When we tested, there were children in another room who were on high alert once the alarm started sounding.ĭr. We found that the volume gets your attention. However, it is loud enough that we feel confident it would wake most people while sleeping. The intermittent pattern of the alarm-four beeps, followed by 5 seconds of silence-may not immediately grab your attention. It provides a reading of current CO levels and is helpful for interpreting the beeps that the device may emit. The digital display is a helpful feature not always found on carbon monoxide detectors. It has just two buttons: for testing the unit and to recall peak levels of detected carbon monoxide (CO), measured in parts per million (PPM). A 9-volt battery backup gives you confidence that the Kidde Nighthawk keeps monitoring for carbon monoxide, even if there is a power outage. The Kidde Nighthawk also stands out for having a simple interface. Once it powers on for the first time, it lasts 10 years before signaling it's time for a replacement. This plug-in model requires no electrical know-how and takes up just one standard outlet. We found it easy to use and reliable, earning it our top recommendation for a carbon monoxide alarm. It doesn’t include a smoke detector function, which was our biggest point of concern. However, it’s an ideal choice if you’re specifically looking for a carbon monoxide alarm and already have hardwired smoke detectors in your home. The Kidde Nighthawk has one purpose: to monitor for dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

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