These Editor-Approved Water-Leak Detectors Can Help Prevent a Flood in Your Home

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

A water-leak detector is a relatively inexpensive device that alerts you to—you guessed it—a leak in your home. Similar to smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors, the most basic options cost $50 or less and sound a loud alarm if they detect water. You place them in spots where there might be a leak, like under a washing machine or inside the kitchen sink cabinet.

The majority of water-leak detectors on the market today are smart, pairing with an app that sends an alert to your smartphone—certainly helpful if you aren’t home—to notify you of a problem. The most advanced (and expensive) water-leak detectors take it a step further, with an auto-shut-off valve on your home’s main water supply to prevent a flood.

Several years ago, a simple water-leak detector under my bathroom sink may have woken me from a dead sleep before my apartment flooded from a burst pipe. Damage was covered by my homeowner’s insurance—in fact, water damage from burst or freezing pipes is one of the most common property damage issues homeowners in the U.S. file claims for. But dealing with getting my floors replaced and moving all my furniture out and back in was a time-consuming and stressful.

As such, I dove into the broad topic of water-leak detectors to find inexpensive models that work for small spaces (like mine), options meant for large homes, and even devices that add features like monitoring water use to cut down on consumption.

The Best Water-Leak Detectors

• Best Overall: D-Link Wi-Fi Water Leak Sensor and Alarm Starter Kit

• Best Value: Moen Flo Smart Water Leak Detector

• Best Upgrade: Govee Wi-Fi Water Leak Detector (3-Pack)

• Best for Large Homes: YoLink Smart Home Hub and Water Leak Sensor

• Best for Monitoring Water Use: Flume 2 Smart Home Water Monitor & Water Leak Detector

What to Consider

Type

The most basic water-leak detectors are no bigger than a smoke alarm (though many are much smaller), designed for you to place them next to appliances or in areas where flooding is likely to happen, like the bathroom. Some units plug into wall outlets and feature water-sensing cables or probes that run along the floor or baseboard.

Other water-leak detectors operate like mesh Wi-Fi systems, using a single hub and remote water-sensing pods you place in various locations. With these, you can usually purchase additional pods to extend coverage.

The most complex (and expensive) water-leak detectors hook up directly to your home’s water system. They monitor water usage and, if there’s a sudden drop in flow, automatically shut down the supply (more on that below).

Power Source

Battery-operated water-leak detectors are generally more common (and less expensive) than plug-in models, and may be preferable if there’s no convenient outlet nearby. In the case of a hub with remote sensors, the hub plugs into an outlet and the remote sensors run on batteries.

Wi-Fi Connection

These days, most water-leak detectors are smart and connect to your router, with an app to monitor the device. That means if your Wi-Fi goes down, you won’t get a notification if a leak is detected. However, there are a few models (we recommend one below) that use their own device-to-device networks and don’t require a Wi-Fi connection.

Alerts

Nearly all water-leak detectors have an audible alarm that sounds when they detect water—helpful if you’re home but not so much if you’re away. Some add a flashing LED alert. Smart water-leak detectors’ apps send push notifications, texts, and email alerts to your smartphone.

Smart-Home Integration

If you like to keep all your smart devices in one place, choose a water-leak detector that supports your home’s smart platform, like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit. Linking up the water-leak detector to your other smart devices expands their usefulness. For example, you can link it to your voice assistant to tell you if there’s a leak.

Automatic Water Shut-off

Most of the water leak detectors we cover sound an alarm or send an app notification (or both) if there’s an issue—but don’t actually shut off the water to prevent a flood. However, there are water-leak detectors that connect to your home’s main waterline and cut the water supply if there’s a leak, like Moen’s Flo Smart model with auto-shut-off, which we cover below. While they aren’t cheap—some cost as much as $500—they can give you peace of mind that you won’t come home to water up to your ankles.

How We Selected

I started my research looking at reputable brands in the home improvement and home safety space, like Moen, as well as smart home-focused brands, like D-Link. I also considered models with added features, like water consumption monitoring, and gleaned learnings from writing about similar devices, like smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. While I didn’t test all the models I write about below, I did vet them by diving into specs and comparing features, such as smart-home integration and the ability to expand the system, plus I compared aesthetics and ease of setup. My final lineup represents the best water-leak detectors across categories including the best value and the best for large homes.

