Product review

Updated April 2021

Smoke alarms

We tested 12 models to see which respond fastest to smoke.

April 2018

Cavius

CAV10

Price

$50

Score

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Test results

65
Ease of use

More test results

Smouldering fire sensitivity
Good
Flaming fire sensitivity
OK

Model

Avg price
$50
Alarm type
Photoelectric
Noise
95dBA
Battery type
Sealed lithium
Size
Mini

Features

Battery life
10 years
Alarm life
10 years
Warranty
5 years
Hush period
10min
Carbon monoxide alarm
Alarms can be linked
Voice alerts

More info

Notes
Some of Cavius 10-year alarms imported between 2013 and 2015 could incorrectly sound a low-battery warning. Cavius will replace any alarms from affected batches – see www.cavius.co.nz/low-battery-support.
Availability
-

Member reviews

10 Member reviews

ok alarm but had to replace the battery after 2 years

Pros

small and hard to see in a high white ceiling

Cons

battery failed 2 years after installing, the company did send me a replacement battery which I installed and has now lasted 6 years with no issues

Recommend it?

Yes, I recommend this product.

Mark M.

29 Apr 2021

Used 6 months or more

Good looking smoke alarm

Pros

inconpicuous. we have enough hardware on our ceiling as it is.
Don't have to remember to change batery at daylight saving time. Lasts longer. Ours were installed 2018. Now 2021

Cons

Dust or small insect can cause it to go off. Recommend vaccuming every 6 months.

Recommend it?

Maybe, it depends on what you're after.

R & R B.

24 Apr 2021

Used 6 months or more

no expiry date on unit

Pros

small and unobtrusive

Cons

Expiry date not embedded on fire alarm but printed on tag which is removed on install. Expiry dates of smoke alarms must be recorded on Tenancy Agreements. Furthermore these units are advertised as long lif but some have failed within 18 months will not be purchasing anymore of there over priced units when a more reliable unit can be purchased for half price.
Will not be purchasing any more and will advise all my contacts.

Recommend it?

No, this product has too many drawbacks.

Michael B.

14 Apr 2021

Used 6 months or more

False advertising!

Pros

Nice small size

Cons

Battery life is < 5 years on many of the units we bought for different houses

Recommend it?

No, this product has too many drawbacks.

Jon D.

17 Dec 2019

Used 6 months or more

Keith

Pros

It is loud, will alert the heaviest sleeper

Cons

'10 Year' battery lasted 4 years and 5 months

Recommend it?

No, this product has too many drawbacks.

Keith

28 Jun 2019

Used 6 months or more

Reliability of the batteries questionable

Pros

Small and inconspicuous and easy to install

Cons

I purchased 9 of these Cavius 10yr units and installed in rental properties and holiday home about 2 years ago. Three units have since failed. 1 gave occasional false alarms and was replaced same brand and fine after that. Two more recently have had battery failures and had to be replaced. Starting to loose confidence they will last the distance.

Recommend it?

No, this product has too many drawbacks.

Geoff H.

17 Jun 2019

Used 6 months or more

Battery doesn’t last 10 years

Pros

Small and unseen

Cons

We installed 5 of these is our house which we have owned for 5 years. So far 2 of the 5 have a low battery beep.

Recommend it?

No, this product has too many drawbacks.

Dd M.

28 Feb 2019

Used 6 months or more

Small, loud, but only somewhat reliable.

Pros

It's small size makes it inconspicuous. This can be good in rental properties where some tenants with a habit of burning toast take down alarms as a 'precaution' against false alarms - they don't know it is an alarm, so keep it on the ceiling. Their good looks make it great for high spec homes. Alarm is loud and piercing - great for waking you up, not so great for testing!

Cons

The unfamiliar size and shape can lead to some false accusations that the landlord hasn't provided alarms. The side test button is unexpected, so some tenants don't test these themselves (I recommend landlords check alarms every 6 months or less). If you don't have it properly clipped into the bracket the alarm won't work, so make sure you test it after installation. Cavius did a recall of some batches, if one fails check if it was from this run. They do fail before 10 years, I've had several in both my own home and rentals that haven't lasted more than 3 years before beeping 'flat'.