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The 7 Best Fire Extinguishers for Home of 2024

The ultimate defense against flames

Amerex B500 Fire Extinguisher

The Spruce / Amelia Manley

Right up there with smoke detectors, fire extinguishers are crucial tools for preventing residential fires. They work by spreading a fire-retardant foam that smothers flames before the blaze gets out of control.

"Ideally, everyone would have a fire extinguisher in every room of their home," says emergency preparedness specialist Melanie Papworth. "Realistically, I recommend having a minimum of one per level of your home." But they're not just for homes—you're also wise to keep one in your car, boat, RV, and workspace.

Before purchasing a fire extinguisher, it is crucial to determine the type of fire that you anticipate putting out. The four most prevalent types of fires and associated extinguishers are Class A ((combustibles such as wood and paper), Class B (flammable liquids such as gasoline), Class C (electrical fires), and Class K (kitchen fires with oil). The incorrect fire extinguisher could be ineffective in the event of an emergency because they are rated for different kinds of fire. A few multipurpose fire extinguishers on our list are capable of putting out Class A, B, and C fires. 

With Papworth's insight in mind, we researched dependable fire extinguishers for home of various sizes and materials for different types of fires.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

First Alert Home1 Rechargeable Fire Extinguisher

First Alert Home1 Rechargeable Standard Home Fire Extinguisher

Amazon

What We Like
  • Multi-use design for class A, B, and C fires

  • Can be recharged and used again

  • Color-coded valves and safety seal

What We Don't Like
  • Requires professional recharging

Overall, the best fire extinguisher is the First Alert Home1. It features durable all-metal construction with a commercial-grade valve and trigger and is independently certified by UL Solutions to put out class A, B, and C fires. This fire extinguisher is also approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for marine use.

As the name suggests, the Home1 Fire Extinguisher is suitable for use around the home, including in the kitchen, laundry room (where Papworth says dryers may cause electrical fires), garage, and anywhere else you want to keep one close by. It comes with both plastic and metal mounting brackets for attaching it to your wall.

At just four and a half pounds (about the weight of a bag of oranges), we appreciate the lightweight, user-friendly design. What's more, it has easy-to-read, color-coded pressure valves that tell you if it's functional, plus a pull pin with a safety seal to prevent accidental discharge and tampering.

Unlike most fire extinguishers (which are typically single-use), this one can be recharged and used again. That said, it can only be recharged by a certified professional, which requires an appointment and could come with a hefty price tag. Still, for under $25, it's undoubtedly a great value.

Dimensions: 15 x 4 inches | Weight: 4.5 pounds | Class: A, B, C | Certifying Agency: UL

Best for Home Use

Kidde Multipurpose Fire Extinguisher

Kidde FA110 Multipurpose Home Fire Extinguisher

Amazon

What We Like
  • Suitable for common types of residential fires

  • Multipurpose dry foam agent

  • Mounts securely to wall with included bracket

What We Don't Like
  • Heavier than most

If you're looking for something to keep at home, the Kidde FA110 might be your best bet. This fire extinguisher contains a multipurpose dry chemical foam (monoammonium phosphate) suitable to put out the most common types of residential fires. It's UL-rated for use on class A (trash, wood, and paper), class B (liquids and gases), and class C (energized electrical equipment) fires.

The FA110 is also USCG-approved, meaning UL certifies it on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard for use on boats. This fire extinguisher contains two and a half pounds of the fire-retardant agent, but the entire thing weighs 8 pounds. Though it's heavier than average, the impact-resistant aluminum design is extremely durable. Despite the weight, it should still be easy to attach securely to the wall using the included mounting bracket and retention strap.

Unlike the rechargeable variety, this is a disposable fire extinguisher designed to be used once and then replaced. If you have yours longer than 12 years without using it, you'll want to swap it out for a new one.

Dimensions: 13.75 x 3.25 inches | Weight: 3.9 pounds | Class: A, B, C | Certifying Agency: UL

Best for Kitchens

First Alert Kitchen5 Fire Extinguisher

First Alert Kitchen5 5-B:C Residential Fire Extinguisher

Amazon

What We Like
  • Suitable for grease, alcohol, oven, and stove fires

  • User-friendly pop-up pressure indicator

  • Quick-release mounting bracket for easy access

What We Don't Like
  • Not class A listed

  • Doesn't come with mounting screws

"The kitchen is the number one room where house fires start, so definitely have a fire extinguisher [there]," says Papworth. We suggest the First Alert Kitchen5, which is UL-rated for class B and C fires. This means it's suitable for fires started by flammable liquids and gases (like cooking oil, grease, or alcohol), as well as electrical fires, such as an oven catching flame due to overheating or burning food. However, it doesn't have a class A rating, meaning it's not supposed to be used for trash, paper, plastic, and wood fires.

