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Installing a smart water sensor can save you a lot of money and hassle. The top leak detectors we've tested immediately alert you to issues and even shut off your home's water supply.
The First Alert L1 is a battery-powered sensor that sends alerts to your phone when a sink or appliance springs a leak or when the temperature drops below a certain level.
The Flo by Moen is a smart water meter that monitors water usage throughout your home, tests your system for leaks, and protects against water damage with an automatic shutoff feature.
The Flume 2 is a wireless whole-home smart water monitor that connects to your phone and Amazon Alexa to detect leaks and tell you how much water you’re using.
The Phyn Smart Water Sensor is easy to install anywhere in your home and will tell you when you’ve sprung a leak and when your temperature and humidity thresholds are breached.
Orbit’s B-Hyve Smart Flood Sensor will tell you when you’ve sprung a leak or when your pipes are in danger of freezing, but it doesn’t work with third-party smart devices.
The Eve Water Guard will let you know if you've sprung a leak and has the ability to trigger other HomeKit devices, but otherwise offers limited third-party support.
The First Alert L1 Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze Detector worked perfectly in testing, sending an alert when the sensor came in contact with just a trickle of water. It's easy to set up, and you can connect extension sensor cables to cover up to 500 feet of potentially leaky areas. Using integrated sensors, it can also reliably alert you when humidity and temperature thresholds are reached. It doesn't integrate with smart home platforms, but it can pair with a compatible Resideo L5 Wi-Fi valve to automatically shut off the water when it detects a leak that's not directly near the valve (which also has its own sensor cable).
Snowbirds, or anyone concerned about frozen pipes:If you fly south to warmer climates in the winter, this will allow you to monitor your pipes back at home 24/7. The temperature sensor in the First Alert L1 can alert you when the temperature drops to a point where your pipes are at risk of freezing, allowing you to shut off the water before a leak or burst occurs.
Big basements: If you have lots of space where leaks can appear, this can help you monitor them.
The Flo by Moen is the most advanced and comprehensive device on this list, because it's more than just a leak detector or water shutoff. It's a whole-home water monitoring system that can let you know how much water you're using and warn you ahead of a leak or other problem if it detects a jump in water use.
Anyone worried about leaks: You can use the Flo by Moen to stop leaks before they start, thanks to its constant monitoring of flow rates. After a 7- to 10-day learning period, it will understand enough about your pipes to detect even small leaks and pressure dips, and send you a notification to check knobs and seals before they become a problem.
Environmentally-conscious users: If you're concerned about wasting water, you can monitor usage throughout your home with the Flo by Moen.
The Flume 2 is a whole-home smart water monitor that not only detects leaks but also helps you track your water usage. It's the cheapest water monitor on this list, but it comes at a cost: it doesn't actually have a shutoff function, so you'll have to access the valves yourself when you need to deal with a leak.
Budget-minded environmentalists: If you want to keep an eye on how much water you use, the Flume 2 can provide plenty of data for you at half the price of our Editors' Choice alternative.
DIYers: Unlike some other water monitor systems, you can install the Flume 2 yourself instead of relying on (and paying) a professional to do it. Simply attach it to the outside of your home's water meter.
The Phyn Smart Water Sensor is a simple environmental sensor that you can place anywhere to track temperature and moisture levels. It's one of the most affordable options on this list, and while it doesn't connect to smart home systems, it can sync with a Phyn Plus Smart Water Assistant shutoff valve to cut off the water whenever it detects a leak.
Convenience seekers: If you don't want to worry about setup, simply power on and place (or hang up) the Phyn Smart Water Sensor, and it'll start working. It can only monitor a single spot on its own, though. If you want to cover a larger area, you'll need to buy an optional four-foot sensor cable.
Budget shoppers: The Phyn Smart Water Sensor offers an affordable way to monitor leaks in your home.
Orbit's B-Hyve Smart Flood Sensor is a simple and easy-to-use leak and flood detection system. It combines a wireless hub with multiple individual sensors you can place near any fixture or location that's vulnerable to leaks. They monitor humidity and temperature, so you can get warned about possible freezes, too.
Budget shoppers with large homes: If you have a lot of places where leaks can appear but don't want to buy an expensive whole-home water monitoring system, the Orbit B-Hyve Smart Flood Sensor can do the job. Each hub can track several sensors within 150 feet, and you can configure multiple hubs with dozens of sensors to keep an eye on every possibly damp corner of your house. It does an excellent job of detecting even the smallest amount of water, and it will warn you of freezing temperatures that can lead to burst pipes.
Plugging a device into a power outlet and leaving its cable exposed where puddles can form sounds like it could lead to Final Destination-like shenanigans, but the Eve Water Guard is a rare, safe, and responsible case of such an activity. This moisture sensor is easy to set up, as all you need to do is plug in its block-shaped hub and run the 6.5-foot sensor cable under your cabinets, behind your washing machine, or anywhere you're concerned about a potential leak. It's expandable with 6.5-foot extension cables, sold separately for $21.95.
