Unbranded SS-168 / General Purpose smoke alarm review
Product alert
Don't Buy this smoke alarm – it failed to detect smoke in seven-out-of-eight of our fire tests
When set the task of detecting smoke from fires fuelled by wood, plastics, cotton and solvents, this unbranded and unreliable product – sometimes known as the SS-168 - failed to sound in all-but-one of our eight fire tests.
It’s one of the most unresponsive and potentially dangerous alarms we’ve seen and in our tests, we found it unable to reliably detect smoke and that’s why we’ve made it a Don’t Buy.
Further reading
Take me to reviews of Best Buy smoke alarmsFind out how we test smoke alarms
Test scoreShow Context
- Smoke alarm (battery powered)
- Battery only
- Optical smoke alarm
This alarm failed seven out of eight of our smoke tests and that’s why it’s a Don’t Buy. It’s sometimes listed as the SS-168 or as a ‘General Purpose smoke alarm’ and it can often also be found unbranded and for sale on online marketplace sites such as eBay. But its results in our 2018 tests are a real worry for us. This alarm can’t be relied upon to detect smoke and we’ve made it a Don’t Buy to warn you off from buying it.
What's included:- Pros and cons
Last checked by Which?
September 2021
First reviewed by Which?
August 2018
Technical specifications
Test results
The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.
Find out how we test smoke alarmsPut us to the test
Our Test Labs compare features and prices on a range of products. Try Which? to unlock our reviews. You'll instantly be able to compare our test scores, so you can make sure you don't get stuck with a Don't Buy.
- 0%Lowest score
- 41%Average score
- 93%Highest score
Put us to the test
Our Test Labs compare features and prices on a range of products. Try Which? to unlock our reviews. You'll instantly be able to compare our test scores, so you can make sure you don't get stuck with a Don't Buy.
Related articles
How to buy the best smoke alarms
Buying or replacing smoke alarms? We reveal what you need to consider for fire safety, and which fire alarms or smoke detectors are most suitable for your home
How to place and maintain smoke alarms
Which? expert advice on where to put your smoke alarm, which type to buy, plus vital information on what you need to know about maintaining a smoke alarm.
How we test smoke alarms and heat alarms
Which? tests smoke alarms to find which alarms will alert your family to every type of house fire, and which smoke alarms you can't trust to keep you safe.