Now that the weather is starting to get colder, installing one of the best water leak detectors before temperatures drop below freezing could help prevent you from a major disaster this winter.
Most water leak detectors cost less than $100 and can be installed by yourself, making them a very smart investment. A second type of water leak detector can not only detect a leak, but can also shut off the water coming into your home. They can also monitor the flow of water through your pipes and recommend ways to conserve water — and lower your utility bill. These models cost upwards of $400 and needs to be professionally installed, but can be worth it if you can’t quickly get to your property. Below, we have recommendations for both types to suit budgets of all kinds.
What are the best water leak detectors?
There are two types of water leak detectors: The first are sub-$100 devices that you place near pipes, water heaters, and other places where you’re likely to get a leak. If they sense water, they’ll send you an alert.
The second type of water leak detector costs upwards of $400 and needs to be professionally installed, but in the event of a leak, it can automatically shut off the water coming into your home. These models can also monitor the flow of water through your pipes to detect leaks behind your walls and recommend ways to conserve water — and lower your utility bill. It’s one of the best smart home gadgets that could save you money.
If you’re simply looking for something that can let you know if there’s a leak, then the best water leak detector is the Flo by Moen Water Leak Detector. It only costs about $50, and has two sensors as well as an alarm that sounds if water is detected.
Plus, it can be linked to the best water leak detector that can also shut off your water: The Flo by Moen. This device is installed along your main water line, and has a flow rate sensor to determine your water pressure inside your house. Algorithms in the Flo can detect leaks based on the amount the pressure drops, and can automatically turn off the water in the event of a major leak.
However, the Flo’s algorithms can also sense things such as a running toilet or a dripping faucet, so you can find out if you’re wasting water — and money elsewhere. In addition, you can get a certificate from Flo to give to your insurance company, which can help to lower your premiums. And, if you subscribe to Flo’s subscription service ($5/month), you get live monitoring and up to $5,000 in the event of water damage due to a ruptured pipe or water heater.
You’ll also want to check out these 15 water saving tips to lower your bill.
The best water leak detectors you can buy today
Water leak detectors
If you’re not ready to commit to a water-shutoff system, the Flo by Moen Smart Water Detector is a good place to start. This $49 device senses leaks, temperature, and humidity, and can emit an 85-decibel alarm when it detects water. It also connects to the Flo by Moen app, where you can link it with Alexa, Google Assistant, and other smart home systems.
This device comes with the main unit as well as a four-foot cable, so you can mount it on the wall, and not worry about it getting washed away if you get a flood. And, when you want to step up to a system that can also shut off your water, you can link it to the Flo by Moen shutoff valve.
Many pipes will burst when the water trapped inside them freezes and expands. That’s why, in addition to water leaks, this Resideo (a division of Honeywell) sensor can also detect temperature changes and humidity, and send you an alert when things get too cold. The Lyric sensor runs on two AA batteries, which are rated to last up to three years. It includes a 4-foot cable, the entire length of which can detect leaks.
When the sensor detects a leak, it sends an alert to your phone and emits a 100-dB alarm. It also connects directly to your Wi-Fi — no hub needed. Resideo’s products also work with a wide range of smart-home systems.
For those whom the Phyn Plus Smart Water Assistant + Shutoff valve is too expensive, the Phyn Smart Water Assistant could be the answer. This device, which costs less than half the price, does everything the Phyn Plus does, except for having an automatic shutoff valve.
Like the Phyn Plus, the Phyn senses the water pressure in your home, can detect when there’s a drop in pressure and using algorithms, can let you know if it’s being caused by a burst pipe or just a leaky toilet. Because it doesn’t include a shutoff valve, the Phyn can be easily installed by a homeowner, under any sink. The one caveat is that you’ll also need a power source nearby. But, the Phyn could save you money over the long haul, even if you don’t have a major catastrophe.
Water leak detectors with shutoff valves
The Flo by Moen monitors your water flow and can automatically shut off your water if it detects a major leak. In addition, the Flo checks your water pressure and temperature, and its app shows you how much water you’re using per day. It also tells you what’s using water, and it runs daily tests to determine if there’s a water leak.
All users now get an Insurance Verification Letter, as well as the ability to see your water usage by fixture. If you opt for the FloProtect service ($5/month), you can get monitoring and live-chat support. FloProtect will also cover the cost of your deductible (up to $5,000) if there’s water damage. The company also increased the length of its warranty to three years.
Customers can purchase an optional battery backup ($249), which will provide up to three days of protection if power gets shut off.
