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7 Best Smart Water Leak Detectors of 2023 - Reviewed

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7 Best Smart Water Leak Detectors of 2023 - Reviewed

The Flo by Moen Smart Water Leak Detector excels at detecting leaks and sending alerts right away. Read More

With its easy-to-navigate app and straightforward setup, the Govee WiFi Water Leak Detector has a lot going for it. Read More

The Ring Flood and Freeze Sensor can help detect leaks and frozen pipes, but a Ring Alarm System is required for use. Read More

The Eve Water Guard is a reliable choice for Apple HomeKit and Siri fans. This water sensor only works with iOS devices. Read More

The Phyn Smart Water Sensor is generally reliable when it comes to detecting leaks, but it's not perfect. Read More

Whether it's frozen pipes, a water heater that bursts, or a leaky washing machine, there are lots of reasons to protect your home against water damage.

A smart water leak detector can identify leaks and send alerts to your phone, even when you're away from home. The Flo by Moen Smart Water Leak Detector (available at Amazon for $37.59) is the best water leak detector we’ve tested because of its fast alerts, easy setup, and intuitive app.

For something less expensive, the Wasserstein Wi-Fi Water Leak Sensor (available at Amazon) is a value-packed choice. We’ve also got several other great options on our list to help you find the best for your home.

The Flo by Moen Smart Water Leak Detector is a reliable gadget to help protect your home from water damage.

Flo by Moen’s Smart Water Leak Detector is the very best that you can buy. It sends near-instantaneous alerts (imperative in a smart leak detector) to both iOS and Android devices, as well as email.

Moen's detector passes all of our tests with flying colors and even continued to function after being submerged in water. When a leak is detected, the sensor plays an alarm sound, flashes red, and sends alerts in a matter of seconds.

The Moen smart water detector isn't compatible with smart assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple's Siri. However, what it lacks in voice-control capabilities, it makes up for with a beautifully designed app full of useful data insights. The sensor also monitors temperature and humidity within your home, which can help with moisture control.

The compact design of the Flo by Moen detector fits easily where leaks are common, in tight spaces in bathrooms, basements, and under sinks.

The Moen leak detector comes with an adhesive wall bracket for mounting, as well as a 4-foot probe, which easily slides under washing machines and other hard-to-reach spaces where moisture can occur.

Although we haven’t tested it, the water leak detector can be paired with the Flo by Moen Smart Water Shutoff, so if a leak is detected, you can automatically shut off the water to your home in the Flo by Moen app.

Overall, the Flo by Moen Smart Water Leak Detector is the most intelligent leak detector we’ve tested thanks to real-time alerts when a leak occurs. The simple setup, quick installation, and ease of use add to the package, making this leak sensor a wise investment for any homeowner.

Companion app lacks two-factor authentication

The Govee Water Leak Detector has a very loud alarm sound.

The Govee Wi-Fi Water Leak Detector is a loud water leak detector, ensuring that you will always hear it no matter where it’s placed. It is easy to install and sends alerts quickly.

The Govee Water Leak Detector is the best one you can buy on a budget. The Govee Home app is easy to navigate and the sensor has a very loud 100-decibel siren that blares when it comes in to contact with water. While the sensor doesn’t offer as many features about the sensor (such as temperature, humidity, and battery life) like our No. 1 pick, it accurately and quickly detects water, which is paramount if you've got a leak starting.

One of the best features of the app is the ability to go in once a leak has been detected and turn the audible alarm off. Most water leak detectors we tested don’t offer this feature, but it’s totally necessary to shut off this sensor’s very loud alarm tone.

Of all the sensors we tested, this one by far is the least pleasing to listen to. It sounds more like a squealing car alarm. While we find it very loud, that’s a good thing if you have this water leak detector placed in a faraway spot. The Govee Home app also sends push alerts to your device when water is detected, alerting you to any issues promptly.

App is easy to navigate

App lacks temperature, humidity, and battery life insights

The Ring Flood Sensor is the best water leak detector for Ring Alarm Systems.

