Aqara Smart Smoke Detector vs First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm

The First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm is the stronger all-round safety device because it detects both smoke and carbon monoxide, adds a steam-check filter to cut nuisance alarms, and carries a 10-year warranty. The Aqara Smart Smoke Detector counters as the more affordable, better-rated unit with wider smart-home integrations, but it detects smoke only.

The biggest difference is hazard coverage and connectivity. The First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm senses both smoke and carbon monoxide over Wi-Fi and works with Google Home, while the Aqara Smart Smoke Detector is a smoke-only Zigbee device that needs a hub but plugs into Apple HomeKit, Home Assistant, IFTTT and Matter.

No. The Aqara Smart Smoke Detector detects smoke and fire only, with no CO sensor. The First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm includes an electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor alongside its photoelectric smoke sensor, so it warns of both hazards from one unit.

The Aqara Smart Smoke Detector integrates with more platforms, supporting Apple HomeKit, Home Assistant, IFTTT and Matter over Zigbee, and it adds a color LED light. The First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm works with Google Home over Wi-Fi and focuses on standalone smoke and CO protection rather than broad automation.

Buy the First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm if you want combined smoke and carbon monoxide detection in one device, value voice alerts that announce the type and location of danger, and want the reassurance of a 10-year warranty and steam-check nuisance-alarm filtering.

Buy the Aqara Smart Smoke Detector if you already run a Zigbee, Apple HomeKit, Home Assistant or Matter setup, want the more affordable and better-rated unit, and want smoke detection tied into automations with a built-in color LED, and you do not need carbon monoxide sensing.