Best Smart Water Leak Detectors in 2022
Best Smart Water Leak Detectors – We protect our home from fire, carbon monoxide, and theft, but what about water leaks? Floods and water damage can be devastating for homeowners, causing severe damage.
To protect your home, give some thought to installing a smart water sensor.
A smart water leak detector will let you know if you have a burst pipe or water heater by sending a notification to your phone. Some can even shut your water off, helping mitigate a potential disaster.
A water leak detector alerts you if it senses a leak from a pipe, dishwasher, water heater, or washing machine so that you can address the issue before your basement floods. Most water leak detectors cost less than $100 and can be installed by yourself, making them a brilliant investment.
Without further ado, here are the best water leak detectors you can buy in 2022.
COPYRIGHT_NOVA: Published on https://www.novabach.com/i/best-smart-water-leak-detectors-in-2022/ by Daniel Barrett on 2022-05-16T10:36:48.000Z
1. Flo by Moen Smart Water Detector
If you’re not ready to commit to a water-shutoff system, the Flo by Moen Smart Water Detector is an excellent place to start. This $49 device senses leaks, temperature, and humidity and can emit an 85-decibel alarm when it detects water. It also connects to the Flo by Moen app, where you can link it with Alexa, Google Assistant, and other smart home systems.
This device comes with the main unit and a four-foot cable, so you can mount it on the wall and not worry about it getting washed away if you get a flood. And, when you want to step up to a system that can also shut off your water, you can link it to the Flo by Moen shutoff valve.
Pros
- Dual sensors
- Loud alarm
- Works with shutoff valve
Cons
- Cannot shut off the water
2. Honeywell Lyric Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze Detector
The Lyric Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze Detector is one of the best sensors on the market, coming from the trusted and well-loved Honeywell brand. The Honeywell is easy to install—add the included AAA batteries, download the Honeywell Lyric app, and pair it with your home’s Wi-Fi. The sensor works via your Wi-Fi but doesn’t pair with smart home hubs, so this may be the best option for you if you don’t have a hub.
We love that the Honeywell can detect not only water leaks but also tracks humidity and temperature, which helps prevent property damage and frozen pipes. When water is detected, you’ll hear an alarm if you’re at home. Otherwise, you’ll receive alerts on your smartphone, allowing you to take urgent action to protect your home.
Pros
- Installation is quick and easy
- Detects water, humidity, and temperature
- Access your stats via the useful Honeywell app
Cons
- Expensive
- It doesn’t integrate with smart home hubs
3. Resideo Wi-Fi Water Leak & Freeze Detector
Many pipes will burst when the water trapped inside them freezes and expands. So, in addition to water leaks, this Resideo (a division of Honeywell) sensor can also detect temperature changes and humidity and alert you when things get too cold. The Lyric sensor runs on two AA batteries, rated to last up to three years. In addition, it includes a 4-foot cable, the entire length of which can detect leaks.
When the sensor detects a leak, it sends an alert to your phone and emits a 100-dB alarm. It also connects directly to your Wi-Fi — no hub needed. Resideo’s products also work with a wide range of smart-home systems.
Pros
- Works with Alexa
- Built-in alarm
- Detects temperature changes
Cons
- Cannot shut off the water
4. LeakSmart Water Leak Detection Sensors
What can you do if your sensor alerts you to leakage and you’re not at home? With LeakSmart, you can automatically turn off your water valve from anywhere. In addition, LeakSmart’s shutoff valve (an additional purchase from the sensor) can stop water damage as soon as it has been found.
Although the valve bumps up the cost, it’s worth it compared to the thousands of dollars of flood damage that can happen in minutes. The LeakSmart connects to your water main and automatically shuts off all the flow within five seconds of detecting a leak. LeakSmart integrates with smart home hubs, such as Google Nest, and installation is straightforward. If water is detected, you’ll hear a loud alarm from anywhere in the home.
Pros
- It pairs with an optional water-shutoff valve to keep your home safe
- Responsive and completely waterproof
- Integrates with ZigBee-based smart-home systems
Cons
- Pricey to add on the shutoff valve
- It only activates if water touches the actual sensor, so take care where you place
5. Phyn Plus v2 Smart Water Assistant
Not only can the Phyn Plus Smart Water Assistant alert you if there’s a leak, but it can also automatically shut off the water coming into your home, which is why it’s the best water leak detector with a shutoff valve. In addition, this second-generation Phyn Plus is 25% smaller than the original model, so it should be easier to fit into tighter spaces. It’s also about $200 less expensive, too.
Phyn’s super-smart water assistant has a series of blue LEDs along one edge that give the illusion of flowing water. Inside the device are a water-flow sensor and some interesting algorithms that can detect leaks throughout your house based on water pressure. It can even tell the difference between a toilet flushing and a drip from a faucet and give you insights into how much water you’re using. So, you don’t need to install remote sensors throughout your house.
The Phyn Plus can be installed indoors or outdoors and works with Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT. Unlike the Flo by Moen, there are no additional subscription fees. However, it has to be plugged in to work, and there’s no battery backup.
Pros
- Can shut off the water
- Monitors water use
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT
Cons
- Expensive
- No battery backup
6. Fibaro Flood Sensor
If you’re already using Apple’s HomeKit, the Fibaro Flood Sensor may be for you. It’s designed to integrate with HomeKit and is even compatible with Siri, so you can use voice commands to check on the status of your sensor or find out the temperature, even if you’re not at home. Being part of the Apple family, it can also be accessed via your Apple TV or iPad.
We like the design of the Fibaro as well, which is contoured to resemble a water droplet and won’t stand out within your home. It’s not only stylish, but it also makes it easier for your sensor to detect leaks. The Fibaro is also built tough, as it’s waterproof and can float, an essential feature in the case of flooding.
While Apple fans will love the convenience and ease of the Fibaro, it’s not the best choice for others, as it’s not compatible with Android. It’s also worth noting that the leakage alarm isn’t as loud as some other sensors.
Pros
- Works beautifully with Siri
- Clever, effective design
- Waterproof
Cons
- The alarm could be louder
- It doesn’t pair with Android devices
7. Flume 2
The Flume 2 Smart Home Water Monitor & Water Leak Detector straps around your water line — no plumber necessary — and connects to a Wi-Fi bridge to tell you based on the water flow and pressure if there’s a leak somewhere in your home.
More than that, the Flume 2 can also analyze your water usage. If you subscribe to Flume Insight ($49.99/year), it can give you more granular data on specific appliances and faucets and help you create daily and weekly budgets for water consumption. It can also provide indoor vs. outdoor water use, let you set up custom alerts, and gives you 15% off leak repair services from Angi.
Pros
- Self-installation
- Provides leak and water-consumption data
Cons
- Can’t shut off the water automatically
- Subscription needed for advanced features
What are the Best Water Leak Detectors?
When choosing the best water leak detector, you first have to decide if you want a device that merely alerts you when there’s a leak or can sense a leak and then automatically shut off the water to your home. The former generally costs less than $50, while the latter typically costs more than $400 and requires professional installation.
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