English storey cover
You want one optical alarm on a hall or landing and you will test it. A sealed cell matches the GOV.UK preference. The Prefira Slim is the top pick for that brief. Twenty-six reviews do not prove the 10-year line.
ABUS smoke alarm comparison 2026
The best ABUS smoke alarms, compared.
Top pick: ABUS Prefira Smart Best value: ABUS Prefira 5 – About £11.28 and 4.4 from 78 reviews. Score 88 after a deduction for replaceable cells. Updated October 2026.
An ABUS smoke alarm is a battery optical alarm for a hall, landing or bedroom. It is not a heat alarm, not a carbon monoxide alarm, and it does not radio-link the other alarms in the house. England lets need one smoke alarm on each living storey and do not require interlink. Scotland, rented homes in Wales, and Northern Ireland private lets need a system these four alarms do not complete. Quality means a stated BS EN 14604 mark, a battery type you chose on purpose, and a mount you can test every month. The [ABUS smoke alarm buying guide](/hub/fire-protection/abus-smoke-alarm/sub/abus-smoke-alarm-buying-guide) sets that order before the cards. The four listings are the Prefira 5, model 35552, the RWM150, the Prefira Slim, model 36395, and the Prefira Smart, model 36421. Other ABUS models on the manufacturer site are not in this table.
An ABUS smoke alarm is a battery optical alarm for a hall, landing or bedroom. It is not a heat alarm, not a carbon monoxide alarm, and it does not radio-link the other alarms in the house.
14 products checked · 46 hrs invested · +16,200 readers
4 of 4: Best ABUS smoke alarms compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 4Best overall
Best value
9.2/10
8.8/10
8.4/10
7.4/10
∼ £52
∼ £11
∼ £24
∼ £20
4.6(6)
4.4(78)
4.2(26)
3.7(1,421)
Personal buying guide
Which ABUS smoke alarm fits?
Question 1 of 2
Which battery do you want?
The best ABUS smoke alarms in detail
Our view
The ABUS Prefira Smart, model 36421, is a 7 cm optical alarm listed at £52.17 that sends push alerts over Matter on Thread, with a replaceable battery rated up to 5 years and an 85 dB tone. amazon.co.uk shows 4.6 from 6 reviews. One United Kingdom review on 2 October 2026 says it works with Home Assistant, and another review could not connect the alarm to the phone. The listing says those alerts need a Matter-enabled Thread Border Router, and that router is not in the box. It includes an adhesive pad and a magnetic mount as well as screws, a dual optical check, an insect screen, dust compensation, and an LED that dims at night. EN 14604 is on the listing. It is not a radio-interlink smoke alarm, so the other alarms in the house do not sound because this one sent a phone message. Six reviews do not show how the replaceable cell behaves over five years. It fits only if you already run Thread.
Pros
- Push alerts over Matter on Thread
- 7 cm diameter with adhesive, magnet or screws
- LED that dims at night
- Replaceable battery rated up to 5 years
- 4.6 from 6 amazon.co.uk reviews
Cons
- Thread Border Router is not in the box
- Only 6 reviews, including one that could not connect
- £52.17 for a replaceable cell, not a sealed 10-year battery
- Phone alerts do not radio-link the other alarms
Best for: You already have a Thread Border Router and you want a phone alert from an ABUS optical alarm.
Less suitable: You wanted a sealed 10-year cell, or you expected Matter to make the other smoke alarms sound.
Specifications
- Model
- ABUS Prefira Smart
- Brand
- ABUS
- Price
- ∼£52
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(6)
- Battery
- Replaceable, 5 years
- Sealed cell
- Nein
- Standard
- EN 14604
- Mount
- Pad, magnet, screws
- Alarm
- 85 dB
- Size
- 7 × 7 × 4.4 cm
- Smart home
- Matter / Thread
- LED
- Dims at night
- False alarms
- Dual check, screen
- Interlink
- Nein
Common questions
Does the Prefira Smart work in a kitchen?
The listing asks the question. The bullets do not say it is for kitchens. They describe optical smoke detection, an insect screen and dust compensation.
Is it battery powered?
Yes. The listing says the battery lasts up to 5 years and can be replaced. It is not a sealed 10-year cell.
Does the app work on its own?
No. The listing says push notifications need a Matter-enabled Thread Border Router, and that router is not in the box. One United Kingdom review says it works with Home Assistant. One other review could not connect to the phone.
