They sound the alarm at the slightest degree of disruption in the ionized air, even from ordinary smoke in the kitchen. Types Of Smoke DetectorPhotoelectric smoke detectors or optical smoke detectors They are widely available, but recently smoke detectors using ionization technology and laser technology are making an introduction in the market. Photoelectric smoke detectors can detect slow, smoldering smoke the fastest, like the thick smoke when a couch or mattress is one fire. In comparison to smoke detectors using ionization technology, photoelectric smoke detectors set off an alarm earlier on slow burning materials. It can detect smoke faster in a large area or in a room with a high ceiling or rooms subject to temperature extremes. On the other hand the ionization type smoke detector is more sensitive to flames than to smoke.