Other leak detectors we like
TP-Link Tapo T300 Water Leak Detector for $20: What I like most about these water leak detectors is that they have four metal probes at the bottom and two at the top, so they quickly detect water dripping from the top or water accumulated at the bottom. Alerts arrived reliably on my phone as push notifications within one to two seconds. The alarm is quite loud (90 decibels), although you can reduce the volume or mute it in the app. The TP-Link Tapo T300 requires the Tapo Smart Hub to function. Each hub can link up to 64 tap motion sensors, door or window sensors, switches and other devices. A hub is a simple rectangular device that plugs directly into an outlet and connects to your Wi-Fi network. It doesn’t sound an alarm by default, but you can mirror the sensor’s alerts in the Tapo app. Another feature I like is the option to press the button on top of the sensor so the Hub can confirm it’s within range. Each T300 sensor requires two AAA batteries (included), which TP-Link says can last up to three years. The app has a battery icon to show remaining power and warn when it’s low. As well as having the water leak alarm trigger your hub to sound, you can have it turn off nearby devices if they’re connected to the Tapo Smart Plug (I tested it, and it works as expected). The T300 is a bit bulky, so it can’t fit in all the places you want to put the sensor, and it continued to function normally in apps for several hours after I removed its battery.
Govi Wi-Fi Water Sensor (3-pack) for $55.: Quick and easy to set up, Govee’s sensors send alerts as push notifications and emails. They also boast one of the loudest sirens I’ve tested (100 decibels). Mercifully, you can turn off the annoying sound from the app. The sensors are fairly small, and they feature metal feet for drip detection on the top and leak detection on the bottom, but there’s no option to add a disc or cable. The Govi Wi-Fi water sensors only detect water, but they’re effective. I found that alerts were triggered within seconds. The app is basic but works well and displays alert history. Unfortunately, these sensors require a Govi Wi-Fi hub (included in the box), which takes up a power outlet (and may block adjacent outlets), and each sensor takes two AA batteries (also provided). One concern with these sensors is that when my phone was connected to mobile data instead of Wi-Fi I did not receive alerts, although the email did. There’s also no smart home integration. You can add additional individual sensors for $13 each or purchase five for $50.
First Alert L1 Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze Detector for $75: This large First Alert branded flood sensor works with First Alert or Resideo apps and accessories. It sends push notifications and emails to alert you to any leaks and has a 100-decibel alarm that you can stop with the side button. The sensor was relatively slow to alert in all my tests, and push notifications only came when my phone was connected to Wi-Fi. The 5-foot water-sensing cable allows you to cover a much larger area, and I found it alerts faster. The detector connects directly to Wi-Fi, so you need a good signal. This sensor can also track temperature and humidity, but not very accurately (it constantly overestimates the temperature and underestimates the humidity). The two AA batteries provided are good to last for two years.
Eufy Security Water and Freeze Sensor for $35: If you have Eufy’s security system, this may be the best water leak detector for you, but it requires a HomeBase 2 or HomeBase 3 ($150) to connect. It proved to be quick and reliable in giving warnings, offers long-range connectivity (up to 200 meters), and can warn you if the temperature drops below zero. You receive alerts on your phone through the Eufy Security app, and you can configure the Connected HomeBase to sound an alarm, but the detector doesn’t make any sounds. You can track battery life in the app. A full battery lasts for two years. Sadly, it doesn’t show temperature; It just alerts below freezing.
Ikea Badring for $9: With an extremely cost-effective, simple design, this Zigbee detector remains reliably alert during testing. The Ikea Badring is a good option if you already have an Ikea Dirigea Hub ($109) to connect to notifications on your phone. But it turns out to be quite expensive if you don’t, and it’s not compatible with other hubs like the Ikea Tradefree. It has an alert sound that is as high as 90 decibels, but only at close proximity; It doesn’t go very far, and I wouldn’t rely on it alone. You’ll need to supply your own AAA batteries, and this leak detector is only IP44 rated, so there’s a risk of malfunction if it’s submerged.
