Smart Smoke Detector: To Buy or Not to Buy

7/6/2021 (Permalink)

A smoke alarm can be one of the wisest decisions you ever make.

Should a Smoke Alarm Cost Over a Hundred Dollars?

Companies developing new smart detectors think they should, but are the improvements a luxury or a necessity? You be the judge.

1. Expense Versus Performance

When comparing performance against the expense, you can be blinded by the technological gadgetry of smart detectors. True, most smart detectors can connect and communicate with your other smart devices, but does this bonus contribute to its effectiveness? Most reviewers don’t think so, claiming that a regular smoke detector functions and performs the same as a smart detector, without the bells and whistles.

2. Convenience Versus Luxury

The argument to buy or not to buy comes down to convenience versus luxury. A regular smoke alarm is a bargain find, costing around $20, but a smart detector can cost upward of $100. The inter-connectedness and advanced notifications equate to the increased price tag.

3. Technology Versus Necessity

Fire safety may be a necessity but is it necessary to shut off a detector from your phone or to be notified of a fire when you’re not home? These tools may be beneficial, but that does not mean they are necessary. Regular detectors have worked well for decades with simple batteries and buttons.

4. Preparation Versus Spontaneity

No matter your decision, you may want to invest in fire preparations because spontaneity puts both you and your property at risk. Many fire departments recommend having an evacuation plan in case of a fire and practicing that plan with your family monthly. Additionally, you may want to work with a company in Hanover Township, OH, that specializes in emergency planning as preparation for a crisis, like a fire.

A smoke alarm can be one of the wisest decisions you ever make, but do you need a smart alarm? All smoke detectors work the same way and, by many accounts, perform equally. The most significant differences between smart alarms and regular alarms are in the advanced notifications and ease of use, but does that make them worth the price tag? What do you think?