Our view
The ABUS Prefira 5, model 35552, is the screw-mounted alarm in this set, listed at £11.28 with replaceable batteries rated up to 5 years and an 85 dB tone. amazon.co.uk shows 4.4 from 78 reviews, the largest Prefira sample here. The listing states EN 14604, a large test and hush button on the underside, an insect screen and dust compensation, and screws and wall plugs for the ceiling. It measures 11 × 11 × 3.6 cm. The technical table prints 22 g, which is the figure on the page and not a weight we measured, so do not plan a bracket from it. Some reviews mention early false alarms, and at least one buyer wanted a 10-year sealed cell and received this 5-year replaceable model. The listing also says it is suitable for campervans and motorhomes, without a separate leisure-vehicle approval beyond that sentence. It is the best value if you will change the cells, and the wrong box if you wanted a sealed battery.
Pros
- £11.28, the lowest price in this set
- 4.4 from 78 amazon.co.uk reviews
- Large test and hush button on the underside
- Replaceable batteries rated up to 5 years
- Screws and wall plugs included
Cons
- Not a sealed 10-year cell
- Some early false alarms in the reviews
- Printed weight of 22 g is not a weighed fact
- Bullets list screws, not an adhesive pad
Best for: You will change the cells yourself and you want the lowest shelf price among these four ABUS alarms.
Less suitable: You wanted a sealed battery to match the GOV.UK preference, or a kitchen heat alarm.
Specifications
- Model
- ABUS Prefira 5
- Brand
- ABUS
- Price
- ∼£11
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(78)
- Battery
- Replaceable, 5 years
- Sealed cell
- Nein
- Standard
- EN 14604
- Mount
- Screws and plugs
- Alarm
- 85 dB
- Size
- 11 × 11 × 3.6 cm
- Smart home
- Stand-alone
- LED
- Soft status LED
- False alarms
- Screen and dust
- Interlink
- Nein
Common questions
Can you use the Prefira 5 in a caravan?
The listing says it is suitable for campervans and motorhomes, as well as bedrooms, children's rooms and living areas. It does not describe a leisure-vehicle approval beyond that sentence.
Does it have a hush button?
Yes. The listing describes a large test and hush button on the underside, meant to be reachable when the alarm is on the ceiling.
How loud is the alarm?
The listing states an 85 dB audible alarm. It also says the alarm is certified to EN 14604 and that the batteries are replaceable with a life of up to 5 years.
Our view
The ABUS Prefira Slim, model 36395, is a flat optical alarm measuring 11 × 11 × 2.9 cm, with a sealed battery the amazon.co.uk listing rates at up to 10 years and an 85 dB tone. On that listing it is 4.2 from 26 reviews, which is too small a file to treat the 10-year line as a result you can bank on. The page claims EN 14604 and a Q-Label, a dual optical check, an insect screen and dust compensation, and it includes an adhesive pad and a magnetic mount as well as screws. The LED is described as dimming in the dark, which is the bedroom detail in this set. Reviewers describe sticking the pad and clipping the alarm to the magnet, so the no-drill fit is what people report doing. Used stock and a housing called not that slim both appear in that short file, so the 2.85 cm height claim is not how every unit feels on a ceiling. It does not claim carbon monoxide detection, and the listing does not show radio interlink. It is the top pick here only if you want a sealed ABUS cell and no app.
Pros
- Sealed battery claimed for up to 10 years
- Adhesive pad and magnetic mount, plus screws
- LED that dims in the dark
- EN 14604 and a Q-Label claim on the listing
- 4.2 from 26 amazon.co.uk reviews at £23.65
Cons
- 26 reviews is not a 10-year ownership record
- Used stock and a not-that-slim comment appear in the file
- No carbon monoxide detection and no radio interlink shown
Best for: You want a sealed ABUS alarm for a hall or bedroom, you will fit it with the pad or screws, and you do not need a phone alert.
Less suitable: You need a long UK review history, radio interlink, or a heat alarm for a kitchen.
