Best Smart Water-Leak Detectors in 2020

Best Smart Water-Leak Detectors iMore 2020

• Best Overall: Fibaro Flood Sensor
• Best Value: Samsung SmartThings Water Leak Sensor
• Best Security: Ring Alarm Flood and Freeze Sensor
• Best Coverage: iHome Wi-Fi Dual Leak Sensor
• Best Monitoring: Flume Smart Home Water Monitoring System
• Best Prevention: Moen Flo Leak Detection System

Best Overall: Fibaro Flood Sensor

The Fibaro Flood Sensor is a compact, battery-powered solution, aimed at keeping you informed of any potential leaks in your home. The wireless design means you can place it almost anywhere, making it a perfect option to add monitoring where a plug is not available. Simply pair the flood sensor with HomeKit via its built-in Bluetooth capabilities and set it under a sink, near a water heater, or anywhere else that has the potential to spring a leak.

Fibaro's Flood Sensor also supports external wired leads enabling it to reach behind places where the sensor may not fit into. Additional features for the flood sensor include temperature monitoring, which is added as a separate device in HomeKit, and both leak detection and temperature can integrate with other HomeKit devices. This allows tons of automation options, such as turning your smart lights blue if a leak is detected.

Those looking for an easy to setup option that allows them to set it and forget it can look no further than the Fibaro Flood Sensor. While it may not be the most used smart device in your home, it may be one of the most important if the worst-case scenarios happen. Instant notifications to your iOS devices will allow you to stay on top of any issue that may arise and hopefully help prevent them from becoming a much bigger problem.

Best Value: Samsung SmartThings Water Leak Sensor

The Samsung SmartThings Water Leak Sensor is an excellent value for those looking for basic water leak detection and happen to have a SmartThings system in their home already. Samsung's tiny water leak sensor can be placed near any potential source of leaks, and it runs on a single CR2 battery making it completely wireless.

The SmartThings water leak sensor sends notifications to your phone in case of emergency, and can even work with other SmartThings devices in your home. If a leak is detected, it can not only sound an alarm, but it can also turn off any electrical devices in the area, which can prevent even more damage from occurring.

Best Security: Ring Alarm Flood and Freeze Sensor

Smart home security experts, Ring, provides a wireless leak detection sensor that is compact and sleek. The Ring Alarm Flood and Freeze Sensor is a battery operated solution that allows it to be placed just about anywhere in the home. Plus, 3-year battery life means that it will be working in the background for years to come.

Ring's sensor communicates via Z-Wave to the Ring Alarm system and can be placed up to 250 feet away, ensuring that it will work in the further reaches of your home. In addition to leak detection, a built-in temperature sensor can determine if the area is too cold, which could cause your water lines to freeze and potentially burst.

Best Coverage: iHome Wi-Fi Dual Leak Sensor

The iHome Wi-Fi Dual Leak Sensor provides two forms of leak detection in a small wireless unit. The base of iHome's sensor has water sensing contacts, and an attached six-foot lead can also determine if a leak has sprung. This allows the Dual Leak Sensor to cover multiple areas with just one device.

Wi-Fi connectivity enables the Dual Leak Sensor to function wherever a signal is in your home. Best of all, the sensor communicates directly to your Wi-Fi router, with no additional hubs or systems required.

Best Monitoring: Flume Smart Home Water Monitoring System

The Flume Smart Home Water Monitoring System is designed to keep you aware of the water usage and flow within your home. A small, compact unit is attached directly to your water meter via an included strap and requires no tools for installation. The water sensor is battery powered and works up to 1,000 feet away from a separate bridge that you plug in.

Once installed, the Flume Monitoring System will be on the lookout 24/7 for any potential leaks and will alert you instantly if a problem is found. Since Flume's device attaches directly to your water meter, you do not have to worry about placement as it measures water flow to determine if any leaks are occurring.

Best Prevention: Moen Flo Leak Detection System

The Flo Leak Detection System by Moen is a complete, whole-home solution. Attached directly to your main water line inside of your home, Flo can determine the smallest of leaks through Micro Leak Technology. It also provides usage and trend reports, which may help to identify ways to conserve water and lower your utility bill.

Unlike other leak detectors, Moen's system can shut off the main water supply to prevent damage if it finds a leak. While professional installation is recommended, this ability alone may be worth the high price tag if it can prevent a flood from happening inside of your home.

Stop the Leaks

Smart water-leak detectors are a great way to add a little extra peace in mind to your home. Usually operating in silence, leak detectors come to life at the crucial moment where the first signs of water are found. Entirely wireless options can be placed almost anywhere in the home, and whole-home monitoring solutions can be installed that can shut off all the water to your home if any abnormalities are detected.

The Fibaro Flood Sensor is a solid choice for those looking for an easy to set up, set it, and forget it solution. Powerful automations can be created to flash the lights in your home or sound an alarm if a leak is detected thanks to HomeKit integration. Fibaro's sensor also acts as a temperature sensor, and a built-in tamper alarm will notify you if it happens to be moved from its position once set.

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