Best carbon monoxide alarms for power outages

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced whenever fuel is burned. The CDC says more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning each year, and more than 100,000 visit an emergency department. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission links more than 100 deaths per year to portable generators. Power outages concentrate the risk: people run generators, use fuel-burning heaters and cook with camp stoves, often for the first time.

A CO alarm only helps during an outage if it works without grid power. A hardwired alarm without battery backup goes silent as soon as the power fails. Every pick below either runs on a sealed long-life battery or has battery backup.

Our picks at a glance

The picks

No. 1CO alarm

First Alert CO710 Carbon Monoxide Alarm with 10-Year Battery

Best for: A no-install alarm you can set on a nightstand or carry room to room

• Sealed 10-year lithium battery (no battery changes)
• Listed to UL 2034
• Backlit display: CO level, peak level and temperature
• 85 dB alarm; tabletop design

Tradeoff

• · Tabletop only, and when the sealed battery ends the whole unit is replaced.

Check price on AmazonRead the full reviewSpecs: manufacturer page, checked Nov 1, 2026

No. 2CO alarm

Kidde COBD10 10-Year Battery CO Alarm with Display

Best for: Set-and-forget battery alarm for bedrooms and hallways

• 10-year sealed battery, no battery replacement
• Digital display, backlit at the push of a button
• 85 dB alarm with flashing light; test/hush button
• Tabletop or wall mount; 10-year limited warranty

Tradeoff

• · Not interconnected with other alarms; replace the whole unit at end of life.

Check price on AmazonRead the full reviewSpecs: manufacturer page, checked Nov 1, 2026

No. 3CO alarm

Kidde COPD Plug-In CO Alarm with AA Backup

Best for: A low-maintenance plug-in alarm near a garage door or fuel-burning appliance

• Plug-in with AA battery backup: alkaline only (Kidde lists Energizer E91, Gold Peak 15A, Golden Power GLR6A); no lithium
• Backlit display lights up at the push of a button
• 85 dB alarm with flashing light
• Plug rotates 90 degrees to sit upright in most outlets

Tradeoff

• · Not sealed, so backup batteries need replacing; outlet placement limits where it can go.

Check price on AmazonRead the full reviewSpecs: manufacturer page, checked Nov 1, 2026

No. 4CO alarm

Eton American Red Cross Blackout Buddy CO (ARCBBCO30W)

Best for: A CO alarm with a built-in flashlight for outages

• Plugs into a 120 V outlet with replaceable AA battery backup
• Real-time CO ppm display
• Built-in LED flashlight
• ETL certified to UL 2034; 10-year lifetime; 2.9 x 5.2 x 1.5 in

Tradeoff

• · Plug-in placement only, and the backup batteries need replacing. Eton does not list alarm dB or flashlight lumens.

Check price on AmazonRead the full reviewSpecs: manufacturer page, checked Nov 1, 2026

What to look for

Works without grid power

For outages, the key question is what happens when the power goes off. Sealed 10-year battery alarms need no outlet and no battery changes, and they keep running through an outage. Plug-in alarms with battery backup switch to batteries when the power goes out, but only if those batteries are fresh. Hardwired alarms should have a battery backup too; check yours.

A digital display

A display shows the current CO level in parts per million (ppm). Some models also store a peak level, which can reveal a problem that happened while you were asleep or away. This is helpful when you are running a generator or heater and want to confirm levels stay at zero indoors.

Certification

In the US, residential CO alarms are typically listed to the UL 2034 standard. Look for the listing on the packaging or the maker's spec sheet. First Alert states UL 2034 for the CO710, and Eton states ETL certification to UL 2034 for the Blackout Buddy CO.

Combination smoke/CO alarms

Combination alarms save ceiling space, but CO and smoke have different ideal placements, and you need smoke alarms in more locations than many homes need CO alarms. Standalone CO alarms with a display are easier to read and to move near a heater during an outage.

Where to put CO alarms

• On every level of the home, and outside each sleeping area.
• In any room where you run an indoor-rated fuel heater during an outage.
• Follow the manufacturer's placement instructions: distances from fuel-burning appliances, kitchens and bathrooms vary by model.
• Check your state and local codes, which may require CO alarms in specific locations.

Outage CO safety rules

The CDC describes CO poisoning symptoms as often flu-like: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. People who are sleeping or have been drinking can die before they notice symptoms. If an alarm sounds, get everyone outside into fresh air immediately and call 911 or the fire department. Do not go back inside until responders say it is safe.

Pairing alarms with outage heat and power

If you plan to use an indoor-safe propane heater such as the Mr. Heater Buddy during winter outages, put a CO alarm in the same room. Our winter power outage survival guide covers ventilation and safer heating strategies. If you are choosing between a generator and a battery power station, the backup power calculator helps compare them; battery power stations produce no exhaust and can be used indoors.