First Alert Interconnected Wireless Smoke Alarm

Last updated: October 7, 2020

First Alert Interconnected Wireless Smoke Alarm
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We looked at the top Smoke Detectors and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Smoke Detector you should buy.

Overall Take

In our analysis of 58 expert reviews, the First Alert Interconnected Wireless Smoke Alarm placed 7th when we looked at the top 10 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

This First Alert SA511CN2-3ST Interconnected Wireless Smoke Alarm with Voice Location features an 85-decibel siren and voice alarm with 11 programmable locations that tells you where the danger is located. A photoelectric sensor detects smoke while minimizing false alarms from cooking or shower steam. These interconnected smoke detectors come in a convenient pack of 2 and are designed to work together throughout your home, with one alarm triggering the other alarm during an emergency, creating a home safety network. You can wirelessly connect it with up to 18 other First Alert enabled alarms in your home. The battery-operated alarms don’t require hardwiring for installation and will provide con tinued monitoring even in the event of a power failure. In the event of a fire every second counts. If a fire were to begin in your basement and the alarm there sounded, you may not hear it right away if you’re sound asleep two floors up. With traditional battery-operated alarms, you lose valuable time waiting for the smoke to rise to another alarm, on another level, before the alarm on your floor sounds. But with First Alert ONELINK alarms, if one detects danger, they all sound. This can alert you sooner, and it increases your chances of getting out safely. Until now, alarms that could signal each other were only available in homes with hardwired alarms requiring installation from an electrician. But First Alert ONELINK alarms communicate without wires. ONE Link-with Voice Location Smoke alarm is programmable with up to 11 locations in your home – when alarm sounds it will tell you the location of the smoke. The wireless feature allows multiple alarms to talk to each other – when one alarm sounds, they all sound. The wireless network operates on 914 MHZ 3 channels and will not interfere with other electronics. The ONELINK smoke alarms uses photoelectric sensing technology which is environmentally friendlier and which reduces nuisance alarms, making it ideal for cooking areas. It is also great for sensing slow smoldering fires quickly. A low battery signal alerts you to replace the battery. The test/silence button both silences a non-threatening alarm or low battery warning and allows you to test the unit’s functionality. The AA batteries are easy to install in the convenient pullout battery drawer. Two AA batteries included.

Expert Reviews


What experts liked

This model is a photoelectric alarm, so it’s effective against both slow-burning, smoldering fires and fast-burning, flaming fires.
Speaking of which, the device can be connected to up to 18 more smoke alarms, making the First Alert SA511CN2-3ST a great fit for larger homes.
- Tuck
Meanwhile, the SA511CN2-3ST is also designed to prevent false alarms and it won’t sound as a result of shower steam or cooking.
Not only is it a wireless smoke alarm that can wirelessly connect throughout your home, the Voice Location will tell you exactly where the fire is, saving valuable time by directing you to the right location.
They also appreciate that this alarm has loud voice prompts indicating which smoke is detected and most say they have no problem with false alarms.
This First Alert Smoke Alarm is battery operated with an 85-decibel alarm and 11 programmable locations that use voice alerts to tell the family which room is in danger.
- Safety
The smoke detector employs the photoelectric sensing technology, which makes it very efficient.
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What experts didn't like

The main downside to our First Alert pick is that the wireless units are available only with photoelectric sensors—none of the company’s ionization alarms have wireless connectivity.
Connecting multiple units can be problematic.
The batteries are drained faster than with other comparable models.
No long run.
View our Smoke Detector buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.

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