5 Best Fire Extinguishers
Protect your home from dangerous blazes with this essential fire safety device.
Reviewed by Dan DiClericoHome Improvement & Outdoor Director
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Our top picks:
U.S. fire departments respond to an estimated 343,100 house fires every year, according to data from the National Fire Protection Association, causing an average of 2,610 deaths, 11,090 injuries and a whopping $7.6 billion in property damage. One vital line of defense is a fire extinguisher.
“Along with working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers are an essential part of any home’s fire protection plan,” says Dan DiClerico, the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Yet only about two out of five Americans own a home fire extinguisher, a recent survey by insurance provider the Zebra found. To help change those statistics, we set out to find the best fire extinguishers for home use.
Our experts and engineers reviewed product specs and third-party certifications. We also spoke with fire safety experts at UL Solutions, a global product safety and certification organization, to get their advice on the industry safety ratings to look for, the best places to store fire extinguishers and how long fire extinguishers last before they should be replaced.
After checking out the picks, read on for more details on how we chose them, what to look for when selecting a fire extinguisher and answers to frequently asked questions to ensure you keep your home and loved ones safe. We also recommend making sure your home is equipped with a gas-leak detector.
First Alert HOME1 Rechargeable Fire Extinguisher
Pros
- Durable all-metal construction, including a commercial-grade metal valve
- Color-coded pressure valve
- Pull pin with safety seal to prevent accidental discharge
Cons
- Requires professional recharging
All-metal construction, including a commercial-grade metal valve, makes this fire extinguisher from First Alert our top overall pick. Lightweight and easy to use, this multi-purpose extinguisher can fight wood, paper, trash, plastics, gasoline, oil and electrical equipment fires. It features an easy-to-read, color-coded pressure valve that clearly indicates whether it's functional. Plus, it’s made by one of the most well-established brands in home safety technology.
Keep in mind, the First Alert is rechargeable, which means you'll need to have it serviced annually by a certified fire equipment dealer, which might set you back $25 or so. "You’re not saving money necessarily on rechargeable fire extinguishers, but units like the First Alert HOME1 tend to be the most durable and reliable, so you can count on them when you need them most,” DiClerico says.
First Alert Kitchen5 Fire Extinguisher
Pros
- Specially designed for grease, oven and stove fires
- Generous 10-year warranty
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not suitable for trash, paper, plastic or wood fires
- Doesn’t come with mounting screws
Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, the U.S. Fire Administration reports. This durable fire extinguisher from First Alert — compact enough to fit in a kitchen cabinet and weighing just 3 pounds — is designed to combat fires caused by flammable liquid, such as grease, alcohol, oven and stove fires as well as electrical fires, such as those sparked by slow cookers and pressure cookers.
The device’s metal pull pin, with a safety seal, helps prevent accidental discharge. Another selling point: The product comes with an exceptional 10-year warranty. If you’re short on cabinet space, you can use the included mounting bracket to keep the fire extinguisher on a wall, but it doesn’t come with mounting screws. Also, be aware: This fire extinguisher lacks a class A rating, meaning it’s not meant to be used for trash, paper, plastic, or wood fires.
Pros
- Easy to handle and use
- Long six-year warranty
- Easy-to-read pressure gauge
Cons
- Smaller capacity
Kidde products, including its smoke alarms and gas leak detectors, have performed well in our recent Lab reviews. "It's also one of the most widely available brands within the fire safety equipment category," DiClerico says. This multi-purpose Kidde fire extinguisher, sold online and at the Home Depot, among other walk-in retailers, is no exception.
Featuring durable and corrosion-resistant construction, its aluminum cylinder is lightweight and easy to handle. It's rated for use on Class A (trash, wood, and paper), Class B (liquids and gases), and Class C (energized electrical equipment) fires. The pressure gauge is also easy to read. The product is backed by a generous six-year warranty, and it comes with a mounting bracket. The downside: Its limited 2.5-pound tank makes it not suitable for putting out larger fires.
LifeSafe Technologies StaySafe 5-in-1 Fire Extinguisher
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Brand claims product is non-toxic
- Works against lithium-ion battery fires
Cons
- Small capacity
- Not UL-rated
This fire extinguisher from LifeSafe Technologies is quite versatile, suitable for use on fires started by flammable liquids, oils, or combustible materials like textiles and paper; it's also effective against fires causes by lithium-ion batteries, which have been the cause of many E-bike blazes. “The lightweight design and familiar aerosol spray operation makes this a good fit for small kitchens, though you can also take it with you, say, on a camping or boating trip,” says DiClerico. The brand also claims the contents are non-toxic and non-hazardous, but we have not tested this in our Lab.
Given its small capacity, this product isn’t equipped to extinguish larger fires. Another knock: This fire extinguisher is not UL-rated, though it does meet BS EN3, the European Standard covering portable extinguishers.
Pros
- Highly durable construction
- Large capacity
- Long discharge range
Cons
- Pricier than most
- A bit heavy
Looking for a heavy-duty fire extinguisher? Consider this 10-pound model from Amerex, a manufacturer with a proven track record of producing quality fire extinguishers. It features a spray hose for better aim, a highly durable anodized aluminum valve body, and comes with a bracket for easy mounting. Says DiClerico: “It has some heft to it, but we like the Amerex for locations where larger blazes could occur, like a workshop or basement.”
With a 21-foot discharge range, this dry chemical fire extinguisher can put out larger fires at a distance. It also tackles fires quickly, discharging in a speedy 20 seconds, and it comes with a six-year warranty. However, this product has a heavy price tag compared to many other home fire extinguishers — and it’s by far the most expensive option on our list of picks.
