To find the best water leak detectors for different needs and smart home setups, we spoke with plumbing and leak prevention experts and used hands-on experience and research to judge top models on their cost, user-friendliness, smart home compatibility, and app features. Our top pick is the Moen 920-005 Flo Smart Water Leak Detector because it’s easy to install and use, comes packed with smart features, and is affordable and compact. Here are the best smart water leak detectors. As well as sending notifications when the unit detects water, you can use the app and the unit’s built-in humidity and temperature sensors to track changes over time. This feature is useful if your home’s pipes are at risk of freezing in the winter or a rise in room temperature beyond your set limits—which could suggest your air conditioning isn’t working effectively or you have steam leaking from a plumbing fixture. If you don’t want to use the app—or don’t have your phone on hand—a small LED fitted into the front sensor glows red when it detects water. It also sounds an audible alarm. The unit connects to the app via Wi-Fi, but it doesn’t work without it. If the Wi-Fi drops out, you get an alert warning that the detector isn’t working, but it won’t detect leaks until you reconnect it. Some reviewers have complained about issues pairing the device to their phone or network but this wasn’t ever an issue we experienced. However, we did have occasional problems with alerts. Another drawback is that you have to clear an alert from the app manually. If you don’t, you won’t get any subsequent alerts until you do. This sensor doesn’t have an automatic shutoff valve, but you can buy one separately. Probes on the front and rear can account for leaks on the floor and condensation leaks from pipes. When this sensor detects a leak, an audible alarm rings on repeat until you switch it off via the app or manually. This feature means you’re unlikely to miss alerts, like some of the more subtle or single alarms found elsewhere in this list. The use of a hub does add an extra layer of connection, but it can cause a delay between detection and notification—a minimal second or two at worst. The app lets you customize thresholds to avoid false alerts and only issues warnings if the humidity and temperature readings reach damaging levels based on those customized settings. Notifications are instant because the sensor connects directly to the app via built-in Wi-Fi. The addition of the alarm provides a welcome safety net should your phone’s battery die or you don’t have it with you. Our one minor complaint is that the black design makes this sensor stand out and may not blend in well around your home. Through the Flo by Moen mobile app, you can see live water use, including flow rates, pressure, and temperature. The app sends a standard alert if the sensor detects a minor issue, like a leaky faucet. While this model doesn’t come with an automatic shutoff feature or an alarm, if it spots what Moen calls a “catastrophic failure”—a burst pipe or water running—it sends a critical warning before giving you the option of manually shutting off the water wherever you are. If you want automatic, smart shutoff, you can opt for the FloProtect plan that offers 24/7 monitoring. This app uses an algorithm to learn your habits and will flag any unusual activity. You can also use the app to set water usage budgets. When you’re set to exceed your threshold, the app sends a warning with recommendations on managing usage. Installation is simple but requires potentially getting your hands dirty if your water meter is outdoors. We also experienced delays of up to a minute between detection and the notification arriving on our phone. Despite being plumbed into your water supply, the Phyn is simple to install beneath your sink without expert help. Once installed, the system recognizes how each fixture functions and instantly notices the smallest deviations. If the sensor detects an issue, the Phyn Smart Water Assistant sends a notification to your phone or to any smart speaker, where you can also monitor water usage. During use, we noticed the frozen pipe detection was temperamental. This sensor also works best if you have a pressure regulating valve (PRV) on your system. While you need a hub and sensors to make the complete system, unlike the vast majority of smart water leak detectors, the LeakSmart range works with Zigbee and Samsung SmartThings. This compatibility means you can use a Zigbee hub and sensors and set up automations with other smart home products. For example, if you have a leak in the middle of the night, you could make your smart bedroom lights flash on or off to alert you if the LeakSmart system detects an issue. The Eve Water Guard is compatible with the Thread smart-home protocol, meaning it works with Apple HomePod straight out of the box. Any connected Apple device can control it, including the Apple Watch and Apple TV. The Water Guard acts as a so-called router node, which means that the sensor relays the data from any other Thread accessories in the home and enhances the stability and reach of your smart home. While smart home compatibility is limited, if you’re a HomeKit user, this option could more than fit your needs. Battery-powered sensors that you can place under appliances or near pipes are the easiest to install because they’re highly portable and typically work straight out of the box. The downside is that they only monitor the appliances or pipes in their immediate vicinity. Sensors that monitor your entire home by connecting to your water main line can track changes in water pressure through your pipes or respond to changes in the magnetic field around your water meter. Some are battery-powered, while others connect to your network via a mains-powered hub or bridge. Depending on your home’s plumbing and your DIY confidence level, the basic models of these types of sensors don’t require professional installation. You can retrofit them to existing pipes within minutes. If you’re not confident in your DIY or plumbing abilities or want a water leak detector with more advanced features, we recommend seeking professional advice before attempting installation.
