My Airbnb didn't have a CO detector so I got this portable one: It's down to $20

The phrase "better safe than sorry" has become my motto as an adult. That means, among other things, carbon monoxide detectors on every floor — and they have to work! If you can't remember the last time you replaced yours, it's probably time for a new one. My recommendation? The top-selling Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector, which happens to be portable enough to travel with. Plus, it's currently marked down for Amazon's epic Labor Day Sale.

Amazon

Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector

$20$28Save $8

Tens of thousands of Amazon shoppers (and myself) swear by this literal lifesaver. 

$20 at Amazon

Why is it a good deal? 💰

You can't put a price on safety, but $20 is extremely reasonable for a product that could save lives. This isn't the absolute lowest price we've seen for this model, but at 30% off, it's one of the best it's dipped down to in the past year.

Why do I need this? 🤔

True story: Because I'm a safety obsessive, I check every hotel room and Airbnb I stay in to see whether there's a carbon monoxide detector. Recently, I was at an Airbnb that only had smoke detectors. So what did I do? I went out and bought the Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector.

It might seem a little extreme, but I'd rather err on the side of caution. Since this portable model is quite compact, I plan on keeping it in my suitcase juuust in case. After all, vacation is much more enjoyable with some peace of mind!

At under half a pound and 5 inches wide, the Kidde makes a smart travel mate, but it's ideal for at-home use as well. It calls for two AA batteries (included) and can be mounted to a wall or placed on a table or other flat surface. To ensure it's working, press the test button (it's loud). The green light means it's on, but a red light and beeping means you should go outside immediately.

This pint-size carbon monoxide detector comes with a 10-year limited manufacturer warranty, but you'll want to make sure the batteries are always in working order. (Speaking of batteries: Because it doesn't plug into an outlet, it'll keep working during power outages.)

What reviewers say 💬

Over 26,000 Amazon customers are sleeping easier with the Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector.

Pros 👍

"This product possibly saved my and the lives of my family," shared one relieved shopper. "I decided to replace the ones I had mounted from several years ago; two weeks after and at 4 a.m., it began alerting near my boiler room. After having an army of plumbers come in, it was found that there was a CO leak from my old boiler that was not persistent, so it wasn't at a level to set off my old alarm. It was explained that the issue was progressive and would have gotten worse, so the early alerting gave me an opportunity to address the problem before it got to a point where it could have caused real physical damage or possibly much worse."

"We got this to take to Cozumel with us," shared a savvy jetsetter. "It was very lightweight and easy to pack. I highly recommend taking one when traveling abroad. I don't think you can ever be too safe."

"My last one needed to be replaced after it started beeping due to age," explained a repeat buyer. "Luckily, it was of the same brand, so this new detector went right back onto the same backplate, with no need to install the new one. Easy as pie. CO detectors are a must-have for anyone who has fossil fuel-based utilities, including a furnace, boiler, water heater or stove, and these are a great option.

Cons 👎

"One downside is that it does not have a screen," wrote an otherwise thankful reviewer, "so at first I was hesitant whether it was actually beeping from detecting CO or low battery. ... This product literally saved the lives of me and my two toddlers! We had a leak of carbon monoxide in our home from our standby generator, and by the time the fire department arrived and tested, they said the levels in our attic leaking down into our home from our generator were extremely dangerously high. Cannot explain in words how grateful I am for this quality product."

"A must-have!" exclaimed a final fan. "I like that you can either hook it up on a wall or you can leave it on a different surface." Their one note? "I wish it had a plug-in option." (Psst: I also have this plug-in model in my house, though it's less travel-friendly.)

Amazon

Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector

$20$28Save $8

Safety first: Snag one of these for every floor of your home (and another for your travel bag) while it's on sale.

$20 at Amazon

While we're at it, need a new smoke detector?

Amazon

First Alert Battery-Powered Ionization Smoke Alarm

$20

There's no such thing as too many smoke detectors. At $20 each, these battery-operated essentials should be a fixture in your home. 

"Very loud and extremely sensitive," wrote a pleased user. "[It] goes off if I take something from the oven [that has] burnt food on it. You won't have to worry about hearing them, for you will be notified in plenty of time to leave your house."

$20 at Amazon

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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