How we choose the best fire extinguishers
When selecting the best fire extinguishers, our Lab experts and engineers zeroed in on products that passed industry tests, such as rigorous safety tests set by UL Solutions. We consulted Blake Shugarman, a principal engineer at UL Solutions, who oversees the company’s quality control and certification requirements for fire extinguishers.
Shugarman provided insight into industry standards and what consumers should look for when purchasing a fire extinguisher. UL Solutions and its employees did not contribute to the selection of these Good Housekeeping-recommended devices. (Fire extinguishers that have UL Certification can be found via the UL Solutions ProductIQ database.
We also considered each fire extinguisher’s ABC rating:
- Class A fire extinguishers are able to tackle cloth, wood and paper fires.
- Class B are for gas, oil and grease fires.
- Class C are for electrical fires.
Three out of the five fire extinguishers we chose are rated for all three classes. The other two serve specific purposes: one is uniquely designed for kitchen fires, and the other is a small aerosol spray that’s easy to toss in a travel bag or a glove compartment, making it a great portable option.
What to look for when shopping for a fire extinguisher
There are several key product features to keep in mind when you’re shopping for a fire extinguisher.
✔️ Fire type: Check the extinguisher’s fire ratings before purchasing to ensure it meets your needs. Class A fire extinguishers are designed to handle cloth, wood, and paper fires; Class B are for gas, oil, and grease fires; and Class C are for electrical fires. Some fire extinguishers are labeled Class ABC, which can safely put out all three types of fires.
There are also Class D fire extinguishers, designed to put out fires in combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium and potassium, and Class K fire extinguishers for fires fueled by combustible cooking liquids, such vegetable oil or animal-based oil.
✔️ UL rating: Fire extinguishers certified by the UL Solutions meet the highest standards for fire safety and performance.
✔️ Ease of use: Putting out a fire requires fast action, which is why you want a fire extinguisher that’s light enough for the adults in your household to lift and operate. Look for one that has clear operation instructions and familiarize yourself with how to use that specific fire extinguisher so that you’re prepared for a fire emergency.
✔️ Capacity: The size of a fire extinguisher — typically measured in pounds — indicates the amount of extinguishing agent it holds. Fire extinguisher capacity can vary widely, ranging anywhere from 1.25 pounds to as large as 350 pounds for a commercial-grade model. Larger extinguishers are capable of putting out bigger fires, but they can be difficult for some people to carry. Keep in mind that the capacity does not take into account the additional weight of the canister, so the total weight will be a few extra pounds.
✔️ Disposable versus rechargeable: Disposable fire extinguishers are intended for one-time use. Rechargeable fire extinguishers should be refilled by a certified fire equipment dealer after they’re used or after they lose pressure over time, usually after about 5 years. Refilling a rechargeable fire extinguishers costs around $20 to $50, depending on the size, make and model of the extinguisher.
✔️ Cost: Most home fire extinguishers cost between $20 and $100, depending on the size, brand and features. Smaller models typically cost less than larger ones.
How long does a fire extinguisher last?
Disposable fire extinguishers should be replaced 12 years from the date of manufacture, Shugarman says. If you have a rechargeable model, make sure it’s refilled as needed by a certified fire technician — typically every five years. Remember to inspect fire extinguishers monthly, making sure they're accessible and checking the pressure gauge.
How many fire extinguishers do you need, and where should they be placed?
Each level of a home should have a minimum of one extinguisher rated 2-A:10-B:C, or higher as recommended by the National Fire Protection Agency’s NFPA 10, the Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers. “Other areas that may warrant additional extinguishers include kitchens, outdoor cooking equipment and fireplaces,” says Shugarman. Garages — both attached and detached — should have a fire extinguisher, too. It’s also a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher in your laundry room or area, since dryers can cause electrical fires.
As for where to put them, an accessible spot near a door or other exit is ideal, so you can get to the extinguisher quickly and make a fast escape as needed (for these reasons, under the kitchen sink is not recommended). It's also important to keep extinguishers away from heat sources, like an oven or fireplace.
What size fire extinguisher for home do I need?
Most consumers need only 5- or 10-pound fire extinguishers in their home. Larger models are intended to fight bigger fires, such as blazes at commercial buildings.
How to use a fire extinguisher
Fire safety experts at NFPA recommend the four-step PASS method:
1. Pull the pin.
2. Aim low, pointing the nozzle at the base of the fire.
3. Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
4. Sweep the nozzle from side to side.
Shugarman also suggests reviewing your product’s owner manual for instructions about installation, operation, inspection, maintenance and disposal or recharging of the fire extinguisher.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Daniel Bortz is a freelance writer who has written about home improvement and home safety for more than a decade, including testing-based product reviews across every major category, from power tools to smart home technology. His work has been published by the New York Times, the Washington Post, Consumer Reports, Newsweek, Money magazine and other outlets.
For this article, Daniel interviewed Blake Shugarman, a principal engineer in the Built Environment group at UL Solutions, where he oversees the company’s quality control and certification requirements for fire extinguishers. He is also the organization's technical expert for special hazard fire suppression products, such as fire extinguishing systems, fire-fighting foam and equipment.
This article was reviewed by Dan DiClerico, the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Dan brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role, in which he oversees product testing of home improvement tools and outdoor equipment. Prior to writing about home improvement, Dan worked on various roofing and remodeling crews.
Daniel Bortz (he/him) is a freelance writer in Arlington, Va who has written about home improvement for more a decade, including product reviews across every major category, from appliances to smart home technology, as well as articles on real estate, personal finance, and more. His work has been published by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Consumer Reports, Newsweek, Money magazine, among others. He’s also a licensed real estate agent who watches way too much HGTV.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
Zinus Memory Foam Mattress Review
The Best Cooling Blankets
The 15 Best Tinted Sunscreens
The 7 Best Enzyme Cleaners for Pet Stains
