The Top 10 Smart Fire Alarm Brands Ranked by Ease-of-installation (September 2020)

Based on reviews posted on popular review sites as well as from Nest Protect's website, Nest Protect performs very well in terms of ease-of-set-up relative to other smart smoke detector brands.

The review site tomsguide.com gives Nest Protect excellent ratings for ease-of-set-up in a review posted on its website. Here's a brief quote from this review:

To install the Nest Protect, you first screw a base plate into the ceiling, and then attach the main body of the smoke detector onto the base plate. Then, you connect to it using the Nest app on your smartphone (Android and iOS), specifying, among other things, in which room the Nest Protect is located. It's a fairly simple process that took me about 5-10 minutes.

One reviewer on cnet.com said Nest Protect performs well on ease-of-set-up relative to its peers. You can read the full review here. Here's a brief quote from this review:

Given that the Protect has to be installed near your ceiling, it might take you a little longer than a typical plug-and-play smart-home device. I opted for a battery-powered model so I could test it in different locations; it comes with six Energizer Ultimate Lithium (L91) AA batteries. Installing the hard-wired version yourself (also $99), will also require a basic comfort level with home electrical systems. For the initial setup, it took me about 10 minutes from start to finish. As always, consult a professional if you have any installation questions or concerns.

The review site toptenreviews.com gives Nest Protect excellent ratings for ease-of-set-up in a review posted on its website. Specifically, this reviewer pointed out the following:

Based on our tests of smart smoke detectors on the market today, we believe that Nest Protect is the best of the group. It has outstanding detection capabilities and innovative alerts that let you know exactly what threat your home is facing and how to proceed. It’s intuitive to install and its high compatibility with third-party products is a huge selling point as well. The only gripe we have is the relatively short warranty.

Learn more at the company's website.

You can also check out the top 10 smoke & carbon monoxide detector brands for ease-of-set-up, or the overall best-performing smart smoke detector brands on our main review grid.

Looking for Nest Protect coupons? Check out the latest deals here. Want more reviews on Nest Protect? Read a more in-depth review of Nest Protect on this page.

— reviewed Nest Protect on June 24, 2019, Read all 2 ease-of-installation reviews.

Based on reviews posted on popular review sites as well as from Kidde Smoke & CO Detector's website, Kidde Smoke & CO Detector performs very well in terms of ease-of-set-up relative to other smart smoke detector brands.

The review site toptenreviews.com gives Kidde Smoke & CO Detector excellent ratings for ease-of-set-up in a review posted on its website. Here's a brief quote from this review:

The Kidde KN-COSM-B-RF is a battery-powered smart smoke detector that’s easy to install, connect and use to monitor potential dangers in your home. When you connect a few of these units together wirelessly, they work together to ensure every room is notified when one detects a threat. The detector also has a voice alarm that lets you know how to proceed. However, it took a relatively long time for an alarm to sound in our detection tests, and you can’t hardwire the device to your home’s electrical system.

The review site amazon.com gives Kidde Smoke & CO Detector excellent ratings for ease-of-set-up in a review posted on its website. Specifically, this reviewer pointed out the following:

Easy to install, easy to maintain. In NYC it is the law to have at least one alarm in one's apartment. I have more than one. Many deaths could have been prevented by having a working alarm. Don't take chances. Safety is paramount. If you are a smoking fool, it is possible that your tobacco smoke many trigger the alarm though. I find it sensitive when my wife cooks something using high heat.

Learn more at the company's website.

You can also check out the top 10 smoke & carbon monoxide detector brands for ease-of-set-up, or the overall best-performing smoke & carbon monoxide detector brands on our main review grid.

Looking for Kidde Smoke & CO Detector coupons? Check out the latest deals here. Want more reviews on Kidde Smoke & CO Detector? Read a more in-depth review of Kidde Smoke & CO Detector on this page.

— reviewed Kidde Smoke & CO Detector on June 23, 2019, Read all 2 ease-of-installation reviews.

Based on reviews posted on popular review sites as well as from First Alert Onlink Safe and Sound's website, First Alert Onlink Safe and Sound performs very well in terms of ease-of-set-up relative to other smart smoke detector brands.

One reviewer on pcmag.com said First Alert Onlink Safe and Sound performs well on ease-of-set-up relative to its peers. You can read the full review here. Specifically, this reviewer pointed out the following:

Installing the Onelink Safe & Sound isn't difficult, but it requires hardwiring to a junction box, so if you're not familiar or comfortable with home wiring, you should hire an electrician to do the job. That said, if you are replacing an existing hardwired alarm, it is very quick and easy, especially if you're replacing a First Alert alarm, which is what I did. To start, I shut off power to my existing alarm at the circuit breaker, unplugged it, and removed it and its mounting plate. Using the included screws, I attached the new mounting plate to the ceiling and plugged the power connector into the port on the Safe & Sound alarm. I attached the alarm to the plate, twisted it to secure it in place, and restored power to the circuit. Once powered up, the alarm gave a quick chirp, the LED began blinking blue, and a voice instructed me to download the app and follow the on-screen instructions. I downloaded the app and tapped the plus button to add a device. I selected Safe & Sound from the list and selected a room and a name. At this point you can choose to watch an installation video or continue on, and the app will search for the alarm. It found my alarm immediately and prompted me to scan in the HomeKit code located on the base.

