If you’ve ever returned home to a flooded basement or discovered too late that your kitchen sink or toilet has a slow leak, you know how costly it can be to repair or replace water-damaged carpeting, flooring, and walls. The development of smart home water-sensing devices that send alerts to your phone when they detect moisture has made it easier than ever to discover leaks before they cause serious harm. They vary in sophistication, from basic puck-shaped sensors placed on the floor to in-line devices that monitor your water flow rate for irregularities that could signal leaks.
Best Smart Water Leak Detectors
A water leak detector can lessen the danger by alerting you to problems as soon as they occur, allowing you to take action to prevent catastrophic damage. We’ve tested various smart water leak detectors over the last few months, and these are the ones we suggest. Before you go shopping, check with your insurer to see what they offer or recommend and whether installing a leak sensor might lower your premiums.
Fixing a leak before serious water damage occurs can save money and the risk of personal property loss and avoidable safety problems. Water damage can occur as a result of a number of household concerns, including damaged seals, clogged pipes, weak connections, excessive water pressure, and others.
We consulted with plumbing and leak prevention specialists and used hands-on experience and research to judge top models on cost, user-friendliness, smart home compatibility, and app features to determine the best water leak detectors for varied needs and smart home setups.
Read on to learn more about the best smart water leak detectors to buy for your home:
Moen Flo Smart Leak Detector
Key Features
- Easy to Set Up and Use
- Small and Compact Design
- Track Changes Over Time on App
- Affordable
Overview
The Moen 920-005 Flo Smart Water Leak Detector is the best smart water leak detector we’ve tried. It’s simple to install, clever, inexpensive, and small. Its small, water droplet shape is discreet and inconspicuous, and because it is battery-powered, you may position it anywhere you need it. We installed one sensor near our washing machine and another beneath our kitchen sink and connected them both to the Flo by Moen app.
You may use the app and the device’s built-in humidity and temperature sensors to track changes over time and receive notifications when the unit detects water. This feature is essential if your home’s pipes are at risk of freezing in the winter or if the temperature in your room rises over your specified limits—which could indicate that your air conditioning isn’t working properly or that steam is leaking from a plumbing fixture.
If you don’t want to use the app or don’t have your phone with you, a small LED built into the front sensor will blink red when it senses water. It also emits an audio warning. The device connects to the app via Wi-Fi, but it is inoperable without it. If the Wi-Fi goes down, the detector sends you an alarm, but it won’t identify leaks until you reconnect it.
Govee Wi-Fi Water Sensors Alarm
Key Features
- Network of Sensors
- Multiple Probes
- Great Value for Money
- Comes with App
Overview
Try Govee’s Wi-Fi Water Sensors for low-cost leak detection. Despite their modest cost, these sensors include functionalities seen in more expensive competitors. Smart notifications, several probes to detect dripping from faucets, and the possibility of constructing a network of sensors (up to 10) around your home are highlighted. All sensors automatically pair with the integrated Wi-Fi Connection Gateway, making setup a breeze. This connection would occasionally drop out in our experience, but a reboot cures this.
Front and back probes can account for leaks on the floor and condensate leaks from pipes. When this sensor detects a leak, an audible alarm sounds on repeat until you turn it off manually or via the app. This feature reduces the likelihood of missing alerts, such as some of the more subtle or solitary alarms featured elsewhere in this list. The usage of a hub adds an additional layer of connection, but it can cause a delay between detection and notification—at best, a second or two.
Honeywell Wi-Fi Water Leak & Freeze Detector
Key Features
- Can Connect Directly to Home Wi-Fi
- Measures Humidity and Temperature
- User-Friendly Control Panel
- Easy to Install
Overview
Another excellent water leak detector on the market detects water leaks and measures temperature and humidity. It’s battery-powered, with a three-year battery life, and can connect to your home’s Wi-Fi immediately. Other amazing features of this detector include LED lights and a buzzer to alert you of leak detection and the ability to install it yourself in minutes – no expert assistance required.
The software that comes with this detector is likewise user-friendly and simple to set up. You can also monitor all of your devices and control your thermostat from the app to avoid freezing.
Phyn Smart Water Sensor
Key Features
- Customizable Thresholds
- Multiple Alert Options
- Checks Temperature and Humidity
- Instant Notifications
Overview
The Phyn Smart Water Sensor is small enough to go anywhere in your house, basement, garage, or anywhere running water, and it detects leaks and changes in humidity. An alert is sent by text or to the Phyn app if an issue is detected. You can also program it to sound an auditory alert and flash a light on the front.
The app allows you to establish custom thresholds to eliminate false alarms and only gives warnings if humidity and temperature data exceed dangerous levels depending on those choices. Because the sensor links directly to the app via built-in Wi-Fi, notifications are instant. The alarm adds a handy safety net if your phone’s battery dies or you don’t have it with you. The black style makes this sensor stand out and may not blend well around your home, which is our only minor criticism.
Flume 2 Smart Home Water Monitor
Key Features
- Accurate & Full-Home Protection
- Minimal Installation
- Detailed Yet Easy-to-Read Usage Graphs
- Battery Powered
Overview
The Flume 2 Smart Home Water Monitor employs a novel leak detection method. The Flume 2 reads oscillations in the magnetic field around your water meter rather than measuring water with a probe or monitoring for changes through pipes. All of these readings, from the volume of water to the location and time of use, are sent to the Flume Bridge and the associated app.
