Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Now is the perfect time to upgrade to smart water leak detectors

A water leak sensor installed near a water heater.
Honeywell

The winter months are just around the corner, with most of the country finally starting to experience cooler weather. And while the winter brings plenty of holiday cheer (not to mention the opening of ski resorts), it also brings about frozen pipes and water leaks. That makes this the perfect time to add smart water leak detectors to your home — or to upgrade your old models to something more robust.

Why should you install smart water leak detectors?

Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector
Roost

Winter is the worst time of year for water pipes. Cold weather can cause them to freeze, then as the weather warms, they can burst and start leaking. And if you don’t have a water leak detector in your home, a small leak could turn into a serious problem.

Recommended Videos

Standard water leak sensors will activate a built-in siren when water is detected, so if you’re nearby, you can check out the problem and get it resolved as soon as possible. But if you’re away from home, you won’t hear the alert until you return.

In comparison, smart water leak detectors don’t just set off a local siren — they also send notifications to your smartphone, ensuring you get an alert the second a water leak is detected.

Fall is the ideal time to make the upgrade, as you’ll be prepared for the cold winter months ahead. And since the days are getting shorter, you’re likely spending more time inside anyway, so why not spend a few minutes protecting your home?

Installation of smart water leak detectors is just as simple as regular water leak detectors. It typically involves little more than placing them in areas where water could leak, such as under sinks, near water heaters, or in a basement. The only additional step for smart water leak detectors is syncing them to your smartphone — which takes just a few seconds.

Check out our favorite smart water leak detectors

The D-Link Wi-Fi Water Leak Sensor and Alarm.
D-Link

Our roundup of the best water leak detectors covers both smart and standard models, but one of our favorites is the Govee WiFi Water Sensor 3-Pack. It comes with an adjustable alarm, support for both email and smartphone app notifications, and the ability to sync 10 devices together for a comprehensive water detection system.

The D-Link Wi-Fi Water Leak Sensor and Alarm is another great choice, though it does require a nearby outlet as a power source instead of batteries. But regardless of which you choose, you can rest assured that your house is protected and you’ll be alerted if anything goes awry.

Topics
Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
Eufy’s new smart lock is the company’s first with Matter support
The Eufy Smart Lock E30 on a white background.

Eufy, a smart home brand from Anker, has officially revealed the Eufy Smart Lock E30 -- the company’s first smart lock with Matter support. It’s now available on the Eufy store for $170, and it looks like a nice addition to Eufy's smart lock lineup, joining products like the Video Smart Lock S330 and Smart Lock S230.

If you love syncing all your smart home gadgets together and creating powerful automations, the Smart Lock E30’s Matter compatibility is a big win. This allows you to control the device via hubs like Apple Home, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Amazon Alexa, giving you more flexibility than you’ll find on most other smart locks.

Read more
Ikea rolls out Matter support for its Dirigera smart home hub
The Ikea Dirigera Hub on a table.

Ikea already had a surprisingly robust smart home catalog, offering smart blinds, light switches, air purifiers, and a handful of other popular gadgets. It’s now grown even more enticing, as the Dirigera Hub that drives most of the action now offers full Matter support.

As of September 11, all products connected to the Dirigera Hub will work with the interoperability standard. That’s a big win for Ikea, allowing its gadgets to interact with those from other platforms like Apple Home and Google Home. To achieve this, Dirigera is being updated to become a Matter Bridge, allowing it to work with all other Matter products.

Read more
The Yale Code is a unique alternative to traditional smart locks
The Yale Code installed on a door.

The Yale Code is a new electronic lock that borrows many features from smart locks like the Assure Lock 2, yet it isn't technically a smart lock. It lacks support for Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, and Matter. There's no mobile companion app. It can't even connect to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Instead, it lets users customize "smart" features directly on the lock itself -- positioning the Yale Code as a unique combination of smart and traditional lock.

This non-connected keypad lock can be manipulated with either a physical key or via its digital keypad. Passwords can be created and edited directly from the keypad itself, eliminating the need to download companion mobile apps or connect to third-party smart home platforms. That should appeal to anyone looking for a quick install process or less inclined to use their smartphone to manage their front door. Despite its lack of traditional smarts, the Yale Code still offers features typical of smart locks -- including an Auto Lock feature that locks the deadbolt after a certain period of inactivity as passed.

Read more