8 Best Home Gas Leak Detectors of 2023

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Sniff out leaks — even the odorless kind — with one of these top-rated, high-tech sensors.

We updated this guide in January 2023 to ensure all of our picks, vetted by the GH Institute, were in stock and correctly priced. We also added a newly tested recommendation from Airthings, as well as the latest buying advice for gas leak detectors.

Gas leaks in the home can take many forms, and not all of them smell like rotten eggs. In fact, two of the most dangerous gases— carbon monoxide (CO) and radon — are completely odorless, earning them the moniker "silent killers." That's why it's critical to equip your home with some type of gas leak detector. Fortunately, these detectors are now baked into many other safety devices, for example digital air monitors and dual CO and smoke alarms.This roundup of gas leak detectors from the engineers and home safety experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute includes several combination safety devices from brands we deem trusted and reliable based on years of testing. We also included detectors designed to identify natural gas or propane leaks from specific equipment, like a gas-fired stove or furnace. To evaluate the detectors, our testers exposed them gas to see if they set off an alert, assessed the ease of setup and intuitiveness of any companion apps and looked at things like integration with other smart home products.

Based on that hands-on testing, category expertise and a review of the newest and most innovative leak sensors on the market, we're confident that these are the best gas leak detectors for your home:

As you peruse our picks, keep in mind that manufacturers are specific about which gas or gases their detector will sense, and a detector will not sniff out a certain gas if it's not listed by the manufacturer. Here are some of the common offenders to watch out for when it comes to the air in your home:

The Nighthawk does double duty, detecting combustible gases like methane and propane as well as carbon monoxide. "I especially like the built-in extension cord, which lets you plug the device into a low outlet but also mount it higher, where natural gas and carbon monoxide gas leaks rise," says Dan DiClerico, director of Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. However, since propane is heavy and sinks, you will need additional units if you're looking to detect all combustible gases simultaneously in your home.

Our experts appreciate that the digital display makes it easy to see the level of CO, and the peak level of CO will be saved in the device's memory. The battery backup keeps the unit working even if there is a power outage. The Nighthawk has a loud alarm and if it is triggered in error, the reset button is easily accessible.

While our engineers haven't yet gotten hands on with the EG Air in our Lab, they're impressed by many of its features. First and foremost, this well-priced detector comes equipped with a six-foot extension cord so you can plug it into an outlet and mount it near the ceiling to detect natural gas or near the floor to detect propane.

When you first turn it on, the device will take about three minutes to go through a warm-up and self-test sequence. The LED display registers any concentration of combustible gas, but if the concentration gets above 5%, it triggers a flashing red light and voice alert as well as a loud alarm. "The combination of siren, light and voice alarm provides an added layer of safety, especially in homes with children or the hearing-impaired," says DiClerico.

Amazon reviewers also say they felt reassured by the digital display and liked how easy it is to confirm it was working by following the manufacturer's suggestion of testing the detector with an unlit butane lighter.

The Amprobe GSD600 automatically calibrates when you turn it on, and is ready for use in less than a minute. With the probe, which is just over 17 inches long, this sniffer sucks air through the hose and lets you check appliances and piping in your house, even in hard-to-reach areas, to pinpoint the precise source of a potential gas leak.

"This is a good option for homeowners who are remodeling and want to make sure their new gas-fired equipment has been properly installed," says DiClerico. A strip of LEDs will light up, and the unit will set off an audible alarm if any gas is detected — more lights lit on the scale and more frequent beeping indicate a more concentrated presence of gas. The most effective gas leak detectors are sensitive even to minor gas leaks, and this handy device can detect levels as low as 40 parts per million.

Digital air monitors are relative newcomers to the home safety category, and our experts like the blanket protection they provide. One of the best they've tested is the Airthings View Plus — so much so that we awarded it a 2022 Good Housekeeping Home Reno Award.

The battery-powered device monitors carbon dioxide and radon, as well as particulate matter from cooking fumes and airborne chemicals from household cleaners. What the Airthings does not monitor is carbon monoxide, nor is it a replacement for smoke alarms in the home. (Note: carbon dioxide, or CO2, is a gas that's produced by human breathing, among other sources; it's a good measure of air stuffiness in your home and can cause headaches and dizziness at elevated levels. Meanwhile, carbon monoxide, or CO, is a potentially deadly gas produced by fuel-burning appliance and cars.)

