Updated 27 Apr 2018
Quell
Q1400
Bottom line: This photoelectric smoke alarm is good at detecting both smouldering and flaming fires. It has a 10-year battery.
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Test results
Overall score
Good points
- Good at detecting smouldering fires.
- Good at detecting flaming fires.
- OK to use.
- Has a 10-year battery.
But
No obvious bad points.
How we test
Overall score is based on smouldering and flaming fire sensitivity.
“Good” or “OK” meant the alarm sounded quickly enough to alert you to danger.
“Poor” meant the alarm took significantly longer to sound.
“Extreme” sensitivity meant the alarm sounded so quickly they are more likely to issue false alarms.
Ease of use (/10) includes instructions and ease of installation.
See "About our test" for more information.
Noise is measured in a quiet room 3m from the alarm.
Price is from a March 2018 price survey.
Key data
Test results
Smouldering fire sensitivity
Flaming fire sensitivity
Ease of use
Model
Avg price
Alarm type
Noise (dBA)
Battery type
Size
Features
Battery life (years)
Alarm life (years)
Warranty (yrs)
Hush period (min)
Carbon monoxide alarm
Alarms can be linked
Voice alerts
Member reviews
"Cannot recommend"
04 Feb 2019, K S & Shirley C C.
Product use: 6 months or more
Pros:
Nothing comes to mind
Cons:
We purchased four of these alarms last year in May 2018 and they were installed by staff of local fire station. Today 4 Feb 2019 two of them have been sounding off constantly for no apparent reason so firemen came in uninstalled faulty ones and put in replacements (a different brand) with 10 year life span - hopefully.
Recommend it?
No, this product has too many drawbacks.
