Which smoke detector type is typically more cost-effective?

The single-ended beam smoke detector is typically more cost-effective than the other types mentioned. This type of smoke detector operates based on a basic principle where a light beam is projected to a sensor. When smoke enters the path of the beam, it scatters the light, which triggers the alarm. The simplicity of this design tends to result in lower manufacturing and installation costs compared to more complex systems.

In contrast, dual-ended beam and multi-sensor smoke detectors often involve more advanced technology and multiple detection methods (like heat or carbon monoxide detection alongside smoke), which increases their production costs. Ionization smoke detectors, while relatively inexpensive, can incur additional costs due to regulatory compliance and disposal requirements related to radioactive materials used in their components. Thus, while both ionization and dual-ended beam detectors may be lower in some contexts, the straightforward design and functionality of single-ended beam detectors generally make them the most economical choice.