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A waist-down shot of someone using a fire extinguisher in front of a brick wall. Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

The Best Fire Extinguishers of 2024

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A waist-down shot of someone using a fire extinguisher in front of a brick wall. Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

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1
Product image of Kidde Pro 210
Good for Small and Medium Fires

Kidde Pro 210

Check Price at Home Depot

This small extinguisher is safe and easy to use for anyone. It has safeguards, but none too difficult to bypass. Read More

Pros

  • Comes with a wall-mounting bracket
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Small
2
Product image of First Alert FE2A10GR Home 2 Pro
Good for Small and Medium Fires

First Alert FE2A10GR Home 2 Pro

Check Price at Lowe's

This extinguisher is made for smaller fires. If you can manage its 10-pound weight, using it shouldn't be much of a problem. Read More

Pros

  • Comes with a wall-mounting bracket
  • Reusable

Cons

  • Somewhat heavy
  • Short trigger
3
Product image of Amerex B500
Good for Small and Medium Fires

Amerex B500

Check Price at Amazon

This lighter extinguisher is made for smaller fires. Its safety mechanisms are a bit complicated, so it's better suited for those with experience. Read More

Pros

  • Comes with a wall-mounting bracket
  • Reusable
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Complex pin
  • May require practice
4
Product image of Kidde Pro 10 MP
Good for Medium and Large Fires

Kidde Pro 10 MP

Check Price at Home Depot

This metal extinguisher is made for larger fires, in larger spaces. It may require practice before use, and its weight can make it difficult to use. Read More

Pros

  • Comes with a wall-mounting bracket
  • Similar to professional-grade extinguishers
  • Made for larger fires

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Small handle
5
Product image of Amerex B456
Good for Medium and Large Fires

Amerex B456

Check Price at Amazon

This extinguisher is professionally-made, durable, and reusable. That said, it is heavy and may require practice before use. Read More

Pros

  • Comes with a wall-mounting bracket
  • Reusable

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Can be difficult to use
  • Good for Small and Medium Fires Kidde Pro 210
  • Good for Small and Medium Fires First Alert Home 2 Pro
  • Good for Small and Medium Fires Amerex B500
  • Good for Medium and Large Fires Kidde Pro 10 MP
  • Good for Medium and Large Fires Amerex B456
  • How We Tested Fire Extinguishers
  • What You Should Know Before You Buy A Fire Extinguisher
  • Other Fire Suppression Devices We Tested
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

Like smoke detectors, fire extinguishers are a vital yet often overlooked aspect of fire safety; they can prevent extensive property damage, and save lives. Fortunately, all fire extinguishers need to comply with strict government regulations and must pass a number of tests before being sold. So there is no single "best," but knowing which one to buy can still be challenging.

So I got my hands on a few of the most commonly recommended fire extinguishers for home use and tried them out. It turns out, one device isn’t really more effective than the others, but some can be more useful than others in specific situations.

For example, the First Alert Tundra Aerosol Spray (available at Walmart) is great for small kitchen fires; the Kidde Pro 210 (available at Home Depot for $52.97) is lightweight and effective at smothering small fires. The Amerex B456 (available at Amazon) is a full-sized, heavy-duty fire extinguisher that could save entire rooms of your home.

Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

Good for Small and Medium Fires
Kidde Pro 210

Fire types: Trash/wood/paper, liquid/gas, electrical

Class: 2A:10B:C

Extinguisher weight: 8 pounds

Reusable: Yes

Warranty: 6-year

The Kidde Pro 210 fire extinguisher has a metal handle and comes with a wall-mounting bracket and a “Fire Extinguisher” sticker that can be placed on the wall above the bracket.

Like all fire extinguishers, the Kidde Pro 210 has a factory-sealed plastic loop around the pin that prevents it from falling out unless it’s pulled. The Pro 210 only has one small, easily-breakable plastic loop, and the fire extinguisher itself is relatively lightweight; most people, including children and older folks, should not have a problem in pulling out the pin, aiming the hose, and using this fire extinguisher.

The bottom line: Small, but powerful, the Kidde Pro 210 fire extinguisher is easy to use in an emergency for everyone, young and old.