Switchbot Water Leak Detector for $18: This rectangular detector triggered quick alerts in all of my tests with a 100-decibel alarm. With spikes on the top and bottom, this device was able to detect water instantly. It connects directly to Wi-Fi, so you don’t need a hub, and it can send push notifications and emails, though you’ll have to set them up in the app. Unfortunately, push notifications didn’t come through when I was out of the house, connected to a cellular network instead of Wi-Fi. Smart home connectivity is good (Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT), and you can set up automations in the Switchbot app, making it a versatile option, especially if you have other Switchbot devices. Switchbot says the two AAA batteries provided are good for up to two years.
AIDot Viennese Water Leak Detector S1 Plus (3 Pack) for $60: Connect the plug-in hub to your 2.4-GHz Wi-Fi, place the three circular detectors over potential leakage spots, and you’re set. You can pair up to 10 with the Hub and configure it to send emails and SMS messages on top of app notifications when a leak occurs. The probes are spaced far enough downstream of each detector, and it takes 2 millimeters of water before the alarm sounds. It failed to close due to water continuously dripping from the top, but as water accumulated at the bottom, an alarm was raised. The alarm goes up to 100 decibels, but I like that you can change the volume and duration for the alarm. You can cancel the alarm through the app or by pressing the button on the Hub. These detectors take CR2 batteries that last up to a year, and there’s a prompt in the app when they’re drained. When I took the battery out of one of them, it took a few hours for the app to update and show it as offline. One last downside is that the hub is circular, so it may block adjacent outlets. One potentially useful addition is support for IFTTT that can turn off the water or flash a red light if a leak is detected.
Aqara Water Leak Sensor for $19: This Zigbee sensor is best used with Apple’s HomeKit, and you need an Aqara Hub (sold separately). The company makes a good security camera that works as a hub and offers a full range of smart home sensors. These small circular water leak sensors are very low to the ground, so only 0.5 mm of water below is enough to trigger the alarm. Dripping from above won’t turn them off, but an iPhone notification will be triggered once water accumulates below where the probe is. You can also run alarms and trigger automations from your connected hub through HomeKit. The sensors take CR2 batteries and can last up to two years.
Stitch by Monoprice Water Leak Sensor for $22: This affordable water leak detector has a similar design to our top pick. The main body is round, with metal feet to detect water accumulation, and it fits into a bracket for wall mounting. It comes with a coin-sized plug-in extension that extends up to 3.8 feet. Both the main detector and extension alarmed immediately and sent notifications to my phone when they got wet (though the on-device alarm isn’t very loud). It takes a CR2 battery, displays the remaining power in the app, and alerts you when it’s time to replace the battery. Unfortunately, the app is basic and poorly translated. You have to dry the detector to turn off the alarm, and it took too long to alert me when it went offline (weirdly the offline detector is turned off by default in the app settings, so I had to turn it on). You can get it a little cheaper by buying directly from Monoprice.
To avoid leak detectors
We haven’t had great experiences with every water leak detector we’ve tested.
Photograph: Simon Hill
shelley flood gen 4Shelly’s fourth-generation leak detector sounds great on paper, with support for Matter and impressive connectivity via Zigbee, Bluetooth, and dual-band Wi-Fi. I had no problems scanning the Matter QR code and setting it up in my Google Home app. Each IP44-rated unit requires four AA batteries (included), and you stick or screw it to the wall, and plug down the extendable 6.5-foot leak detection cable to move around the area you want to monitor. While the detector correctly alarmed when I topped up water, no alerts came through the Home app, and it continued to show “no leak”. Multiple tests with two different detectors failed to alert through the Home app, making it impossible to recommend. I also tried setup via the Shelly app, but it refused to load.
Swan Leak Alert Sensor: Although this battery-powered water detector (two AAAs) is economical, I had a lot of trouble setting it up. Your phone must be on 2.4-GHz Wi-Fi, but even then, it took me several tries to connect. Frustratingly, you have to remove the screw panel to reset it, as there’s no option in the app. Alerts came on my phone after about a minute of sensor soaking, but the Swan app is slow and useless.
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