Additional Leak Detectors We Recommend
First Alert L1 Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze Detector for $62: This substantial flood sensor, marketed by First Alert, operates through the First Alert or Resideo apps and accessories. It sends push notifications and emails to inform you of any leaks and features an ear-piercing alarm at 100 decibels that can be silenced via a side button. In all my trials, the sensor was somewhat sluggish to alert, with notifications only arriving when my phone was connected to Wi-Fi. The 5-foot water sensing cable allows for broader coverage, and I noticed it provided quicker alerts. The sensor connects directly to Wi-Fi, requiring a reliable signal. Additionally, it can monitor temperature and humidity, although not with high accuracy (it typically overstated the temperature while underreporting humidity). The supplied two AA batteries are rated to last up to two years.
SwitchBot Water Leak Detector for $18: This rectangular device provided prompt alerts in all my assessments and features a loud 100-decibel alarm. With prongs on both the top and bottom, it quickly detected the presence of water. It connects directly to Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for a hub, and can dispatch push notifications and emails, but these must be configured in the app. Unfortunately, notifications didn’t reach me when I was away from home on a cellular network. Smart home integration is solid (compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT), and the SwitchBot app allows for automations, making this a flexible choice, especially if you use other SwitchBot products. The included two AAA batteries are claimed to last up to two years.
AiDot Winees Water Leak Detector S1 Plus (3 Pack) for $60: Connect the plug-in hub to your 2.4-GHz Wi-Fi and strategically position the three circular detectors in potential leak areas, and you’re all set. You can connect up to 10 detectors to the hub and set it up to send emails and SMS notifications along with app alerts when a leak is detected. The probes on the bottom of each detector are somewhat spaced apart, with an activation threshold of 2 millimeters of water, meaning it requires a pool of water to trigger the alarm. It failed to sound an alarm for a steady drip but did trigger when water accumulated. The alarm can reach 100 decibels, and I appreciate the option to adjust the volume and duration. You can stop alarms via the app or by pressing buttons on the hub. These detectors operate on CR2 batteries with a lifespan of up to a year, and the app indicates when they run low. When I removed a battery, it took several hours for the app to reflect the change. One final drawback is the circular hub, which could obstruct nearby outlets. IFTTT support is a potentially useful feature that allows for actions like shutting off water or flashing a red light during a leak.
Aqara Water Leak Sensor for $19: This Zigbee sensor is designed to work best with Apple’s HomeKit, and you will need a separate Aqara hub. The company also manufactures a capable security camera that serves as a hub alongside a comprehensive selection of smart home sensors. These small circular sensors sit low to the floor, so just 0.5 mm of water below is sufficient to trigger an alarm. Drips above won’t activate them, but you will receive an iPhone notification as soon as water collects beneath the probes. Additionally, your connected hub can sound an alarm and initiate automations via HomeKit. The sensors use CR2 batteries, which can last up to two years.
Stitch by Monoprice Water Leak Sensor for $25: This budget-friendly water leak detector closely resembles our top choice. Its round body has metal feet for water detection that can be mounted on a wall via a bracket. It comes with a small plug-in extender reaching up to 3.8 feet. Both the main detector and the extension were quick to issue alerts and notifications when wet (although the built-in alarm isn’t particularly loud). It runs on a single CR2 battery and keeps track of remaining power via the app, which also alerts you when it’s time to replace the battery. However, the app is basic and poorly translated, and you have to dry the device to deactivate the alarm; additionally, it took too long to notify me when it went offline (unexpectedly, the offline detector is set to off by default in the app settings, requiring a manual change). You can often find this model at a lower price if purchased directly from Monoprice.
Leak Detectors to Avoid
Not every water leak detector we evaluated performed well.
Swann Leak Alert Sensor for $12: Although this battery-operated water detector (using two AAAs) is budget-friendly, I encountered significant difficulties during setup. Your device must connect to 2.4-GHz Wi-Fi, and even then, I needed multiple attempts before it established a connection. To reset it, you must physically remove the screw panel, as there’s no app-based option. Notifications reached my phone approximately one minute after soaking the sensor, yet the Swann app was slow and cumbersome to navigate.
