The 4 Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors in 2022

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can leak from improperly ventilated engines and appliances in your home. In large amounts, it can be deadly to you and your family. Having a CO detector in your house can help you and your family avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

There are multiple types out there, from battery-operated to full-on smart detectors. But not all are created equal. As such, finding the best carbon monoxide detector for your home should be a top priority. We’ve rounded out some of the best options here.

What to Look for When Buying Carbon Monoxide Detectors

There’s a lot to take into account. Mark Dawson, the chief operating officer of Mister Sparkly, an electrical company, suggests choosing one that stores data about past CO levels.

“Carbon monoxide detectors with displays that include a history of your home’s CO concentration are extremely beneficial and make it easier to assess any potential issues or dangers that may arise,” Dawson says. Further, he recommends avoiding plug-in detectors, because gas can rise from the floor and compromise them.

Also think about what other features you need. Basic detectors warn you when your home’s CO levels become too high, but smart options may offer a more detailed analysis of your home’s environment and connect to your smart home ecosystem.

Some carbon monoxide detectors come with smoke alarms, too. These can have ionization sensors, which pick up on flames and fast-burning fires, as well as photoelectric sensors, which detecting smoky and smoldering fires. Dual-sensor detectors come with both types.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what kind of detector you need. Dawson recommends going with a device that’s hardwired and offers a backup battery. This way, you avoid changing out the batteries regularly.

Evaluation Criteria

To choose the best carbon monoxide detectors, we took into account best features, pricing, expert recommendations and user reviews.