With the BF sales kicking off, and it being beyond time to replace smoke detectors, have been looking but also being disappointed in what I’ve seen. Expensive First Alert models seem to be abandoned, lots of reviews for false alarms all over the place, etc.
Running HomeKit but will be adding home assistant over the Xmas few week break. Have a baby and wife both of which would freak out on false alarms, and a few pretty high ceilings I don’t have an easy way to get to.
Was thinking something standalone + Zigbee with just rudimentary smarts, but not sure something truly reliable seems to exist.
Is it worth looking at anything ‘smart’ at this point? I’ve got 8-9 detectors or so to replace at this point.
I think the best approach is to go with standard “linked” detectors with hardwired signal+power, and then for automation you can get a “bridge” to will forward the signal from the wire to your home automation system.
Thanks - that’s what I’ve been leaning towards. I need to go check if the current ones are interconnected or not, but they are all hard-wired (and have been getting removed as it’s time, so really time to replace all around).
At this point I’d be ok if the ‘best’ were simply old school hard-wired and setting the HomePods to detect the alarms, but someone linked a zwave connector down below.
Any recommendations RE: brands?
The Zooz Zen55 is a good option. Works with Hardwired alarms and can be installed in the same box as the last detector in the line.