Wi-Fi Water-Leak Sensor and Alarm Starter Kit

This water-leak detector from D-Link balances good design, reliable functionality, and a reasonable price point. It has a plug-in Wi-Fi hub and detachable 1.5-foot water-sensing cable for wider monitoring. But one of the reasons the D-Link is our top pick is because you have the ability to expand the system, connecting up to 16 remote sensors around your home.

Another reason we chose the D-Link as our top pick is because the system is expandable—with the ability to connect up to 16 battery-powered remote hubs (sold separately at about $25 each) for up to 8,000 square feet of coverage.

Other plusses include an extra-loud siren and LED strobe—helpful for an immediate heads-up if you’re home. And if you aren’t, the device supports Google Assistant and IFTTT, so you can set up push notifications to alert you if there’s a problem while you’re away.

While the device isn’t waterproof (it’s water-resistant) and doesn’t offer automatic water shut-off like pricier units, the D-Link is your best bet for a versatile smart water-leak detection system that offers solid coverage for the price.

Flo Smart Water-Leak Detector

Cleverly shaped like a water droplet, this battery-operated water-leak detector offers features typically found in pricier models, such as temperature and humidity sensing. There are probes on the bottom and a 4-foot extension cable with a water sensor at the end, useful for sliding under appliances.

The device is Wi-Fi-enabled, though there’s no smart-home integration capability (somewhat commensurate with the price point). Another downside is that the siren isn’t as loud as some other models.

Still, the Flo Smart does pair with the brand’s auto-shutoff water leak detector, which we cover below. For expanding coverage, you can connect up to three add-on sensors. Moen sells the device singly or in packs for extra value, and with upgrades like a 6-foot water-sensing cable.

The bottom line: If you live in a relatively small space and don’t want to spend a ton, this little device gives you peace of mind without putting too deep a dent in your budget.

Flo Smart Water Monitor With Automatic Shut-off Valve

This water-leak monitor and detector is the only one we cover that features an automatic shutoff valve—which gives you peace of mind flooding is stopped at the source if there’s a leak.

You install the device on the main water supply, where it monitors water pressure, temperature, and flow rate. Much like a smart robot vacuum, which uses mapping technology to “learn” where your home needs cleaning most, this water-leak detector senses your home’s water usage so it can pick up on changes that may indicate a problem.

But perhaps one of the best features is that if your Wi-Fi goes down, you don’t lose protection because a copy of the most recent status report is saved locally.

Other highlights include push notifications, real-time alerts, and daily testing. Plus the Flo is compatible with most smart home systems. The water-leak detector is available in three sizes to fit pipes of various diameters.

Smart Home Hub and Water-Leak Sensor

For large homes that require more coverage for water-leak protection—or have structural limitations that interfere with connectivity—this smart home hub and sensor kit is worth a look. The YoLink offers incredible range of 2,600 square feet—that’s up to a quarter-mile—and the system doesn’t require a Wi-Fi signal. The battery-operated remote sensors pair up with a plug-in hub that’s connected to your router.

The system features a built-in low-temperature sensor to give you a heads-up to crank the heat so your pipes don’t freeze. And, unlike most of the water-leak detectors we recommend here, the remote sensors are waterproof. We also appreciate that the pucks are small and inconspicuous. The hub, however, is a bit larger than most.

Another plus is that setup is snap. Each device has a QR code to scan to add it to the app. The system is available with or without an audible alarm.

2 Smart Home Water Monitor and Leak Detector

The Flume 2 is a whole-home water-leak detector designed primarily with water conservation in mind. The smart-enabled, battery-operated device tracks water usage indoors and out and provides data for every fixture or appliance.

No professional installation is required—simply attach the device to your water meter. If there’s a drop in your average water usage, the app sends a notification to alert you to a potential leak.

There’s an included Wi-Fi bridge powered by a small AC adapter to capture data stored in the app.

If the monitor detects a leak the app sends a notification, but the Flume 2 doesn’t have an automatic shutoff feature.

Water Guard Smart Home Water-Leak Detector

If Apple is your smart home platform of choice, this water-leak detector easily integrates with the rest of your system to alert you if there’s a leak. Its design is basic: a small plug-in adaptor plus a 6.5-foot-long cable to run underneath appliances and areas prone to flooding. For more coverage, you can add a second extension cable for about $20.

If the device detects a problem, the app sends a notification—plus the device has a built-in alarm and red LED warning light. There’s no denying this Eve is on the pricey side, but if you like the idea of a water-lead detector that seamlessly pairs with your HomeKit, this is it.

You Might Also Like

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Painter’s Tape

• The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere

• Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?