01.Introduction
We test 15 battery-powered smoke alarms, priced from $9 to $80
Smoke alarms come in two main types: ionisation or photoelectric. It’s been known for many years that photoelectric smoke alarms usually respond faster to smouldering fires, while ionisation alarms respond faster to flaming fires. Our test of 15 battery-powered smoke alarms, including photoelectric, ionisation and dual-sensor models, confirms there are major performance differences between the two types of sensor, even though all the smoke alarms tested meet the Australian Standard.
See our free smoke alarms buying guide for detailed information including types of alarms, how to install and maintain them, and other fire safety tips.
Watch our video for a quick explanation of the two types of smoke alarm and how they work: