TO
“Kidde Smart Detect is the best budget smart smoke detector — phone alerts and CO detection at $55 with no subscription”
Is the Kidde Smart Detect worth it?
The Kidde Smart Detect ($55) is worth considering with a 7.6/10 consensus score across 8 expert reviews. Experts highlight no subscription required — phone alerts included free and battery-powered — no wiring needed. Tom's Guide says: "Kidde Smart Detect is the best budget smart smoke detector — phone alerts and CO..." Best for: Budget smart home upgrades, First-time smart detector buyers, Renters.
Good Value8 Expert Reviews
Kidde Smart Detect
NM
Nicholas Miles · Editor-in-Chief & Methodology Owner
Smoke & CO
SHE ScoreAbove Average
SmartHomeExplorer proprietary rating
6.2/10
8 expert sources
Compatibility Breadth5/10
Setup Ease5.3/10
Reliability5.9/10
Value Rating9.6/10
Future-Proofing5/10
The Kidde Smart Detect earns a SHE Score of 6.2/10, driven by strong value (9.6/10) with room to improve in future-proofing (5/10). Based on 8 expert sources and SmartHomeExplorer compatibility analysis.
How we calculate the SHE Score →Expert Consensus: 7.6/10 across 8 sources
Updated:“Kidde Smart Detect is the best budget smart smoke detector — phone alerts and CO detection at $55 with no subscription”
Key Features
- ✓ $55 price
- ✓ No subscription
- ✓ Battery powered
- ✓ Phone alerts
Best For
Budget smart home upgradesFirst-time smart detector buyersRenters
Kidde Smart Detect vs. the alternatives
How the Kidde Smart Detect stacks up against other Security options on price, expert consensus, and our proprietary SHE Score.
| Product | Price | Consensus | SHE Score | Works With | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kidde Smart DetectThis page | $55 | 7.6/10 | 6.2/10 | major smart home platforms | Good Value |
| Google Nest Protect | $119 | 8.9/10 | 6.2/10 | major smart home platforms | Must Buy |
| First Alert Onelink | $120 | 8.3/10 | 6.3/10 | Amazon Alexa | Recommended |
| X-Sense XS01-M | $22 | 7.2/10 | 6/10 | major smart home platforms | Good Value |
The Kidde Smart Detect ($55) earns a 7.6/10 expert consensus and a 6.2/10 SHE Score across 8 sources, versus the Eufy Security S330 Video Doorbell at $98.99 (8.7/10 consensus).
What Experts Agree On
What Experts Love
- ✓ No subscription required — phone alerts included free
- ✓ Battery-powered — no wiring needed
- ✓ Combination smoke and CO detection at budget price
- ✓ App notifications for remote monitoring
Common Criticisms
- ✗ Photoelectric only — no split-spectrum sensing
- ✗ No audio interconnect between units
- ✗ 0.8 false alarms per year — higher than Nest Protect
- ✗ Basic app compared to Google Home integration
Tap any pick to check its live July 4th price on Amazon.
Eufy eufyCam S330 4-Cam Kit (with HomeBase S380)
$499-$749Must BuyView on Amazon
eufy Security eufyCam S3 Pro 2-Cam Kit
$429.99Must BuyView on Amazon
Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus
$198Must BuyView on Amazon
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus
$179.99RecommendedView on Amazon
Reolink Go PT Ultra + SP2 Solar Panel
$199Must BuyView on Amazon
Eufy 4G LTE Cam S330
$199Must BuyView on Amazon
What The Experts Say
CN
“A solid step up from traditional detectors at a price that makes whole-home replacement financially practical”
Featured in these buying guides
See how the Kidde Smart Detect ranks against the full field in our Security buying guides.
Shop similar on Amazon
Comparable Security picks you can buy today — each link goes straight to its current Amazon listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kidde Smart Detect worth it?
The Kidde Smart Detect earns a 7.6/10 consensus score across 8 expert sources and is rated "Good Value". At $55, it is best for Budget smart home upgrades. Tom's Guide notes: "Kidde Smart Detect is the best budget smart smoke detector — phone alerts and CO detection at $55 with no subscription"
How much does the Kidde Smart Detect cost?
The Kidde Smart Detect is priced at $55. With a 7.6/10 score from 8 expert reviews and a "Good Value" rating, that price represents fair value relative to the ~7.5/10 average for Security products. Prices shift often, so check the live figure before buying.
Who is the Kidde Smart Detect best for?
The Kidde Smart Detect is best for Budget smart home upgrades, First-time smart detector buyers, Renters. Experts rate it "Good Value" with a 7.6/10 consensus across 8 sources.
How does the Kidde Smart Detect compare to other Security options?
Among the Security products we have aggregated, the Kidde Smart Detect ranks above average with a 7.6/10 score. CNET adds: "A solid step up from traditional detectors at a price that makes whole-home replacement financially practical"
What smart home systems does the Kidde Smart Detect work with?
The Kidde Smart Detect works with major smart home platforms. Check the compatibility notes above for any hub dependencies or setup requirements before you buy.
Does the Kidde Smart Detect need a hub or a subscription?
No mandatory subscription — the core features work without a monthly fee.
What are the best alternatives to the Kidde Smart Detect?
If the Kidde Smart Detect ($55, 7.6/10) is not the right fit, the closest alternatives in Security are Google Nest Protect, First Alert Onelink, X-Sense XS01-M. Compare them on price, ecosystem support, and expert consensus to find your match.
What are the pros and cons of the Kidde Smart Detect?
The main strengths of the Kidde Smart Detect are no subscription required — phone alerts included free and battery-powered — no wiring needed. The most-cited downside is photoelectric only — no split-spectrum sensing. Overall, 8 expert sources rate it "Good Value" with a 7.6/10 consensus score.
Sources & Methodology
This review aggregates 8 independent expert reviews into a single consensus score. See how we build consensus scores and the SHE Score methodology.
Expert review sources cited on this page:
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 8 independent expert reviews — we did not test this product ourselves. Always verify current prices and availability before purchasing.