Kidde 4+

Detectors and app easy to use and set up

I had a small hiccup when attempting to connect one of the 9 smoke detectors in my home with the app. Called customer support and their suggestion that I put the detector back on the bracket to do the wifi setup did the trick.
I have a few things I’d like to see improved in the app- I look at the air quality data often and love the hourly histogram. It would be great if I could see histogram at hourly interval for a longer than 24 hour window. Also while looking histogram data there’s no label on the view showing what room it is, you have to back up to an earlier screen to see the room name.
Overall this system has features I like over the nest- I can get detectors for smoke, AQI and with or without CO. Since my house is all electric I opted to get detectors that don’t do CO, but I’m very keen on keeping track of AQI since we have a very tight house. Google nest can’t deliver that. All their detectors are combo smoke and CO. No other combinations / choices possible.

Terrible device and app is now paywalled

I got smart detectors with 10 year battery because our old system was due to be replaced. I was out of town and for the last 2 nights I started getting false alarms late at night in the app, followed by phone calls from my angry wife and terrified children. Despite there being no smoke, and the devices being clean as a whistle when I got home, the app was telling me there was "too much smoke to hush" the alarms. They were just installed in April, and there is zero smoke in the house. Today while trying to troubleshoot the app it was updated and now they want me to sign up for a plan to view air quality data that I already paid a premium for when choosing the device. Avoid Kidde products and the app. This is worse than the MyQ debacle, in my opinion.

Regarding the developer response: The detectors are clean. I expected to come home and see dusty sensors but they were totally spotless. There were no aerosols as people were sleeping. If you have to deal with these alarms when a spider farts in the room it's a terrible product that shouldn't be on the market, and the quality certainly isn't worth a subscription. I know you want a sensitive product in order to save lives, but the specificity in detecting smoke vs false alarms is just as critical.

Developer Response ,

If a detector is dirty it may cause a false alarm. Reasons the alarm can sound is due to dust, debris, bugs, insects that can contaminate the sensor of the alarm. To help prevent this clean the unit with a can of compressed air, blow across in a circular motion of the alarm to ensure that there is no dust build-up or bugs/insects that have gotten into the unit. Another possible cause is aerosols or air fresheners in the home, this can trigger the alarm to sound.

The app will show Termperature, humidity, and TVOC for all IAQ devices. If you enroll in the subscription plan you will receive Mold Risk, Weekly Reports and Confort readings as well.

Thank You, Kidde Mobile Support.

Carbon Monoxide and Air Quality Monitor

This product has helped us keep our dog safe in the garage for a few years now. It is air conditioned, but there is lots of yard equipment and our water heater in the garage. She is safely contained in a dog pen for space, and has no access to anything harmful. However, we were worried about the silent killers in the air! This allows us to conveniently keep track of the air quality and potential for carbon monoxide, with helpful cell phone app and alerts if things go wrong! Thank you Kidde for being a trusted brand for generations of family and home safety. My Father was a Medic/Firefighter and Assistant Fire Marshall for 22 years. We have always been able to rely on your company for the best products in Fire/smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and even home fire extinguishers.