SimpliSafe is taking a much more affordable approach to smart smoke and carbon monoxide detection with one listener device that detects alarms. Incidentally, this is a familiar Google Nest feature that needs to be in more ecosystems.
There are a couple of ways smart home users set up fire protection, and one popular one seems to be buying smart smoke detectors for each room. That gets costly, fast. SimpliSafe’s own smart smoke and CO detector costs around $70 per unit, and other models that work with smart home ecosystems can cost upwards of $100.
The more affordable way is to get something that can listen for smoke alarms in the home. SimpliSafe just released a new device that does exactly that.
SimpliSafe’s Smoke and CO Alarm Listener is a small device that takes up less space than a traditional smoke alarm. It continuously listens for smoke and CO alarms; if it hears one, it sends an alert to the SimpliSafe base station (gen 3 or later.) A notification is then sent to household members’ phones, and emergency services can be requested.
For users who rely on hardwired smoke detectors, SimpliSafe says only one alarm listener per home is needed. The company notes that more units are recommended for battery-operated systems. Preferably, one per smoke alarm.
This isn’t a new feature, but it really should be one that’s available for more smart home ecosystems. Google Nest has incorporated this into its subscription plan for a long time, and Nest Hub speakers and displays have had the ability to listen for fire, smoke, and CO alarms. The option to alert emergency services is also available via the alert notification.
SimpliSafe’s Smoke and CO Alarm Listener comes in at $45, which is a great deal for homes that require one device. It can add up if you need more for a battery-operated system of alarms, but it’s still cheaper than buying several smart detectors. A subscription is needed, and SimpliSafe’s plans start at $33/month.
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