Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors in 2022

Last update: December 18, 2022

Can an all electric house have carbon monoxide?

No, an all electric house cannot have carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is produced when burning fossil fuels, such as natural gas, oil, propane, or wood.

Can my phone detect carbon monoxide?

Many people wonder if their phone can detect carbon monoxide, and the answer is yes! Your phone has a sensor that can detect carbon monoxide levels in the air. If the levels are high, your phone will alert you so you can take action to protect yourself.

Can you be slowly poisoned by carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a gas that has no color, odor, or taste. It is produced when burning fossil fuels such as natural gas, propane, oil, and wood. Carbon monoxide can also be produced by engines, generators, and other combustion engines. When carbon monoxide enters your body, it prevents your blood from carrying oxygen to your organs and tissues. This can lead to tissue damage and even death. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and confusion. If you think you are experiencing symptoms

Do you need carbon monoxide detector in every room?

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can be deadly. That’s why it’s important to have a carbon monoxide detector in every room of your home. A carbon monoxide detector will sound an alarm if it senses dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in the air. This will give you and your family time to get to a safe area and call for help. There are many different types and brands of carbon monoxide detectors. Some are battery-operated, while others need to be plugged into an outlet. Some detectors will


Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm |Battery Operated | Model # KN-COB-B-LP2 Review:


I purchased this four years ago. We placed it in the basement walk-in closet where we periodically put our infant to sleep, and other than the rare moment of doubt as to whether it actually works, we mostly forgot it was there. Well, we learned this week. The alarm went off in the morning, I clicked the reset button to turn it off (I appreciate that there is a separate beeping pattern to signify low battery vs. dangerous carbon monoxide levels), and the alarm didn't resignal, so I kept pondering whether it was an anomaly or if I should take action. Given that several of my children had been experiencing fatigue and headaches over the previous few days, I ultimately made the decision that it was better to be safe than sorry and called the fire department for guidance. They came out, and sure enough, the basement had extraordinarily high amounts. With the help of more advanced equipment, the gas company located the problem with our furnace. It turned out that we had a heater exchange that was damaged and leaking carbon monoxide. We are so grateful to have this detector!



Kidde Battery Operated Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Digital Display KN-Copp-B-LPM Review:


It's difficult to know if emergency items, like CO monitors, really work unless you're actually exposed to deadly levels of CO. Furthermore, if a CO detector malfunctioned, you would not be aware of it; instead, you would just become ill while believing everything was normal. The only genuine way to determine if it functions is to place it in an airtight container and produce CO.I made the decision to try this out because I enjoy experimenting with hazardous chemicals at home. Formic acid (HCOOH), when combined with strong sulfuric acid, decomposes into CO and H2O. I paid less than $10 per liter for each of these chemicals, including shipping. I filled a graduated cylinder with sulfuric acid and put it in a 1-gallon sealed plastic container. I quickly sealed the jar after adding diluted formic acid in modest amounts.It certainly did work! It recorded CO amounts that were roughly in line with what I would anticipate to obtain given the amount of formic acid I supplied (using the ideal gas law to figure out what the maximum CO level would be). In high concentration experiments, I discovered that the warning sounds after 3 minutes if the concentration reaches 500 ppm (which is dangerous but would take several hours to kill, giving plenty of time to get to fresh air). Another test had CO levels about 190 ppm, which is harmful but not fatal, and it went off after about 20 minutes. Its maximum value is between 910 and 920 ppm; it does not show levels above that. It goes off within a minute or two of such high CO levels, so anyone who sees 900 ppm or higher on the display should leave their home immediately and seek emergency medical attention.Even in tests with low concentrations, it performed effectively. It shows "0" for any value below 30 ppm due to an odd US law. However, even if the peak reading was below 30 ppm, pressing the "peak level" button would reveal what it was. Below 10-15 ppm, you actually don't need to worry about CO at all because of how well this works. After a few hours, prolonged exposure to 50 ppm triggers an alarm.Another, easier test is to light a candle in an enclosed container with a CO detector, then shut the container to ensure the CO detector is functional. When the candle runs out of oxygen, there will be some incomplete combustion (emitting CO instead of CO2) as it burns up the oxygen supply. With a small candle in my gallon container, I gave it a try and got 96 ppm; a bigger candle would definitely release more. I then gave it a try by blazing a crumpled up piece of newspaper in the container and obtained >910 ppm, which is respectable given that burning generates a lot of carbon monoxide (CO) when paper and wood are burned. Depending on how hot the fire grew before I put the lid on, little amounts of acetone (a relatively clean fuel relative to paper) generated 300–550 ppm; the lower reading in comparison to paper helps to validate that it is reading correctly.In conclusion, genuine CO tests show that this $20 detector performs admirably. It's precise, only sounds when CO levels are harmful, goes off when CO levels are dangerous, and might very well save your life.