Airthings also works as a home weather station, tracking outside climate conditions like temperature and humidity. The data is sent to the companion app, enabling users to monitor their homes’ indoor air quality remotely. Our testers found the View Plus easy to set up and receive data. "I liked getting air quality alerts on my phone, especially with young kids in the house," said one tester.

This First Alert alarm detects carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke, which is convenient, but it has two additional features that our experts also value. First, as you may need to have more than one of these alarms installed in your home, they can be wirelessly interconnected in a safety network so that when one is triggered, they will all activate. Second, during the easy setup, you can program each device with the name of its location (e.g., basement, kitchen), and when the alarm triggers, the voice alert will tell you the location of the problem. One button lets you silence a false alarm or test the unit. When the battery is low, all devices in this network will sound a warning.

"The Nest Protect is among our top-rated smoke and CO detectors based on its intuitive design and user-friendly interface," says DiClerico. "Plus, Nest is a trusted brand in the smart home category." The Nest Protect device offers voice alerts and tells you the location of the alarm, but also sends alerts to your phone. That means, in the event of a false alarm (burnt toast, anyone?), you can silence it directly from your phone.

Different light colors on the unit let you know if the device is working, if there is a possible problem or an emergency. A motion detector triggers it to softly light up as you walk underneath it in the dark, so it also functions as a night light (you get to choose the level of light). The unit is battery powered or can be hardwired, and can be synced wirelessly with other devices, which can be purchased singly, or in multi-packs. Our pros especially appreciate that no monthly subscription is needed.

Ideal for RVs and campers, the MTI propane gas alarm is powered by 12vDC and triggers when it senses a propane gas leak. Our engineers haven't tested it first-hand, but it has many of the features they look for in low-voltage devices, including straightforward installation (assuming you have experience with basic wiring).

An indicator light changes color to let you know if the device has power, if it has detected a leak or if it needs replacing. The loud alarm can be tested or silenced with a single button. The alarm will trigger again if the space has not been adequately ventilated and a leak is still detected. If you’re looking for a kit that not only detects a propane leak, but shuts off the gas supply too, take a look at MTI's 70 series kit.

This portable battery operated unit can be moved from room to room to measure the radon levels throughout your home. Almost 8,000 Amazon customers rate this a 5-star product, saying it's easy to use. After a brief warm-up, place the unit in the room you want to measure, and leave it for a few hours until the reading has been taken. To get a more accurate reading, leave the device to take multiple readings over a number of days. In addition to ease of use, our experts like that its low battery level indicator lets you know when the AAA batteries need replacing.

Our team of testers drew on five decades of combined experience to identify brands with proven track records for reliability and performance. We then zeroed in on the specific products that you're most likely to find in stores and online for complete vetting and evaluation.

Our engineers spent many hours reviewing the technical data to ensure that each device on our final list meets various industry standards, including UL certification. Our hands-on testing included exposing detectors to various gases to ensure that alarms were triggered in a timely manner. To measure usability, we also evaluated the ease of setup, the intuitiveness of any companion apps and integration with other smart home products.

Throughout your home, you may need multiple gas leak detectors, especially if you have more than one bedroom or level. Most of the sensors we recommend will operate continuously, usually for years, to alert you if a gas leak is detected. These detectors are not designed to identify the exact source of a leak. Utility companies strongly caution homeowners against searching for the source if they have been alerted to a potential gas leak.

✔️ Stationary devices: These gas leak detectors are installed either on the ceiling or high up on a wall, or in another specific location as directed. They sense toxic gas leaks (like carbon monoxide) or combustible gases (like propane or natural gas); some units also detect smoke. They run continuously and are either battery powered or hardwired to the home's electrical system. If the device is plugged into an outlet, it should come equipped with an extension so that the sensor can be located higher up the wall to accommodate different gases.

✔️ Handheld probe: These sniffer devices detect combustible explosive gases in the area near the probe and display the concentration of gas on a meter. They can be used as a safety check if you have just installed a gas appliance and you suspect a potential gas leak from piping. These units don't run continuously, and cannot sense carbon monoxide and therefore cannot be used in place of carbon monoxide or smoke detectors.

✔️ Spray: A gas leak detector spray is only effective if you manage to spray it on exactly the spot where the potentially explosive gas leak is occurring. It works the same way as spraying soapy water on a tire that's losing air. It's for this reason that we don't recommend using spray gas leak detectors.

