REVIEW – Burning toast is a minor inconvenience. Said toast filling the kitchen with smoke is a bigger problem. The same toast setting your house on fire can be catastrophic. Nip that in the bud with a great, connected smoke alarm like X-Sense’s XS03-WX!
What is it?
The X-Sense XS03-WX WiFi Smoke Alarm is a battery-operated device that sounds an alarm and sends a message to a smartphone when detecting the presence of smoke.
Hardware specs
- Model XS03
- Alarm volume: ≥85dB at 10 feet (3 meters)
- Operating life: 10 years
- Silence duration: ≥9 minutes
- Power source: 3V CR123 Lithium battery
- Red indicator LED
- Photoelectric sensor
- White ABS construction
- Safety Standards: UL 217, EN14604:2005, TÜV, and CE
- Mounting base, screws, and drywall anchors included
- <6µA standby current
- <30mA alarm current
- Weight: 0.20 lbs, 92g
- Operating temperature: 40-100°F (4.4-37.8°C)
- Operating Humidity: ≤85% RH, non-condensing
What’s in the box?
- Alarm unit
- Mounting bracket
- Drywall anchors and mounting screws (x2)
- User manual
Design and features
I previously reviewed the X-Sense XS01 smoke detector here. The performance was great and I believe that you can never have too many smoke detectors, so I was happy to have a look at their new X-Sense XS03-WX WiFi Smoke Alarm.
The X-Sense XS03-WX WiFi Smoke Alarm’s box is similar to the XS01.
The housing is rugged ABS plastic. It’s about the size of a tennis ball.
The mounting base and screws are included.
Like many manuals, if you are averse to teeny tiny print, you might want to download an electronic version.
The X-Sense XS03-WX WiFi Smoke Alarm is powered by a CR123 battery that should last about a year. A plastic tab needs to be removed to activate.
To access the full capabilities, installation of the app is necessary. I was a bit disappointed that the XS03 isn’t compatible with Tuya Smart (the app used for the XS01). The new app is called “X-sense.” After installing the app and registering an account, adding the X-Sense XS03-WX WiFi Smoke Alarm was easy – click the “+” then “Smoke Alarms” followed by “WI-FI Smoke Alarms (Standalone, without base station).”
The app graciously walks through the pairing process.
Holding the button on the side for five seconds puts the XS03 in pairing mode. A blue LED flashes quickly letting you know it’s ready. The same button flashes red once a minute to indicate it’s alive and breathing.
The XS03 appears under “My Devices” and clicking on the icon pulls up the settings.
Push notification options are aplenty.
At the bottom of the page, “History” keeps a log of events.
The “Account“ tab allows the management of different “homes.”
Some X-sense products are Alexa and Google Home compatible, but the XS03 isn’t one of them.
“Critical Alerts” allows notifications even if the host smartphone is in Silent or Do Not Disturb modes. This is a great feature and adds a second level of life-saving virtuousness to your home’s fire safety.
X-Sense offers a “Protect+ Plan” at an additional cost. This service provides 24/7 fire dispatch should your X-Sense XS03-WX WiFi Smoke Alarm detect smoke. Some insurance companies offer a discount if enrolled in the $29.99 annual plan. A 15-day free trial is offered.
The “Help &Feedback” selection opens a FAQ with a few nuggets of troubleshooting info.
Moving on to performance, I used an extinguished candle and a smoking paper towel. The XS03 squealed an alert within seconds of exposure to small puffs of smoke. Tests were as good or better than similarly equipped photoelectric detection units I’ve used before.
The base fits snugly and allows the XS03 to be mounted on a wall or ceiling and removed with a gentle twist.
What I like
- Very compact
- Ten-year service life
- Push notifications
- Wi-fi connected smoke detection at a very appealing price.
What I would change
- Integration with the Tuya Smart app would be lovely.
Final thoughts
I’ve been jarred from my morning somnambulance more than once by the scream of a smoke alarm. A few years ago on Thanksgiving, a malfunctioning oven tried to blast our turkey to oblivion. Had it not been for the alert, we might have been repeating the Christmas Eve dinner scene from “The Santa Clause”… or worse. That’s a scare that you can avoid with a working smoke detector. If you don’t have one, get one… now. Seriously, after you finish reading the next few words, please scurry off to your favorite home improvement store or get online and get one. With solid performance, Wi-Fi, and push alerts, the X-Sense XS03-WX WiFi Smoke Alarm is an outstanding choice! Bravo, X-Sense!
Price: $39.99
Where to buy: X-Sense and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was supplied by X-Sense.
