Smart home devices need to be smart. They have to justify themselves by making sure that nothing goes wrong on their end and that they do not miss anything.
I mean, what’s the point of installing such a device if you have to be constantly vigilant.
Well, with the Onelink Safe & Sound from First Alert, you will not have to worry about anything.
It will protect your family, and that is the most important thing. It’s a device that outsmarts itself by covering the three main areas of a home security system.
It works as a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm, a speaker system, and works with Amazon’s Alexa.
Does that sound interesting? At least to me, it is a technical marvel. Let’s find out more about it.
First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound Review
Installation – Easy and Smooth
The First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound is a simple device to install.
With a little wiring knowledge, a ladder and a screwdriver, you can easily complete the installation. Please note that this is a hardwired system and you will need to connect it to your house wiring.
However, if you have already got hardwired systems, you are in for a treat. All you have to do is turn off the particular breaker, take off the old detector (follow the user guidelines) and disconnect the wiring.
Just some pro tips for installing Onelink Safe & Sound:
- Don’t take out the screws completely.
- Unscrew a little bit, move your mounting bracket slightly towards the wide side of the screw hinges and pull it down.
- Insert the Onelink bracket and tighten the screws in the same way.
Look’s easy, all right? Connect the cables according to the instructions in the product manual and install the device. Turn the power back on at the location where you installed the unit.
Do not rewire. Each detector comes with 3 different adapters suitable for different detector brands and voila, you are done with the installation.
Once you are done, go through the settings for Onelink, Homekit, and Amazon Alexa on your iOS device. Android apps are also available in the Google Play Store.
That’s it. It does not get any easier than that.
If you are installing more than one device, make sure you set them all up on your phone one by one once you have installed them. If you do not do this immediately after installing each device, you’ll need to reset each device to disk.
Be smart, avoid manual work!
The Setup is effortless
Once you install the device, the smartphone application will guide you through the setup process. It will guide you through a series of steps that will make it easy for you to configure Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and pairing with your devices.
You’ll feel like you are setting up your favorite smartphone game.
If you are configuring Safe & Sound with an iOS device, you can scan the HomeKit code on your device to show up alongside other HomeKit devices and assign your device a name recognizable by Siri.
That’s great. When you talk to Safe & Sound, it’s like talking to your AI partner.
The app automatically syncs multiple Safe & Sound devices in your home to send alerts on each device.
Each event will echo throughout your home and facilitate control/evacuation after the siren.
Apple HomeKit & Siri – Automated Home Ecosystem
One thing I love about this system is that the Onelink Safe & Sound becomes part of your automated home ecosystem via HomeKit and Siri.
You can organize the alarm with other HomeKit devices into groups for a location in your home. This allows you to check all connected devices across other apps like Eve and iDevices.
This feature helps you ask questions such as how the upstairs smoke detector is working, the status of my CO alarm on the patio, and command the device to change the brightness to the level you prefer.
Amazon Alexa – Your AI Partner
First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound supports Amazon Alexa Voice Services. This feature opens the door to unlimited fun and access. You can ask Alexa anything like weather, music, timer, alarm, and calendar settings. This is the fun part; you can talk to your Safe & Sound and kick the boredom out.
It also supports your Spotify playlist and other music streaming applications like Amazon Music, SiriusXM, iHeartMedia, and TuneIn. You can play some music on the speaker and enjoy yourself with your friends and family.
Please note that Safe & Sound is very sensitive to the wake word Alexa. It can trigger even if you are having a conversation with someone else and saying something rhyming like Alexa. Time to change your pet’s name?
Maybe, if it sounds something like Alexa!
Safe & Sound alarm also allows you to access other functions such as phone calls, smart home control, TV, temperature control, and other things set up on Alexa.
However, Alexa App doesn’t offer full control over Safe & Sound, but you can manage playlists, albums, and playing your music.
Bluetooth Speaker – Play your Favorite Music
Safe & Sound features a powerful Bluetooth speaker for playing your favorite music from nearby devices like your phone, computer, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
The Omni-directional speaker can’t replace your home’s sound system but does a fair job playing background music for parties, birthdays, and other casual gatherings.
It will keep you grooving to your favorite tunes and set the mood all right for your
Moreover, it produces an 85-decibel alarm and voice alerts that are loud enough to echo in your entire home. The speaker will suffice for your entire home if you place it at a central location.
So, be ready to wake up with a loud sound if anything goes wrong in the middle of the night. I mean, this is the best thing to keep your family safe.
The device comes with the ability to hear your commands even when the music is playing, making it user-friendly and 24/7 active. This is the best thing. It will even hear you when your kids won’t.
