First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound Review

The First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound is a smart smoke detector with carbon monoxide alerts, perfect for the home owner who wants to be sure that their house is under the best possible care.

For the consumer who worries that a smoke detector just isn’t a sexy purchase, we can share some good news; the Amazon Alexa compatibility also turns it into a sound system. This is great feature for those who want to get the most out of their available devices.

Of course, multi-functionality comes at a price; the included batteries are not easy to replace, so you will need to be handy if you want to keep the Onelink Safe and Sound after the first decade. But that’s not all there is to know, is it?

We have the details, so read on and find out what’s going on with this smart smoke detector.

First Alert Onelink: The Details

Specs

• Product Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 2 inches.
• Product Weight: 1.76 lbs.
• Product Type: Smart smoke alarm.
• Compatible with: Amazon Alexa.
• Required batteries: Two lithium batteries, included.
• Warranty: Three years.

How Does it Work

Installing a smart smoke alarm should be easy, while still giving you a reliable end result. Luckily, First Alert has gotten the memo on this, because their Onelink Safe and Sound installation is extra simple – thanks to their informative app.

Before you get started, it’s important to have the basics, so please check if you have the following while waiting for your smart smoke alarm to be delivered:

• Existing hardwiring.
• 4GHz/802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connection.
• iOS 8 or higher, or Android 5.0 or higher.
• The Alexa app.
• The free Onelink App and account.

The latter will be important to guide you through the installation process, so be sure to make your account beforehand, that way a smooth installation process can be achieved.

Once you have your Onelink alert in front of you, feel free to disconnect any existing alarms before connecting your new device with the added AC adapter plugs. Once you’ve completed this step, the app will guide you through the rest of the set-up process.

Feeling confused? Onelink has several excellent videos online to make the ordeal easier to stomach, so be sure to have a look at those if you get stuck.

Once your smart smoke alert has been installed, you’ll get access to a range of great features, which include:

Safe & Sound

There’s a lot to be said for safety, but when you can combine it with great sound quality, you know you have a winner.

Thanks to the combination of Alexa with Onelink, your smart smoke alarm does more than just detect hazards for your home.

The unique placement of smoke alarms means they have great range, and this makes for a great opportunity to enjoy all that Amazon Alexa has to offer.

Simply ask for the morning news, the upcoming weather, or even to listen to a chapter of your favorite audiobook, and your device will deliver.

Remote Notifications

Of course, you want to be kept in the know even while you’re not at home. After all, your spouse, kids, or pets might be at home and it’s important to be assured of their safety.

Thanks to the remote notifications, you’ll be informed of any emergency the First Alert Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm picks up.

This will come in handy even if you live on your own, ensuring you won’t come home to any major surprises.

Enjoy your day in peace, assured that you can immediately get help to come if something happens, even while you’re away.

Night Light

It might not seem that obvious at first, but why not have a night light in such a necessary fixture? Since it’s completely programmable to your wishes, you can ignore this feature if you so desire.

For those who do prefer a little light at night, this feature will be a benefit to you. Preserve that space on your nightstand for a good book with this smoke detector.

This is a great feature to utilize if you have children or guests – if they need to use the bathroom (or grab a midnight snack), the hallway will be easily and seamlessly lit up for their convenience.

10-Year Battery Back-Up

Any device that runs on batteries is a bit of a hazard. After all, batteries run out and then your state of the art devices are obsolete.

Thanks to the 10-year battery back-up, you’ll be good to go for a decade. That’s plenty of time to remember you need to check up on your batteries around the house.

Onelink: The Brand

Onelink, as a company, shows that they take their branding seriously. As a tech company, they love their lines clear and clean with white exterior casings for their most beloved products.

Their First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound Smart Hardwired Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm is a testament to their work ethic; creating devices that aren’t just useful, but also multifunctional.

Thanks to a keen sense of home design and an innate need to keep things tidy, they’ve managed to make their products useful as well as cutting edge.

All their products also receive regular updates, ensuring optimal compatibility with other systems for years to come.

