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Best Water Leak Detectors

Candace Osmond

Every homeowner knows how much of an issue a water leak can become. Unexpected and hard to detect, they can wreak havoc on your home. But rest easy – water leak detectors can prevent these unfortunate scenarios and save you a lot of nerves and money in the process. They are specifically designed to spot a water leak, monitor the water usage, detect moisture, and notify you at once if anything unusual happens.

Water leak detectors come in all shapes and sizes – but their end goal is the same: to keep you in the loop and give you a head start when a leak occurs. More often than not, those precious minutes are crucial for preventing any serious damage from happening. With one of these smart gadgets, you can have peace of mind and keep your household free from water damage.

RankProductHighlights
#1

Flume Smart Home Water Sensor

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  • Batteries: 4 AA
#2

YoLink Smart Leak Sensor

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  • Batteries: 8 AAA
#3

Govee WiFi Water Sensor 3 pack

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  • Batteries: 6 AAA
#4

General Tools Digital Moisture Meter

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  • Battery: 9V battery
#5

First Alert WA100-3 Water Leak Alarm

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  • Batteries: 9V batteries
#6

FloodStop Leak Detector for Washing Machines

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  • Batteries: 4 AAA batteries

How Do Water Leak Detectors Work?

Water leak detectors – also known as leak monitors – are a fantastic way to reduce your bills, ensure a functioning household, and prevent thousands of dollars of water damage. And all that without breaking the bank as these nifty gadgets are often very budget-friendly. But how do they work exactly? The main design feature of water leak detectors is the ability to monitor the flow of water through a pipeline and detect any irregular flows or leaks. The next step depends on the brand and the design: some detectors will notify you of the leak in a variety of ways, giving you a precious head start to react and prevent major damages; while others will automatically shut off the water flow and immediately contain the leak. The basic, affordable designs work on a simpler principle: they have placed at all key locations where leaks can occur, and when they come in contact with the water – they let you know. Such sensors can be placed beneath the sink, by the washing machine, or near a washbasin: that way you are first to know when the water is where it shouldn’t be.

And then there are the advanced designs that follow a modern set of features and can give you absolute control over your house water systems. Such detectors usually connect to the water meter or directly onto the water inlets and monitor the flow of water through the pipes. Depending on the design, they can give you all the necessary information on your smartphone: giving an important insight into your water usage data, and other important tidbits. Of course, when the flow of water becomes indicative of a leak, you are quickly notified and can react. In several designs, the detectors can shut off the water supply on their own – this is most common in washing machine leak detectors. Needless to say, this is the ideal solution that contains the leak before it can do irreparable damage to your household.

In the end, water leak detectors are a great gadget to have no matter which design you opt for: their ultimate result is all the same. Whether you want more control over the process or want a more affordable yet reliable alternative, you’ll still get the same advantage of knowing when a leak happens- and that alone is priceless.

Best Water Leak Detectors

1. Flume Smart Home Water Sensor

SPECS:

  • Batteries: 4 AA

Editor’s choice

Water leaks in the household can happen to anyone – no matter how modern your installations are. Leaks can occur at any time and can be near impossible to detect. Thankfully, with modern water leak detectors such as this one from Flume, this issue becomes so much easier to deal with. This leak detector boasts a 24/7 intelligent detection mode that relies on modern hardware – it requires absolutely no cutting of pipes or complex setups. This smart sensor can be set up in minutes and simply wraps around your water meter.

Additionally, this device also allows you to monitor all the water-related data via your smartphone! See how much water you use daily, or get an immediate notification when a leak occurs – with its location displayed. This versatile design gives you the needed peace of mind and helps you quickly contain any leaks and prevent further damage to your home. Smart, versatile, and dead easy to install – this water leak detector is the dream come true for every responsible homeowner.

ProsCons
  • Zero tools setup
  • Modern design
  • Works with 95% of water meters
  • Total control over water usage and leaks
  • Help reduce water bill with smart usage
  • 24/7 intelligent leak detection
  • Works with Amazon Alexa
  • No way to store the data

Who Should Buy This Product?

Have you had a nasty experience with water leaks? No need to worry ever again – this smart leak detector will give you peace of mind and absolute control over your water circulation and data.

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2. YoLink Smart Leak Sensor

SPECS:

  • Batteries: 8 AAA

Runner up

A compact, modern, and smart design, this YoLink water leak detector boasts a lot of unique features. It is also one of the more affordable water leak detectors on the market, making it a great choice in every aspect. This detector boasts the absolute record-setting range – it works perfectly no matter the location in your home. With its LoRa technology, it benefits from both a long-range and from low power consumption. One of its best features is its dead easy setup – no drilling, no wires, no plumbing – simply place it on the floor and it is ready to go.

This water leak detector works well with Amazon Alexa and offers a real-time overview of all your water-related stats via your smartphone. You can also rely on early warning notifications that will always place you one step ahead and prevent excess water damage in your house. Modern, affordable, and very efficient, it is one of the best water leak detectors on the market.

ProsCons
  • ¼ mile range
  • Works well in any location in your home
  • No wires
  • Low power consumption
  • Early warning notifications
  • Affordable
  • The hub can repeatedly lose Wi-Fi signal
  • Requires either Wi-Fi or Wired connection

Who Should Buy This Product?

If you are looking for a hands-free, long-range, and no-hassle detector for your home, here is the ideal solution. No need for wiring or complex setups – just place it down and it’s smooth sailing from there!

