In the lab, we expose detectors to both flaming fires and smoldering, smoky fires to see how well they detect fire and smoke, respectively.

And to figure out the right detectors for your home, read the accompanying buying guide. “I have never tested a model that failed our fire and smoke tests, and it is reassuring to know that such critical devices actually work.”įor a look at all the models we’ve tested, see our smoke and carbon monoxide detector ratings. “We need to test detectors because some fail at CO detection, and there are differences in how quickly different models respond to CO,” says Bernie Deitrick, Consumer Reports’ test engineer for smoke and CO detectors. While most detectors look similar and come certified by a testing organization such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or Intertek Electrical Testing Labs (ETL), their efficacy isn’t necessarily the same. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 400 Americans die from accidental CO poisoning every year, and about 100,000 end up in emergency departments. A smoke and carbon monoxide detector’s ability to sense carbon monoxide (CO) can mean the difference between life and death.

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