Specifications
- Model
- ABUS Prefira Slim
- Brand
- ABUS
- Price
- ∼£24
- Customer rating
- 4.2/5(26)
- Battery
- Sealed, 10-year claim
- Sealed cell
- Ja
- Standard
- EN 14604, Q-Label
- Mount
- Pad, magnet, screws
- Alarm
- 85 dB
- Size
- 11 × 11 × 2.9 cm
- Smart home
- Stand-alone
- LED
- Dims in the dark
- False alarms
- Dual check, screen
- Interlink
- Nein
Common questions
Does the Prefira Slim have a replaceable battery?
No. The amazon.co.uk listing describes a sealed battery with up to 10 years of maintenance-free operation. The price on that listing was £23.65.
Can you fit it without drilling?
The listing includes an adhesive pad and a magnetic mount, and also screws and wall plugs. Reviewers describe sticking the pad and clipping the alarm to the magnet.
Does it detect carbon monoxide?
The listing asks the question, but the bullets do not claim carbon monoxide detection. They describe optical smoke detection, an 85 dB alarm, an insect screen and dust compensation.
Our view
The ABUS RWM150 is the older sealed alarm, listed at £20.23 with a permanently installed 3 V lithium cell and a 10-year claim, an 85 dB tone, and an optical sensor for visible smoke particles. amazon.co.uk shows 3.7 from 1,421 reviews. In the first 50 of those reviews the repeated complaint is that the sealed cell failed early, at about 10 months and at roughly 1.5, 2, 3, 3.5 and 4 years, including in multi-unit sets. The listing states EN 14604 and VdS 3131, and it prints a Stiftung Warentest grade of 1.9 from issue 01/2021, which is a German grade on the page and not a UK test. The LED flashes every few minutes. The bullets give a diameter of 10 cm and a height of 3.6 cm at 200 g, while the item row prints 5.5 × 11 × 14.5 cm, so the page does not settle one size. You cannot change the cell, so a dead battery means a new alarm. The captured bullets do not confirm a hush button.
Pros
- Sealed 3 V lithium with a 10-year claim on the listing
- 1,421 amazon.co.uk reviews, so the battery pattern is visible
- EN 14604 and VdS 3131 stated on the listing
- Optical sensor described for visible smoke particles
Cons
- Early sealed-cell failure is the main theme in the first 50 reviews
- 3.7 from 1,421 amazon.co.uk reviews
- Bullets and the item row print different dimensions
- Hush is not confirmed in the captured bullets
Best for: You have already read the early-battery reviews and you still want this sealed model at £20.23.
Less suitable: You are buying it for the 2021 German grade, or you need to swap the cell when it chirps.
Specifications
- Model
- ABUS RWM150
- Brand
- ABUS
- Price
- ∼£20
- Customer rating
- 3.7/5(1,421)
- Battery
- Sealed 3 V lithium
- Sealed cell
- Ja
- Standard
- EN 14604, VdS
- Alarm
- 85 dB
- Size
- 10 × 3.6 cm
- Smart home
- Stand-alone
- LED
- Every few minutes
- Interlink
- Nein
Common questions
Does the RWM150 detect every kind of smoke?
The listing says the 85 dB tone sounds when too many visible smoke particles enter the chamber. It does not claim detection of all smoke types or of carbon monoxide.
Can you change the battery?
No. The listing says the 3 V lithium battery is permanently installed, with a 10-year claim and a warning tone when the level is low. In the first 50 reviews, early failure of that cell is the main complaint.
Is there a hush button?
The listing asks the question. The captured bullets do not confirm a hush function. They do confirm VdS testing to EN 14604 and VdS 3131, and a grade of 1.9 from Stiftung Warentest 01/2021.
How we compared
Scores are 0–100 from the amazon.co.uk captures dated 19 October 2026. Inputs are the star line and review count, whether the cell is sealed, stated EN 14604, mount and false-alarm features on the listing, and the shelf price in GBP. Deductions apply for a thin review file, a replaceable cell where a sealed cell was the brief, and a repeated early-battery complaint. There is no lab test. Four listings are on this page.
1
Stars and review count
30%The amazon.co.uk star line and the number of reviews. A thin file cannot carry a 10-year battery claim, and a long file that repeats early cell failure pulls the score down.
2
Sealed or replaceable cell
25%A sealed cell matches the GOV.UK preference in this brief. A replaceable cell is a deduction where that sealed brief was the point of the comparison.
3
Stated EN 14604
15%Whether the listing states EN 14604. A Q-Label or VdS line is recorded as a listing claim. It is not treated as a UK Kitemark or as a legal requirement.
