Best Water Leak Detector

Dealing with frozen pipes and water leaks is a universal headache, guaranteed to make your day stressful. And for this reason, it’s highly recommended to find the very best water leak detector. You never know it might help save your home!

Best Water Leak Detector

What We Use At Home

Fibaro Flood Sensor Z-Wave

It’s what I own at home, but how will it fair up to other models.

Fibaro Flood Sensor Z-Wave

Most Versatile Leak Detector

Honeywell WiFi Water Leak & Freeze Detector

It’s the most expensive leak detector, but for good reason.

Honeywell Wi-Fi Water Leak & Freeze Detector

Best Budget 

Govee Water Alarm, 100dB

It might be cheap, but it keeps up with the features.

Govee Water Alarm 100dB

The Buyers Guide To The Best Water Leak Detectors

Before we start diving into water leak detectors, we must understand what to look for. This is why I’ve created this buyer’s guide to help you on your way

Here are the things I looked out for before purchasing my very own water detectors.

Price

Water leak detectors can vary in price for a few reasons, it could be due to the branding, or because it offers more features than the rest. Either way checking the price will give you a rough idea of how the product will perform at detecting water damage.

Protocol

If you've already started your smart home, there's a good chance you already have a home hub. And if you want your water leak detector to link up, then you need to think about the protocols it accepts. For example, a Wink Hub would require a Z-wave or Zigbee protocol.

Hub Requirement

Some water leak detectors run solely through WiFi, which means no hub is required to get the devices up and running. If you don't have a home hub, then finding one that works without a hub will be the best option. Just make sure you check its compatibility.

Integrations

Some water leak detectors can integrate with third-party products like IFTTT, but why is this beneficial? Well, it can help you set up recipes; for example, if the alarm is triggered, you can have the lights turn to help you wake up. Or the best feature is having the sensor communicate with your smart water shut off valves.

Size

Depending on where you're planning to place your water leak detector will depend on the size you'll require. You'll need a water leak detector that is small enough to fit where ever necessary. Unfortunately, water leaks start in the most awkward places.

Siren

If you lose internet connection for whatever reason during a water leak, you won't receive any notification to your smartphone, which let's face it, isn't ideal. Having a built-in siren is very beneficial; you'll be notified of any water leak by a loud siren filling the room.

Extendable

It's never guaranteed that a leak is going to happen in a specific place, which let's be honest can be a bit of a nightmare. Luckily smart water leak detectors like the Honeywell Lyric can be extended, meaning you can cover the whole perimeter of the room or wrap it around pipes.

Additional sensors

Some leak sensors don't just detect water leaks; they can cover a whole range of conditions. Some of these include humidity sensors to help find moisture before mold starts to grow. You can also find temperature sensors to help you locate frozen pipes before they burst causing damage to your home.

The Best Water Leak Detectors

Hopefully, the buyer’s guide has helped you understand a little bit more about water leak detectors. Now it’s time to use this knowledge to choose to find your smart water leak detector.

To help you along, here are some of my favorites, you’re guaranteed to find something you like:

 FibaroHoneywellGoveeWassersteinSmartThing
Size (Inches)2.8″ x 1.1″3.1″ x 3.1″ x 1.3″3.5″ x 1.8″ x 0.9″3.8″ x 3.4″ 1.9″2.3″ x 1.5″ x 0.9″
ProtocolZ-wave (Option For
Home Kit)
WiFiWiFiWiFiZigbee
Hub RequirementZ-wave HubNoneRequires A Hub For
Phone Monitoring
NoneSmartThings Hub
ExtendableNo4ft-500ftNoYesNo
IntergrationIFTTT, Alexa,
Google Home,
Z-Wave Devices
Alexa, Google Home,
IFTTT, Some Z-Wave
Hubs
 AlexaIFTTT, Zigbee
Additonal SensorsLeak & TempertureLeak, Temperture
& Humidity
Drip & LeakLeakWater
Built-In SirenNoYesYesYesNo
BuyFind Best PriceFind Best PriceFind Best PriceFind Best PriceFind Best Price

#1 – Fibaro Flood Sensor Z-Wave

This is one of the ultimate Z-Wave controllers if you already have a smart home system set up. 