If you have a Ring alarm system, the Ring Flood Sensor is the perfect leak detecting device to integrate with your home security setup. The alarm system is a requirement for using the water sensor, which is why we only recommend it for homes with existing Ring systems.

The small, circular device is flat enough to fit under sinks, refrigerators, toilets, and other areas where leaks may occur. It doesn't come with an extension probe as some other leak detectors do, so make sure it fits your intended usage space before you buy.

Once in place, it works like a charm, sending timely smart alerts to your phone or tablet as soon as it comes into contact with water. It can also send you notifications when the temperature drops, alerting you to any potential frozen pipes.

Currently, there are no Alexa integrations that work with Ring’s flood sensor—only push notifications. The sensor is managed via the Ring app, which also requires two-factor authentication.

The sensor runs on a replaceable lithium battery, which has a lifespan of up to three years. Using the Ring Alarm System’s Home Base station, the Flood connects over Z-Wave and must be within 250 feet of the hub to function properly. Additional range extenders are available for purchase.

Great for Ring Alarm systems

Requires Ring Alarm for operation

The Eve Water Guard is the best water leak detector for Apple HomeKit.

Looking for a water leak detector that works with Apple HomeKit? The Eve Water Guard is more expensive than some other leak detectors, but it's one of the few options that plays nicely with Apple HomeKit. It does not support Android systems, so it's not a great pick for everyone.

For Siri users, however, the Eve leak detector is a smart choice in more ways than one.

The device runs through the Apple Home app and connects via Bluetooth. For remote management, an Apple Home Hub like the HomePod Mini is required.

The Guard comes with a 6.5-foot sensing cable that is small enough to fit in tight spaces to detect water under the dishwasher or washing machine.

Immediately upon sensing water, the sensor plays a blistering 100-decibel siren, flashes a red light, and quickly sends smart alerts to your Apple devices.

It’s timely and impossible to ignore, which is crucial in a smart water leak detector.

The Wi-Fi-enabled Phyn Smart Water Sensor doesn't offer any integration with smart platforms like Apple HomeKit, Amazon Echo, or Google Home. Rather, it runs through the Phyn mobile app, which sends smart alerts when water is detected.

The sensor does a good job of reporting any leaks, but there were several occasions when it took too long to get alerts. It plays an audible alarm tone, but the sound is too soft to hear from another room with the door closed.

The only way to cease the sound is by pressing the button on the top of the device, which may be hard to get to depending on where you place it.

The device is comparable in size to a hockey puck, rendering it too large to fit under appliances. Instead, you can buy Phyn extension nodes to ensure full coverage in tight spaces.

Additionally, the sensor tracks temperature and humidity numbers and can send you alerts when the readings drop below your custom threshold. It requires two AA batteries, which should last you about two years before they will need to be replaced. The app supports nine water leak sensors per account.

Some delay in push notifications

The Meross Water Leak Sensor works with Apple HomeKit or the Meross app for iOS and Android devices. Overall, we found this to be a reliable sensor for detecting water leaks quickly, but the setup process is more involved than the others we tested.

To use it with Apple HomeKit, you will need an Apple HomeHub, like a HomePod (2nd gen). The device also requires a Meross smart hub (included with your purchase), which must remain plugged in.

When connected via the Meross app, the sensor sends alerts to your smartphone, letting you know when water is there and when it is gone.

The sensor plays an audible tone when it detects water. The sound is not very loud, especially if it is tucked away behind your toilet or under the kitchen sink. Keep your phone nearby to receive water leak push notifications.

We found the sensor works best for detecting leaks in water that is a half-inch deep or more. It struggled to detect water leaks when standing in small puddles.

The leak detector is well-made and sturdy but tall, making it difficult to slide under appliances like a washing machine or dishwasher for leak detection. It also lacks a water probe cable like our No. 1 pick has. The probe is a nice-to-have for water leak sensors because it helps the device track possible water leaks in hard-to-reach spots, like in tight spaces or under large appliances.

The detector also lacks a way to secure it in place, like our Best Value pick offers, making it easy to kick or for pets and kids to move if you have it placed in front of the washing machine or dishwasher.