Not only can the Phyn Plus Smart Water Assistant alert you if there’s a leak, but it can also automatically shut off the water coming into your home, which is why it’s the best water leak detector with a shutoff valve. This second-generation Phyn Plus is 25% smaller than the original model, so it should be easier to fit into tighter spaces. It’s also about $200 less expensive, too.
Phyn’s super-smart water assistant has a series of blue LEDs along one edge that give the illusion of flowing water. Inside the device is a water-flow sensor, as well as some interesting algorithms that can detect leaks throughout your house based on water pressure. It can even tell the difference between a toilet flushing and a drip from a faucet, and give you insights into how much water you’re using. So, you don’t need to install remote sensors throughout your house.
The Phyn Plus can be installed indoors or outdoors, and works with Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT. Unlike the Flo by Moen, there are no additional subscription fees. However, it has to be plugged in to work, and there’s no battery backup.
The Flume 2 Smart Home Water Monitor & Water Leak Detector straps around your water line — no plumber necessary — and connects to a Wi-Fi bridge to tell you based on the water flow and pressure if there’s a leak somewhere in your home.
More than that, the Flume 2 can also analyze your water usage. Flume also removed its subscription fees, so you can get more granular data on specific appliances and faucets, and help you create daily and weekly budgets for water consumption. It can also provide indoor vs. outdoor water use, let you set up custom alerts, and gives you 15% off leak repair services from Angi.
Leaksmart makes several smart water shut off valves. Its least expensive is the cut-in water valve detection kit. However, it requires a plumber to install, which negates the cost savings. The Leaksmart connects wirelessly to remote water detectors (one is included with the kit; additional sensors cost $69 (opens in new tab)).
The Leaksmart valve connects via Zigbee to a Leaksmart Hub (included in the starter kit), which allows you to monitor and control the valve remotely from your smartphone. Leaksmart’s third-generation hub also integrates with Google Nest, Wink, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Control 4 and SmartThings.
While you can purchase the Leaksmart through online retailers, the company recommends you purchase it through a licensed plumber (opens in new tab). Leaksmart also makes a Snap-on Valve Controller, which doesn’t require you to cut into your water pipe. However, it’s only available as a kit for $795 (opens in new tab).
One of the best ways to prevent your basement from flooding is to install a sump pump — but what happens if the sump pump fails and you don’t know about it? The Moen Smart Sump Pump Monitor isn’t a water leak detector per se, but it will keep tabs on your sump pump and alert you if it thinks anything is amiss. The monitor comes with a 10-foot smart sensor that monitors the water level in the sump area, a 6′ Remote Leak Sensing Disc, and a 9-Volt battery that sounds an alarm if the power goes out.
In addition to water levels, the monitor also checks humidity levels — to warn you of any potential mold issues — and the temperature around the sump pump to alert you to any freeze warnings. And all you have to do is to plug it into your sump pump.
What to look for when buying a water leak detector
Water leak detectors fall generally into two categories: those which can shut off your water, and those that can’t. The latter are generally inexpensive — less than $100 — and will send an alert to your smartphone when they sense water. However, it’s then up to you to turn off your water, which can be a problem if you’re not at home. Those that have shutoff controls typically cost upward of $400 and require a plumber to install, but could be worth the investment, as they’ll not only help reduce catastrophic damage, but can also help lower your monthly insurance bill.
Regardless of the type of water leak detector you purchase, here are a few things you need to consider before you buy.
Do you want something that can shut off your water?
While all water leak detectors will (or should) alert you when there’s a water leak, only some will also take the next step of shutting off your main water supply, to limit the amount of water that leaks out. These models, though, often cost more than $400, and must be professionally installed, unless you’re really handy with plumbing. However, some insurance companies will lower your deductible if you have one installed, which can defray the cost over time.
Do you want to monitor your water usage?
Because of climate change, some areas of the country are experiencing water shortages, and are seeing their water rates go up as well. If you want to be more conscious of how you’re using your water — or simply want your bill to go down — some water leak detectors can tell you which of your appliances and faucets account for the most water use.
Battery or plug-in?
Some water leak detectors run on batteries, while others need to be plugged in; the former type makes it easier for the detectors to fit into locations that are far from an outlet, but their batteries will need to be replaced every year or so.
Do you want a built-in alarm?
A detector with a built-in alarm will sound a siren, so that you can hear where the leak is coming from, without needing your smartphone.
Smart-home integration
While not a necessity, if a water leak detector works with other smart- home systems, such as Alexa or Google Home, you can program a routine to have a light flash in your house when there’s a water leak, or increase the temperature if there’s a risk of water lines freezing.
If you detect a leak, you’ll want to get it repaired as soon as possible as it can make a huge impact on your bills. Check out these 9 ways you could be wasting water and not know it.