It can be linked up with home hubs such as SmartThings, Wink, and much more. 

They also have a version for Apple HomeKit if your sway more to that side of things.

By linking your flood sensor to your smart hub, it enables you to get alerts sent to your smartphone, tablet, or via email. 

When a leak is detected, notifications such as audible sirens quick in with two seconds, you can even set up IFTTT recipes to trigger actions like turning on lights or activating scenes.

Not only does their leak sensors detect water leaks, but it always comes with built-in temperature sensors.

If the devices detect rise or fall in temperature, the alarm will sound to alert you of frozen pipes, given your comfort your home is safe.

Key Features

  • Dimensions: 2.8" x 1.1"
  • Compatible with any Z-Wave Controller
  • Temperature and leak protection
  • 40-meter range
  • Operating temperature: -30° to 150°f
  • Battery or power supply

What Other People Say

The device was a lot nicer than they expected and worked very well. They liked that the three probes were spring-loaded; it meant they were always connected to the floor. You could also hook up to a 12 v DC power source, although they hadn’t tried this yet.

Another customer loved how well it connected to their Samsung SmartThings Hub. It enabled you to receive text messages on their phone. They were having trouble with the battery life at first this use solved by placing a plastic sheet underneath. For some reason, their floor was draining the battery.

Final Verdict

I choose this device for a couple of reasons, the first one being it could connect to my Samsungs SmartThings hub. This enabled me to set IFTTT recipes to turn on lights in my bedroom to wake me up when a leak is detected; it would also send me text messages to my phone.

You might be wondering why I didn’t choose the SmartThings smart water sensor, considering how much cheaper they are. Well, for me, this flood sensor outperformed them, the spring-loaded gold plates held to floor better, thus it could detect leaks easily.

What We Liked

  • Easy to setup
  • Battery backup
  • Connects to all the major smart hubs
  • Temperature and smart water sensor
  • Defends you home against water damage

What We Didn’t Like

  • Temperamental tamper sensor

#2 – Honeywell WiFi Water Leak & Freeze Detector

The smart water leaking detector from Honeywell connects to the WiFi to send you alerts via text or email. 

Which is perfect if the leak happens while you’re out of the house. The leak sensor uses geofencing technology, so it knows who the closest person is to the problem. 

Once the leak is dealt with, it will send you an “All Clear” message.

If you’re at home, there’s no need for messages; instead, you’ll hear a loud siren to give you warning of the water leak. 

The best thing about this smart water leak detector is, it can also detect humidity and temperature. 

This can help owners identify areas mold, or frozen pipes before they burst.

The water leak detector comes with a one-year extended warranty and can sense a temperature of -30° to 150°f. It comes with an extendable warranty which can give you an extra 4 ft coverage but could be extended up to 500 Ft (sold separately).

Key Features

  • Connects to home WiFi or Bluetooth
  • Can be extended up to 500 ft
  • Three-year battery life (depending on usage)
  • 100 dB alarm
  • Works with Honeywell Lyric App
  • Works with Alexa and Google Assistant

What Other People Say

They had brought the devices six months ago after their basement had flooded. They placed their new device next to the sump. Fast forward, they received an alert saying water had been detected, they rushed home to find the water was one inch from the top of the sump.

They swear it saved them from a flooded basement. The customer liked how easy it was to set the device up; it only took a couple of minutes. They also really liked how well the App worked, you could rename the devices so that you knew exactly where the leak was.

Final Verdict

This water leak sensor is a fantastic piece of kit, which can help save any water damage to your home or business. There are a few reasons why I love this smart water detector, to start with its extendable, which means you can wrap it around the perimeter of the room, or essential pipes.

The siren was also loud, and you revived notifications of any issue quickly. It was also great being able to detect moisture, humidity, and temperature. From the mobile App, you could see the complete history to see where things were going wrong.

