Customer Ratings & Reviews

I’ve had the device installed less than 2 months and it is frequently giving false alarms, often in the middle of the night.

It’s very new but happy with purchase to date. Phone app is a bonus.

Easy to install. However, the false alarms in the middle of the night kept the whole family on edge. Unfortunately, they started right after I can’t return them.

Easily replaced expired Nest detectors with compatible ones.

If I could give them zero stars I would. They are the worst smoke/carbon monoxide detector I've ever owned. My next smoke/co detectors worked perfectly for 10 years. These were supposed to be the replacement. They will go off in the middle of the night for no reason and your kids will freak out. DO NOT BUY THEM! And their customer service is a joke too.

Bought several of these to replace expired Nest Protect smoke/CO detectors. Was immediately disappointed by the cheap feeling quality and poor design compared to the Nest Protects. The set up process was in their app and getting the detectors to integrate with Google Home was a clunkly process that took several tries. Barely 3 month after installing these First Alerts, they began having constant false alarms, usually in the middle of the night. Junk. Do not buy.

Already replaced all three of the units and few months later all three new ones go off randomly in the middle of the night

Not a good product. Tons of false alarms and changed out twice. Will be returning

It is terrible. I bought four and one of them gives me a false alarm.

Worst device ever, all windows closed, woke you up twice in midnight with no reason

I'm actually liking that more and more product are gaining wifi connectivity. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should definitely be in the smart home. The setup of this First Alert detector was very simple and frustration free. Just download the app, make an account, and follow along with the directions. Installation is also very simple. Just 2 wires if you have separate hard wired alarms, the 3rd wire (orange) is the interconnect wire if you have multiple alarms linked together. It's nice that this alarm uses a battery pack instead of having to replace batteries every year. You can almost forget about it after it's installed and set up. (for 10 years) Hopefully the only time you have to deal with it, is perhaps a misguided cooking adventure in the kitchen that goes awry. If this happens, it's great to have the smartphone app. You can get the alerts and silence the alarm from your phone. Great if the Smoke detectors are higher up in a peak. The app does work but right now it's pretty slow to respond. Hopefully that will be fixed with an update. I even like the design of this smoke/Co2 detector, looks more modern and updated. I definitely recommend this First Alert alarm.

Very disappointed with this smoke detector. It malfunctioned just 3 weeks after installed. Made me go in complete panic for no reason.

For years I have wondered why smoke detectors continue to work as they do... Nothing smart or intelligent about them. They beep for an alarm, beep when the battery is dying, beep when they need to be replaced, cannot be muted, and (depending on where they are located) can be prone to false alarms. I have numerous IoT devices in my house and wondered when smoke detectors would finally join the fold. Well, I do not have to wait anymore. This combination smoke/carbon monoxide detector connects to an application on my smartphone via my home's wireless network. I can monitor its status from my phone and, if it detects anything (smoke or carbon monoxide), I receive a notification on my phone. This hardwired detector was very easy to install. The faceplate is what I would call a standard size that attached easily to the junction box in my ceiling. The wiring matched up perfectly with what was already in place (then again, I believe my previous smoke detectors were First Alert detectors as well). Given the technology built into the detector, there was some setup required through the smartphone app. A nice feature was that the smoke detector actually spoke to me in plain English (I believe Spanish and maybe French is an option too). No mysterious beep patterns to try and figure out! The setup through the app was pretty straightforward and easy. (Hint. Download the app first. It provides step-by-step installation and setup instructions. I kind of did it backward and installed first, then opened the app.) The unit has a special battery built into it that can be disconnected and swapped out. No 9 volt battery, though. It is also supposed to be replaced after 10 years (which is pretty common for smoke detectors; they do not last forever). If you have a lot of detectors in your house, however, that can be pricy to replace them all at once. Unfortunately (or fortunately, actually), I have no idea how well the unit detects smoke or carbon monoxide, so i cannot rate the detector on those factors. Then again, that can be said for essentially any detector unless you physically test it with smoke or bump gasses (CO). This detector is interconnected, so I would assume it beeps when others do. I do not know, though, if it will send a message through the app if another detector in the house goes off. While I am not sure it matters to anyone, the detector is a little larger than a traditional smoke detector, so that may be something to keep in mind (if you are worried about the aesthetic of the detector). So, in brief, as other detectors in my house reach the end of their 10-year life, I will probably replace them with this detector because it can be managed through a smartphone app and they all work together, which is a nice feature.

