GoKawiilOther Leak Detectors We Like
Photograph: Simon Hill
Shelly Flood Gen 4: Shelly’s fourth-generation leak detector boasts support for the Matter smart home system and impressive connectivity via Zigbee, Bluetooth, and dual-band Wi-Fi. I had no issues setting it up in my Google Home app by scanning the Matter QR code, but you can also use the Shelly app or your smart home ecosystem of choice (Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings). Each IP44-rated unit requires four AA batteries (included), and you stick or screw it to the wall (so there's no risk of the unit being submerged), and plug the extendable 6.5-foot leak detection cable into the bottom to trail around the area you want to monitor. While I had some issues when I first tested, with it failing to alert in the Google Home app, these seem to have been resolved, and the detector correctly sounded an alarm when I dripped water on top, and alerted me through the Home app.
Phyn Smart Water Sensor for $37: With features very similar to our top pick, the Phyn Smart Water Sensor proved reliable, alerting me to water quickly with piercing beeps, a text message, and a push notification. Unfortunately, the setup was annoying; I had to reload and re-enter all my information because the app was flaky. The chunky disc design has three metal feet, and there’s an LED that flashes red when it detects a leak. You can add an Extension Node ($10) (a wired disc that plugs in) or a Water Sensor Cable ($27) (a 4-foot cable that can detect water along its length—you can daisy-chain up to three)—but neither comes in the box. This sensor also tracks temperature and humidity, with charts displayed in the app, and you can set alert triggers at certain thresholds. It wasn’t as swift as our top pick, but it was consistent in my testing. It takes two AA batteries (provided). Sadly, you have to press the button on the device to stop the alarm—there's no in-app option. It’s also relatively large (the size of a hockey puck) compared to other detectors I tested, limiting your placement options. And once again, there’s no real smart home integration. Phyn also offers a water monitor and automatic shutoff device ($540), but I haven't tried it.
TP-Link Tapo T300 Water Leak Detector Photograph: Simon Hill
TP-Link Tapo T300 Water Leak Detector for $20: What I like most about these water leak detectors is that they have four metal probes underneath and two above, so they swiftly detect water dripping on top or pooling beneath. Alerts came through reliably to my phone as push notifications within one to two seconds. The alarm is fairly loud (90 decibels), though you can reduce the volume in the app or even mute it. The TP-Link Tapo T300 requires a Tapo Smart Hub to function. Each hub can link up to 64 Tapo motion sensors, door or window sensors, switches, and other devices. The hub is a simple rectangular device that plugs directly into an outlet and connects to your Wi-Fi network. It doesn’t sound an alarm by default, but you can mirror the sensor’s alerts in the Tapo app. Another feature I like is the option to push the button on top of the sensor to have the hub confirm that it is within range. Each T300 sensor requires two AAA batteries (included) that TP-Link says can last for up to three years. There is a battery icon in the app to show the remaining power and warn when it is running low. As well as having the water leak alarm trigger your hub to sound, you can have it turn off devices in the vicinity if they are connected to Tapo smart plugs (I tested this, and it worked as expected). The T300 is a bit bulky, so it might not fit everywhere you’d like to place a sensor, and it continued to display as functioning normally in the app for several hours after I removed its batteries.
Eve Water Guard for $110: With HomeKit support, this is a good choice for iPhone owners with a home hub (an Apple TV or HomePod). HomeKit is also ideal if you have privacy concerns because you can be certain no data will be shared with third parties. There is an Eve app, but you can also view the Water Guard and set notifications directly through the Apple Home app. It plugs into an outlet and has a 6.5-foot cable that senses any water and immediately alerts you on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, wherever you are, provided you have a working home hub. It also flashes red and has a 100-decibel siren. You can review alarm history, test or mute alarms, and update device firmware in the Eve app. The Eve Water Guard only detects water, but the sensing cable works well, triggering quick alerts and covering a large area. It needs a power outlet, which also limits your placement options, but you never need to worry about battery life. The obvious drawbacks are the complete lack of support for Android, the fact that you need a home hub for remote alerts and management, and the relatively high price. You can also add 6.5-foot sensing cable extensions ($20 each) up to a total length of 500 feet.
Govee Wi-Fi Water Sensor (3-Pack) for $46: Quick and easy to install, Govee's sensors send alerts as push notifications and emails. They also boast one of the loudest sirens I tested (100 decibels). Mercifully, you can shut off the ear-splitting sound from the app. The sensors are quite small with metal feet, offering drip detection on top and leak detection underneath, but there’s no option to add a disc or cable. The Govee Wi-Fi Water Sensors only detect water, but they are effective. I found alerts triggered within a few seconds. The app is basic but works well and displays alert history. Unfortunately, these sensors require a Govee Wi-Fi hub (included in the box), which takes up a power outlet (and may block an adjacent outlet), and each sensor takes two AA batteries (also provided). One concern with these sensors is that I failed to receive alerts when my phone was connected to mobile data rather than Wi-Fi, though the email did come through. There’s also no smart home integration.
First Alert L1 Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze Detector Photograph: Simon Hill
First Alert L1 Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze Detector for $65: This large flood sensor, branded First Alert, works with First Alert or Resideo apps and accessories. It sends push notifications and emails to alert you to any leak and sports a 100-decibel alarm that you can stop with the side button. The sensor was relatively slow to alert in all my tests, and the push notifications only came through when my phone was connected to Wi-Fi. The 5-foot water-sensing cable allows you to cover a much larger area, and I found it alerted faster. The detector connects directly to Wi-Fi, so you need a decent signal. This sensor can also track temperature and humidity, but not very accurately (it consistently overestimates temperature and underestimates humidity). The two AA batteries provided are supposed to last up to two years.
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