Best Water Leak Sensors of 2021

The Honeywell Lyric gracefully straddles the line between smart and simple. This is our favorite leak detector of 2021 because it’s clever, but not enough to outsmart you. You can connect it to your Wi-Fi, and it will message you directly if it detects any problems.

If you’re home when the Lyric detects an issue, it’s hard to ignore its alarm. At 100 dB, it isn’t just the loudest alarm on our list, it’s louder than a blender, garbage disposal, or even a diesel truck.

If the Lyric senses significant changes in moisture, humidity, temperature, or water levels, you’ll know as soon as it does. Top it all off with a three-year battery life and a four-foot sensing cable to extend its range, and you have one of the best water detectors on the market.

For its size and simplicity, the Zircon Leak Alert is a powerful device. App-controlled devices have their place in modern homes, but it’s hard to beat the ease of the Zircon.

Setup is as easy as adding batteries and putting it in place under your sink, washing machine, or toilet. It’s sensitive, too. According to reviews, it’s sensitive enough to be set off by a damp paper towel. The best part is it comes in multipacks for under $50.

The price tag for the LeakSMART Complete Kit is steep (over $300), but for good reason. You get an advanced sensor and a smart hub to tie the system together. If you own rentals, vacation homes, or just travel often, the LeakSMART’s automatic shutoff feature can stop the problem before it begins, so you won’t come home to puddles on the floor or under the sink.

This is a unique feature we couldn’t find in other sensors. With some plumbing skills, you can connect the LeakSMART water valve to your water main. This smart valve connects to the Wi-Fi enabled smart hub, allowing it to communicate with the sensors placed throughout your house. You can set these sensors to tell the valve to shut off the water main or simply alert you to a problem through text or email.

Much like the Zircon Leak Alert, the First Alert Water Alarm is a simple unit you can set and forget. This powerful impact-resistant sensor comes with a built-in cable that expands its detecting range by six feet. This cable can sense moisture, so you can feed it through tight spaces other sensors can’t reach. Simply open the bottom of the sensor and extend the sensor wire out of the unit to fit in spaces like under a washing machine.

If you want a no-fuss, classic sensor to keep your home safe for a modest price, First Alert is a great option.

Our Takeaways

• Batteries included
• Loud alarm
• Affordable price
• No smart home capabilities