What We Liked

  • Supports IFTTT recipes
  • Extendable
  • Quick notifications
  • Temperature and humidity history

What We Didn’t Like

  • Pricey
  • No home automation devices

#3 – Govee Water Alarm

BEST BUDGET

Govee Water Alarm 100dB

Their water leak detectors have two groups of smart water sensors, and theses can be found at the top of the water leak sensor and the bottom. 

This means the water sensor can detect drips from pipes at the top and floods at the bottom, giving you the possible protection.

The whole device is completely wireless, making it super easy to install.

It’s a simple case of pulling the blue tag out of the battery and placing it where ever you need it. 

And the small size means it can fit anywhere without taking up too much room.

The water sensor comes with a built-in siren, which releases a loud alarm at 100 dB, this is more than loud enough to be heard from the basement. 

Once the leak is found, you can press the mute button to turn it off. The whole unit is completely sealed and waterproof to give it a long life.

Key Features

  • Built-in 100 dB siren
  • 6-Month battery life
  • Dimensions: 3.5"×1.8"×0.9"
  • Detect water height: 0.5mm
  • Drip and leak detection
  • 30-day money-back guarantee 1-year replacement warranty

What Other People Say

They used the device in the basement as a “just in case” measure. They were very pleased with how easy it was to set the leak detector up. To get all set up on their phone, they had to purchase the smart water leak detector kit, but this allowed them to pair multiple devices.

Another customer was also pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to set up. The device was small enough to place anywhere, and it was highly sensitive to water leaks. They were more than happy to recommend this device to friends and family.

Final Verdict

For the price, you really can complain about this device. Yes, it may not have all the fancy features, but it does exactly what it says on the tin. It could detect leaks efficiently and quickly and produced a loud siren that can be heard from the basement.

It would have been nice if you could receive notifications to your mobile phone without having to buy a secondary device. But, as I said, the price is ridiculously low. Once you’ve added the adapter you can get full updates to your phone, this will set back a further $20.

What We Liked

  • Loud alarm
  • Works in dual mode
  • The battery lasts 6-months

What We Didn’t Like

  • Requires a kit for phone monitoring

#4 – Wasserstein WiFi Water Leak Sensor

Wasserstein WiFi Water Leak Sensor
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Last Amazon price update was: January 10, 2023 2:08 pm

The Wasserstein water leak detector comes in a pack of 1, 2, or 3 giving you plenty of buying options. 

They promise to deliver a reliable and well-performing piece of kit that helps to keep your home safe of damage. It’s powered by a battery and uses low energy consumption.

They claim their water sensor can operate in standby by for over six months before they need changing, but this does depend on how many times it detects a leak. 

Once a leak is detected, a siren will sound to let you know where the flood sensor is.

You’ll also receive notifications to your smartphone if the leak sensor is activated, giving you the chance to get back home before it causes any more water damage. 

The water leak sensor connects to the WiFi and requires no hub or subscriptions to work. You’ll also be notified when the battery of the device is running low.

Key Features

  • Extender fits under the washing machine
  • Connects to WiFi
  • Available in 1, 2, or 3 pack
  • Requires no hub
  • 6-Month battery life
  • Built-in siren

What Other People Say

They loved it! One customer had a leak in their closet; this was due to the A/C lines. The next day they brought these water sensors to help control the issue. They were woken up at night to find a notification saying there was a leak. They say it saved them from having to clean a massive mess with potential damage to their home.

Another customer was feeling a little skeptical about the purchase after some of the negative reviews. They decided to go with the positive, and they were delighted with that decision. They followed the instructions to the letter and found it very easy to set up.

Final Verdict

They give you plenty of buying options at an attractive price and deliver reliable home protection. It used very little battery, which meant you didn’t have to worry too much, and when it ran low, you received a notification.

The device was small, making it easy to fit in small places like the water heater closest. The notifications from the app happened quickly, allowing you time to get home before it caused severe damage.

What We Liked

  • Affordable
  • Easy to set up
  • Does not require a hub
  • Fits under the washing machine
  • 3-Month warranty

What We Didn’t Like

  • The alarm isn't very loud

#5 – SmartThings Leak Sensor

They designed the SmartThings leak sensor to give you instant alerts to your phone at the first sign of a leak. 

