Last updated on November 29th, 2020 at 02:03 pm
The primary reason you should have a smoke or carbon monoxide detector is so that you can get an alert when there is fire or CO gases in your house. With this, you and your loved ones can escape safely in case of an emergency situation.
The good thing is, technology has not stayed the same since the first smoke and heat detector got a patent in 1902. It has been evolving and getting better.
The wireless smoke detectors have mostly leveraged on the 2.4GHz. This radio frequency band is set aside for use by scientific, industrial and medical radio bands without the need for a licence. (It is popularly known as the ISM band). Therefore, they are free.
First Alert OQsEU 2-in-1 Z-Wave Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Alarm
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) was instrumental in setting this up.
Manufacturers have taken advantage of this free band and almost anything wireless in your house uses 2.4GHz frequency for wireless transmission of information.
These devices include your router, garage door remote control, wireless mouse or key board, baby monitors in addition to other dozen devices.
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Why Z wave Communication?
Z wave is a wireless communication protocol that in the other hand uses another free radio frequency band. The 900 MHz frequency band is also unlicensed.
The Z wave utilizes a mesh network which is ideal for home automation devices. The devices can then be accessed over the internet using smart mobile apps via a hub that acts as a portal for z wave devices.
Over time the 2.4GHz has become overcrowded by devices. While on the z wave you can expect less noise interference and greater coverage.
Devices or to be specific smoke or CO detectors operating under Z-wave transmit information to the nearest device, which then amplifies and transmits to the next. The transmission can happen even with devices being up to 30 – 40 meters apart reliably.
WiFi suffers from too much power consumption as a limitation. Bluetooth on the other hand has limited range of connection.
Zigbee would have been a better option for home automation, however it operates on the 2.4GHz competing with all the other networks. As a result, it is susceptible to noise and interference.
In addition to the above factors that gives Z wave an edge over the rest of wireless connection protocols, is the fact that the developers have really enhanced security.
Network security has over time become a critical concern for users of devices that have to send information over the internet.
The Z wave alliance has implemented stronger security standards and demands vigorous testing of devices to meet the certification.
But just in case you are looking for the 2.4GHz wireless smoke detectors that work over the WiFi, we have reviewed them as well.
Top Z Wave Smoke Detectors Reviews
In view of all of these, if you have alaready implemented z wave home automation, then it becomes easier for you to add z wave smoke alarms.
We have spent considerable time researching and reviewing customer concerns on Amazon and home depot. The following products emerge as the winners.
1. First Alert ZCOMBO 2-in-1 Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Alarm
This Z-Wave Combo is a two in one device. You can rest easy from the worry of fire or carbon monoxide.
First Alert has been in the business of fire and smoke detectors for over 60 years. This is a trusted brand.
The first alert 2-in-1 z-wave smoke detector & carbon monoxide alarm powered by a battery can send alerts to your mobile phone. The battery lasts well over one year and can be replaced easily.
✅ Compatible with other smart devices via a z wave gateway hub eg Ring home security system, Abode home security system.
✅ Alerts can be received via ring app
✅ Photoelectric sensing technology suitable for kitchen and bathroom areas.
✅ The batteries can be accessed from the sides and the battery door is designed to be tamper proof.
✅ Very easy to install using pins that lock to the mounting brackets
✅ Conforms with UL, California State and NFPA standards.
⛔️ Not compatible with one link or wink
⛔️ Inaccurate battery life percentage reported via app. [We have notified the manufacturer about this ourselves]
2. Ecolink Zwave Plus Wireless Audio Detector for Existing Smoke/CO Sensors, (FF-ZWAVE5-ECO)
This device is not by itself a smoke detector! However, it listens to existing smoke and Co detectors in your house.
If it happens that any of them sounds an alarm, the Ecolink Zwave plus wireless audio detector will relay this information to your smart z wave hub. Consequently, the hub will send you an alert on your mobile phone.
The operating frequency is 908.42MHz which is acceptable in North America.
Since fire/smoke alarms have distinct sound frequency from CO detectors, the EcoLink Zwave audio detector is able to differentiate the two. Sirens and other sounds are intelligently filtered out.
✅ You only need one device for your whole house.
✅ Compatible with most brands of Z-wave home security hubs. For instance Vera Plus, Vera Edge, Vera Lite, HomeSeer, D-link Staples Connect as well as Piper NV.
✅ Easy installation
⛔️ A bit difficult to pair with Samsung SmartThings Z wave hub
3. First Alert 1042870 Z-Wave Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Alarm
The First Alert 1042870 is Iris compatible and you can receive mobile and email alerts.
Similar to the First Alert ZCombo reviewed above, this device is compatible with other Z wave devices via a z wave hub.
It is also a photoelectric based smoke detector.
✅ It is compatible to work with Nexia Home Intelligence, Ring Home Security System, and other third party Z-Wave systems
⛔️ It does not support onelink or wink
⛔️ Packaging not liked by majority of customers
Check the Following Before Buying
📌 Compatibility
This is crucial for integration to the rest of your security or intelligent home automation system. If you have a z wave hub, pay attention to find out if the smoke and co detector you are buying is certified to work together.
📌 Building Code
Check in your area to find out building code requirements. You may find that your local authorities still insist on hard wired smoke detectors. In that case buying z wave smoke detectors only may be an exercise in futility.
The Final Thoughts
Majority of people with hard wired smoke detectors grapple with the question: Of what good is it to have very good smoke alarms but you cannot hear them when they trigger?
Since we are not constantly at home, from wherever you are, a smart wireless z wave smoke detector can send you a notification. You can thereafter notify the fire department which could save the situation.
In addition, if you have a camera system that you can view remotely over the internet, this will also help for you to confirm whether its real or false alarm.
The desire to control and monitor the status of a variety of applications in the home is easily enabled by Z wave wireless technology.