Pros

  • Comes with a wall-mounting bracket

  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Small

$52.97 from Home Depot

$58.97 from Walmart
Good for Small and Medium Fires
First Alert Home 2 Pro

Fire types: Trash/wood/paper, liquid/gas, electrical

Class: 2A:10B:C

Extinguisher weight: 10 pounds

Reusable: Yes

Warranty: 12-year limited

The First Alert Home 2 Pro has a metal canister and handle, comes with a mounting bracket, and a single factory-sealed plastic loop around the pin.

It’s a bit tougher to move and lift than the Kidde Pro 210—which is two pounds lighter—but it’s still small enough that older children and adults can wield it pretty easily. Its shorter trigger may be more difficult for those with larger hands to use, but it will definitely get the job done.

The bottom line: If you can lift and hold 10 pounds at waist height, then you can use this fire extinguisher.

Pros

  • Comes with a wall-mounting bracket

  • Reusable

Cons

  • Somewhat heavy

  • Short trigger

Buy now at Lowe's

$63.49 from Walmart
Good for Small and Medium Fires
Amerex B500

Fire types: Trash/wood/paper, liquid/gas, electrical

Class: 2A:10B:C

Extinguisher weight: 9 pounds

Reusable: Yes

Warranty: 6-year

The Amerex B500 is a solidly-built fire extinguisher and comes with a mounting bracket. While this fire extinguisher only has one safety loop around the pin, it also has a piece of plastic that keeps the pin attached to the handle, so that it can be easily retrieved if the fire extinguisher is recharged.

Because of that second piece of plastic, it takes a bit more effort to pull the pin out if you’re in a hurry. While its nine-pound weight isn’t too much to hold, between its weight and the extra pin holder, this fire extinguisher is best left to those who have used fire extinguishers before, and are used to removing more complex pin mechanisms in a hurry.

The bottom line: Among the weightiest of the fire extinguishers containing five pounds of agent, the Amerex is best used in the hands of those who've operated fire extinguishers before.

Pros

  • Comes with a wall-mounting bracket

  • Reusable

  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Complex pin

  • May require practice

$69.00 from Amazon
Good for Medium and Large Fires
Kidde Pro 10 MP

Fire types: Trash/wood/paper, liquid/gas, electrical

Class: 4A:60B:C

Extinguisher weight: 16 pounds

Reusable: Yes

Warranty: 6-year limited

The Kidde Pro 10 MP fire extinguisher is meant to take down larger fires in larger rooms. This all-metal fire extinguisher also comes equipped with a metal mounting bracket.

This fire extinguisher has about 10 pounds of suppression agent, and is more closely related to the types of fire extinguishers professional firefighters use than the smaller fire extinguishers mentioned previously. This fire extinguisher has a relatively small handle and trigger, so it may be difficult to use for those with larger hands. Also, while 16 pounds doesn’t sound like a lot, it is noticeably heavier than the smaller extinguishers, and is more cumbersome to use, even if you’re just holding it while you use it from a stationary position. If you have this fire extinguisher in your house, think about practicing with it a couple of times so that you can get used to the weight (you can always get the fire extinguisher recharged/refilled).

The bottom line: This fire extinguisher is best for use in large spaces and by those who have experience wielding fire extinguishers.

Pros

  • Comes with a wall-mounting bracket

  • Similar to professional-grade extinguishers

  • Made for larger fires

Cons

  • Heavy

  • Small handle

$69.97 from Home Depot

$79.97 from Walmart
Good for Medium and Large Fires
Amerex B456

Fire types: Trash/wood/paper, liquid/gas, electrical

Class: 4A:60B:C

Extinguisher weight: 18 pounds

Reusable: Yes

Warranty: 6-year

The heaviest of all of the fire extinguishers we tested, the Amerex B456 fire extinguisher also comes with a bracket that allows you to mount this extinguisher to the wall. Like the Amerex B500, the B456 also has the safety loop and the second piece of plastic that keeps the pin attached to the fire extinguisher.

Its construction is solid and durable, but that extra weight and larger height will make it difficult for younger or shorter people to use easily. Even with the B456’s larger handle, which makes spraying the suppression agent a breeze, consider either practicing with this fire extinguisher (and recharging it afterwards), or make sure that the person most likely to be using this product in the case of a fire has actually used fire extinguishers before, and can get it up and running quickly.

The bottom line: While the B456 is best for those with upper body strength and have used fire extinguishers in the past, it has plenty of powder for putting out bigger fires.

