First Alert SC5 Hardwire 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

Wiring status is the first fork in this comparison: the First Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm runs on mains power with a battery backup and comes out ahead overall, combining smoke and carbon monoxide detection, a 10-year warranty (twice the X-Sense unit's 5 years), Google Home alerts, and steam-check tuning to cut kitchen and shower false alarms. The X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm answers with a battery-only design rated for a 10-year battery life and no wiring at all, plus a built-in night light and feedback that trends toward a higher owner rating. The hazard coverage differs too: the SC5 Hardwire detects both smoke and CO in one unit, while the X-Sense alarm is smoke-only and would need a separate CO detector for full protection. Homes with existing alarm wiring and a Google ecosystem should lean toward the First Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm, while anyone without wiring who only needs smoke detection gets a simpler, no-wiring install with the X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm.

Winner

First Alert

First Alert SC5 Hardwire 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 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm	X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm	Winner
Rating	3.4	4.5	X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm
Warranty	10 years	5 years	First Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm
Sensors	Smoke, CO	Smoke	First Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm
Alerts	Fire Alerts, CO Alerts, Low Battery Alerts	Fire Alerts, Low Battery Alerts	First Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm
Built-in Light	NO	YES	X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm
Steam Check	YES	NO	First Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm
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
Pathlight	NO	NO	Tie

Winner

First Alert

First Alert SC5 Hardwire 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: 3.4 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 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm or X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm?

The First Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm comes out ahead overall, winning on warranty length, its combined smoke and CO sensor set, alert variety, Google Home integration, and steam-check false-alarm filtering.

What is the biggest difference between these two smoke alarms?

Power source and hazard coverage. The First Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm is hardwired to household power with a battery backup and detects both smoke and carbon monoxide, while the X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm runs entirely on a replaceable battery and detects smoke only.

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

No. It is a smoke-only alarm with no CO sensor, so a household concerned about carbon monoxide would need a separate detector alongside it.

Do either of these alarms require existing electrical wiring?

Only the First Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm does, since it draws power from a home's wiring with a battery kept purely as backup. The X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm is fully battery-powered and needs no wiring at all.

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

Homeowners with an existing hardwired alarm circuit, a Google Home setup, and a need for combined smoke and carbon monoxide detection in one unit.

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

Renters, vacation properties, or any room without alarm wiring where a simple, battery-powered smoke-only alarm with phone alerts is enough.

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