Best water leak detectors for smart homes

Fire might be a homeowner’s greatest fear, but any insurance company will tell you that water is the far more common cause of property damage, even if you don’t live in an area subject to flooding. And it can come from many sources: A failing water heater, a burst pipe, a broken supply line under your sink, a clogged toilet, or even a split hose connected to your washing machine.

Just as it’s essential to have a smoke detector in each of your home’s bedrooms and common areas, you’d be wise to install leak detectors in places where water damage could start: The laundry room, water heater closet, the bathroom, under your kitchen sink, and so on. Leak alerts are arguably less important for renters, but it’s something landlords might want to consider—although that raises the issue of how the sensors would connect to the internet. More on that later.

If you think a leak sensor is something your home should have, here are our top picks. If you want more information on this topic and want to read more reviews, scroll down a bit.

Updated May 15, 2024: We’ve added a link to our Flo Smart Water Monitor & Shutoff review. Moen’s second-generation smart valve displaces the second-generation Phyn Plus as our most highly recommended leak prevention system, thanks to its being a part of Moen’s larger Smart Water Network. We also like the all-but-impossible-to-ignore robocalls that Moen’s system makes when its device suspects there’s a leak in your main water and before it proactively shuts its main valve off to prevent catastrophic damage. These types of smart home device are expensive and typically require professional installation, but their cost is a fraction of what it would cost to clean up and repair the water damage caused by a burst pipe.

Top picks in water leak detection and mitigation

How we test smart leak detectors

To measure each sensor’s effectiveness, we placed it on a bathroom tile, and then poured enough water to cover the surface of that tile. Most sensors responded immediately, though we have noted a few exceptions.

We measured alarm volume using the Decibel 10th app on an iPhone, with the microphone pointed toward the sensor from six inches away.

We didn’t directly test integrations with other smart home devices, but inspected each companion app and the online service IFTTT for available features. We consulted manuals and product listings for battery life estimates and device dimensions.

Editors’ note: This testing methodology does not apply to leak detection systems that monitor your water supply line, such as the Flo by Moen, Sinopé Sedna, and Phyn Plus.

What to look for when shopping

You might be surprised by the diverse approaches to what seems like a simple task: detecting the presence of water where it shouldn’t be. Some operate on Wi-Fi, others require a hub to communicate. Some plug into an AC outlet, others require a battery. Some come with external sensor cables and mount to the wall, others lay on the floor. Most, but not all, have onboard sirens.

If the recommendations above don’t work for you, here are the specs and features you’ll want to consider when shopping for a smart home water leak detector.

Hub requirements: Some smart leak sensors that communicate using Zigbee or Z-Wave technology require a hub (e.g., an Aeotec SmartThings Hub) or a bridge to connect to your Wi-Fi network. Others can connect directly to your Wi-Fi network.

Connection protocols: If you own a hub already, you must make sure the sensor uses a compatible connection protocol. Fibaro, for instance, uses Z-Wave, which works with SmartThings. If you own a well-known hub, such as SmartThings, you’ll likely see its name on the sensor’s box.

Integrations: Some leak sensors allow you automate actions on other devices when a leak occurs. That way, you can trigger lights, turn on cameras, or sound an alarm. Devices that support IFTTT, a service that lets you automate tasks between connected devices and services, can trigger actions by third-party devices. Sensors that communicate with smart water valves, such as those from Phyn and Flo by Moen, can turn off your main water supply to stop a leak.

Size and extendability: Where do you plan to put your leak sensor? If it’s a tight space, make sure the sensor is either small enough to fit, or that it offers a sensor cable to extend its reach.

Built-in siren: Unless you plan to put the sensor far from where you might normally hear it, it’s helpful to have a siren onboard. That way, you’ll still get alerted at home even when the internet is down.

Additional onboard sensors: Some leak sensors can also measure other environmental conditions that can lead to problems at their extremes, such as temperature (a frozen pipe can burst and cause catastrophic water damage) and humidity (excess moisture in the air can allow mold to grow).

Power source: Most leak sensors are battery powered, but some, such as D-Link’s Wi-Fi Water Sensor, depend on AC power. An outlet-powered sensor with battery backup in the event of a blackout would be ideal; unfortunately, they are rare.

Editor’s note: Mel Nussbaum, the owner of Water Works Plumbing in Overland Park, Kansas, emailed this useful tip for preventing water damage due to frozen pipes bursting: “If you shut off your main water service valve [you’ll] never have the issue, and two minutes of your time [will] cost you nothing. By the time you’re alerted and get someone to take action you still will incur huge damages.”

Sensors, Smart Home