Smoke & CO Detectors · Head to head

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

Full Smart Smoke & CO Detectors comparison in 2026

Data from Amazon and official First Alert and X-Sense sites.
2026 verdict
First Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm
Winner
First Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm

Last recorded price

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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.
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FeatureFirst Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO AlarmX-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke AlarmWinner
Rating3.24.5X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm
Warranty10 years5 yearsFirst Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm
IntegrationsGoogle HomeHome AssistantFirst Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm
SensorsSmoke, COSmokeFirst Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm
AlertsFire Alerts, CO Alerts, Low Battery AlertsFire Alerts, Low Battery AlertsFirst Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm
Built-in LightNOYESX-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm
Steam CheckYESNOFirst Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm
Connectivity2.4 GHz WiFi2.4 GHz WiFiTie
ScreenNONOTie
Built-in SirenYESYESTie
Tests ItselfNONOTie
PathlightNONOTie

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.

  • First Alert SC5 Hardwire Smart Smoke & CO Alarm
  • X-Sense Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm

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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.

Full comparison table

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