Fire extinguishers are among the first lines of defense in family safety and should be placed in all homes in appropriate areas. They are designed to control small fires until the fire department can arrive. Fire extinguishers can only be used on flammable liquid or gas fires.
Having a fire extinguisher on hand can mean the difference between a fire that destroys your home and a small fire that can be easily handled and controlled. When buying a fire extinguisher, it is important to remember that size and weight are critical in determining which type of fire extinguisher you should buy.
It’s also important to remember that fire extinguishers do not replace using a carbon dioxide or a dry chemical extinguisher only on grease fires.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| First Alert Fire Extinguisher | Best Overall |  |
| First Alert 1038789 Standard Home Fire Extinguisher | Budget Pick |  |
| Kidde 466180 Pro 5 Carbon Dioxide | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. First Alert Fire Extinguisher
2. Kidde 466112 ABC Pro Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher
Pros:
- Affordable UL-rated extinguisher
- 4-year limited warranty
- Lightweight, compact, and easy to use
- Efficient aerosol delivery system
- Contains multi-purpose dry chemical powder
Cons:
- May be too heavy for less experienced users to carry
- Fire extinguishers are not permitted for shipping to Canada
Wall Mounting Bracket Included.
The Kidde 466112 ABC Pro Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher is an economical yet highly effective extinguisher for both home and commercial use.
The dual operation design allows the user to comfortably tackle class A and B fires independently or in tandem. The ABC powder can put out all types of fires, including gasoline, electrical, grease, and petroleum. It also includes a 30-foot hold-open safety pin, so you don’t have to constantly keep track of a pin while fighting the fire.
3. First Alert 1038789 Standard Home Fire Extinguisher
Pros:
- Easy to Read & Operate
- Affordable price
- Lightweight and compact
- Decent fire retardant and water-based protection
- Easy to refill
- Sharp Look design
Cons:
- It doesn’t feature a fire hose/wand or a sign to display
- Reports of the lid getting stuck and the nozzle separating
- A bit tricky to use
- Cannot be stored in an enclosed or metal container (could be dangerous)
The one thing that you want to consider when buying a fire extinguisher is how much you are willing to spend on it. The best budget fire extinguisher on our list is the First Alert 1038789 – a solid product that your family can trust. With that said, the quality, construction, fire retardant capabilities, and usefulness is affected by the price point.
This model is available in red only and features a flat top with a push-and-turn operation and a premium, ample flow nozzle that will give you about 30 feet of wide extinguishing action. It weighs just 8.1 pounds and the mouth measures 3 inches (diameter).
4. Amerex B500
Pros:
- 5lb compact size
- Safe and compact for home use
- Good extinguishing power
- Customer service is responsive
Cons:
- Overcharge protection is not reliable
- Easy to break when under pressure
The Amerex B500, 5lb ABC Fire Extinguisher is an excellent option for your home. It’s ideal for multi-residencies, office buildings, and other areas. The Amerex is a perfect compact size and shapes that can fit easily in small spaces around your home. The product is made of metal, so it’s durable, and it features an easy-to-use crank that you can turn to recharge the unit.
This extinguisher has an output pressure of 30 pounds, so it can be used on various kinds of fires, including common combustibles, electrical equipment, liquids (oil and gas), and wood. It’s been tested by FM Global, and has been classified as class A, B, and C, which means it can handle common combustibles, Class B fires with a solid fuel source, and Class C fires with liquid fuel.
5. Kidde 466180 Pro 5 Carbon Dioxide
Pros:
- Made in the U.S.A.
- Replaceable parts and warranty
- Lightweight bottle
- UL Class A (40B:C) rating
- 5 lbs. of carbon dioxide
- Corrosion-resistant valves
Cons:
- Some malfunctions have been reported
- The trigger does not completely reset
There are many reasons why every home needs to have a fire extinguisher, but you might feel lost when it comes to selecting the best one. Kidde is one of the best brands in the business and is trusted by fire departments around the world. This option is a UL-rated 5B:C extinguisher that uses carbon dioxide as the chemical agent. It is extremely lightweight and comes with an ergonomic and easy-to-grip cylinder handle.
The Kidde brand earns our top pick for best fire extinguishers because they are some of the most well-known on the market. They make high-quality products and provide excellent customer support. They also offer replacement parts and a product warranty. However, there have been some cases of poor quality product feedback from unsatisfied customers.
This extinguisher comes with five pounds of carbon dioxide or CO2 as the agent. It weighs only five pounds, but is strong enough to instantly take control of a fire. Everything about this fire extinguisher is UL rated for safety and effectiveness.
6. AFO Fire Extinguisher Ball
Pros:
- Rated for A, B, and C fires
- Easy to use lever-free design
- Light weight
- Automatic gas discharge
- Small and compact size
- Has a single shot with each press of the refill button
Cons:
- Highly sensitive to dust, grim, or other unknown contaminants
- Difficult to mount in small spaces
- High price tag
The AFO Fire Extinguisher Ball is an extinguisher that has received mixed reviews. One of the most notable qualities about this product is that it has a unique automatic design that allows for one-handed activation. This feature makes it simple to use, especially in a hurry. For instance, if you’re cooking and an oil fire starts up, you can simply throw this fire extinguisher at the flames and it will automatically spray the fire without you having to worry about anything.
The one-shot design offers more convenience as well, and it saves people from having to toss the extinguisher away and hunt for it after it has been used. This design also improves safety as people usually fail to re-throw it after it’s been used.
