With winter hitting us in the face, it’s time to start thinking about protecting your home from the disasters that accompany cold weather. And that means flood sensors. We tested four of the most popular devices to see which ones are the most trustworthy.
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D-Link Wi-Fi Water Sensor
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/d-link-wi-fi-water-sensor/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: D-Link’s Water Sensor is smartly designed and features all the important perks to make it an effective flood detector.
The bad: D-Link’s only real weakness is that it relies on being plugged in, which means power outages are its Achilles’ heel.
The cost: $57.00 to $89.99
The bottom line: The D-Link Water Sensor is one of the best flood sensors on the market. If you’re considering buying such a device, this should be the first option on your list — especially if you don’t already use a smart-home hub.
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Fibaro Flood Sensor
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/fibaro-flood-sensor/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The Fibaro Flood Sensor combines clever design with an open interface, allowing users to creatively pair it with sirens, complementary sensors, and more.
The bad: The tilt sensor can be hit-or-miss, and the $60 price tag is definitely steep, especially if you want to monitor multiple areas at risk of water damage.
The cost: $59.99
The bottom line: The Fibaro won’t be for everyone, but its versatility and reliable design make it one of the best water sensors for homes at risk of flooding.
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Samsung SmartThings Water Leak Sensor
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/samsung-smartthings-water-leak-sensor/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (Very good)
The good: The SmartThings Leak Sensor works reliably and features a streamlined design.
The bad: It’s so simple, some people might be reluctant to drop $40 on it.
The cost: $29.99 to $38.40
The bottom line: SmartThings’ device is reliable and simple to install. For those who already have a SmartThings hub, getting one or two of these sensors to put around the house should be a no-brainer.
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Honeywell Lyric Wi-Fi Leak and Freeze Detector
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/honeywell-lyric-wi-fi-leak-and-freeze-detector/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 3.0 stars out of 5 (Good)
The good: The Honeywell Lyric Leak and Freeze Detector has one of the most feature-rich builds of any flood sensor on the market.
The bad: The high price seems inappropriate for a device that isn’t waterproof and integrates with hardly any other gadget.
The cost: $76.13 to $79.99
The bottom line: Honeywell’s gadget is an impressive piece of smart-home tech, but its price feels a little too high for most consumers. And the fact it isn’t waterproof is a major problem.
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The following CNET staff contributed to this story: Associate Editor David Priest and Senior Editor Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, please visit www.cnet.com.
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