Home Fire Extinguisher Ratings & Reviews

Our fire extinguisher ratings, reviews & information will help you find the best home fire extinguisher for your needs!

Behind a safety alarm, a fire extinguisher is one of the most important safety precautions that a homeowner can take. Throughout this article, we will discuss the basics of auto & home fire extinguishers, as well as provide you with reviews of the best options that can help to keep your family safe.

Why Do I Need To Buy The Best Fire Extinguisher For Home Use?

In the right hands, a fire extinguisher can save your home, it’s contents, and more importantly your family. Unfortunately, many people have never completed proper fire extinguisher training and are unsure of when or how to use them. That being said, training takes only moments, and can often be provided free of charge by your local municipal fire department.

The best home fire extinguishers can be used to:

• Completely extinguish a fire
• Stop the spread of a fire while waiting for help
• Be used in dangerous situations where a fire may become imminent (cooking, workshop projects, chemistry)

Be sure to train your entire family on the proper use of a fire extinguisher, and have your extinguisher checked and maintained according to the schedule printed on the site.

How Do The Best Home Fire Extinguishers Work?

There are many types of fires, though they all need three basic elements:

• Fuel (gas, wood, etc. something to keep the fire going)
• Oxygen or a similar gas
• Extreme heat

A home fire extinguisher works by removing one of these elements. Depending of the type of fire, and type of fire extinguisher, they can suppress the fire by:

• Cooling the heat source using chemicals
• Removing oxygen from the fire, using something similar to baking soda
• Neutralizing the fuel

Most home fire extinguishers operate in the same way mechanically. The user simply pulls a pin, presses a lever, the valve opens up, and the user sprays the base of the fire.

What Are Fire Extinguisher Ratings & Classifications?

There are multiple types of fire extinguishers, which are classified to stop the spread of a variety of types of fires. Using the wrong extinguisher on the wrong fire could prove extremely dangerous, so it’s best to make note of the five different types of extinguishers:

• Class A:  Designed to stop fires involving clothing, wood, rubber, plastics, and paper.

• Class B:  Designed to extinguish fires involving flammable liquids, including grease, gasoline, oil, and others.

• Class C:  Designed to stop fires involving electrical equipment, appliances, and tools.

• Class D:  Designed for use on flammable metals, and are usually metal specific.  These are usually only found in factories.

• Class K:  These extinguishers are typically found in commercial kitchens, and are designed to extinguish fires involving animal fats, oils, lards, and other cooking elements. As more people take up gourmet cooking as a hobby, these are becoming common in homes around the world.

What Should I Look For When Buying A Fire Extinguisher Online?

First, pay attention to the labeling. Ensure that you’re purchasing a fire extinguisher that will be most likely used in your home, garage or car for common applications.

There are a few different types of fire extinguishers that have multiple purposes, including:

• Dry chemical extinguishers are rated for many uses. Most are rated for Class B & C fires, and some newer models are rated to suppress Class A fires.

• Air pressurized water extinguishers are best used for fighting type A fires. 

• Carbon dioxide extinguishers are great for Class B or C fires.

You’ll want to choose a home fire extinguisher based on the following factors:

• Where are fires most likely to start?
• What type of fire may start in that location?
• Can each member of my family use a fire extinguisher? (some can be very heavy)

Now That You Know WHAT To Look For, Here Are Our Fire Extinguisher Reviews & Recommendations...

First off, there are several manufacturers that have been making fire extinguishers for years. When it comes to all around reliable home and auto fire extinguishers though, I suggest sticking with a company like Kidde, First Alert or Fire Gone.

 #1 Pick - Kidde Multi Purpose Fire Extinguisher

The Kidde multi-purpose fire extinguisher has gotten rave reviews based on it’s size, weight, and ability to stop all types of fires. Many readers and reviewers have reported that the Kidde can put out fires much larger than you’d expect with such a small unit.

Kidde multi-purpose fire extinguisher highlights:

• Recommended by the NFPA for supplementary fire protection
• UL rated 1-A:10-B:C for basic home use
• 6-year warranty
• Easy to read pressure gauge
• Rust and impact resistant nylon handle

Weighing in at just under four pounds, and rated for A, B, or C class fires, this is the perfect unit to keep in your kitchen, your car, or anywhere a fire may break out.

* Click Here To Read More Reviews & Get The BEST Price on Kidde Multi-Purpose Fire Extinguishers

#2 Pick -Fire Gone White/Red Fire Extinguisher

Unlike the larger, refillable units, Fire Gone has created a single use fire extinguisher that packs a heck of a punch. The Fire Gone is the size of a typical can of spray paint or insect repellant, but is rated for putting out small Class A, B, or C fires.

This is the perfect sized unit to carry with you in your vehicle.  It can also be conveniently hidden in each room of your home to stop small fires from spreading. If you’re looking for safety in a small and affordable package, this is the unit for you.

While most the reviews are extremely positive for this product, there are some people that have complained about the plastic head being fragile and easily breakable. I wouldn't let this detour you from purchasing a set of these though because they are fairly inexpensive and easily storable.

* Click Here To Read More Reviews & Get The BEST Price on Fire Gone Fire Extinguishers

Final thoughts...

The products we've outlined above are what we believe to be the best fire extinguishers for home, auto and personal use. Obviously there are some much more noteworthy fire extinguishers but they are much more expensive and meant for commercial or professional use.

If your looking for a small, reliable and economical fire extinguisher for your home or vehicle though, than you can't go wrong with these Kidde or Fire Gone units.