Pros

  • Comes with a wall-mounting bracket

  • Reusable

Cons

  • Heavy

  • Can be difficult to use

$86.13 from Amazon

$90.00 from Walmart

How We Tested Fire Extinguishers

The Tester

Hi, my name is Julia MacDougall, one of the scientists here at Reviewed. Recently, I’ve tested products that might be boring to most people—smart thermostats, shredders, and dehumidifiers—so, in that same vein, it’s not surprising that I volunteered to test fire extinguishers. But trying out fire extinguishers is something I already wanted to do: It's a good skill to have while working in a complex lab setting like our building in Cambridge, Mass.

Also, using a fire extinguisher in a non-fire situation was on my bucket list. Check!

The Tests

As we all know, the main purpose of a fire extinguisher is to put out or contain a wide variety of fires that can occur in our homes or workplaces. If I really wanted to put these to the test, I would have set fire to a variety of materials, and gauge how effective these suppression devices actually were. However, between my own desire to stay out of jail and the fact that each of these devices has a UL quality certification, which involves strict testing and regulation by the government, I decided against becoming an arsonist in the name of science.

Instead, I just used the fire extinguishers. Since people have so little contact with these products until they need them, I wanted to get a sense for the type of experience someone would have with each fire suppression device. Under the careful eye of former chief Stewart, I tried out both the fire extinguishers and the other suppression devices in the parking lot outside our building. Passers-by were doubtlessly confused by the clouds of yellow-gray and pinkish dust, but seeing what these devices were like in action was very instructive.

What You Should Know Before You Buy A Fire Extinguisher

What Do The Symbols On A Fire Extinguisher Indicate?

We tested the usability of fire extinguishers by actually using them.
Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

Fire suppression devices are classified using a letter system.

  • Class K – cooking oil and grease fires
  • Class A – “ordinary combustibles” like wood, paper, cloth, and rubber
  • Class B – flammable liquids like oils and gases (does NOT include class K fires like grease and cooking oil fires commonly found in the kitchen)
  • Class C – devices with a live electrical current (appliances, computers, etc.)

The average fire extinguisher you see in a home or workplace is an A:B:C fire extinguisher, which means that it’s safe for use on fires of type A, B, and C. Sometimes, there are numbers in front of the “A” and “B” ratings. A number in front of an A type is a powder’s effective equivalency to gallons of water. “2A” translates into 2.5 gallons of water. A number in front of the B rating refers to the estimated square foot of coverage. For example, a 10B:C refers to a fire extinguisher with an amount of agent that could cover 10 square feet. There is no number in front of C ratings; the presence of a C rating merely indicates that it’s safe to use in an environment with live electricity.

What Type Of Fire Extinguisher Should I Buy?

According to former fire chief and certified fire extinguisher instructor Daniel Stewart, it’s best to have a type ABC fire extinguisher at 50-foot intervals to use during a home fire. They should be strategically placed near hazards and along paths of egress so that, if a fire does occur, you have the option to try to combat it, or to exit the building.

In general, fire suppression devices in your home should be listed for type A, B, and C fires, and should have a minimum of five to 10 pounds of powder agent. While these fire extinguishers aren’t the best at fighting common kitchen and grease fires (that’s what a class K fire extinguisher is for), as Stewart says, “A:B:C suppression devices are the easiest to use, and lower the likelihood of someone making a mistake at a crucial moment while fighting a fire.”

When deciding which suppression device is best for you, one of the main factors to consider is if you’re capable of wielding it in a hurry; I tried out each suppression device so that I could make helpful recommendations as to which devices are best for your specific use case.

How Do I Use a Fire Extinguisher

It is recommended that the operator become familiar with the operation of the fire extinguisher through training and the acronym PASS:

  • P - pull the pin
  • A - aim at the base of the flame
  • S - squeeze the trigger
  • S - sweep the spray from side to side

In the event of a fire, call 911. If you decide to discharge the fire extinguisher, leave the area after doing so; this will minimize the amount of fire extinguisher dust that you inhale or that gets on your skin. Then wait outside for the fire department, and then give them as much information about the fire as possible.

How Do I Clean Up Fire Extinguisher Powder?

Clean up post-fire extinguisher usage may seem trivial, but if you've ever had to use a fire extinguisher, chances are that you probably have significant property damage, and the task of actually cleaning up all of that dust seems like the rotten cherry on top of the unlucky fire sundae.