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3. Govee WiFi Water Sensor 3 pack

SPECS:

  • Batteries: 6 AAA

Customer’s choice

Monitoring your sink, tub, kitchen, and bathroom all at once can be challenging and limiting in so many ways but necessary to eliminate the possibility of leakage and subsequent damage. However, there is a hassle-free solution – this 3 pack Wi-Fi operated water sensor can help in so many ways to keep your whole household under check. The Govee hub helps you control 3 separate sensors which you can place in key locations around your house. In case of water leakage, you’ll instantly get notified: you can place the sensors on crucial pipes and joints to detect any leaks or dripping. The setup works via Wi-Fi and connects right out of the box. You will receive all important data and notifications on your smartphone app.

What is more, the hub will emit a loud alarm in case of a water leak – that way you can know what’s up even if your phone is not close by or if your Wi-Fi connection is down. Another great feature is the ability to add more sensors – up to 10 can be controlled with the hub and that way you can effectively cover your entire home and all key water points. All leakage data is recorded on your phone, and the notifications will give you ample time to react. Simply one of the simplest and most reliable solutions on the market.

ProsCons
  • 3 separate sensors included
  • Can support up to 10 sensors
  • Simple to use and reliable
  • 100 dB alarm 
  • Leakage records on your phone
  • Good range
  • Connection to the app could be more reliable

Who Should Buy This Product?

For anyone who is looking for a versatile, easy-to-use solution that can cover all the important water points in their house, here is the solution that stands apart with its efficiency.

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4. General Tools Digital Moisture Meter

SPECS:

  • Battery: 9V battery

Best portable water leak detector

Portable water leak and moisture detectors are an ideal solution to have a complete awareness of moisture levels wherever you are. Having trouble with mold? Check the moisture in your drywall or wood with this simple but efficient gadget. Any suspicious dark stain you can observe in your house can be checked for moisture with this tool – even in the hard to reach corners. It is a great gadget to have around if you suspect a water leak or buildup of moisture from an unknown source. 

This meter is so simple to use: simply touch the two measuring needles to the surface you want and you will get a quick and accurate reading. The large backlit LCD shows you all the important information and is easy to read. As such, this gadget helps you to pinpoint the exact location of the water leak if it’s behind a wall or beneath the floor. And that makes it great to have in your toolbox – especially for contractors and all handymen!

ProsCons
  • Sleek and modern design
  • Simple to use
  • Accurate readings
  • Great for contractors
  • Backlit display
  • Pointed measuring prongs can pierce wall for accurate reads
  • Protective cap
  • Can’t be used on all surfaces

Who Should Buy This Product?

Sometimes you need the gadget to help you pinpoint the exact location of the leak after it has already happened- or you suspect it did. Save yourself the time and trouble with this super-efficient, portable moisture detector and cut your efforts in half!

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5. First Alert WA100-3 Water Leak Alarm

SPECS:

  • Batteries: 9V batteries

Best water leak detector with alarm

If you are looking for an efficient midway solution that can give you a quick and loud notification in case of leakage, look no further than First Alert’s superb solution. This 3 pack selection is a great way to have ample control over the most crucial parts of your household where water leaks can be a big possibility. These sensors are perfected for detecting external flooding and minor leaks. When coming in contact with water they will notify you by a loud, 85 dB alarm sound that gives you a chance to react quickly and contain the damage.

The sensors can be placed up to 6 feet from the alarm unit, and each sensor comes with its 9-volt battery. Perfect for use in your basement, garage, and laundry rooms – or any other room where you don’t enter often and supervision needs to be increased. For a simple, straightforward solution that will notify you with a loud sound when there’s trouble afoot, look no further than this.

ProsCons
  • Loud alarm
  • Easy battery removal
  • Durable
  • Reliable
  • Great longevity
  • Low power usage
  • Each sensor has a 6-foot wire
  • No battery level indicator

Who Should Buy This Product?

For anyone on the lookout for traditional leak detectors with an alarm, here is the product that meets all expectations. Simply place the sensors in the desired locations and breathe easily – you’ll be the first to know when a leak occurs. 

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6. FloodStop Leak Detector for Washing Machines

SPECS:

  • Batteries: 4 AAA batteries

Best water leak detector for a washing machine

When your trusty washing machine is a couple of years old, the risk of an accidental leak becomes all too real. However, there’s no need to buy a replacement or lose your sleep over this possibility. With one of these leak detectors specialized for washing machines, you can rest easy and keep your machine running even when it is past its prime. FloodStop offers you an ingenious design: not only will the sensor detect a leak, but will also sound an alarm and automatically shut off the water supply to the machine – preventing further damage. 

Two special 90-degree motorized ball valves will help shut off the water, containing the damage even if you are not directly present. And thanks to the loud alarm, you’ll be quickly notified of the mishap! All in all, this smart gadget is one of the best investments you can make: it gives you that much-needed peace of mind and eliminates the laundry room as a possible leakage site.

ProsCons
  • Self-containing design
  • Sturdy
  • Easy 10-minute install
  • Batteries as a backup power supply
  • Prolongs your washing machine’s lifespan
  • Too many wires and components
  • Bulky

Who Should Buy This Product?

Is your washing machine a possible cause for a devastating leak in your household? FloodStop’s smart design is engineered for washing machines and boasts some great design features- not only will it notify you, but it will also cut off the water flow.

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Bottom Line

In a well-organized household, no scenario is met unprepared. Of course, there are so many aspects to keep an eye out for that it can be difficult to stay in control of everything, but preventing certain serious issues should be every homeowner’s priority- and water leaks are among the nastiest problems you could face. If not contained or noticed, they can cause a lot of irreparable damage to your house. Thankfully, smart water leak detectors can greatly reduce the threat and alert you to the problem almost immediately when it happens, allowing you to stop the leakage before it turns into a problem- if not automatically stop it on your own.