Papworth recommends mounting your kitchen fire extinguisher to a wall so it doesn't get buried within a pantry or cupboard. "Accessibility is key!" she says. With this in mind, we appreciate that the Kitchen5 comes with a quick-release mounting bracket that makes it easy to attach to the wall and access in an emergency.

It doesn't come with mounting screws, though, so make sure you have a few on hand. This fire extinguisher has a safety-sealed pull pin to prevent accidental discharge, but when you actually need it, the pop-up pressure indicator is user-friendly.

Dimensions: 10.25 x 3.06 inches | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Class: B, C | Certifying Agency: UL

Best for Cars

First Alert Auto5 Fire Extinguisher

First Alert Auto5 Car Fire Extinguisher

Amazon

What We Like
  • Compact and lightweight

  • Heavy-duty mounting bracket and secure strap

  • Suitable for liquid, gas, and electrical fires

What We Don't Like
  • No hose for aiming

  • Not class A rated

Are there fire extinguishers for cars? You bet! We suggest the First Alert Auto5. Measuring just 10.5 x 3 inches, the compact design is meant to be stored in a vehicle while taking up minimal space. You can keep it in the trunk or somewhere in the main cabin and use the included heavy-duty mounting bracket and strap to secure it in place.

Mounting really isn't optional in this case, as you definitely don't want a fire extinguisher rolling around in your car and accidentally discharging. (But it does have a safety-sealed pull pin to prevent this.) The Auto5 has a steel cylinder and a corrosion-resistant metal gauge with color-coded valves, plus an easy-to-push pressure-check button.

This fire extinguisher doesn't have a hose for aiming, but it releases the sodium bicarbonate fire retardant in a straight line at a 6-foot distance. While it's not approved for class A fires, it's rated for class B and C fires, which covers most vehicle fires relating to flammable liquids or electrical hazards. Fun fact: First Alert came out with the first residential smoke alarm in 1958.

Dimensions: 10.5 x 3 inches | Weight: 2.7 pounds | Class: B, C | Certifying Agency: UL

Best for Boats

LifeSafe Technologies StaySafe Fire Extinguisher

LifeSafe Technologies StaySafe 5-in-1 Fire Extinguisher

Amazon

What We Like
  • Compact, lightweight, and portable

  • Meets BS EN3 standards for portable extinguishers

  • Eco-friendly agent and recyclable container

What We Don't Like
  • Not designed for mounting

  • Expires in three years

Need something for your boat? We recommend the StaySafe 5-in-1. This fire extinguisher contains a UL-tested fluid approved for class A, B, and C fires. This means it's suitable for flames ignited by paper, plastic, oil, alcohol, petroleum, diesel, and electrical equipment. According to the brand, the non-toxic, environmentally friendly fire retardant puts out fires in seconds.

The StaySafe 5-in-1 adheres to the BS EN3 requirements for portable fire extinguishers, which call for at least 95 percent of the container to be red. This fire extinguisher is for just one use, after which the plastic container can be recycled. Even if you don't use up all the liquid agents the first time, it's best to replace it with a full container.

Just a heads up, it expires in three years, so be sure to replace it before then if you don't end up using it. The small aerosol can isn't designed for mounting. It's compact enough that you can place it virtually anywhere on your boat—make sure you always know where it is and that it's easily accessible in the event of an emergency.

Dimensions: 8.5 x 2 inches | Weight: 0.7 pounds | Class: A, B, C | Certifying Agency: UL

Best for Electrical Fires

Amerex B500 Fire Extinguisher

Amerex B500 ABC Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher

Amazon

What We Like
  • 18-foot discharge range

  • Rechargeable with six-year warranty

  • Easy mounting with included wall bracket

What We Don't Like
  • Pricier than most

  • Somewhat heavy

You should have a fire extinguisher suitable for electrical fires at your place of work (regardless of the industry), as well as at home. Why? Most electrical fires are caused by faulty or worn-out outlets, electrical failures, and lighting—meaning they can happen pretty much anywhere. Aside from the kitchen, Papworth says you're wise to keep one in your laundry room, as clothes dryers can be an electrical hazard. We recommend the Amerex B500.

This fire extinguisher has a class A, B, and C rating. This means it's suitable not only for electrical fires but also for flammable liquids and ordinary combustibles, like paper, wood, and trash. It also has an 18-foot discharge range, which is more than twice the distance of most other fire extinguishers.

The B500 weighs nearly 10 pounds, so it's heavier than average. However, it boasts a drawn-steel cylinder filled with 5 pounds of the dry chemical agent. And despite the weight, you can easily secure it to a wall with the included mounting bracket. At roughly $70, it's pricier than most fire extinguishers, but it's rechargeable and backed by a six-year warranty.