✔️ Pens: A gas leak detector pen senses combustible gas. We advise against this form of detector since it has to be very close to source of the gas leak in order to detect it, which is extremely dangerous. It also doesn't detect carbon monoxide and doesn't operate continuously.

✔️ Battery life: Make sure the device has an indicator so you know it's powered. Test your installed detectors every month, and replace the batteries at least once a year. Choosing to replace them on New Year's Day is always a good annual reminder. Some devices are a sealed unit and must be completely replaced when the battery fails.

✔️ Expiration date: Many units are only designed to function effectively for a certain amount of time only (e.g., five years, seven years, 10 years). Make a point of replacing the device in advance of the expiration date.

✔️ Type of gas: It's important to understand which gases can be detected by the device and which won't be. Some detectors can identify more than one gas and some can detect smoke. But don't make the incorrect assumption that a CO detector will also detect a natural gas leak: Unless it specifically says it will, it won't.

✔️ UL-Listed: For peace of mind, and better assurance of their functionality and operational safety, your gas leak detectors should reflect the UL Listed mark, to indicate they have been tested by and meet the safety standards of the Underwriter Laboratories, a third-party organization that conducts rigorous independent research and analyzes safety data to develop standards to guide the safe, sustainable commercialization of evolving technologies.

✔️ Sensitivity: Sensors with adjustable and greater sensitivity make it easier to identify the source of the gas leak.

✔️ App-based alerts: Some devices can send data via an app to your smart phone, via WiFi or Bluetooth, to let you monitor the situation even if you’re not there.

✔️ Smart home integration: If you already have other smart home gadgets, you’ll want to check if the gas leak detectors can integrate with your smart home ecosystem and boost your home security.

✔️ Follow the manufacturer's instructions on where to put a gas leak detector. Whether the device is plugged into a wall outlet, or is battery operated and mounted on a wall or ceiling, it's important that these detectors are installed in the optimum location so that they have the best chance of detecting a gas leak and alerting you. For example, you'll install a natural gas (methane) detector near a gas appliance. Since natural gas and carbon monoxide is lighter than air and rises, detectors should be place higher in a room. Meanwhile, propane is heavier than air and sinks, so the sensor should be situated lower to accommodate.

✔️ You may need additional sensors placed strategically around your home. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards.

✔️ Interconnect your devices. Per the NFPA, for the best protection, you should interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home, so that when one sounds, they all sound.

✔️ If you are hard of hearing, some smoke/CO alarms are equipped with a strobe light which turns on when the alarm is triggered. A bed-shaker can be set up to be activated by the alarm to awaken and alert someone who may have removed their hearing aids for the night. The Red Cross has a program to install a limited number of specialized bedside alarms for those who cannot afford them.

✔️ Evacuate the house immediately if you detect that rotten egg smell of a potential combustible gas leak (natural gas or propane), and call your gas company from outside the home. Utility companies advise that if you suspect a gas leak in your home that you do not attempt to identify the source of the leak.

✔️ If the carbon monoxide detector sounds, ensure everyone (including pets) is accounted for and outside or in a well-ventilated space, and call the local fire department. Let them advise you when it's safe to reenter the home.

✔️Avoid turning anything on or off. That goes for light switches, appliances, thermostats and even a doorbell, on or off — the action could cause a spark which could ignite flammable gasses.

✔️ Do not ventilate the home. Let the fire department or utility company try to identify the source of the leak first.

For over 120 years, the Good Housekeeping Institute has provided expert tips and products reviews on all things safety-related used throughout the home, including gas detectors.

Lynn Redmile is a contributing product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has been evaluating various household products, from robot vacuums to water leak detectors, since 2012.

For this review, Lynn worked closely with Chief Technologist & Director of Engineering Rachel Rothman, who has over 15 years of experience researching, testing and writing about products in the home improvement space. Dan DiClerico, the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, also provided insights into detector technology as well as the maintenance of gas equipment. Dan has been writing about home safety and improvement for more than 20 years.

Lynn Redmile (she/her) is a contributing product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she's been evaluating beauty, textiles, home, pet and cleaning products since 2012. She brings over 30 years of data analysis experience to the role. When she's not managing testing data, you’ll find Lynn photographing jazz musicians, dancing and traveling to experience new cultures and food.

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