This software uses an algorithm to learn your routines and will alert you to any unexpected behavior. The app can also be used to set water usage budgets. When you reach your threshold, the app offers you a warning with suggestions for how to manage your usage. Installation is simple, but if your water meter is outside, you may need to get your hands muddy. We also saw up to minute delays between detection and notification on our phone.
Moen Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff
Key Features
- Temperature Sensors
- Remote Shutoff
- No Need for a Hub or Additional Sensors
- Offers App Connectivity
Overview
The Flo by Moen Smart Water Monitor is one of only a few water security systems that do not require extra sensors to detect and prevent water damage. It connects to your main water line and uses MicroLeak Technology to detect leaks as little as a drop per minute, even behind walls and foundations. It also doesn’t need a Wi-Fi hub to connect to the Flo app or the large selection of smart speakers and smart home devices it supports.
Live water use, including flow rates, pressure, and temperature, may be viewed via the Flo by Moen mobile app. The app delivers a specific notice if the sensor detects a minor problem, such as a leaky faucet. While this device lacks an automatic shutoff feature or an alert, if it detects a “catastrophic failure”—a burst pipe or gushing water—it sends an urgent warning before offering you the choice of manually switching off the water wherever you are. If you desire an automated, smart cutoff, the FloProtect plan with 24/7 monitoring is for you.
Phyn Plus Smart Water Assistant + Shutoff
Key Features
- Easy Installation and Setup
- Automatic Shutoff
- Measures Water Pressure 240 times/second
- Smart Alerts
Overview
The Phyn Plus Smart Water Assistant may be worth the price for full-home protection and the possible advantage of lower rates. It’s not as small or as subtle as other sensors, but that’s because it’s connected to your main water line. This configuration eliminates the need for many sensors throughout your home. It checks for leaks, monitors your system for tiny water pressure 240 times per second, and switches off the water in an emergency.
Despite being connected to your water supply, the Phyn is simple to install beneath your sink without the assistance of a professional. Once deployed, the system recognizes how each fixture works and detects even little changes. If the sensor detects a problem, the Phyn Smart Water Assistant sends an alert to your phone or any smart speaker, where you can also monitor your water usage. During testing, we discovered that the frozen pipe detection was unpredictable. This sensor also works best if your system has a pressure regulating valve (PRV).
Eve Water Guard Connected Water Leak Detector
Key Features
- Multiple Alert Options
- Sensing Cable Included
- Smart Connectivity
- Audible Alarm
Overview
One of the few smart water leak detectors using a conventional sensing cable is the Eve Water Guard. This cable enables this gadget to provide the same spot-level detection as other tiny sensors while monitoring larger, more extensive leaks. If the unit or sensing cable detects water, an alert is sent to the Eve app, an audible alarm is sounded, and a light on the front of the device flashes on and off.
While smart home compatibility is restricted, if you use HomeKit, this choice may be more than adequate. The Eve Water Guard is Thread smart-home protocol compatible, which means it works with Apple HomePod right out of the box. Any connected Apple device, including the Apple Watch and Apple TV, may operate it and the Water Guard functions as a router node, which means it transmits data from other Thread accessories in the home and improves the stability and reach of your smart home.
LeakSmart Automatic Shutoff Valve
Key Features
- Automatic Shutoff Valve Activates in Seconds
- Works with or Without Wi-Fi and Power
- Compatible with a Wide Range of Smart Home Products
- Easy to Set Up
Overview
While many water leak detectors now include a variety of advanced smart capabilities, few outperform LeakSmart. This product includes the functionality you’d expect, such as app support, Google Assistant and Alexa integration, and alert notifications. When used in conjunction with LeakSmart Sensors and a LeakSmart Hub, the LeakSmart’s shutoff valve instantly shuts off your water in five seconds or less if it detects a large-scale leak or excessive temperatures. These notifications are sent even if your electricity and Wi-Fi go out. You can also turn off the water manually using the app.
While a hub and sensors are required to complete the system, the LeakSmart series, unlike the vast majority of smart water leak detectors, works with Zigbee and Samsung SmartThings. Because of this interoperability, you can use a Zigbee hub and sensors to create automation with other smart home items. For example, if you have a leak in the middle of the night, you might make your smart bedroom lights flash on and off to alert you if the LeakSmart system detects an issue.
Final Words
Here are some of the best smart water leak detectors we’ve discovered. There are numerous types available, and you’re likely to discover a water leak detector that matches your requirements. The beautiful thing about these options is that they are available at various price points, and each has its own set of characteristics. You’re likely to find something that meets your needs among the selections provided above.
FAQ
What is the Best Water Leak Detector?
The best water leak detector is one that not only does the job but also has a sensitive sensor that will let you track leaks in real-time, as well as features that you may find useful, such as mobile app connectivity or automatic shutdown. iHome Wi-Fi Dual Leak Sensor, Flo by Moen, and Honeywell Lyric Wi-Fi Water Leak & Freeze Detector are some of the best-known brands.
Is There a Tool to Detect Water Leaks?
Water leak detectors are the most effective tools for dealing with such an issue. They contain sensors that will sound an alarm if a water leak is detected, and some models will even cut off your home’s water supply to prevent floods.
How Does a Water Leak Detector Work?
It depends on the sort of water leak detection in question. Flow leak sensors are mounted on the main water supply of the home and detect information about the water’s pressure or flow rate. These systems use sensors to detect excess water flow that exceeds a certain threshold. A spot leak detector, for example, will monitor conditions in a specific location.