enter value/s in increments of 1 between 10 and 100
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Type
Photoelectric, ionisation or dual sensor. See our buying guide for details about each type.
Battery type
Regular 9V or AA batteries need to be replaced annually. 10-year lithium batteries last the life of the smoke alarm and don't need to be replaced. Mains-powered units have a battery back-up in case of power outages.
Performance score
Based on comparative speed of response under similar smoke levels in a range of tests. Made up of 'real fire' scenarios 70% (made up of smouldering foam 40%, burning wood 20%, smouldering wood 20%, and burning oil 20%) and nuisance smoke scenarios 30%.
enter value/s in increments of i between 64 and 76
Nuisance alarm score
Based on the comparative speed of response to nuisance sources ('false alarms') from cooking toast, smouldering cooking oil and cooking a hamburger patty. The faster the alarm detects this type of fire, the lower the score. Models with high scores are less likely to go off due to nuisance smoke/fumes, such as from cooking.
enter value/s in increments of i between 36 and 89
Smouldering wood score
Based on the comparative speed of response to smouldering wood. The faster the alarm detects this type of fire, the higher the score.
enter value/s in increments of i between 55 and 90
Burning wood score
Based on the comparative speed of response to burning (flaming) wood. The faster the alarm detects this type of fire, the higher the score.
enter value/s in increments of i between 55 and 90
Warranty (years)
The warranty period (in years). Alarms should last for 10 years so a 10-year warranty is best.
enter value/s in increments of i between 2 and 10
Hush button
Silences the alarm temporarily. Useful in case of a nuisance alarm.
Interconnectable
With an interconnectable model, you can connect multiple alarms (usually by wire) so that when one goes off, all go off.
Availability
A Similar model is identical in most aspects except for a few. This means that a majority of its test results are identical so you can reasonably expect to get the same results from the model we tested, but for those aspects which aren't identical, we'll note these as "Not Tested" in the Compare tables.
A Tested model refers to a model that is still current and available in the Australian market. You should be able to order this model through your local retailer, or find it online.
These models can't be found in retailers or online or are no longer manufactured. You may still find them on second-hand websites, or in second-hand dealers. Test methods may change over time, so criteria which can't be directly compared will contain an N/A.
An Identical model is exactly that. Performance characteristics will be identical and the only difference will be something trivial such as colour, which won't have an impact on performance.
These are models we haven't yet tested but that are available.
Included in this review
- Recommended
- Overall score
- Performance score
- Ease of use score
- Smouldering foam score
- Smouldering wood score
- Burning wood score
- Burning oil score
- Nuisance alarm score
- Good points
- Bad points
- Brand
- Model
- Availability
- Price
- Type
- Intended use
- Battery type
- Hush button
- Interconnectable
- Warranty (years)
- Origin
- Contact