Smart Water Leak Detectors Bring Peace of Mind Against Water Damage (2024)

Our engineers raved about how easy the WiFi-connected Honeywell was to set up, and that it doesn’t require a smart home hub. Not only does it detect water leaks but it will also alert you to freezing temps and humidity issues. The Honeywell integrates with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and IFTTT. The cable sensor detects water along its entire length (4 feet to start, but you can extend that with additional cables). A loud alarm, LED lights, and notifications through its Lyric app on your phone will let you know it has detected an issue before it becomes a problem.

The stand-alone Kangaroo sensor detects water leaks, low temperatures, and humidity. You can customize the temperature range, and the sensor will alert you if the temperature drops below that to help prevent pipes freezing and bursting. Additional sensors can be placed in any areas of your home where leaks might occur. The app sends alerts to your phone, and if you don’t respond to the initial alert, an alarm will sound. The app also lets you know if batteries are running low. The sensor integrates with Amazon’s Alexa.

The Phyn Plus doesn’t use sensors strategically placed in the path of a potential leak. Instead, the unit is installed on the main water line going into your home, near the shut-off valve (it’s recommended you hire a professional for the installation), and it works by measuring changes in water pressure hundreds of times a minute. It learns (with your help) where water is being used. From this, the Phyn Plus can alert you when a leak is detected – and if you’re not home, it can turn off the water supply. It also monitors the temperature of the water, and can alert you to the potential for freezing. No monthly subscription is needed and you can even keep an eye on your water usage so you can see how much water is used by your irrigation or washer.

The Fibaro can fit in the palm of your hand and at just less than 1¼ inches tall, it can fit under appliances and in small spaces where leaks might occur. Three telescoping gold-plated feet help it retain contact even with an uneven floor (think grout between tiles) and set off an alarm and alerts if the feet get wet. A temperature sensor lets you know if there is a spike or drop in temperature in the event of overheating, fire, or freezing conditions. A motion sensor will let you know if the Fibaro is tampered with and if the area floods, the sensor floats and runs, continuing to set off alerts. Additional probes can be connected, which can be located in even tighter spaces. This model is Z-Wave compatible for your smart home ecosystem – if you use Apple HomeKit, this version is available for you.

Flo by Moen monitors changes in your home’s water pressure to detect a leak. A single device is installed on the main water line near the shut-off valve. When a drop in pressure is detected, an alert is sent to your phone via WiFi. If you know the cause of the pressure change, you can quiet the alert before it turns off the water supply. It also monitors temperature so you can be alerted if there’s a potential for freezing. Once a day (usually in the middle of the night), this device will turn the water supply off temporarily to check for any change in pressure, indicating tiny leaks. It integrates with Smart Water Shutoff as well as other smart home ecosystems, and a monthly subscription is required if you want to monitor your water usage. A different model is available for larger water lines, and a more expensive model comes with a battery backup in case of power cuts.

This compact battery-powered sensor can be placed in any area where a leak might happen, and works off a SmartThings hub or any compatible device with SmartThings hub functionality. Alerts are sent to your phone if a water leak or a temperature drop or spike is detected. If a leak is detected from an integrated appliance, the SmartThings app can be configured to turn off the appliance, preventing further damage.

Vivint’s sensor detects freezing temperatures as well as water in places it shouldn’t be, and automatically sends mobile notifications via text or email to alert you. If the sensor is moved (think: curious child or pet), a tamper notification will be triggered too. The battery is projected to last a number of years. The sensor can be integrated with the Vivint home security system, and if you have a smart thermostat, you can remotely adjust your home’s temperature if a drop in temperature is detected. Multiple sensors can be placed in different areas of your home.