Smoke & CO Detectors · Head to head

Google Nest Protect (Battery) vs X-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO Detector

Full Smart Smoke & CO Detectors comparison in 2026

Updated October 2026
Data from the official Google and X-Sense sites.
2026 verdict
Both sense smoke and carbon monoxide, and the Google Nest Protect (Battery) is the smarter combination alarm thanks to its self-testing, Steam Check and Google Home support.
Google Nest Protect (Battery)
Winner
Google Nest Protect (Battery)
Currently unavailable on Amazon USA
See on Amazon USA
It tests itself, lights a pathlight at night, cuts false alarms from shower steam and adds occupancy, motion, temperature, humidity and light sensing, plus Bluetooth and its own wireless interconnect between units. The X-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO Detector answers with a 5 year warranty against 2 years and an LCD that shows readings, and it also sends Wi-Fi phone alerts and works with Home Assistant, but not with Google Home. Its CR123A cell is rated for 1 year against 2 years on the Nest's six AA batteries. Pick the Google Nest Protect (Battery) for a Google Home household that wants an alarm that checks itself, and the X-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO Detector for simple smoke and CO coverage with a longer warranty.
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FeatureGoogle Nest Protect (Battery)X-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO DetectorWinner
Rating4.44.7X-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO Detector
Warranty2 years5 yearsX-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO Detector
Battery Life2 years1 yearGoogle Nest Protect (Battery)
Connectivity2.4 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth, Other2.4 GHz WiFiGoogle Nest Protect (Battery)
IntegrationsGoogle Home, Home AssistantHome AssistantGoogle Nest Protect (Battery)
ScreenNOYESX-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO Detector
SensorsSmoke, CO, Occupancy, Temperature, Humidity, Ambient Light, MotionSmoke, COGoogle Nest Protect (Battery)
Tests ItselfYESNOGoogle Nest Protect (Battery)
PathlightYESNOGoogle Nest Protect (Battery)
Steam CheckYESNOGoogle Nest Protect (Battery)
AlertsFire Alerts, CO Alerts, Low Battery AlertsFire Alerts, CO Alerts, Low Battery AlertsTie
Built-in SirenYESYESTie

What the differences mean

Google Home support

The Google Nest Protect (Battery) works with Google Home and Home Assistant. The X-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO Detector works with Home Assistant only, so it does not show up in the Google Home app.

Self-testing and false alarms

The Nest Protect tests its own sensors and uses Steam Check to tell shower steam from smoke. The X-Sense has neither, so you test it by hand and it has no steam filter.

Extra sensors and pathlight

The Nest adds motion, occupancy, temperature, humidity and light sensing, which it uses for a pathlight that turns on when you walk under it at night. The X-Sense has no extra sensors.

Screen

The X-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO Detector has an LCD that shows its readings on the ceiling. The Nest Protect has no screen and speaks its warnings instead.

Batteries and warranty

The Nest runs on six AA cells rated for 2 years; the X-Sense on one CR123A rated for 1 year. The X-Sense carries a 5 year warranty against 2 years on the Nest.

Which one to buy if

Winner
Google

Google Nest Protect (Battery)

Prime exclusive deal
Currently unavailable on Amazon USA
See on Amazon USA
  • + Battery Life: 2 years
  • + Connectivity: 2.4 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth, Other
  • + Integrations: Google Home, Home Assistant
  • - Rating: 4.4 vs 4.7
  • - Warranty: 2 years vs 5 years

What owners say

Owners of both alarms value covering smoke and carbon monoxide with one device and getting alerts on their phone while away. Google Nest Protect (Battery) owners single out the spoken early warning that names the room before the loud alarm, monthly self-test reports, the pathlight as a night light, Steam Check cutting shower false alarms and a quick install, with a few crediting it with catching a real fire or CO leak. Their complaints are the fixed lifespan, old retail stock eating into it, the specific lithium AA batteries it needs, abrupt low-battery alarms and no Alexa or Apple Home support. X-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO Detector owners praise the easy-to-read LCD, a simple ceiling install and fast replacements under warranty, and they note a unit bigger than a standard alarm, a bracket that is hard to level and the lack of any automatic self-test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Google Nest Protect (Battery) or X-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO Detector?

The Google Nest Protect (Battery). It tests itself, filters out steam, adds a pathlight and extra sensors, and works with Google Home. The X-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO Detector wins on warranty and has an LCD screen.

Does the X-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO Detector work with Google Home?

No. The X-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO Detector does not work with Google Home, Alexa, Apple Home or Matter; it connects to the X-Sense app over Wi-Fi and works with Home Assistant. The Google Nest Protect (Battery) does work with Google Home.

Do both the Google Nest Protect (Battery) and the X-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO Detector detect carbon monoxide?

Yes. Both detect smoke and carbon monoxide, sound a siren, send phone alerts over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and warn when the battery runs low.

What is the biggest difference between the Google Nest Protect (Battery) and the X-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO Detector?

The smart features. The Google Nest Protect (Battery) tests itself, uses Steam Check against false alarms and has a motion-activated pathlight, while the X-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO Detector is a simpler alarm with an LCD screen.

Who should buy the Google Nest Protect (Battery)?

Google Home households, families with pets or children who want spoken early warnings, and anyone who wants an alarm that tests itself.

Who should buy the X-Sense WiFi Smoke & CO Detector?

Homes with fireplaces or wood stoves that want combined smoke and CO coverage with phone alerts and a 5 year warranty, without needing voice assistant support.

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