First Alert Onelink Review

The Positives

Multi-functional Design

One of the main selling points of this product is the way it combines several appliances in one device.

While its official name, the First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound Smart Hardwired Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm, provides a very good idea of what it can do, it suffices to know that this device has quite a few hidden depths.

While it doesn’t have the full capacity of a stand-alone Alexa device, the combination of both a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm more than make up for a less than ideal sound quality.

If you’ve been considering an Alexa device to own in the future, this is a great way of testing the waters. Not only can you sync your favorite streaming services to this smoke detector, but it acts as a stand-in nightlight, weather reporter, and storyteller (podcasts/audiobooks) too!

The design is much more modern, sleek and streamlined than usual smoke detectors, giving customers an updated, contemporary look to their home.

Clear Alarm

A good alarm is easy to hear no matter where you are in the house, and the Onelink Safe and Sound ensures you know if there’s trouble. Of course, we hope it won’t be necessary, but it’s better safe than sorry.

When this detector sounds off to warn against potential danger, customers have reported that it will certainly get your attention. It’s loud, 85-decibels to be exact, and while it can be annoying if it’s a false alarm, it will be a lifesaver if something were to happen while you were drifting away in a deep sleep.

As the alarm goes off, you’ll also get a voice notification and a notification on your phone, making your detector harder to miss.

Once the notification is sent to your phone, you’ll have the option of silencing your alarm or contacting emergency services.

Easy Installation

All of our testers reported having an easy time getting this smart smoke detector installed. Many customers noted that their new smoke detector was installed within minutes by following the prompts on the app.

First Alert has designed this device to be fully do-it-yourself, with no need for professional help. Sometimes it’s as easy as just removing your existing smoke detector and plugging in the wires to the new one!

In combination with the available tutorial videos, this is sure to be a detector that’s a joy to get ready.

Customer Support

First Alert promises a 2-year limited warranty in addition to the 10-year battery warranty included with the Onelink Safe & Sound Smoke Detector.

This covers customers in the case a repair or replacement is needed due to a damage or fault in manufacturing.

Their website is also filled with helpful information on products and warranty and First Alert is known for having great customer service, being friendly and helpful to those who call for assistance.

The Negatives

Limited Life Expectancy

While the included batteries promise a lifespan of ten years, we do have to note that this marks the maximum lifespan of this product.

The device is designed to last you this ten-year span without worries, afterwards, you’ll have to move on to another device.

While the handier among us might be able to change the batteries, for most people, ten years really is as far as the Onelink Safe and Sound will take them.

Ten years is a long time, but we do recommend considering if this is a deal breaker, if not, you’ll have the chance to upgrade after a decade.

Here’s a video showing what the Onelink Safe and Sound looks like out of the box.

Overall Verdict

The Onelink Safe and Sound is a great match for those who want their tools to be multifunctional, or for those still on the fence about getting an Amazon Alexa.

Though if you’re looking for a smoke detector to last you a lifetime, you might find the ten-year battery lifespan to be a dealbreaker.

All in all, this device combines three different functions in one (four, if you count the night light) which makes it an impressive device to add to any home.

Enjoy the safety that comes with a smart smoke detector, not to mention the added music function that is sure to put a swing in your step.

Where to Buy the First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound

First Alert operates under Onelink, a brand committed to home safety and security. The First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound Alarm is just one of the wide variety of items in their arsenal, including traditional smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and a newer line of smart devices.

By providing a modern upgrade to their conventional alarms, First Alert shows they can keep up with the times and our ever-changing market.

Their products have been proven to be useful for a number of satisfied customers with tech enthusiasts raving about their design.

Along with First Alert’s other smart detectors and environmental alarms, the Onelink Safe and Sound can be found both in-store and online.

While it’s always best to check home security, home department, and specialty stores, you can kick-start your search with the following online retailers.

• Best Buy (from $246)
• The Home Depot (from $243)
• Lowes (from $249)

And of course, you can also find this smart smoke alarm on Amazon.

That’s all for our review on the First Alert Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm. Tempted to give it a try?