Professional Guide

Best Smoke Alarms for Home Safety: 2025 Expert Review

Oli at OR Electrics

18th Edition Electrician & Owner

Published 17 December 2025

Electrical fires are a real worry for many homeowners. In older properties, like the back-to-back terraces we have here in Leeds, fire can spread frighteningly fast through shared voids. The first line of defence isn't your fuse board; it's a working smoke alarm.

Whilst as an electrician I always advise mains-interlinked alarms (Grade D) where possible, I realise that chasing wires into solid brick walls isn't always an option immediately. High-quality battery alarms are vital for bridging that gap and ensuring you have coverage on every level of your home.

In this review, I've looked at three battery-powered options that comply with UK standards. Whether you need a budget fix, a multi-pack for a larger property, or a direct replacement for an old unit, here is what I recommend.

Live in Leeds?

Worried about your home's wiring?

Get a safety check from a local expert.

Get a Quote

Specs vs. The Real World

The Spec: "10-Year Battery Life"

The Theory

"You stick it on the ceiling and forget about it for a decade."

The Reality

Batteries might last 10 years, but sensors get dirty. Dust, spiders, and cooking grease can block the optical chamber or cause false alarms long before the battery dies. You must vacuum them regularly.

The Spec: "'Toast Proof' / Kitchen Use"

The Theory

"Optical sensors won't go off when you burn the toast."

The Reality

Optical alarms are better than the old ionisation ones, but they are not heat alarms. If you put a smoke alarm directly in the kitchen, it will likely go off at Sunday dinner. Use a Heat Alarm strictly for the kitchen.

My Top 3 Recommendations

Three options to cover different needs and budgets

Smoke Alarms for Home, 10-Year Battery, Smoke Alarm, Fire Alarm with Test/Silence Button

Budget Pick

WISUALARM

If you simply need to get an alarm up to meet basic safety requirements without spending a fortune, this WISUALARM unit does the job. It's TUV certified to EN14604, which is the crucial standard we look for in the UK. It's basic, but functional.

Price£8.94 (at the time of writing)

BrandWISUALARM

Battery TypeSealed 10-Year

StandardEN14604 Certified

The Good

Very affordable price point for a sealed battery unit
Includes a silence button (essential for hallway mounting)
Certified to European EN14604 standard

The Bad

Generic aesthetics may not suit all decors
Adhesive pads can damage older plaster/wallpaper upon removal

Installer Tip:

Don't rely just on the sticky pad if you're putting this on a textured ceiling or old Victorian flock wallpaper. Use the screws provided to ensure it doesn't fall off in the middle of the night.

Priced at £8.94 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

2 Pack Smoke Alarms for Home – 10-Year Life Fire Alarms with 5-Year Replaceable Battery

Quality Choice

TEFLERON

This TEFLERON twin pack offers excellent value for kitting out a standard two-storey home (typically one for the hallway, one for the landing). Unlike fully sealed units, these have a replaceable battery which some homeowners favour to reduce electronic waste.

Price£14.99 (at the time of writing)

BrandTEFLERON

Sensor Life10 Years

Battery5-Year Replaceable

The Good

Great value for a 2-pack (£7.50 per unit)
Replaceable battery reduces plastic waste compared to sealed disposables
Flame-retardant ABS construction feels robust

The Bad

You will need to remember to change the battery after 5 years (unlike 10-year sealed units)
Slightly bulkier design than some ultra-slim models

Installer Tip:

Because this is a twin pack, it's perfect for a standard Leeds semi-detached. Mount one at the bottom of the stairs and one on the landing ceiling directly above. This ensures the alarm sound travels effectively between floors.

Priced at £14.99 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

FireAngel Optical Smoke Alarm - FA6620 10-Year Battery Smoke Alarms for Home

Problem-Solving

FireAngel

FireAngel is a brand I see in thousands of homes across Leeds. This FA6620 is a lifesaver because it fits the same baseplate as the discontinued ST-622 and ST-620 models. If you have an old FireAngel that's started beeping, you can swap this on without drilling new holes.

Price£12.98 (at the time of writing)

BrandFireAngel

CompatibilityReplaces ST-622 / ST-620

TechnologyOptical Sensing Chamber

The Good

Direct replacement for popular older models - no drilling required
Trusted UK brand used by Fire & Rescue services
Superior 'Simmple' optical sensing reduces nuisance alarms

The Bad

Slightly more expensive per unit than generic brands
Once attached to the baseplate, the 10-year timer activates permanently

Installer Tip:

If you are replacing an old ST-622, check the date on your baseplate. Even though this unit fits, if the plastic baseplate is yellowed or brittle (common in sunny landings), it's worth unscrewing it and fitting the fresh white one included in the box.

Priced at £12.98 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Which smoke alarm is best for a kitchen?

None of the smoke alarms listed here should be placed directly in a kitchen. For kitchens, you need a 'Heat Alarm'. Smoke alarms (even optical ones) will trigger constantly due to cooking fumes or steam from the kettle. Install a smoke alarm in the hallway outside the kitchen instead.

How often should I test my smoke alarms?

Test them weekly by pressing the button. I know folks forget, but try to tie it to a routine, like taking the bins out. Also, run a vacuum cleaner nozzle over the vents every 6 months to remove dust—this is the number one cause of nuisance tripping with these batter units.

What is the difference between optical and ionisation alarms?

Optical alarms (like the FireAngel and TEFLERON models reviewed) 'see' smoke particles and are better at detecting slow-smouldering fires (like upholstery or wiring faults). Ionisation alarms are older technology. Optical is generally preferred for circulation spaces like hallways and landings.

My smoke alarm keeps beeping but there is no fire, what's wrong?

This is usually one of three things: the battery is low (single chirp every minute), the sensor is dirty (vacuum it!), or the unit has reached its 10-year end-of-life. If cleaning doesn't work, replace the unit immediately.

Can I install these myself?

Yes, all the battery alarms reviewed here are designed for DIY installation. However, if you are a landlord renting out a property, or if your home is undergoing major renovation (building regs applications), you may legally require mains-powered interlinked alarms. In that case, you'll need one of us from OR Electrics to install them properly.

What are the rules for smoke alarms in rented properties?

In Leeds and across the UK, private landlords must equip every storey of living accommodation with a smoke alarm. They must also have a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel burning appliance (though we advise them for gas too). These must be tested at the start of every new tenancy.

Need Professional Fault Finding & Repairs?

Our team at OR Electrics specialises in Fault Finding & Repairs across Leeds.

Get a free quote for professional installation.

View Our Fault Finding & Repairs Service