and require no subscription for core features. [src1, src2, src5]