The powder and liquid agents in these devices are non-toxic, and can typically be cleaned up with a thorough vacuuming/sweeping/scrubbing. Additionally, any fabrics (like curtains, rugs, bedding, etc.) exposed to the suppression agent should be washed as soon as possible.

One thing to keep in mind: if you look at an ABC fire extinguisher safety data sheet, there are health warnings that pertain to inhaling the powder or getting it in your mucous membranes after you've used the fire extinguisher to subdue the fire. While the chemicals in the fire extinguisher dust are non-toxic, there may be short- and long-term effects of inhaling any type of dust; at least one ABC fire extinguisher safety data sheet refers to "dusty lung" disease (AKA Pneumoconiosis) as a possible result of long-term exposure and inhalation of dust. If you are concerned about dust inhalation after using a fire extinguisher, consider using a professional cleaning/restoration service to thoroughly clean up the areas that were damaged by the fire and/or covered in fire extinguisher dust.


Other Fire Suppression Devices We Tested

The StoveTop FireStop explodes and deploys suppression agent.
Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
Product image of Stovetop Firestop Rangehood
StoveTop FireStop

Use case: Kitchen fires on an electric cooktop

Fire type: Grease

Class: K

Reusable: No

Warranty: 1-year

StoveTop FireStop is a neat product that passively suppresses fires that occur on your cooktop. These pods of powder attach to the underside of your rangehood magnetically (about 2’-3’ above the cooktop), and when the small wick at the bottom of the pod is ignited by a rising kitchen fire, it blows out the bottom of the pod, and the powder covers and smothers the once-flaming cooktop. The sound accompanying the blow out is slightly louder than a firecracker, so even if you’re in another room, you’ll definitely hear it go off.

The StoveTop FireStop explodes and deploys the powder.
Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

This product is great for grease fires, burnt food, and pans that get left on the stove for too long. Despite each pod’s relatively small size, it contains a surprising amount of powder. However, the FireStop is not recommended for use on gas cooktops, since it may extinguish the burner flame.

What the StoveTop FireStop looks like after deploying the agent.
Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

The blown-out shell of the StoveTop FireStop, once all of the suppression agent has been deployed.

The bottom line: StoveTop FireStop is an easy, low-effort way to start combatting fires that arise during cooking, or fires that spring up when food is left unattended on the cooktop.

Pros

  • Contains plenty of powder

  • Automatic use

Cons

  • May extinguish flame in a gas burner

  • Single-use

Buy now at Amazon

Product image of First Alert AF400 Tundra
First Alert Tundra aerosol spray

Use case: Those inexperienced with fire extinguishers who are attempting to quell small fires

Fire types: Grease, fabric/trash, electrical

Class: A:C

Reusable: No

Warranty: 3-year limited

The First Alert Tundra Fire spray is basically a fire suppression liquid inside an aerosol can. You just have to take the top off, stand 3-4 feet away from the fire, and spray Tundra with a sweeping motion across the base (at the bottom and in front of) the fire.

Putting out a small charcoal fire with First Alert Tundra aerosol spray
Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

The aerosol can is lightweight, easy to aim, and easy to use. It’s well-reviewed online, but more than a few users mentioned one potential down-side. If circumstances arise where you have to use Tundra on short notice, like, you know, if a small fire broke out, it can take a few valuable seconds to actually ascertain which way the nozzle of the aerosol can is pointing. One reviewer’s genius solution to this problem? Draw an arrow in the direction of the spray on top of the can with a Sharpie. Then, when you need it most, there’s no doubt as to which way you should aim the Tundra spray.

After putting out a small fire with First Alert Tundra aerosol spray.
Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

The bottom line: Tundra spray is great to have on hand for those who would have a tough time lifting or using a fire extinguisher, or for small fires in the kitchen that can be put out quickly.

Pros

  • Lightweight

  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Can take time to aim

$12.34 from Amazon


$12.34 from Home Depot


$12.34 from Walmart

Meet the tester

Julia MacDougall

Julia MacDougall

Senior Scientist

@reviewed

Julia is the Senior Scientist at Reviewed, which means that she oversees (and continually updates) the testing of products in Reviewed's core categories such as televisions, washing machines, refrigerators, and more. She also determines the testing methods and standards for Reviewed's "The Best Right Now" articles.

See all of Julia MacDougall's reviews

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