Home protection has never been more important and with the X-Sense XS01-WT, you can protect your castle from fire with this handy device.
The XS01-WT WiFi smoke detector is the second product we have been lucky enough to review after the X-Sense SC07-W Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detector. Just in case you did not see that review here is a little recap on the brand.
Who is X-Sense?
X-Sense is a leading provider of home safety products such as security cameras, smoke alarms and 2 in 1 alarms for both smoke and carbon monoxide all designed to keep the family safe.
X-Sense has been focused on innovations around the home providing the most advanced monitoring technology. They also aim to utilise the latest in wireless connection technologies to meet real-life demands and make your home safer as well as a little smarter.
First impressions
The X-Sense XS01-WT could be said to be the upgrade on last year’s XS01-WR and you would be right, yes the design is nearly identical. This device has been provided with a few changes after they saw the feedback on the previous model.
The XS01-WT is still a small device that was easy to install on your ceiling and simple to set up. X-Sense has now added a wifi adapter to make this a smart smoke alarm which allows you to connect them to multiple devices all via an app. You can connect up to 100 smoke alarms as long as they are Wifi compatible and useful if you own a massive mansion. If you live in a normal size house like my 3-bed house I felt you only needed about 7 to cover all areas of the house. At £20.79 per smoke alarm or a 3 pack for £55.99, they will not break the bank when buying multiple devices.
Design/ Build
The XS01-WT is still a small puck-like design with a circular opening at the top and 3 larger cut-outs on the side which expose the inner chamber. The diameter is 3.0 inches and is 1.9 inches in height and it comes in a white finish ideal if you do not want it to stand out on your ceiling.
The side of the alarm is where the test/mute button is for this smoke alarm. This button will need to be pressed to run the self-test procedure to make sure it’s still operational over time. When testing it to silence the alarm you just need to press the same button. Apart from that the only new addition compared to the previous model is the Wi-Fi sticker that sits on the side of the device.
Flip the smoke detector over and you will find the battery slot that uses a CR123A 3V battery (Make sure you remove the plastic tab or the smoke alarm won’t work. When removed expect the battery life to provide you with 10 years.
Set up
When you unbox the alarm in addition to the main alarm you also are provided with a small bracket that can be connected to the ceiling using just a couple of screws.
There is no need for any wiring all you need is a screwdriver to install the smoke alarm. You can also simply use the adjustive tape which will keep it in position if you did not want to screw it into the ceiling.
One thing you will need to consider is the position you install the alarm as the position really makes a difference in an emergency. In terms of places in the house to install them, I would recommend bedrooms or your hallways are the best places. Once you have mounted the smoke alarm and removed the plastic tab from the battery you will notice that button starts to flash blue. Then install the Tuya smart app on your mobile and sign up for a new account unless you already have an account. The app will ask you if you want to receive notifications this is optional.
Then you need to add a new device and the app will require you to work on a 2.4GHZ WiFi network as the 5GHz Wi-FI network. You will then need to select the device via the app so click Sensors – Select Smoke Detector Wi-Fi and then add the SSID password. Once done you will be fully set up and can run a notification test via the app.
Features
The main feature of this smoke alarm is the Tuya smart app which will display all the important information needed on the main page such as battery life and recent triggers. You can also enable or disable the standby mode or alarm notifications. You also adjust the app for fault warnings and low battery warnings.
The app also allows you to run self-check tests and then silence the detector after the tests are carried out. The XS01-WT also comes with a photoelectric sensor that detects smoke particles from smouldering fires that could happen in the home. Protecting these types of fires early really could save your life!
The photoelectric sensor works in the following way: The XS01-WT has a light beam pointing away from the sensor inside the chamber when particles enter that chamber the light gets reflected towards the sensor and the alarm goes off. You will notice this device only detects smoke; it does not detect carbon Monoxide if you want a device like that, I recommend the X-Sense SC07-W.
Testing
When installing a smoke detector it’s vital you test them regularly but it’s advised not to test them with real fire. So most people test them by simply pressing the test button which will test both the circuitry and battery life and simulate fire detection.
In terms of pressing the test button, I would recommend that you test the smoke alarm once a fortnight. When we tested the smoke alarm it worked every time.
You can also use a synthetic smoke can as it allows you to test the alarm without that risk of fire. This works by picking up the particles in the chamber just like it would pick up smoke particles from a real fire. Unfortunately in this review, I was unable to use synthetic smoke but it is a way you could test the alarm.
Verdict
Protecting your home from fire damage is priceless and the fact the X-Sense XS01-WT is very budget friendly is a big bonus. The XS01-WR is small in size and won’t stand out on the ceiling. The fact they have added Wi-FI compatibility and the addition of the tuya app they have now made a good smoke alarm better which can now be a smart smoke alarm.
The app gives you the possibility to check the smoke alarm and provides notifications on your phone as well as hearing the loud smoke alarm. Getting notifications is very useful when away on holiday or at work. I also liked the compatibility to add multiple compatible devices all via the same app. The tuya smart app was also useful for providing information such as recent triggers and battery life and also allowing to enable or disable alarm notifications or standby mode.
I also found the inclusion of the photoelectric sensor very useful in detecting smoke particles that come from smouldering fires such as when someone leaves a cigarette unattended and it lands on a sofa and starts to burn. So having the XS01-WT would protect you from these types of fires and saving your life is priceless. So if you are looking for a new smoke alarm this is one you should definitely check out.
Product Rating:
Design: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Features: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Value For Money: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Overall Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars – 4.6 Stars
You can also buy directly from the company website: https://x-sense.com/
Use Code: CHTG0120 (20% off all products)
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