4 Best Portable Carbon Monoxide Detectors for Travel

When discussing the potential dangers and safety hazards that come with travel, certain scenarios tend to arise, with pickpocketing, airplane crashes, hotel room intruders, and identity theft being some of the more common fears regarding travel. Accidentally inhaling carbon monoxide (CO) — dubbed the “silent killer” in the medical world — typically isn’t top of mind for frequent travelers. That is until now, at least, as more travel-related carbon monoxide deaths have recently made headlines.

This past February, three young women, Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El-Arar, 26, were found unresponsive in their room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort while vacationing together in Belize. More than one month later, investigators discovered their shared cause of death was poisoning from carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can leak from faulty and poorly ventilated water heaters, stoves, furnaces, grills, and even car exhausts that prevent oxygen from reaching your bloodstream once inhaled. Late last month, 14-year-old Miller Gardner, son of New York Yankees alum Brett Gardner, also tragically passed away in his sleep at a Costa Rican hotel while on a family vacation. A toxicology report released on April 3 revealed that Gardner’s blood had a carbon monoxide saturation level of 64 percent; that’s 14 percent above the lethal concentration cutoff of 50 percent. 

While travel-related carbon monoxide deaths are somewhat rare (a total of 22 hotel guests died due to carbon monoxide poisoning between 2005 and 2018 in the United States), accidental carbon monoxide poisoning kills approximately 28,900 people globally every year. This, coupled with the fact that many hotels are not legally mandated to have carbon monoxide detectors installed — only 14 states in the U.S. require them — reinforces the importance of traveling with your own carbon monoxide detector. 

Below, we’ve rounded up the best portable carbon monoxide detectors for travel, as well as the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning to look out for whether you’re home or traveling. 

Kidde Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector

In addition to earning a stamp of approval from Travel + Leisure writers, this portable carbon monoxide detector has been given nearly 28,000 five-star ratings based on its efficacy, ease of use, and portability, with travelers of all types chiming in that it’s provided peace of mind while staying at international hotels, Airbnbs, and even RVs. This simple unit flashes a red light indicator light, blasts an ultra-loud, 85-decibel alarm when CO is present, and logs the last time that carbon monoxide was detected. Weighing in at .5 pounds and small enough to fit inside the palm of your hand, this detector comes with two AA batteries included, so you can start traveling with it immediately upon arrival.

Toptes CT-580 Rechargeable Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector

No batteries necessary: This Toptes portable carbon monoxide detector has a built-in battery that can be recharged via a type-C USB charging port. This rugged handheld detector can deliver a carbon monoxide reading in .3 seconds and detect gas concentrations from 0 to 1,000 parts per million (PPM), the average range used to measure CO in industrial and home settings, allowing you to pick up even the slightest amount of carbon monoxide in the air.

It has a large color display screen and comes with three alarm methods — an indicator light, an audible alarm, and a vibration pattern — that go off simultaneously when a dangerous amount of carbon monoxide has been detected. Bonus: It comes with its own zippered travel case for easy packing. Previously $60, this rechargeable portable carbon monoxide detector is on sale for $51 right now. 

X-Sense Smart Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector

This X-Sense portable carbon monoxide detector connects to WiFi to send push notifications to your smartphone via an app, no matter where in the world you may be. This feature can help your friends and family members stay informed while you’re traveling, providing an extra sense of security. This app delivers real-time PPM updates once alarm-level carbon monoxide detection has occurred.

The app can also relay low battery warnings, faults, and precautionary warnings of low-level carbon monoxide detection. The unit itself is battery-powered and has a backlit LCD display screen that shows the current PPM of carbon monoxide in the air, as well as remaining battery power and WiFi signal strength. 

Putogesafe Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector 4-pack

This four-pack of portable carbon monoxide detectors is great for families and large groups who travel together, or those wanting extra detectors to outfit their home with. On sale for 30 percent off, these battery-powered Putogesafe carbon monoxide detectors have an LCD display that relays the current carbon monoxide concentration of the air as well as the remaining battery percentage.

It also has three colored indicator lights: red (alarm), green (power), and yellow (fault). If having to swap out the AA batteries sounds like a nuisance, the brand also sells a four-pack of detectors with a 10-year built-in battery for $95 when you use the on-site coupon.

More Helpful Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Facts:

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure?

Early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include “flu-like” symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, and fatigue according to the CDC. At higher levels, it can result in chest pain, mental confusion, and vomiting. Carbon monoxide can also cause the victim to become sleepy, lose consciousness, or lose muscle function as the dangerous gas stops oxygen flow to the brain, heart, and other important cells and organs. With undetected and prolonged exposure, experts warn it can even “cause brain damage or death before anyone realizes there’s a problem” due to suffocation. 

How long does it take to get carbon monoxide poisoning?

Depending on how high the concentration of carbon monoxide is in the air, carbon monoxide poisoning can turn fatal in just a matter of minutes. In high concentrations, carbon monoxide poisoning can occur in fewer than five minutes, whereas in lower concentrations, it can take up to two hours. At lower levels, carbon monoxide gas exposure can result in symptoms that are less intense and not immediately dangerous, but these fumes are still toxic and can be harmful when repeatedly inhaled.

What do I do if I’ve inhaled carbon monoxide? 

If you believe you may have inhaled carbon monoxide — or are experiencing common symptoms related to carbon monoxide poisoning — immediately call 911 and exit the room you’re in, making your way outdoors. If it’s unsafe for you to go outdoors, open a door or window and stand next to it while you wait for assistance to arrive, breathing in the fresh air from outside.

If caught in time, medical interference can help reverse the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, so seek help the moment you suspect carbon monoxide exposure. 

Can I travel with a carbon monoxide detector?

Yes! You can travel with carbon monoxide detectors in tow, both in your carry-on bag and your checked luggage — but be sure to adhere to the TSA’s rules regarding lithium batteries and remove them from the device before going through security. 

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