The ubiquitous and simple smoke alarm has received a major tech upgrade. Behold, the First Alert SC5, which does a lot more than just hang on the wall sniff for smoke.... and sometimes chirp annoyingly (always in the middle of the night) when the battery gets low. This one multi-tasks, keeping tabs on not only smoke but deadly carbon monoxide. It's also smart and well-connected, able to alert you via smartphone of problems, no matter where that may be at the time. And did I mention it talks now too...and has a big square test button in the middle that glows different colors, depending on what the device is doing? Yep, that is how far we have come from the days when smoke alarms were set and forget devices that did just one thing pretty well -- and were pretty inexpensive to boot. About that. This new one from First Alert is not. Inexpensive that is. You have to pay up if want all those new abilities from your next smoke alarm. Keep in mind this is a top-of-the-line model that does pretty anything a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector can be expected to do, and then some. That includes the capability of being tied in to a Google Nest Protect system, if you already have one of those. Or another compatible hard-wired smoke alarm, if your home already is wired that way. That means both alarms go off at the same time if one detects any problems. Even if you don't have either of these setups, this First Alert model is a breeze to install, especially if you are replacing an existing First Alert alarm. That's because it uses the same wiring harness, and can plug right in (this is a wired model with battery backup). You will have replace the round wall mount but that usually is a simple matter since they are typically held in place by two screws. Just pull the old one off, install the new mount that comes with the smoke detector. But I am getting ahead of myself since the overall setup process is a bit more complicated and must be completed first, before the detector is mounted on the wall. That involves downloading the app, which oddly enough, is not found in the app store under First Alert but the company's owner's name, Resideo. You cannot set up this detector without it. Then you have to go through the usual registration nonsense. Then can you pull the clear plastic battery tab on the detector (which provides power) and begin the setup. The app, along with lights and voice prompts from the detector, walk you through each step. You will need to scan a QR code to identify your model and punch in your home Wi-Fi network information along the way. The detector should tell you when you have successfully completed setup. Then you can mount it on the wall. Be aware if you pull the battery tab too soon, the detector may time out mid-install and you will have to start over. (This happend to me) Install the app first, complete the registration, then pull the tab. One big advantage of having an app is you don't have to drag out a ladder and climb up to press the button to do the weekly tests. (Yes, that is recommended) You can do all that from your smart phone app, and then revel in the narration the detector spits out during the tests, including warning you the alarm will be very loud when it sounds. You know that, of course, but it is nice to be reminded. This is also when you get to see the test button glow different colors, since each function is color coded. Otherwise, the button light is off. But there is a small always-on green pilot light, to show the detector is getting power from the house. This particular model is also supposed to be fine tuned to avoid the kind of nuisance alarms that sometimes occur when cooking. And even if it does go off, you can shut it off with the app, instead of climbing the ladder or knocking it off the wall with a broom handle to get it to stop beeping. That's something you don't want to do anyway with a detector this expensive. This model comes with backup batteries and is supposed to work for 10 years. Replacement is recommended after that. And will remind you of that with those now familiar chirps.

