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How to tell whether your monitor detects carbon monoxide
Check the exact model’s specifications or user manual for an explicit listing of “carbon monoxide” or “CO” as a measured gas or alarm function. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explains that monitors detect only the pollutants or conditions they are designed to measure. A monitor designed only for particulate matter, for example, will not alert you to carbon monoxide. EPA’s guidance on low-cost monitors also treats CO and CO2 as separate targets.
- A PM reading does not establish that the device detects CO.
- A CO2 reading is not a CO reading. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are different gases, and a sensor for one does not establish detection of the other.
- VOC, temperature, and humidity measurements do not establish CO detection either.
If the documentation does not explicitly say the device detects CO, do not rely on it to do so. Look up the full model number, since capabilities can differ between products that are marketed under the same broad category.
Why an air-quality monitor is not necessarily a CO alarm
Even a low-cost indoor monitor that provides air-quality readings or alerts is not necessarily designed to warn of an immediate life-threatening hazard. EPA distinguishes those alerts from CO alarm alerts: a general monitor’s audible or visual cues are not designed to warn of immediate danger to health or life. A dedicated CO alarm is the household device intended to warn of potentially dangerous CO conditions. EPA explains the difference between monitor alerts and CO alarms.
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- Electrochemical sensor technology detects CO gas
- Easy installation, no wiring needed, detects during a power failure by operating on 2-AA batteries (included); Install on a wall of your home or place on a tabletop
- Green LED indicates power to the carbon monoxide detector, while an 85-decibel alarm & a red LED indicates the presence of carbon monoxide
- Event Memory records the last time carbon monoxide was detected or when the unit was last tested
Some products combine an IAQ monitor with a CO alarm. For example, Kidde’s user guide for the KN-COP-DP-10YL-AQ-WF describes a CO alarm that also monitors temperature, relative humidity, and total VOCs. That documented combination is an exception to the assumption that an IAQ monitor detects CO; it does not mean that ordinary IAQ monitors have a CO alarm. Check the exact product documentation and current model configuration. Kidde user guide.
What to use for household CO protection in the U.S.
Use a dedicated CO alarm that meets the current UL 2034 safety standard, and follow its manufacturer’s installation and maintenance instructions. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends alarms on every level of a home and outside sleeping areas; it advises using battery-operated alarms or alarms with battery backup. Local requirements can vary, so check with local building officials as well. CPSC’s carbon monoxide fact sheet provides its current placement and safety guidance.
Rank #2
- Keep your family safe with this easy to use plug in carbon monoxide alarm; It works with any standard outlet and also has a battery backup for continuous monitoring of Carbon Monoxide levels, even if there's a power failure
- Features an advanced electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor that accurately detects carbon monoxide levels, no matter where the detector is placed in the room
- Simple to use, with a single test/silence button; a loud 85 decibel alarm sounds when Carbon Monoxide levels reach dangerous levels. Low battery signal mute, quiets low battery signal for upto 8 hours
- To ensure complete protection make sure to place one on each level of your home and in each bedroom
- 7 year limited warranty; Equipped with end of life signal chirp, so you know when it’s time to replace the unit for safety
Follow the alarm’s instructions about placement. CPSC advises not covering an alarm or placing it near heating vents. A CO alarm is a backup safety measure, not a replacement for proper installation, use, and maintenance of fuel-burning appliances. EPA recommends professional inspection of those appliances as part of CO prevention. EPA’s CO detector guidance.
What the test button does—and does not do
According to CPSC, the test button checks whether the alarm circuitry is operating; it does not verify that the sensor measures CO accurately. Use the button as directed in the manufacturer’s instructions, but do not treat a successful test as proof of sensor accuracy. CPSC’s fact sheet.
Rank #3
- DETECTS CARBON MONOXIDE: With backlit display that shows CO levels & sounds a loud 85 dB alarm when CO is detected to signal evacuation; sleep peacefully with no nighttime chirps; LED warning light indicates hazard; Test/Hush button for quick checks
- PLUG-IN POWER WITH BATTERY BACKUP: CO detector plug-in operates on 120V AC with 2 AA backup batteries (included) for detection during outages; rotating plug fits vertical or horizontal outlets; includes power surge immunity to help maintain performance
- TRAVEL-READY DESIGN*: Compact carbon monoxide detector is suitable for use at home or for travel; lightweight design allows you to take it on the go to use in hotels or vacation rentals when detection is needed away from home
- TESTED & TRUSTED: This carbon monoxide alarm is rigorously tested to meet UL 2034 5th Edition standards, and is ETL Listed; includes a 10-year limited warranty on alarm
- BUILT FOR EVERY HOUSEHOLD: Designed to help provide dependable carbon monoxide monitoring for everyday residential use; supports renters, homeowners, and pet owners seeking added awareness and protection from CO hazards in the home
What IAQ monitor readings can tell you—and their limits
An IAQ monitor can provide information about the pollutants and conditions its sensors target. It cannot establish that the air is free of pollutants it does not measure, or that an unmeasured hazard such as CO is absent. EPA says performance information is limited for some low-cost monitors, and readings can be affected by placement, time in use, data processing, temperature, humidity, and other contaminants. EPA does not endorse specific indoor consumer IAQ monitors. EPA’s monitor guidance.
For IAQ monitoring, EPA generally suggests positioning a low-cost monitor in the occupant’s breathing zone where airflow is not restricted, while following the device’s instructions and any pollutant-specific requirements. That guidance applies to IAQ monitors; it does not override a CO alarm’s placement instructions. EPA placement guidance.
Rank #4
- DETECTS CARBON MONOXIDE: Model COB monitors CO and sounds a loud 85 dB alarm to signal evacuation to fresh air; LED warning light indicates hazard; Test/Hush button allows quick checks or temporary silencing
- AA BATTERY POWERED: This CO detector is battery-powered, installs without wiring, mount it on the wall or set it on a table, and operates during outages using two included AA batteries
- TRAVEL-READY DESIGN*: Compact carbon monoxide detector is suitable for use at home or for travel; lightweight design allows you to take it on the go to use in hotels or vacation rentals when detection is needed away from home
- TESTED & TRUSTED: This carbon monoxide alarm is rigorously tested to meet UL 2034 5th Edition standards, and is ETL Listed; includes a 10-year limited warranty on alarm
- BUILT FOR EVERY HOUSEHOLD: Designed to help provide dependable carbon monoxide monitoring for everyday residential use; supports renters, homeowners, and pet owners seeking added awareness and protection from CO hazards in the home
What to do if you suspect carbon monoxide
CO is colorless and odorless, and high levels can cause serious illness or death. Do not wait for a general IAQ monitor—or an app reading—to confirm a suspected exposure. Leave the area for fresh air and contact emergency services. CO alarms are an added warning measure; they do not replace safe operation and professional inspection of fuel-burning appliances. EPA’s CO detector guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Keep your family safe from carbon monoxide in multiple rooms with this convenient plug in carbon monoxide alarm 3 pack; The alarms work with any standard outlet and also have a battery backup for continuous monitoring of CO levels, even if there's a power failure
- Features an advanced electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor that accurately detects carbon monoxide levels, no matter where the detector is placed in the room
- Simple to use, with a single test/silence button; A loud 85 decibel alarm sounds when Carbon Monoxide levels reach dangerous levels
- To ensure complete protection make sure to place 1 on each level of your home and in each bedroom
- 7 year limited warranty; Equipped with end of life signal chirp, so you know when it’s time to replace the unit for safety
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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