WI
“The Ring Listener is the smartest upgrade for homes with existing wired detectors — $35 beats replacing every detector in the house”
Is the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener worth it?
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.
Good Value7 Expert Reviews
Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener
NM
Nicholas Miles · Editor-in-Chief & Methodology Owner
Smoke & CO
SHE ScoreAbove Average
SmartHomeExplorer proprietary rating
6.2/10
7 expert sources
Compatibility Breadth5/10
Setup Ease5.4/10
Reliability5.8/10
Value Rating10/10
Future-Proofing5/10
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
Updated:“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
Ring Alarm ownersRenters with existing hardwired detectorsBudget smart upgrades
Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener vs. the alternatives
How the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener stacks up against other Security options on price, expert consensus, and our proprietary SHE Score.
| Product | Price | Consensus | SHE Score | Works With | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring Alarm Smoke & CO ListenerThis page | $35 | 7.8/10 | 6.2/10 | Amazon Alexa | 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 |
| Kidde Smart Detect | $55 | 7.6/10 | 6.2/10 | major smart home platforms | Good Value |
The Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener ($35) earns a 7.8/10 expert consensus and a 6.2/10 SHE Score across 7 sources, versus the Eufy Security S330 Video Doorbell at $98.99 (8.7/10 consensus). It works with Amazon Alexa.
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
Tap any pick to check its live July 4th price on Amazon.
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What The Experts Say
CN
“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
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener worth it?
The Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener earns a 7.8/10 consensus score across 7 expert sources and is rated "Good Value". At $35, it is best for Ring Alarm owners. Wirecutter notes: "The Ring Listener is the smartest upgrade for homes with existing wired detectors — $35 beats replacing every detector in the hous..."
How much does the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener cost?
The Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener is priced at $35. With a 7.8/10 score from 7 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 Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener best for?
The Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener is best for Ring Alarm owners, Renters with existing hardwired detectors, Budget smart upgrades. Experts rate it "Good Value" with a 7.8/10 consensus across 7 sources.
How does the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener compare to other Security options?
Among the Security products we have aggregated, the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener ranks above average with a 7.8/10 score. CNET adds: "Best solution for renters who can't replace hardwired detectors — adds smart notification capability to whatever's already install..."
What smart home systems does the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener work with?
The Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener works with Amazon Alexa. Check the compatibility notes above for any hub dependencies or setup requirements before you buy.
What are the best alternatives to the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener?
If the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener ($35, 7.8/10) is not the right fit, the closest alternatives in Security are Google Nest Protect, Kidde Smart Detect, Ecolink FireFighter. Compare them on price, ecosystem support, and expert consensus to find your match.
What are the pros and cons of the Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener?
The main strengths 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 most-cited downside is no independent sensing — depends entirely on existing detector quality. Overall, 7 expert sources rate it "Good Value" with a 7.8/10 consensus score.
Sources & Methodology
This review aggregates 7 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 7 independent expert reviews — we did not test this product ourselves. Always verify current prices and availability before purchasing.