I recently had to replace an aging smoke detector and decided to upgrade to a combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector. After some research, I landed on the First Alert Hardwired unit, and I'm very glad I did. This thing is a serious piece of equipment that gives me true peace of mind. Installation Was a Breeze (Mostly) I was a little apprehensive about the "hardwired" part, and while the process was straightforward, I felt more comfortable having an electrician handle the final connection. The unit comes with a quick-connect wiring harness that was compatible with my existing wiring. All the electrician had to do was attach the three wires to the new harness (black, white, and red for the interconnect feature), clip it in, and twist the detector onto the ceiling bracket. The whole process took less than 15 minutes. The battery backup is a nice touch, too—no need to worry about power outages. Design & Features The detector itself is a simple, clean white disc that blends in perfectly with my ceiling. It's not a big, clunky eyesore like some of the older models. The single button on the front is easy to access for testing or hushing a false alarm (like when I burned some toast). I love that it clearly announces whether it's detecting smoke or carbon monoxide with a different tone and voice prompt. The interconnectivity feature is a major selling point for me; now I know that if one unit goes off, they all will, giving everyone in the house a loud and clear warning. Performance & Reliability So far, it's been rock solid. I've done a few tests to make sure it works, and it's loud and effective. I haven't had any false alarms, which is a huge plus. The hardwired connection means I don't have to constantly check the battery life, which was a constant worry with my old, purely battery-operated detectors. The peace of mind knowing that I have both smoke and CO detection from a single, reliable unit is worth every penny. Final Verdict If you're looking for a hardwired, reliable, and easy-to-install combination detector, the First Alert Hardwired is an excellent choice. It's well-designed, packed with the right features, and most importantly, it provides a crucial layer of safety for your home and family. I highly recommend it. Rating: ★★★★★

I've been waiting for the First Alert SC5 Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector since it was announced a few months ago. Getting the chance to review one as Tech Insider Network member is almost perfect timing for me. I've had 5 Nest Protect smoke+CO detectors in my home since just after we moved in 9 years ago, and since Google discontinued the product I've been anxiously waiting for the third party option to become available. Then, about 2 months ago one of my hardwired Protects gave up the ghost and I was forced to go down a protector while waiting. So yeah - almost perfect timing. The First Alert SC5 is marketed as the official replacement device for the Nest Protect detectors, and in that respect it's both surprisingly nice and also a little frustrating. The biggest benefit to getting the SC5s to replace your Nest Protects is the SC5 allows you to reuse your existing mounts and wiring harnesses. The SC5 comes with an adapter that converts the Nest harness so you don't do any splicing with this protector at all. You just remove your Nest from its twist mount, connect the adapter, connect the SC5, then twist it back on the mount. Perfect. I also think the SC5 looks suitably modern, though not as nice as the Nest Protects, unfortunately. It also syncs with your Nest Protects via the Google Home app, so you get the same benefits of wireless interconnects. However, that same connectivity with Nest and Google Home is also the main frustration I have with the First Alert SC5. I'd hoped that Google was just farming out the hardware production to a third party, and that software wise it would be a direct replacement for the Protect. That's not exactly true. In order to use the First Alert, you have to set up yet another IoT app on your phone, with yet another IoT account via Resideo, and to make matters even worse it doesn't support Google account login. Lastly, the SC5 doesn't show up in the Nest app itself - sure all my Protects show up in Google Home, but I'd rather it all be in the Nest app, too, which is easier to use for just these specific products. Finally, it's minor but I really wish the SC5 had the Pathway light that Nest Protect had. In conclusion - if you're a Nest Protect owner anxiously watching the expiration date for your Protects get closer and closer, the First Alert SC5 is a near perfect drop in replacement for your Protects. Just don't expect it to be 100% perfect.