Based on a review posted on tomsguide.com, First Alert Onlink Safe and Sound was rated as fairly average for ease-of-set-up relative to competing smart smoke detector brands. Check out the entire review here. From this review:

Provided you have a hardwired alarm system, installing the OneLink Safe & Sound requires you to connect an adapter plug to the existing wires in the junction box to which you want to attach the alarm. Next, screw the mounting bracket to the box, plug the adapter into the OneLink and then twist it onto the bracket to secure the detector to your ceiling. Be sure this connection is secure; if it's not, the alarm will chirp once every minute, signifying that it's not receiving power.

The review site techhive.com gives First Alert Onlink Safe and Sound excellent ratings for ease-of-set-up in a review posted on its website. Specifically, this reviewer pointed out the following:

The Safe & Sound is available only as a hardwired, AC-powered unit (with a 10-year lithium backup battery), and while I found it a bit difficult to wedge into its mounting bracket, it installed simply and without incident. If your home is set up with smoke detectors wired in series, you can install multiple Onelinks so they’ll respond to problems in unison. In addition to Alexa, the Safe & Sound also supports Apple’s HomeKit, which modestly speeds up app setup if you have a HomeKit-capable hub.

Learn more at the company's website.

You can also check out the top 10 smart smoke detector brands for ease-of-set-up, or the overall best-performing smoke & carbon monoxide detector brands on our main review grid.

Looking for First Alert Onlink Safe and Sound coupons? Check out the latest deals here. Want more reviews on First Alert Onlink Safe and Sound? Read a more in-depth review of First Alert Onlink Safe and Sound on this page.

— reviewed First Alert Onelink Safe and Sound on June 24, 2019, Read all 2 ease-of-installation reviews.

Based on reviews posted on popular review sites as well as from Roost Smart Smoke Alarm's website, Roost Smart Smoke Alarm performs very well in terms of ease-of-set-up relative to other smart smoke detector brands.

Based on a review posted on techhive.com, Roost Smart Smoke Alarm was rated as fairly average for ease-of-set-up relative to competing smart smoke detector brands. Check out the entire review here. From this review:

Before you use either method, though, you’ll need to download the Roost app. Once you’re in, you’ll see an option to add a device (Roost also makes a smart-battery-powered water-leak detector). Select “Smart Battery” and identify which room in the house you’ll be putting it. From there, you’ll be prompted to follow reasonably simple setup instructions.

Based on a review posted on tomsguide.com, Roost Smart Smoke Alarm was rated as fairly average for ease-of-set-up relative to competing smart smoke detector brands. Check out the entire review here. From this review:

The biggest change between Roost's first- and second-generation smart battery is that the company simplified the setup process. Previously, the battery would emit a series of beeps and squeals, which would be picked up by the Roost smartphone app, as part of the configuration process.

One reviewer on amazon.com said Roost Smart Smoke Alarm performs well on ease-of-set-up relative to its peers. You can read the full review here. Here's a brief quote from this review:

I installed my Roost battery easily. The Roost app is nice and simple and intuitive. I did have to hit "try again" once when setting up my battery (I'm not sure why). The battery fits a bit tight in my alarm, but I was able to get it in. I tested my alarm after installing the Roost battery and got an alert on my smartphone. Apart from "retry again" issue it was pretty painless for me. I did not bother to contact customer service. So far I like it much more than Nest Protect it replaces (do not even get me started on that).

Learn more at the company's website.

You can also check out the top 10 smart smoke detector brands for ease-of-set-up, or the overall best-performing smoke & carbon monoxide detector brands on our main review grid.

Looking for Roost Smart Smoke Alarm coupons? Check out the latest deals here. Want more reviews on Roost Smart Smoke Alarm? Read a more in-depth review of Roost Smart Smoke Alarm on this page.

— reviewed Roost Smart Smoke Alarm on June 23, 2019, Read all 2 ease-of-installation reviews.

Based on ratings published by trusted online review sites as well as information from First Alert's website, First Alert performs average to better than average in terms of ease-of-set-up compared to other smart fire alarm manufacturers.

Based on a review posted on cnet.com, First Alert was rated as fairly average for ease-of-set-up relative to competing smart smoke detector brands. Check out the entire review here. From this review:

Physically installing the device is almost the same as installing any other battery powered or hard-wired smoke alarm. You'll need enough basic DIY skill to hang it on a wall for the battery version, and you'll need to be comfortable connecting a couple of wires for the hard-wired model.

Learn more at the company's website.

You can also check out the top 10 smart smoke detector brands for ease-of-set-up, or the overall best-performing smart fire alarm brands on our main review grid.

Looking for First Alert coupons? Check out the latest deals here. Want more reviews on First Alert? Read a more in-depth review of First Alert on this page.

— reviewed First Alert on August 7, 2019, Read all 2 ease-of-installation reviews.

Per online reviews as well based on researching Leeo Smart Alert's website, Leeo Smart Alert performs average to slightly below average in terms of ease-of-set-up when compared to other smoke & carbon monoxide detector brands.

The online review website pcmag.com, gave Leeo Smart Alert slightly below average ratings when it comes to ease-of-set-up versus other smoke & carbon monoxide detector brands. See the full review on pcmag.com's site. Here's a brief quote from this review:

Eh. Installation is a big pain and this can probably hear several different alarms rather than having to buy multiple Nests. I get it.

Learn more at the company's website.

You can also check out the top 10 smart smoke detector brands for ease-of-set-up, or the overall best-performing smoke & carbon monoxide detector manufacturers on our main review grid.

Looking for Leeo Smart Alert coupons? Check out the latest deals here. Want more reviews on Leeo Smart Alert? Read a more in-depth review of Leeo Smart Alert on this page.

— reviewed Leeo Smart Alert on August 7, 2019, Read all 2 ease-of-installation reviews.