Alarms and Monitoring
All smart water detectors offer leak detection and basic monitoring features. Alerts usually go to an app as a notification or via text or email. You can then manually switch off the water if the sensor comes with a shutoff valve, locate the source of the leak, and track alerts and water flow changes over time from within the app. Some detectors feature audible and visual alarms to alert you to potential damage even if you don’t have your phone nearby. These models are beneficial should a leak occur at night and you don’t hear your phone. “If you want to receive alerts and control the sensor when you’re not at home, you need to make sure that the sensor you’re buying has a Wi-Fi radio or it’s part of a home automation system,” says Djamel Harkas from GH Plumbing. The apps that come with smart water leak detectors range in functionality, but most show you water usage trends and changes over time. Others go a step further to offer recommendations and insights that help you monitor usage and reduce your water bills. The more advanced sensors and apps will let you customize water usage thresholds or set parameters for temperature and humidity. In these instances, you only get an alert if a sensor detects readings outside these set thresholds and parameters. For example, if the water in a pipe drops below a temperature that puts it at risk of freezing, the app will warn you so you can choose to cover up the pipes or take alternative action.
Smart Home Compatibility
This compatibility is built into the sensors themselves—meaning they connect directly to your phone or smart home device—or they run their signal through a hub. With the latter, you’re adding an extra step in the connection process, and this can cause notification delays. These delays are usually minimal—from a couple of seconds to a minute at worst—but it’s worth noting if real-time, instant notifications are important to you.
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Victoria Woollaston is a freelance science, technology, and lifestyle editor with more than a decade’s experience testing and reviewing consumer products. She’s had firsthand experience with several smart water leak detectors on this list and several others from different manufacturers and of various types. “Smart control systems use integrated software to monitor water flow rate in real-time, allowing the device to compare the flow rate versus customizable parameters,” says Steve Richmond, head of marketing and technical at REHAU Building Solutions. “Should any abnormalities be detected due to a burst pipe or drip leak, a notification will be sent to the homeowner’s phone via an app,” adds Richmond. “If a major incident is detected, the system can automatically shut off the water supply to mitigate damage.” What sets smart detectors apart from non-smart ones is that the more advanced models learn a household’s typical water usage. If a family deviates significantly from this typical usage pattern, the sensor can alert the homeowner to a potential problem. If you want to look for leaks in non-obvious places like behind walls, Harkas adds that it’s better to look for a leak detection system that monitors your water delivery system and integrates with your more comprehensive plumbing setup. “I would always advise getting help from a professional tradesperson in this case.” Devices covering your main water system are more accurate than basic DIY sensors with probes. Sensors that use machine learning and algorithms to learn your habits bring an extra level of accuracy and personalization. To learn what to look for when choosing a smart water leak detector, Woollaston spoke with Djamel Harkas from GH Plumbing, Craig Foster, CEO of Ondo Insurtech, and Steve Richmond, head of marketing and technical at REHAU Building Solutions. Using these expert insights, she looked for leak detectors that are easy to use and provide accurate, real-time detection alerts. She also judged them based on design, price, the addition of audible and visual alarms, and smart home compatibility. She prioritized smart water leak detectors that were suitable for most homes and plumbing setups.
