“The Ring Listener is the smartest upgrade for homes with existing wired detectors — $35 beats replacing every detector in the house”
The Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener ($35) is worth considering with a 7.8/10 consensus score across 7 expert reviews. Experts highlight adds smart alerts to existing detectors without replacing them and $35 upgrade cost — lowest barrier to remote monitoring. Wirecutter says: "The Ring Listener is the smartest upgrade for homes with existing wired detector..." Best for: Ring Alarm owners, Renters with existing hardwired detectors, Budget smart upgrades.

Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener
Smoke & CO
SmartHomeExplorer proprietary rating
7 expert sources
The Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener earns a SHE Score of 6.2/10, driven by strong value (10/10) with room to improve in future-proofing (5/10). Based on 7 expert sources and SmartHomeExplorer compatibility analysis.
How we calculate the SHE Score →Expert Consensus: 7.8/10 across 7 sources
Last verified:“The Ring Listener is the smartest upgrade for homes with existing wired detectors — $35 beats replacing every detector in the house”
Key Features
- ✓ Adds alerts to existing detectors
- ✓ $35 upgrade
- ✓ Ring ecosystem integration
- ✓ Works any brand
Best For
What Experts Agree On
What Experts Love
- ✓ Adds smart alerts to existing detectors without replacing them
- ✓ $35 upgrade cost — lowest barrier to remote monitoring
- ✓ Works with any brand of existing hardwired detector
- ✓ Integrates with Ring Alarm system and Alexa
Common Criticisms
- ✗ No independent sensing — depends entirely on existing detector quality
- ✗ 1-2 minute notification delay as it listens for alarm audio
- ✗ Requires Ring Alarm base station ($99+)
- ✗ False alarm rate inherited from underlying detector
What The Experts Say
“Best solution for renters who can't replace hardwired detectors — adds smart notification capability to whatever's already installed”
Ready to buy the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener?
Check Price on Amazon$35 · 7 expert sources · 7.8/10 consensus
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener worth it?
Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener earns a 7.8/10 consensus score across our 12 expert sources. It is rated "Good Value" — Ring Alarm owners. At $35, The Ring Listener is the smartest upgrade for homes with existing wired detectors — $35 beats replacing every detector i...
Who is the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener best for?
Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener is best for: Ring Alarm owners, Renters with existing hardwired detectors, Budget smart upgrades. Experts rate it "Good Value" overall.
How does the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener compare to other Security options?
Among the Security products we have reviewed, Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener ranks above average with a 7.8/10 score. Best solution for renters who can't replace hardwired detectors — adds smart notification capability to whatever's alrea...
What smart home systems does the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener work with?
Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener works with Amazon Alexa. Check our compatibility notes on the product page for any setup requirements or hub dependencies.
What are the pros and cons of the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener?
The main pros of the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener are adds smart alerts to existing detectors without replacing them and $35 upgrade cost — lowest barrier to remote monitoring. The main downside is no independent sensing — depends entirely on existing detector quality. Overall, experts rate it "Good Value" with a 7.8/10 consensus score.
Affiliate disclosure: SmartHomeExplorer.com participates in the Amazon Associates program. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This consensus review is based on 7 independent expert reviews — we did not test this product ourselves. Always verify current prices and availability before purchasing.