Kidde Tamper Resistant Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm with Battery Backup | Model KNCOB-DP2 Review:


Since I just got them, the review can't be very helpful or in-depth. In the case of this kind of acquisition, only time will tell.These units resemble a huge fist in size. Being white, each is unnoticeable on the wall. The unit comes with batteries that are advertised to have a 10-year lifespan. Thank god the claxon has an override button! One will make the entire neighborhood awake. VERY piercing and VERY loud. Yet you desire that. I'm going to estimate that it's louder than a car horn, street drilling, and possibly even your smoke alarm. A tamper-proof button prevents kids from unintentionally turning it off. It can also rotate 90 degrees sideways in the electrical socket, which is convenient. A modest green light on the front of it should last for ten years.There is a good deal of paperwork included. A cheat sheet should ideally be able to be folded away and placed on or within the device. However, it is not feasible. The key information is spread throughout the booklet, including how to turn it off, when to replace it, and what the beeps signify. However, if there is an emergency, you won't need them, and if there isn't, you'll probably just yank it off the wall, take the batteries out, and look for the place where you put the paperwork. :-)Similar to how you test your smoke alarm, you should test this one frequently. And if you remember, occasionally vacuum it. I think that's it. But since it might well save your life, the cost is justified. Additionally, the item lasts for ten years! Therefore, the cost is below $2 per year. OH SO WORTH IT!



First Alert Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Detector, CO600 Review:


I haven't had a CO leak in the house, so I can't speak to whether the alarm will sound when I need it most. However, I have two of this model and have used it for years. Having had a battery-backup model go off in the middle of the night TWICE due to running out of batteries, I prefer that this model does not have one. a challenge to fall asleep again. It was thrown out. My reasoning is that any heating system or equipment that COULD create CO is not operating if there is a power outage. What purpose does battery backup serve if not to disrupt my sleep for a few nights? I have no worries about using my gasoline generator because it runs far from the home; if I do, I can plug in the alarm for monitoring as it uses very little power. Its factory-programmed death date of exactly 7 years is my sole quibble and the reason I did not give this product 5 stars. When it does, it immediately begins to beep. The life is supposedly intended to prevent the sensor from drying out and failing to function properly, which happens over an extended length of time. I disassembled my previous alarm after the 7-year beep began in order to look at the sensor. Water filled it up to around 3/4. It might have continued for another ten years, in my opinion. Except if you live in a desert, where it might dry out in 7 years, I think that kind of planned failure is excessive despite the fact that I know safety is crucial. I reside in a humid environment.



First Alert Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Detector with Battery Backup, 3-Pack, CO605 Review:


I bought four of these CO2 alarms and installed them all over the house. We have a gas water heater, gas fernis, and propane gas kitchen range. The closet in my daughter's bedroom houses the water heater (manufactured home).Alarms have worked well for almost two months. The alarm in my daughter's room started to go off all of a sudden one night at 1:30 in the morning. The alarm's instructions suggest that four beeps indicate the presence of CO2 Alarm unplugged and replaced with another alarm in the kitchen. The alarm in the daughter's room started sounding four times again an hour later. Fire department was contacted and arrived with a CO2 meter. I discovered elevated CO2 levels coming from my daughter's closet's water heater area. In the end, a mouse nest had built up in the house's vent, which needed to be cleaned out. Never had a problem after that.All things considered, I am grateful that I packed these alarms. Without knowing that CO2 was present, it's possible that nobody would have ever awakened the following morning.Trust it if it beeps four times. You can't be sure.I don't usually write reviews, but I definitely took the time for this one because it deserves attention and may have helped save my family's and my lives.If your home doesn't have any CO2 alarms and you're debating buying some, don't delay—go out and get some right away!



First Alert CO605 Plug-In Battery Backup CO Alarm, 1 pack, White Review:


I bought four of these CO2 alarms and installed them all over the house. We have a gas water heater, gas fernis, and propane gas kitchen range. The closet in my daughter's bedroom houses the water heater (manufactured home).Alarms have worked well for almost two months. The alarm in my daughter's room started to go off all of a sudden one night at 1:30 in the morning. The alarm's instructions suggest that four beeps indicate the presence of CO2 Alarm unplugged and replaced with another alarm in the kitchen. The alarm in the daughter's room started sounding four times again an hour later. Fire department was contacted and arrived with a CO2 meter. I discovered elevated CO2 levels coming from my daughter's closet's water heater area. In the end, a mouse nest had built up in the house's vent, which needed to be cleaned out. Never had a problem after that.All things considered, I am grateful that I packed these alarms. Without knowing that CO2 was present, it's possible that nobody would have ever awakened the following morning.Trust it if it beeps four times. You can't be sure.I don't usually write reviews, but I definitely took the time for this one because it deserves attention and may have helped save my family's and my lives.If your home doesn't have any CO2 alarms and you're debating buying some, don't delay—go out and get some right away!