4
Mount and false alarms
15%Adhesive, magnet or screws, plus an insect screen, dust compensation or a dual optical check where the listing states them.
5
Shelf price
15%The amazon.co.uk shelf price in GBP on the 19 October 2026 captures. The lowest price takes the best-value badge only with the replaceable-cell deduction already applied.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
ABUS smoke alarm buying guide
Choose the nation and the battery before the model name. A sealed cell, a replaceable cell and a Matter alarm are three different purchases, and none of them is a heat alarm or an interlinked system.
What is an ABUS smoke alarm?
An ABUS smoke alarm in this comparison is a battery optical alarm sold on amazon.co.uk for a hall, landing or bedroom. It is not a heat alarm, not a carbon monoxide alarm, and not an interlinked system. The four listings are the Prefira 5, model 35552, the RWM150, the Prefira Slim, model 36395, and the Prefira Smart, model 36421. Other ABUS models on the manufacturer site are not in this table.
Best for
- Owners and English landlords who want one alarm on a living storey and will test it
- Buyers who will change replaceable cells and want the lowest shelf price
Not ideal for
- Homes in Scotland, or rented homes in Wales and Northern Ireland, that need an interlinked system
- A kitchen or a bathroom
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Expecting the Prefira 5 to be sealed
The Prefira 5 uses replaceable cells rated up to 5 years. At least one buyer wanted a 10-year sealed cell and received this model. Read the battery line before you order.
- 2
Treating a Q-Label or a German grade as UK law
A Q-Label, VdS 3131, or the Stiftung Warentest 1.9 from 01/2021 is a listing claim. None of them is a UK Kitemark, and the 2021 grade is not a UK test.
- 3
Calling Matter an interlink
The Prefira Smart sends a phone alert only if you already have a Thread Border Router. That alert does not make the other smoke alarms in the house sound. A kitchen still needs a heat alarm, not one of these optical units.
What to weigh up
Nation, tenure and battery
HighNation and tenure come before the model. England lets need one smoke alarm on each living storey and do not require interlink. GOV.UK prefers a sealed battery. Scotland, rented homes in Wales and Northern Ireland private lets need interlinked systems, and in Wales the rented standard is mains and linked. These four alarms do not complete that job. A sealed cell matches the GOV.UK preference. A dead sealed cell means a new alarm, because you cannot swap the battery.
Stand-alone, smart and the room
HighOnly the Prefira Smart talks to a phone, and only over Matter on Thread. The listing says those alerts need a Thread Border Router, and that router is not in the box. Six reviews, one of them unable to connect, do not show five years of the replaceable cell. Phone alerts do not make the other alarms in the house sound. None of the four radio-links. The room is the ceiling of a hall or landing, about 30 cm from walls and lights, not the kitchen and not the bathroom. Kitchens need a heat alarm.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Cells you will change
You will replace the batteries yourself and you want the lowest shelf price in this set. The Prefira 5 is about £11.28, with 4.4 from 78 reviews. It is the wrong box if you wanted a sealed cell.
Phone alerts on Thread
You already have a Matter-enabled Thread Border Router. The Prefira Smart can send a push alert. The router is not in the box, the cell is replaceable, and the alert does not make the other alarms sound.
Common questions about ABUS smoke alarms
Which ABUS smoke alarm is the top pick in 2026?
The Prefira Slim is the top pick in this set. The amazon.co.uk listing describes a sealed battery rated at up to 10 years, EN 14604 and a Q-Label claim. It is 4.2 from 26 reviews at about £23.65. Twenty-six reviews cannot prove a 10-year cell. The Prefira Smart scores higher on six reviews, and that file is too thin for the top pick. This is a listing judgement, not a lab test.
How much does an ABUS smoke alarm cost?
On the amazon.co.uk captures of 19 October 2026, the Prefira 5 is about £11.28, the RWM150 about £20.23, the Prefira Slim about £23.65, and the Prefira Smart about £52.17. A rule of thumb only: the non-smart units in this set sit between about £11 and about £24. These are the shelf prices in those captures, not a promise of tomorrow’s page. Do not use euro prices from other shops.
What should you check before you buy an ABUS smoke alarm?