AirPlay 2 – Stream Audio to Multiple Devices
Apple’s AirPlay 2 streaming feature lets you stream audio to multiple devices, including your Onelink Safe & Sound. Hill, relax, enjoy and stay safe!
Setting up AirPlay 2 with your Safe & Sound is easy. All you have to do is open your iOS Onelink Home app. Select the name of your Safe & Sound and tap settings. You will see AirPlay 2 in the list.
Tap it and follow the screens to add Safe & Sound as a speaker. Repeat the steps for other Safe & Sound devices in your home. Does it get any better than this with any other safety system? I don’t think so.
Reliability – Is the Hype Worth it?
The hardwired system comes with a 10-year sealed lithium battery backup. The features are great. It offers more features than any other home device.
But is it really reliable? We haven’t had the bad luck of testing smoke and carbon monoxide, but we have tested all the other features.
I hope it doesn’t get down to this for your home that you have to face smoke and excessive carbon monoxide levels.
But if it does, be assured that Safe & Sound will keep your family safe.
Its speaker, Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, Apple HomeKit, Apple AirPlay 2 function flawlessly and smoothly. You will face some turbulence when playing music over Bluetooth if the playing device goes out of range.
The setups work fine, and you won’t need to reconfigure if you don’t reset your devices or change your phone.
Price – A correct price, though a bit expensive for some consumers
The price maybe a little too high if you want to purchase multiple devices. Safe & Sound costs almost double the standard price for smoke detectors and CO but offers a large speaker and connectivity across multiple platforms.
The company offers a 3-year warranty and 24/7 customer service to assist you with any issues.
It’s up to you to decide what’s more important: spending a few more dollars on your family’s safety or using cheap security systems that are not as reliable as Safe & Sound.
Pros
- Nightlight
- AirPlay 2 compatibility
- Google Assistant
- Siri
- Powerful speaker with Bluetooth
- A loud and shrill siren
- With the backup battery, you never have to worry about your Smoke Alarm again
Cons
- Relatively costly
- Installation can be difficult if you don’t already have hardwired alarms
User Feedback:
The overall ratings for First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound are on the positive side; I mean, why they wouldn’t be.
The device offers more than what you need to keep your home safe. Overall, buyers mention the ease of installation but recommend setting up each device on your phone right after installing it.
The night light shades get back to full brightness every time Wi-Fi is disconnected. You’ll have to reconnect and then set it back to auto-brightness.
Some users mention that the nightlight lacks a motion sensor like some other devices that light up when you pass under them. Safe & Sound comes with a dim light sensor that automatically dims when it gets dark.
Moreover, it would have been better if you could change alarms like other safety systems.
Moreover, the customer support is excellent too, just like the device. Some users had issues with nightlight and setting up HomeKit; the CS team went above and beyond to help the customers.
However, everyone is not satisfied with the device. They term it as an expensive CO alarm that doesn’t seem to be set up for them. The company has made huge improvements in its device.
With the launch of AirPlay 2, the company has also improved sound quality, fixed other bugs, and made the device user-friendly. Moreover, First Alert is always ready to send out any replacements or replace the device if need be.
You gotta give it to First Alert: they take care of their customers and value them as a family.
Features to Consider Before Buying a Smart Home Smoke Detector
A CO and a smoke detector is very important device in your home. There is no margin for error when buying a home detector.
By paying attention to the following features before you buy, you can make a better buying decision for your home and family.
Sensors: Your device must have photoelectric and electrochemical sensors. These sensors quickly detect any change. However, they must not trigger a false alarm that irritates you. No one wants to be awakened in the middle of the night by bright lights or screeching sirens.
Certifications: Look for the certifications on the package or in the user manual before buying a home detector device. It is better to have a tested and certified home security system.
User Manuals: The user manuals are available online. You need to read through the user manual before you buy a detector to make sure you can install it easily and whether or not it is the right device for you.
Sound Alarm: The sound alarm must be shrill and loud enough to reach every room in your home. Safe & Sound has an alarm with a volume of 85 decibels, which is louder than most of your loudest appliances like generators and vacuum cleaners. With Safe & Sound, you are in safe hands. It will definitely wake you up, even if you have fallen asleep!
Additional Features: Additional features like Bluetooth, support for multiple platforms and streaming apps, night light, and connectivity with other apps make your device even more valuable. With such features, your device will be fun and reliable at the same time.
Placement: The recommended setup is visualized in the image below
Sources
https://s7d9.scene7.com/is/content/NewellRubbermaid/DASH/S7_int/Home_and_Sec/2020/AVS-SS.pdf