Apple users: If your home is powered by Apple devices, the Eve Water Guard has one specific advantage: HomeKit support. It's designed with Apple HomeKit in mind, so you can easily check it using Siri, receive notifications through the Apple Home app, and even have it trigger other HomeKit devices when it detects a leak.
The most basic DIY devices are battery-operated discs or small boxes that simply sit on the floor where leaks might occur, such as directly under a refrigerator, sink, toilet, or washing machine. They typically have two or more metal sensor terminals (feet) that are in contact with the floor, as well as built-in Bluetooth or Wi-Fi radios to connect with your phone. The sensor triggers when the feet come into contact with water; typically, just a few drops are enough to set it off. The device then sends a push alert or email (or both) and sounds an alarm. Ensure that you look for a sensor that features a reasonably loud siren, allowing you to hear it from anywhere in your home.
Of course, there’s always the possibility that leaking water begins to puddle in an area adjacent to the sensor’s location. To ensure you receive an alert before too much water accumulates, purchase a pack that comes with multiple sensors, enabling you to expand the water detection range. Alternatively, purchase a sensor that comes with an extension cable. In most cases, the entire extension cable acts as a long, flexible sensor. You can hang this type of water sensor on a wall (with the cable resting on the floor) or place it directly on the floor along with the cable for maximum coverage.
Although smaller, battery-powered sensors are great for detecting leaks in obvious places, they won’t tell you if there’s a leak in plumbing that resides behind your walls or in your ceiling. Granted, if water is leaking from a ceiling pipe, you’ll eventually find out. But by that time, you are likely dealing with damaged ceiling tiles and drywall, as well as possible wood rot. For whole-home protection, look for a leak detection system that monitors your entire water delivery system.
These types of systems typically require in-line operation, located in an area near your water meter. They also likely require professional installation because they become a part of your plumbing system. As water flows through the device, it gathers information about your delivery system, such as flow rate, pressure, and temperature. Once it learns the particulars of your home's water system over time (usually a week or two), it sends an alert if your water usage spikes or your water pressure changes, both of which may indicate a broken pipe or a faucet that has been left on. These devices can also tell you if you have a slow drip situation somewhere in your system, and if your water temperature is too cold, a condition that can lead to burst pipes.
A handful of in-line smart monitors do more than just warn you of potential trouble: They generate daily, weekly, and monthly usage reports, plus tell you how much water each fixture (such as a shower, sink, or garden hose) uses. Additionally, they run system health tests periodically, looking for abnormal pressure or flow rates. If they detect a problem, they automatically shut off the entire water supply to your home. These systems are ideal if you're frequently away from home or have a second home that remains unoccupied for extended periods.
A smart water sensor can communicate with your phone in several ways. Some sensors are Bluetooth-only, which means you must be within range of the device (typically 40 feet or so) to receive alerts and silence alarms. If you want to receive alerts and control the sensor while you’re away from home, make sure the device has a Wi-Fi radio or is part of a connected home automation system.
For anyone living in a climate where frozen pipes are a reality or where heat and humidity levels tend to be high, look for a water sensor that also monitors environmental conditions. If your sensor has built-in temperature and humidity sensors, it can send alerts when conditions reach a certain threshold. For example, if you live in a cold climate, you can set the sensor to alert you if the temperature drops to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, a level that can lead to burst pipes. Similarly, if you live in a hot climate with muggy conditions, you can configure the sensor to alert you when the humidity level hits 55% or higher to avoid mold growth. Abnormally high humidity levels can also indicate water leaks.
If you want your water sensor to do more than just notify you of a leak, look for one that works with other smart devices. Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri voice compatibility let you silence alarms or check temperature and humidity levels simply by asking. Ideally, you want the sensor to trigger another device that can help minimize damage from the leak, such as a fan or a dehumidifier.
Some water sensors are part of a family of smart devices from a single manufacturer that all work with the same app. If you choose a standalone sensor, ensure it supportsIFTTTor is compatible with a home automation platform, such as Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, or SmartThings. With IFTTT, you can create applets that allow the sensor to trigger other compatible devices, such as smart plugs and thermostats. Most home automation systems allow you to create automations or scenes to configure connected devices to work together.
Smart water sensors cost anywhere from $50 to over $500. The more affordable models are just leak detectors that typically lack a Wi-Fi radio and communicate via Bluetooth or work as part of a home automation system. You pay more for features like environmental monitoring, extension cables, sirens, and LED indicators, as well as numerous integration options such as voice control and support for IFTTT. At the high end are the in-line systems that monitor your entire home and shut off your water if they detect a serious problem. Keep in mind that, in addition to a steep price, in-line systems require professional installation, which likely adds $200 or more to the total price.
For help getting started, see our story on how to set up your smart home.
I’ve been working with computers for ages, starting with a multi-year stint in purchasing for a major IBM reseller in New York City before eventually landing at PCMag (back when it was still in print as PC Magazine). I spent more than 14 years on staff, most recently as the director of operations for PC Labs, before hitting the freelance circuit as a contributing editor.
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