Start with nation and tenure. England lets need one smoke alarm on each living storey and do not require interlink. Then choose a sealed or a replaceable cell on purpose. GOV.UK prefers a sealed battery. Check the room: ceiling of a hall or landing, about 30 cm from walls and lights, not a kitchen or bathroom. None of these four radio-links to other smoke alarms. Stars and review counts on this page are the amazon.co.uk lines.
Do these alarms meet landlord rules outside England?
No. These four are stand-alone battery optical alarms. They do not complete the interlinked layout Scotland asks for, the mains and linked alarms in rented homes in Wales, or the interlinked smoke and heat alarms for Northern Ireland private tenancies. The ABUS smoke alarm landlord rules page sets out those four nations. An English let still needs one alarm on each living storey.
Does the Prefira Smart make the other alarms sound?
No. The listing says push notifications need a Matter-enabled Thread Border Router, and that router is not in the box. Phone alerts do not radio-link the other smoke alarms in the house. The cell is replaceable, rated up to 5 years, not a sealed 10-year battery. amazon.co.uk shows 4.6 from 6 reviews. One United Kingdom review says it works with Home Assistant, and another could not connect the alarm to the phone.
Can you fit an ABUS smoke alarm in the kitchen?
No. These listings are optical smoke alarms for halls, landings and bedrooms. A kitchen needs a heat alarm, which is a different comparison: the heat detector page. Do not put a smoke alarm in a bathroom either. Steam and cooking smoke are the usual reason optical alarms go off in those rooms. If the alarm sounds and the cause is not obvious, get out and call 999.
Does the RWM150 last 10 years?
The listing claims a permanently installed 3 V lithium cell for 10 years. That is a claim, not a result. amazon.co.uk shows 3.7 from 1,421 reviews, and in the first 50 the repeated complaint is early failure of that sealed cell, from about 10 months to about 4 years. The Stiftung Warentest grade of 1.9 from 01/2021 on the listing is a German grade, not a UK test.
Is a Q-Label or VdS mark a UK legal requirement?
No. BS EN 14604 is the product standard named on these listings. A Q-Label on the Prefira Slim, or VdS 3131 on the RWM150, is a listing claim. Neither is a UK Kitemark and neither is a legal requirement in England. New English dwellinghouses are guided to mains Grade D2, Category LD3 under BS 5839-6, which these battery units are not. Test at least monthly. Fire Kills says monthly. Cornwall and Scottish Fire and Rescue say weekly.
Our verdict
The Prefira Slim is the top pick: a sealed cell, a Q-Label claim and a magnetic mount, at about £23.65, with 4.2 from 26 reviews. The score is 84, held back by that short file. The Prefira Smart scores 92 and stays off the badge, because six reviews and a replaceable cell do not win the sealed-battery brief. The Prefira 5 is the best value at about £11.28, with 4.4 from 78 reviews and a score of 88 after a deduction for replaceable cells. The RWM150 scores 74: 3.7 from 1,421 reviews, and early failure of the sealed cell in the first 50 reviews. There is no lab test.
Best value
View offer
ABUS Prefira 5
About £11.28 and 4.4 from 78 reviews. Score 88 after a deduction for replaceable cells.
Editorial
Editor
DIY & toolsFire protectionamazon.co.uk listings
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to ABUS smoke alarms
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
ABUS smoke alarm buying guideBattery, interlink, room and listing evidence, in the order you should decide them.Best ABUS smoke alarmOne top pick and one best-value pick, and who should skip each.How to fit an ABUS smoke alarmCeiling position, the monthly test, cleaning and when to replace the alarm.RWM150 or PrefiraWhen the older sealed alarm still makes sense, and when a Prefira is the clearer box.ABUS smoke alarm landlord rulesEngland, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and what these four alarms do not cover.
Related comparisons
Sources
Public UK sources from the research digest. Listing prices, stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk lines captured on 19 October 2026.
- GOV.UK — Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations, landlord booklet (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- GOV.UK — Approved Document B fire safety FAQ (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Scottish Government — Tolerable standard, fire and carbon monoxide detection (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Scottish Fire and Rescue Service — Smoke and heat alarms (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- legislation.gov.uk — Wales, The Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022 (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- legislation.gov.uk — Northern Ireland private tenancies regulations 2024 (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Fire Kills — Detection (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- ABUS UK — RWM150 smoke alarm (retrieved 19 October 2026)
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk with the tag pcuk26-21. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk listing lines captured on 19 October 2026. We did not run a lab test.