First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm vs X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm comparison

Data from Amazon and official First Alert and X-Sense sites.

2026 verdict

The First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm wins this smoke alarm matchup by adding carbon monoxide detection, a broader alert set and a 10-year warranty. It pairs a photoelectric smoke sensor with an electrochemical CO sensor and layers in steam-check, CO and low-battery alerts and voice warnings that name the type and location of danger, plus Google Home integration, so it covers a hazard the smoke-only X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm cannot. The X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm keeps a couple of points in its favor as the better-rated unit with a built-in light and simple hub-free Wi-Fi setup, and it also carries a 5-year warranty and a 10-year battery, making it an easy standalone smoke alarm. Buy the First Alert SC5 for combined smoke and carbon monoxide safety with a long warranty; buy the X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm for a straightforward, well-rated, smoke-only connected alarm.

Winner

First Alert

First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm

C$169.99

Buy on Amazon Canada

X-Sense

X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm

Price unavailable right now

Buy on Amazon UK

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Feature	First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm	X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm	Winner
Rating	3.8	4.5	X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm
Warranty	10 years	5 years	First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm
Sensors	Smoke, CO	Smoke	First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm
Alerts	Fire Alerts, CO Alerts, Low Battery Alerts	Fire Alerts, Low Battery Alerts	First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm
Built-in Light	NO	YES	X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm
Steam Check	YES	NO	First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm
Battery Life	10 years	10 years	Tie
Connectivity	2.4 GHz WiFi	2.4 GHz WiFi	Tie
Integrations	Google Home	Home Assistant	Tie
Screen	NO	NO	Tie
Built-in Siren	YES	YES	Tie
Tests Itself	NO	NO	Tie

Winner

First Alert

First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm

C$169.99

Buy on Amazon Canada

+ Warranty: 10 years
+ Sensors: Smoke, CO
+ Alerts: Fire Alerts, CO Alerts, Low Battery Alerts
- Rating: 3.8 vs 4.5
- Built-in Light: NO vs YES

X-Sense

X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm

Price unavailable right now

Buy on Amazon UK

+ Rating: 4.5
+ Built-in Light: YES
- Warranty: 5 years vs 10 years
- Sensors: Smoke vs Smoke, CO

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm or X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm?

The First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm is better overall because it detects both smoke and carbon monoxide, offers more alerts and steam-check, and carries a 10-year warranty. The X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm is the better-rated unit with a built-in light and simple setup, but it detects smoke only.

What is the biggest difference between the First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm and the X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm?

Hazard coverage is the biggest difference. The First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm detects both smoke and carbon monoxide, while the X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm detects smoke only with no CO sensor. The First Alert also adds steam-check and voice alerts.

Does the X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm detect carbon monoxide?

No. The X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm is a smoke and fire alarm only, with no CO sensor or CO alerts. The First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm adds a carbon monoxide sensor and CO alerts, covering both hazards in one device.

How do their warranties compare?

The First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm carries a longer 10-year warranty, while the X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm has a 5-year warranty. Both are rated for long battery life, but the First Alert offers more formal warranty coverage.

Who should buy the First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm?

Buy the First Alert SC5 Battery Smart Smoke & CO Alarm if you want combined smoke and carbon monoxide detection with steam-check, CO and low-battery alerts, voice alerts naming the danger, Google Home support and a long 10-year warranty.

Who should buy the X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm?

Buy the X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm if you want a simple, well-rated, hub-free connected smoke alarm with a built-in light and phone alerts, and you do not need carbon monoxide detection or a long warranty.

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