I received this offer from First Alert – The SC5 smoke and carbon dioxide detector. This was a direct replacement for my Google Nest Protect as my protect was 10 years old and the Nest Protect is no longer being made. This product can be found on the Google store website and is stated to be the nest Ptotect’s successor. As such, it is stated to work with the Nest Ptotect mounting bracket and states that it comes with a direct connect adapter to the First Alert SC5. Install – COULD NOT HAVE BEEN EASIER!!! I removed the old Nest Protect and unhooked it from the power. I then used the included adapter specific to the Nest Protect wiring harness and a simple plug and play to this harness took 2 seconds. I then connected the included adapter to the detector unit and attached to the old Nest Protect mounting bracket. Total install time – 60 seconds as long as you are replacing Nest Protect to First Alert. I did not need to turn off the power to the area as this was a plug and play adapter to harness – no touching of wires. In case you are not replacing a Nest Protect, there is an included wiring harness with wiring nuts and of course the mounting bracket. Connecting the device to the First Alert by Resideo app took approximately 2 minutes including connecting to wifi and setting up link to Google Home. Total Install time 3 minutes. I ran a system test and it runs though both tests – smoke and CO. Please note the alarms are quite loud. After verifying the unit was operating properly, I made sure the Google Home integration was operational – and it worked flawlessly. My only con of this device is it does not have the motion sensor to light your pathway when in the dark (the Nest Protect had this feature and it was very handy in the dark). The First Alert website product page states this may be added in future renditions so I am guessing lots of owners liked this feature of the Nest Protect – including me). Being touted as a replacement for the Nest Protect, and coming in at it a premium price compared to other products available, this feature should have been included. All in all – good product

I have eight Nest Protect smoke/CO detectors that have served me well. The oldest one is about 8-years old. They expire after 10 years. Unfortunately, the Nest Protects have been discontinued and the First Alert SC5 is the official replacement. So, I replaced my oldest Nest Protect with the First Alert SC. It was pretty seamless exchange. The First Alert and the Nest Protect ceiling mounts are the same, and the First Alert comes with a wiring adapter harness that connects your existing Nest Protect wiring to the plug on the First Alert. The First Alert looks good and seems well made. You will need to download the First Alert app and create an account to connect to the smoke/CO detector. You can then link the detector to the Google Home App, so that it is synced with your other Nest Protects, but it will not show up in the Nest app. It does not have the Pathway light that the Nest Protect has. It seems to be a good functional replacement for the Nest Protect, but with the missing Pathway light and not showing up with the other Nest Protects in the Nest app, it is a slight downgrade to what was given with the Nest Protect, so I’d give it 4 out of 5 stars.

We have 3 Nest Protects in our house and have loved the ability to control and monitor them from our phones, along with the interconnected nature of the devices. With Nest shutting down that division, First Alert appears to have picked up the slack and has built a device that mirrors the older Protects and will end up being the perfect replacement when those old ones hit the end of their life. Installation and setup were a breeze with the included wiring and bracket. I would appreciate being able to control the device through the Google app, but First Alert's app is very user friendly and intuitive. Fortunately we haven't had any incidents that have set it off, but on testing it is loud and you will get alerts on your devices. Overall, I'm very happy that First Alert, one of the most recognizable names in smoke detectors, is the one carrying this flag for a smart device. It's well built, well thought out and easy to install and use. Being able to monitor remotely gives additional piece of mind and the ability to call for help if something happens when you're not at home. You can't put a price on being able to save a family member or pet. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking to replace a hardwired detector!

It’s getting time to replace my Google Nest Protect detectors. The First Alert SC5 is touted as the replacement for my Nest Protect model. While this model fits into the mounting brackets and wiring. It does not have all the same features the Google Nest. Initial setup via the First Alert app went without any problems. To utilize smart features requires the installation of the application found at resideo.com.us.en/first-alert-app/. This means that if you are looking for a plug and play detector this is not it. What is up with that annoying green light that is constantly on. It suits no real purpose, with the application all it needs to do is send a notification to your phone that it lost power. For that purpose, I could not install this in the bedroom, the light kept me awake. During testing I found the quality of the voice playback to be lacking. From a distance it is hard to understand what is being said. The loss of the path light feature is a real setback. As I was adding this detector to my existing network I found that my nest application does not support the SC5, however once installed it works properly if you test the Nest Protect the SC5 will also go off and visa versa. Keep in mind that the Google Nest protect is no longer available.