Dimensions: 16 x 4 inches | Weight: 9.5 pounds | Class: A, B, C | Certifying Agency: UL

Best for Grease Fires

Kidde Pro Series 210 Fire Extinguisher

Kidde Pro Series 210 Fire Extinguisher with Hose

Amazon

What We Like
  • Suitable for kitchens, BBQs, and restaurants

  • Up to 15-foot range with spray hose

  • User-friendly with clearly labeled steps

What We Don't Like
  • Pricier than most

If you're looking for an extinguisher for grease fires, go with the Kidde Pro Series 210. Whether you want to keep one in the kitchen, near your outdoor cooking station, or at a restaurant you run, you'll be glad to have this fire extinguisher on hand. It's UL-listed for class A, B, and C fires, so in addition to flames caused by hot cooking oil, it's also suitable for putting out trash, paper, and electrical fires.

The Pro Series 210 contains monoammonium phosphate, an effective dry chemical extinguishing agent. It has a 10- to 15-foot range and a spray hose to help you aim. We also like that the easy-to-read pressure gauge lets you know when it's charged and ready to use, and the instruction label on the cylinder shows clear steps for discharging it.

We highly recommend hanging the included mounting bracket on a wall and ensuring it's always easily accessible. At over $60, this fire extinguisher is on the pricier end, but it's rechargeable, and the brand backs it with a six-year warranty.

Dimensions: 14 x 4.5 inches | Weight: 7.5 pounds | Class: A, B, C | Certifying Agency: UL

Final Verdict

The best fire extinguisher overall is the First Alert Home1 Standard Fire Extinguisher. It's suitable for the most common types of class A, B, and C fires, and it can be recharged and used again. But if you're looking for a more portable option to keep in your car, camper, or boat, go with the compact, lightweight First Alert Auto5 Car Fire Extinguisher.

What to Look For in a Fire Extinguisher for Home

Type

There are two main types of fire extinguishers: standard and portable. Standard fire extinguishers like the First Alert Home1 Standard Fire Extinguisher (our best overall pick) are meant to be mounted to a wall and are usually suitable for class A, B, and C fires. Class A fires involve burning wood, paper, plastic, and trash; class B fires are caused by liquids and gases; and class C fires are electrical.

Portable fire extinguishers are usually smaller and lighter-weight and may only be approved for class B and C fires. As with the First Alert Auto5 Car Fire Extinguisher (best for cars option), some can be mounted to a vehicle, while others are aerosol containers filled with fire-retardant liquid.

Size

Standard fire extinguishers can be anywhere from 10 to 16 inches tall and 3 to 5 inches in diameter. As with the Amerex B500 ABC Fire Extinguisher (our best for electrical fires pick), larger options are often heavier, but they usually contain more of the dry chemical agent and may have a longer discharge range (meaning they spray the chemical agent farther).

Smaller, lighter-weight extinguishers are more portable, though they typically contain less of the agent and are generally single-use. No matter the size, make sure to store yours in plain sight somewhere easily accessible—mounted to a wall is ideal.

Material

Fire extinguishers typically have powder-coated steel or aluminum cylinders. Both materials are extremely durable, corrosion-resistant, and resistant to extreme temperatures. Some portable options like the LifeSafe Technologies StaySafe 5-in-1 Fire Extinguisher (our best for boat pick) are plastic aerosol containers that can often be recycled.

Rechargeability

Single-use fire extinguishers have plastic valves that are useless once the chemical agent is discharged. Those with metal valves, like the Kidde Pro Series 210 Fire Extinguisher (our best for grease fire option), are rechargeable, meaning they can be used again. But bear in mind recharging calls for refilling by a professional fire-maintenance technician, which you'll have to arrange and pay for.

FAQ
  • How long does a fire extinguisher last?

    Most single-use fire extinguishers can be used up to 12 years from the purchase date, though some are more like six years, and others expire in just three. If you haven't used yours before it expires, you'll still need to replace it with a new one. Rechargeable fire extinguishers will need to be recharged after each use or every six years if unused.

  • What happens if you use an expired fire extinguisher?

    If you use an expired fire extinguisher, the chemical agent may not effectively put out the fire. Obviously, this could put you and your family in danger, and it's really not worth the risk. Hopefully, you never find yourself in a situation where you need to use a fire extinguisher, but even if you don't use yours before it expires, you should still replace it when it does.

  • How many fire extinguishers should you have?

    According to Papworth, you should ideally have a fire extinguisher in every room of your home, but more realistically, at least one on each floor. "The more, the better, so use your judgment and add extinguishers where possible," she says, noting that it's good to keep one in the kitchen and laundry room, as dryers can cause electrical fires. "Also, don't forget to have one in the garage and one in each vehicle."

Why Trust The Spruce?

The Spruce contributor Theresa Holland is a freelance writer and product tester specializing in home improvement, household goods, and recreation. For this article, she interviewed an emergency preparedness specialist. With this expertise in mind, Theresa researched today's best fire extinguishers, evaluating them for class rating, versatility, portability, and value. You can read more of her stories on People and Travel + Leisure.

Our Experts:

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  2. Mirabedini M, et al. (2003). Characterization and corrosion performance of powder coated aluminium alloy. Iranian Polymer Journal (English Edition). 12. 261-269.