First Alert Carbon Monoxide Detector|No Outlet Required, Battery Operated, 2-Pack, CO400 Review:


To replace the detectors in my home, I purchased two of these and put them on the wall (optional). Since I operate a ham radio station, my old downstairs detector (a Kidde Nighthawk) kept going off everytime I transmitted on the 40 meter band. I discovered after some web study that this model is not vulnerable to this. It found out that since my old detector was manufactured in 2000 and only lasts ten years, I should have replaced it nonetheless. (I've also read that Kidde didn't make improvements to their radio signal false alarm prevention design until 2004.) There is no AC power hookup; it runs solely on batteries.In any case, they are portable and simple to install. The information for drilling the wall mount holes is printed at the bottom of the instruction sheet; there is no additional template for this. The only issue I have with these new ones is that one of them didn't come with the mounting hardware, so I had to buy screws and anchors for it myself.The unit has a small button on the rear to turn it on, and a different one-time use switch to turn it off after its service life has expired. The display also contains a blue backlight for seeing in the dark, and the room temperature is regularly shown on the screen. The backlight is activated by pressing and holding one button on the top of the device, which also activates the alarm to test the device.



First Alert Dual-Power Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm | Plug-In with Battery Backup and Digital Display, CO615 Review:


Last year, we went inside our house on a cool night. At around two in the morning, everyone was sound asleep. We scurried around attempting to identify it. After some time, I noticed it emanating from under a dresser. We had completely forgotten about the carbon monoxide detector, an older model that had been plugged in there for years.You see, the old furnace, which had been in service for 14 years, chose to quit and let carbon monoxide into the house that night. Oh, we could have woken up dead, our mother said. So naturally, we switched it out for this new one.



First Alert Carbon Monoxide Detector| No Outlet Required, Battery Operated, CO400 Review:


To replace the detectors in my home, I purchased two of these and put them on the wall (optional). Since I operate a ham radio station, my old downstairs detector (a Kidde Nighthawk) kept going off everytime I transmitted on the 40 meter band. I discovered after some web study that this model is not vulnerable to this. It found out that since my old detector was manufactured in 2000 and only lasts ten years, I should have replaced it nonetheless. (I've also read that Kidde didn't make improvements to their radio signal false alarm prevention design until 2004.) There is no AC power hookup; it runs solely on batteries.In any case, they are portable and simple to install. The information for drilling the wall mount holes is printed at the bottom of the instruction sheet; there is no additional template for this. The only issue I have with these new ones is that one of them didn't come with the mounting hardware, so I had to buy screws and anchors for it myself.The unit has a small button on the rear to turn it on, and a different one-time use switch to turn it off after its service life has expired. The display also contains a blue backlight for seeing in the dark, and the room temperature is regularly shown on the screen. The backlight is activated by pressing and holding one button on the top of the device, which also activates the alarm to test the device.



First Alert Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm|No Outlet Required with Digital Display and Peak Memory, Battery Operated, CO410 Review:


We have a carbon monoxide detector, but it only serves as an alert, so I got this. I turned everything down after it fired once, let the house air out, and then carefully began everything back up. That season, it didn't go off again, but I was worried, so I bought this one so I could receive a real readout. This alert confirmed that CO levels were rising, however not for a long enough period of time or at a high enough level to trigger the alarm unless it was really cold and the furnace was running for a considerable amount of time. The old furnace's heat-exchanger had a proven crack, and we now have a new furnace.


How accurate are carbon monoxide detectors?

Carbon monoxide detectors are designed to alert homeowners of the presence of the deadly gas in their home. But how accurate are these devices? There are a number of factors that can affect the accuracy of a carbon monoxide detector, including the age of the device, the type of sensor it uses, and the environment in which it is placed. That said, most carbon monoxide detectors on the market today are quite accurate and can be relied upon to provide peace of mind and safety for your family.

How can you tell if there is carbon monoxide in your house?

If you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, it will sound an alarm if there are high levels of carbon monoxide present. You can also look for symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning in yourself and your family members. These include headache, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and confusion. If you think you may have been exposed to carbon monoxide, get fresh air immediately and call 911.

How do I know if I need a carbon monoxide detector?

If you have any fuel-burning appliances in your home, you should have a carbon monoxide detector. Fuel-burning appliances include gas or oil furnaces, water heaters, stoves, and fireplaces. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can be deadly. Each year, hundreds of people in the United States die from carbon monoxide poisoning, and thousands more visit the emergency room. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and confusion.

How long does it take to get carbon monoxide poisoning?

It can take as little as one hour for carbon monoxide poisoning to occur. The gas is odorless and colorless, so it is difficult to detect without proper monitoring equipment. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should leave the area immediately and seek medical attention.

Should carbon monoxide detectors be mounted high or low?

There's no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the specific circumstances of each home. However, as a general rule of thumb, it's usually best to mount carbon monoxide detectors high on walls or on ceilings. This is because carbon monoxide is a gas, so it rises. By mounting the detector high, you're more likely to catch any carbon monoxide that might be present in your home.

What are normal carbon monoxide levels in a house?

Normal carbon monoxide levels in a house are typically around 0.5 parts per million (ppm). However, levels may rise to as high as 5 ppm or more if there is a problem with the home's heating system.