The Meross Smart Leak Detector is a good option for Apple HomeKit users, but it doesn’t work with ecosystems like Amazon Echo or Google Home. If you have other Meross devices, like a Meross smart plug, the sensor can trigger home automations, like turning off the smart plug when water is detected. This setup could be helpful if you have something like a fish tank plugged into the smart plug and need to shut off the power right away.

While we think the audible alerts are too quiet, it sends timely push alerts to your phone or tablet when water is detected, and the added compatibility with other Meross smart home devices is a plus.

One of two leak detectors we tested that works with Apple HomeKit, the Fibaro Flood Sensor offers the unique ability to be checked during a chat with Siri. It is one of just two sensors we tested that can float and survive flooding, but those are the only real positives to the device.

It only works with Apple devices and runs over Bluetooth, meaning you'll need to use an iPad, HomePod Mini, or an Apple TV as an Apple Home Hub to receive leak alerts when you're away.

As for the alerts, they would only come through the Apple Home app during our tests, not Fibaro's companion app.

Sensor floats and holds up to flooding

Doesn't work with Alexa or Google Assistant

Hi, I’m Rachel Murphy, Reviewed’s home editor. I live in a smart home that’s full of smart cameras, smart plugs, smart speakers, and more. During my tenure at Reviewed, I’ve tested smart mini projectors, smart doorbells, and other gadgets that can be controlled remotely or via smart assistants such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.

These detectors can detect leaks, changes in water temperature, humidity, and much more. We tailored our testing to determine how these products operated both as smart home devices and as water sensors, which turned out to be two different sets of criteria.

It shouldn’t be difficult to set up the “smart” part of a smart water leak detector. Beyond that, we looked at whether the devices required an app or smart hub and whether it integrated into an existing smart home environment.

Lastly, we judged whether the devices could be controlled remotely and if they had trouble maintaining connectivity.

As important as the smart aspect is, these devices must function well as water sensors. Once a leak is detected, did the device reliably sound an alarm or send out notifications? We also tested whether a device sensor could survive being submerged or if it floated.

Our favorite smart water leak sensors were painless to set up and use, and they consistently sensed and alerted us to the presence of water. Ideally, they could persist despite being completely submerged in water, or they floated.

A smart water leak detector could very well become your new best friend this winter, as it could save you thousands in home repairs.

This type of smart device has a built-in sensor that sends a signal and/or an audible alert when a water leak is detected. With most models, the leak-detecting sensors are located on the bottom of the device. Most models we tested have alarms that sound when there is a leak, but they may also send push notifications to an app and/or an email.

Smart water leak detectors should be set up where leaks are likely to occur: near toilets, around pipes, under sinks, around pipes like those behind toilets and underneath sinks, and by appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters.

Some models have probes that can be placed under appliances, too.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to put sensors in areas of a home that have had past water damage, including the attic.

A smart water leak detector can save you money by catching a leak before it becomes a major problem. Once a leak is detected and you receive an alert, you should have enough time to turn off your water or make a quick emergency repair.

Some insurance companies offer discounts to homeowners who have leak detectors.

Depending on how far your leak sensor is from your Wi-Fi set up, it may have trouble communicating with your internet connection, which can hinder your ability to receive leak alerts.

If that's the case, we recommend using a mesh Wi-Fi router to bolster the connection. The Google Wi-Fi three-pack ships with one router that connects to broadband, and two nodes to extend the Wi-Fi signal. It's simple to set up, guides you through the best placement of the nodes for optimal performance and coverage, and works great in apartment buildings and standalone homes.

Our guide to securing your smart home has lots of advice about how to protect your privacy. There are some simple steps you can take:

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.

Rachel Murphy is Reviewed's home editor. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Central Florida. Prior to joining the team, she worked as a freelance writer for publications like Insider and Mashable, and as an associate editorial producer for Good Morning America. Aside from smart home tech, her interests include food, travel, parenting, and home renovation. You can usually find her sipping on coffee at any time of the day.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

7 Best Smart Water Leak Detectors of 2023 - Reviewed

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