▶ Watch my full Meross MA151 Smart Smoke Alarm review on YouTube
2025 has become the year of smart devices gaining Matter compatibility, and the Meross MA151 Smart Smoke Alarm is the latest product to join that list. I’ve been testing two of these units, kindly sent by Meross for review. While the devices were provided, this isn’t a sponsored review. I’ve actually been using the previous generation of Meross smoke alarms for over a year — ones I bought myself — so I was especially keen to see what’s new in this updated model.
Meross are one of my favourite smart home brands because they consistently deliver affordable, Apple Home compatible devices. Let’s dive into the review, starting with specifications.
Meross MA151 Smart Smoke Alarm Specs
- Matter compatibility (works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings)
- Requires a Meross Matter hub (starter kit with hub + 1 alarm ~£40, single alarm ~£30)
- Hub supports up to 32 devices via Wi-Fi or Ethernet
- Dual optical smoke detection to reduce false alarms
- Responds within 2ms to smoke
- 85dB alarm on the detector itself, 110dB alarm on the hub
- Anti-interference mesh to block pests, hair, and dust
- Tamper detection if removed or interfered with
- Battery life: up to 3 years (4 × AA batteries)
- Device lifespan: 10 years
- Supports linking multiple alarms so they all trigger together
- Critical alerts via Apple Home and Meross app
Compared to the previous generation, the dual optical sensors significantly cut down on false alarms — especially from bathroom steam — something I experienced with the older model. So far, I haven’t managed to trigger a false alarm despite testing it near steam.
Design
The Meross MA151 Smart Smoke Alarm features a modern design with a black base (mounted on the ceiling) and a clean white body. The mesh ring runs around the edge, while the top has a speaker grill, status light, and a large button that acts as the main control. It’s a noticeable improvement over the previous version, both visually and functionally.
Setup
Setting up the alarm is straightforward:
- Remove the battery tab inside the detector.
- Plug in the Meross Matter hub (if not already set up).
- Open the Meross app, add the device, and follow the pairing steps.
- Double-press the hub button to enable pairing mode.
- Connect the smoke alarm to the hub and assign it to a room.
If your hub is already connected to Apple Home, the alarms will appear automatically. Installation can be done with screws or sticky pads (both included). I tested both methods, and they stayed secure. The trickiest part is aligning the body with the base slots, but once it clicks into place, it’s solid.
Meross App Features
In the Meross app, you can:
- Check device status (including if it’s mounted properly)
- View 10 years of logs
- Enable built-in testing mode (weekly or even daily)
- Rename devices and assign rooms
- Set alerts for smoke, malfunctions, offline status, and more
- Enable critical alerts that override “Do Not Disturb”
- Link multiple alarms so they all trigger together
- Use alarms and hubs as part of a security system
Apple Home also treats it as a smoke detector, and I’ve linked mine with an automation that turns on all lights when smoke is detected — great for nighttime alerts.
Performance
Of course, the most important question is whether it actually works. To test it, I started a small controlled fire, and the Meross MA151 responded quickly with a loud alarm from both the detector and the hub. This level of reliability is exactly what you want in a smoke alarm.
Verdict
The Meross MA151 Smart Smoke Alarm is a big improvement over the previous model. Matter compatibility, dual optical detection, better battery life, and improved design make it an excellent upgrade. The only notable omission is carbon monoxide detection, but very few alarms (besides the now-aging Nest Protect) combine both functions anyway.
For around £30 per alarm or £40 with a hub included, this is one of the best-value smart smoke alarms on the market. It integrates seamlessly with Apple Home and other platforms, avoids the problem of false alarms, and offers critical alerts when you need them most.
If you’re looking for an affordable, reliable, and Matter-compatible smart smoke detector, the Meross MA151 is easy to recommend.
