The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Fire Protection Association recommend that every household have a carbon monoxide detector, with battery backup, near every sleeping area. Depending on your location and circumstances, you may need other types of gas leak detectors, as well. “NFPA actively supports the installation of carbon monoxide detectors and works throughout the year to educate the public about the risks of carbon monoxide in the home,” says Susan McKelvey, NFPA communications director. We consulted with experts and researched gas leak detectors to determine which gases they detect, their styles and features, and whether they’ve been evaluated by an independent testing laboratory, such as UL Services, to make sure they meet industry safety and quality standards. Our top pick is the First Alert GCO1CN Combination Explosive Gas and Carbon Monoxide Detector, which monitors for carbon monoxide and for natural gases such as methane and propane. Here are our picks for the best home gas leak detectors. This unit, which uses an electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor, plugs into any outlet, so you can start using it right away. A convenient battery backup keeps it going when the power goes out. You should check the battery frequently, as it can drain quickly. The unit has a backlit digital display showing current and peak levels of carbon monoxide, so you can discern patterns in the levels in your home. We especially appreciate that, unlike some other gas leak detectors, this product incurs few false alarms. It is also intriguing that this model can function with a standard universal remote, according to the manufacturer. We would have preferred that it be included, but you have to purchase that separately. Price at time of publish: $89 For this product’s affordable price, you get several features. For instance, this unit continuously monitors CO levels and updates its digital display every 15 seconds. That lets you determine whether the CO level is dropping. The display also shows current and peak levels of carbon monoxide in your home. This item plugs into an outlet and has a battery backup, so it keeps working during a power outage. We have noted few false alarms. Price at time of Publish: $34 As with other gas leak detectors equipped with a probe, the Techamor Y201 has a flexible gooseneck to check hard-to-reach areas. This gas leak detector utilizes three AAA batteries and has an estimated battery life of up to four hours. The device is UL-certified. Unlike a stay-in-place gas leak detector, this product is somewhat complex to operate. When you turn it on, it briefly warms up, then emits a soft ticking sound, which indicates that the sensor is starting to sample the air. You may need to adjust the levels for your particular home. If the device detects a gas leak, it alerts you with an 85-decibel alarm (about as loud as a nearby food blender) and flashes red LED lights. There is a way to adjust the device to minimize false alarms. We strongly recommend that you consult your user manual. Note that this is not a continuous monitoring device: It’s meant as a spot-check for furnaces and other appliances in your home powered by natural gas. Don’t use this device or other handheld devices if you smell natural gas or otherwise detect a gas leak. If you suspect a gas leak, leave your home immediately, and call your gas company. Price at time of Publish: $38 The MTI Safe T Alert RV Propane Gas Alarm is a popular pick for RV enthusiasts who are replacing expired or defective leak detectors for their camper or motorhome. The manufacturer claims the product meets the standards of the RV Industry Association. This product wires into your rig’s electrical system; it takes no batteries. It is compact, at only 6 inches wide, and it installs simply. If you’re replacing an expired propane detector, you should be able to mount this product easily into the former space. We appreciate that the product features an intelligent mute button, which also resets the detector when the RV’s air is once again normal. If not, the alarm reactivates. We also like the manufacturer’s claimed effective temperature range of minus-40 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. Price at time of Publish: $54 Just plug in this unit and it’s ready to start continuously monitoring the levels of radon in your home. (However, we have noted that it can take 48 hours or more for the first set of readings to display. It then updates readings every hour.) A backlit display shows your home’s radon levels, and an alarm sounds if they are dangerously high. The unit is designed to detect long-term as well as short-term radon levels. We appreciate the three levels of audio alarm, as well as a visual alarm for the hearing impaired. The manufacturer also says the unit self-tests every 24 hours. Price at time of Publish: $220 The Ridgid features sturdy, rugged housing with five soft-press buttons to control operation. A 16-inch flex probe enables you to position the sensor near suspected leak sources, while a five-bar LED display provides an indicator of the presence of gas. One standout feature is its three-way alert to the presence of gas: an audible alarm, a visual LED reading, and tactical vibration. On a loud worksite, the addition of a vibrating indicator ensures that ambient noises won’t drown out any alert to the presence of gas. Price at time of publish: $282 The Home-Flex Electronic Gas Leak Detector features a sensor at its tip, protected by a cap when not in use. (Though you can use the product with the cap on, it’s more accurate when you remove it.) The device runs on just two AA batteries, and it is small enough to slip inside a drawer or keep in your toolbox. Price at time of publish: $32
Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that is a byproduct of a natural gas leak from a home appliance, or a car left running in a garage. Carbon monoxide buildup from lack of ventilation is toxic, resulting in 50,000 emergency room visits and about 430 deaths each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Natural gas, including methane and propane, is used to fuel gas-powered appliances, such as stoves, furnaces, and water heaters. Natural gas is very combustible, and a leak can lead to an explosion from a lit match or a light switch, causing an average of 4,200 home fires per year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Although natural gas is odorless, it generally has an additive that smells like rotten eggs to make it easier to notice a leak.Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can leak into homes through cracks in the foundation, loose-fitting pipes, floor-wall joints, and other entry points. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Style
There are several styles of gas leak detectors, ranging from handheld units, for spot-checking for gas leaks, to plug-in alarms that continuously monitor your home for leaks. If you want to monitor for gas leaks 24/7, you’re probably better off with a plug-in alarm-style unit. For dangerous natural gas or carbon monoxide leaks where minutes matter, be sure your monitor has a battery backup in case of a power outage.
Certification
Make sure your device has been evaluated by an independent testing laboratory, like UL Services, to make sure it meets industry safety and quality standards. Note: For radon detector standards, the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) has worked with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop standards for detecting and measuring radon.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Missy Keenan is a freelance writer with more than two decades’ experience as a journalist and communications professional. She has a special interest in all things home and garden. She has written hundreds of articles for publications, including Do It Yourself, Secrets of Getting Organized, DSM, Iowa Gardening, and Glamour magazines, as well as USA Today and The Des Moines Register. For this article, Missy spent hours researching safety information and products. She also consulted with Susan McKelvey from the National Fire Prevention Association. Erica Puisis also provided initial research into some products noted here.
