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Smoke & CO Detectors · Head to head

Aqara Smart Smoke Detector vs Google Nest Protect (Wired)

Full Smart Smoke & CO Detectors comparison in 2026

Updated September 2026
Data from Amazon and official Aqara and Google sites.
2026 verdict
Wired smoke and CO protection against a battery Zigbee sensor: the Google Nest Protect (Wired) is the better smoke alarm, thanks to its CO sensor, house power and self-testing.
Google Nest Protect (Wired)
Winner
Google Nest Protect (Wired)
$449.99
Buy on Amazon USACheck price
It adds occupancy, motion, temperature, humidity and light sensing, a spoken early warning, a pathlight and Steam Check, connects over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with no hub, and carries a 2-year warranty against 1. The Aqara Smart Smoke Detector is the cheaper, more open option: through a Zigbee hub it works with Apple HomeKit, Matter, SmartThings and Home Assistant, with Alexa and Google Home via an Aqara hub, and it can trigger automations, where the Nest is limited to Google Home and Home Assistant. It detects smoke only and runs on a cell rated for 10 years. Pick the Google Nest Protect (Wired) to replace hardwired detectors with smoke and CO coverage, and the Aqara Smart Smoke Detector for a low-cost smoke sensor in a HomeKit, Matter or Home Assistant home.
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FeatureAqara Smart Smoke DetectorGoogle Nest Protect (Wired)Winner
Price€37.99$449.99Aqara Smart Smoke Detector
Rating4.34.6Google Nest Protect (Wired)
Warranty1 year2 yearsGoogle Nest Protect (Wired)
ConnectivityZigbee2.4 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth, OtherGoogle Nest Protect (Wired)
IntegrationsGoogle Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, MatterGoogle Home, Home AssistantAqara Smart Smoke Detector
SensorsSmokeSmoke, CO, Occupancy, Temperature, Humidity, Ambient Light, MotionGoogle Nest Protect (Wired)
AlertsFire Alerts, Low Battery AlertsFire Alerts, CO Alerts, Low Battery AlertsGoogle Nest Protect (Wired)
Tests ItselfNOYESGoogle Nest Protect (Wired)
PathlightNOYESGoogle Nest Protect (Wired)
Steam CheckNOYESGoogle Nest Protect (Wired)
ScreenNONOTie
Built-in SirenYESYESTie

What the differences mean

Carbon monoxide

The Google Nest Protect (Wired) detects smoke and carbon monoxide. The Aqara Smart Smoke Detector is smoke only, so it needs a separate CO alarm where gas appliances are present.

Power and installation

The Google Nest Protect (Wired) needs existing alarm wiring and keeps 3 AA cells as backup. The Aqara Smart Smoke Detector runs on a battery rated for 10 years and mounts anywhere, though many owners find the cell draining sooner.

Hub

The Google Nest Protect (Wired) connects over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and works through the Nest app with no hub. The Aqara Smart Smoke Detector is Zigbee only and needs a hub for alerts and platforms.

Platforms

The Aqara Smart Smoke Detector works with Apple HomeKit, Matter, SmartThings and Home Assistant, with Alexa and Google Home through an Aqara hub, and supports automations. The Google Nest Protect (Wired) works with Google Home and Home Assistant only.

Built-in smarts

The Google Nest Protect (Wired) tests itself, lights a pathlight and uses Steam Check. The Aqara Smart Smoke Detector does none of these.

Which one to buy if

Winner
Google

Google Nest Protect (Wired)

$449.99
Buy on Amazon USACheck price
  • + Rating: 4.6
  • + Warranty: 2 years
  • + Connectivity: 2.4 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth, Other
  • - Price: $449.99 vs €37.99
  • - Integrations: Google Home, Home Assistant vs Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, Matter

What owners say

Both groups single out a loud alarm and an easy setup, so neither stands out there. Aqara Smart Smoke Detector owners talk mostly about integration: pairing with Home Assistant, HomeKit or an Aqara hub and letting a smoke alert switch on lights or set off linked units. Their recurring complaint is a battery that drains far faster than its rating, and a few mention weak Zigbee range. Google Nest Protect (Wired) owners talk about living with it: no low-battery chirps, a voice that names the room before the horn, monthly self-test reports and units that sound together even with Wi-Fi down. Their complaints are the price, interconnection that only works with other Nest Protects and the lack of Alexa and HomeKit.

Price history compared

Every price change of both, in the same store, so the gap between the two lines is what one costs more than the other.

  • Aqara Smart Smoke Detector
  • Google Nest Protect (Wired)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Aqara Smart Smoke Detector or Google Nest Protect (Wired)?

The Google Nest Protect (Wired), for its smoke and CO detection, house power, self-testing, pathlight and Steam Check. The Aqara Smart Smoke Detector is the better choice for an affordable smoke sensor in HomeKit, Matter or Home Assistant.

What is the biggest difference between the Aqara Smart Smoke Detector and the Google Nest Protect (Wired)?

The Google Nest Protect (Wired) is a hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide alarm that works on its own over Wi-Fi, while the Aqara Smart Smoke Detector is a battery smoke-only sensor that depends on a Zigbee hub.

Which one works with Apple HomeKit?

The Aqara Smart Smoke Detector, which works with Apple HomeKit and Matter through a hub. The Google Nest Protect (Wired) does not support HomeKit, Alexa, SmartThings or Matter.

Does the Aqara Smart Smoke Detector need a hub?

Yes. The Aqara Smart Smoke Detector is Zigbee only, so it needs a hub such as an Aqara hub, SmartThings or Home Assistant. The Google Nest Protect (Wired) connects over Wi-Fi without one.

Who should buy the Google Nest Protect (Wired)?

Homes with hardwired alarm wiring that want smoke and CO protection, spoken warnings, phone alerts and no battery upkeep, especially Google Home households. The Google Nest Protect (Wired) is the pricier option and only interconnects with other Nest Protects.

Full comparison table

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