It helps you get on top of any leak quickly and efficiently before your home starts to flood. 

Once a leak has been detected the siren is activated to alert you. The sensor uses a Zigbee protocol to connect to your smart hub quickly and efficiently.

By combining the sensor to your smart hub, you can program your smart lights to turn on when the alarm has been sounded. 

All of these features are designed to give you the best chance of catching the leak before it gets too bad.

The SmartThings leak sensor doesn’t just detect leaks; it will also monitor the temperature too (operating temperature of 32°F to 104°).

The SmartThings leak sensor can shut down all your smart devices when moisture has been detected for an added sense of security.

Key Features

  • Zigbee protocol
  • Working range: 50-130 ft
  • 1-Year warranty
  • Operating temperature: 32-104°
  • Dimensions: 2.3” x 1.5” x 0.9”
  • Needs a SmartThings Hub

What Other People Say

One customer had placed the leak detector next to the sump pump in their basement. And when the sump stopped doing its job, the alarm has set off, and push notifications were sent to their smartphone. The alarm was more than loud enough to wake them up; this allows them to check the water leak before any water damage occurred.

Another customer couldn’t believe how easy the device was to set up, although additional programming features got a little tricky. They have had the device for a few months now, so far, no leaks. But they know the device works due to the alarm getting set off when the cleaning lady mops the floor.

Final Verdict

Here’s the thing, the device isn’t bad; it’s just not great; it’s a relatively simple water leak detector; you shouldn’t be too surprised when you notice the low price. The other thing is you need a SmartThings hub to control it. So, if you don’t already own the hub, that’s another additional cost.

I personally wouldn’t suggest it to someone that hasn’t already got the hub, but if you have, they are pretty solid devices. It has no trouble picking to detect leaks or detecting humidity. So, if you have the SmartThings Hub and you’re looking for a cheap and straightforward detector, this might be the device for you.

What We Liked

  • Great third-party integration
  • Easy to install
  • Works with Alexa
  • Good battery life
  • Temperature and leak sensor

What We Didn’t Like

  • Requires a SmartThings Hub
  • The siren isn't audible
  • No humidity Sensor

But, This Is The Best Water Leak Detector

The best water sensor has to be the Honeywell Leak & Freeze Detector. 

It offers a whole range of capabilities, from geofencing to humidity detection. 

One of my favorite features is being able to extend the leak detector. With the right attachments, you have the potential to detect leaks in a 500 ft perimeter.

Honeywell Wi-Fi Water Leak & Freeze Detector

The water sensor was small enough to fit under all washing machines, and the 4 ft extender could wrap around the pipes to detect water leaks.

Another standout component was the App; it warned you quickly when a leak is detected and was intelligent enough to know who was the closest person to your home. As it goes for battery life, it was the best performing; the battery could last three years on standby.

There you go, if you’re looking to protect your home, then these water leak detectors are a great way to go. If you think I missed anything out, comment below, and I’ll get back to you.

While we’re on the subject of home security, why not check out the showdown Alro vs Nest, they’re two of the very best security cameras on the market.

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Frequently Asked Questions

You in luck, water leak detectors have in around for a while, and in that time have saved plenty of homes from water leaks. The device can be placed in areas of concern. If it detects water, it will send you a notification and, in some cases, sound the alarm.
We know water detector works, but how does it detect a water leak? In theory, it’s a straightforward sensor. The gold plates at the bottom of the device are placed on the floor. Once a leak occurs, the pool of water becomes in contact with the gold prongs, which completes the circuit and sounds an alarm. And because it’s linked to your WiFi, it will also send you a notification to your phone, allowing you to make arrangments to get home.
here’s no limit to the number of places you can place your water sensors. But the best places are as follows:
  • Water Heater
  • Baths
  • Washing Machines
  • Toilets
  • Main Pipes
  • Water Tanks
  • Sinks
  • Dishwashers
  • AC Units
There’s plenty of places you can put your water leak detector, it all comes down to what works for you!
Much like the importance of having a smoke detector in every room in your house is important to install leak detectors in areas where water damage could start for example: The bathroom, beneath the kitchen sink, the laundry and so on.

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