7. Kidde 21005779 Pro 210 Fire Extinguisher
8. Kidde FA110 Multi Purpose Fire Extinguisher 1A10BC
Pros:
- Universal ABC dry chemical extinguisher
- Easy and safe to use
- Lightweight and quiet
- Excellent value for money
Cons:
- It’s not suitable for use on grease fires
- Long discharge time
This is the first fire extinguisher that we recommend checking out for your home. The Kidde FA110 can be used on nearly every common type of fire – from wood to paper to grease. It's powerful but easy to use and has been approved by all leading standards of safety, quality, and performance.
This extinguisher is an excellent value for money, but that doesn’t mean you’ll compromise on performance. First of all, when you buy this product, it's packed with full-size chemical fire extinguishers consistent of 1.0-lb ABC dry chemical fire extinguishing agent with a passivated steel vessel and brass/bronze valve.
The one we recommend comes with a wall mount bracket which allows for easy, accessible storage. In addition, this product features multipurpose with an ABC dry chemical fire extinguishing agent, which is appropriate to use on a wide variety of fires. It comes with a built-in pressure gauge that shows you how much pressure is left in the extinguisher.
9. First Alert Fire Extinguisher
Pros:
- Not too expensive
- Coming from a reputable company
- Easy to read gauge
- Quick and easy to connect and mount
- Has a plastic orifice so it can be used as a spray or stream
Cons:
- Might not be best for homes with some special needs
- Might not be ideal for homes with children
First Alert has been making some of the best home fire extinguishers for many years now. This 5lb 5½" Professional Fire Extinguisher is no exception. This particular model is red in color, as opposed to the yellow ones that we’re so accustomed to seeing at the fire department.
This weight seems great for the average person to handle, and the fact that it’s longer than the typical fire extinguisher makes it even better. The handle is contoured, which makes it easy and comfortable to hold on to while you grab it out of the cabinet.
10. Kidde 466204 Pro 10 Multi-Purpose Fire Extinguisher
Pros:
- Good price via Amazon Prime
- 47-lb. weight for easy carrying
- The double-action pull pin
- Easy to read gauge
- Integrated safety guard
- Available with a 2-year limited warranty
Cons:
- Liquid crystal display is not backlit
- The red and black bands on the extinguisher can be easily confused
- The handle can be easily bumped in an emergency situation, which can lead to the extinguisher being inadvertently discharged
- Five-year warranty is shorter than average
Large Operable Lever, Chemical – ABC, Red/Black.
We compiled a short guide for beginners on how to choose the best fire extinguisher for your home. The main factors to consider are size, weight, and power. Depending on the type of fire you’ll be dealing with, you’ll want to make sure you have the appropriate extinguisher.
A general rule of thumb is that the ideal fire extinguisher should be at least a 10-A:C rating. This rating means it can effectively put out fires that have a 10 pounds of combustible fuel in 1 square foot. The gauge on your extinguisher should be clearly visible, easy to read, and simple to operate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best fire extinguisher for home use?
The three main things to look for when purchasing a fire extinguisher are size, ease of use, and types of use.
Size determines how big the fire a certain extinguisher can handle, so the larger the fire, the stronger the extinguisher must be.
By contrast, size also determines the weight of the extinguisher. A small extinguisher can be carried much more easily, especially while traveling. A smaller extinguisher is also more manageable in a tight space.
Ease of use is probably the most important thing to take into consideration. A good extinguisher should be easy to lift, comfortable to hold, should not be too heavy, and should have an intuitive nozzle.
Lastly, consider the final use for the extinguisher. If you don't plan on using it to fight a large fire, you may see more benefit in a smaller, less powerful one.
Where should fire extinguishers be kept at home?
Fire extinguishers, like smoke detectors, should be placed in a central location (i.e., hallways or entry points) in every building. This will make it convenient to use in case of emergency. If you place it too far from the affected area, you might not be able to put out the fire before it spreads.
You should also keep one if your home has a workshop or in the garage. These areas are at high risk of fire due to hot machinery and a buildup of flammable liquids.
What is a good fire extinguisher?
A fire extinguisher with the highest rating possible. There are three categories of fire extinguishers rated based on the types of fires that can be put out: A, B, and C. In our exclusive brand review section about fire extinguishers, you'll find that some companies specialize in certain areas while others make a wide range of fire extinguishers. We'll discuss this a bit later.
Fire extinguishers are rated by their PPM or pounds per square inch of pressure needed to be effective. The higher the PPM, the lower the chance of over pressure harm to your surrounding area.
It's very important to always read the instructions on the fire extinguisher. The last thing you'd want is not to be able to use your fire extinguisher because you failed to read the instructions.
Which is the best fire extinguisher Why is it considered the best?
There are two types of fire extinguishers, a Water Type and a Powder Type. A water-based extinguisher is commonly used and is suitable for most of the fires. It works by putting out the fire by depriving it of the necessary oxygen to burn.
A powder based extinguisher, on the other hand, works in a different manner. A thick foam is sprayed on the fire which prevents oxygen from reaching the flames.
To answer your question about which is the best, I would say, it really depends.
It is not always that are suitable for all fires.
For instance, a Water Type fire extinguisher is not useful in putting out a fire that has already spread.
The powder on the other hand, could be useless at putting out a small fire.
The most effective extinguisher types are the ones that can be used for a wide range of fire.
Conclusion
We’ve done the research for you and we’ve found that the Kidde FA110AC is the best home fire extinguisher. It is UL rated and has an A rating on the 10:10 scale. We like this extinguisher because it comes with a Class K, U.L. label. That means it is approved for use on all combustible fires. This extinguisher also comes with a 5-year limited warranty for it on the nozzle and a limited 10-year limited warranty on the product.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| First Alert Fire Extinguisher | Best Overall | |
| First Alert 1038789 Standard Home Fire Extinguisher | Budget Pick | |
| Kidde 466180 Pro 5 Carbon Dioxide | Upgrade Pick | |