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Google Nest Shuts Down Smoke Detector Sales, Partners With First Alert

Nest is ending its Nest Protect smart smoke detector line as First Alert comes to the Google Home app.

Headshot of Tyler Lacoma
Headshot of Tyler Lacoma
Tyler Lacoma Editor / Home Security and Smart Home
Tyler has worked on, lived with and tested all types of smart home and security technology for over a dozen years, explaining the latest features, privacy tricks, and top recommendations. With degrees in Business Management, Literature and Technical Writing, Tyler takes every opportunity to play with the latest AI technology, push smart devices to their limits and occasionally throw cameras off his roof, all to find the best devices to trust in your life. He always checks with the renters (and pets) in his life to see what smart products can work for everyone, in every living situation. Living in beautiful Bend, Oregon gives Tyler plenty of opportunities to test the latest tech in every kind of weather and temperature. But when not at work, he can be found hiking the trails, trying out a new food recipe for his loved ones, keeping up on his favorite reading, or gaming with good friends.
Expertise Smart home | Smart security | Home tech | Energy savings | A/V
Tyler Lacoma
2 min read
Woman installing Google Home compatible First Alert detector on white ceiling.

First Alert's new smoke detector will work with Google Home as Nest shuts down the Nest Protect detector line.

 First Alert

On March 28, Google Nest announced two major changes to its Google Home lineup of smart devices. First, it will end sales of its Nest Protect smoke detector, which is featured on our list of recommended smoke detectors as one of the smartest fire alarms available. Second, Nest is entering a new "life-safety partnership" with fire safety brand First Alert.

With this partnership comes new support for First Alert smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the Google Home app, as well as a new First Alert Smoke & CO Alarm available in the coming months for those interested in a smart alarm upgrade. Interestingly, this isn't the first brand realignment we've seen with smoke detectors this year. At CES 2025, we saw home security company Ring partner with fire alarm company Kidde (another brand featured in our recommendations) with new Ring app-compatible smoke detectors.

"The Nest Protect has been one of our most beloved devices," said Anish Kattukaran, chief product officer at Google Home & Nest, "And we are excited to be partnering with established industry leaders like First Alert so users can manage more of their safety devices together for a safer and more protected home."

Is First Alert a good choice for smoke detectors?

Phone showing fire alarm alert via app.

Phone showing fire alarm alert via app.

 First Alert

First Alert is a 65-year-old fire safety company known for its durable products. The brand has appeared on CNET before, particularly for its fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and highly recommended carbon monoxide detectors, and we've done in-depth reviews of First Alert models in the past.

First Alert's latest smoke detector, arriving this year, is a smoke and CO detector in one. It has smart features like voice alerts, app notifications when traces of smoke are detected, early low battery alerts and the ability to silence alarms remotely. The alarm is compatible with both the First Alert app and the Google Home app. When it arrives, it will be available on the Google Store (among other channels) for a projected $130 cost. Preorders are available now.

What does this mean for my Nest Protect detector?

Your current Nest Protect should still be safe. Nest isn't dropping any support for the device at this time. The new compatible First Alert fire alarms will be able to digitally connect with Nest Protect devices so they can sound off in unison, so you can use them interchangeably in your house if you want.

However, the Nest Protect line is ending, which can sometimes mean a loss of support as the years pass. If Protect features stop working, we'll be sure to let you know.

As traditional fire alarm companies get smarter with these new 2025 integrations, it's a great time to check out our list of the best smart home devices, our fire safety guide and research on where to put smoke alarms.