SwitchBot Water Leak Detector review

SwitchBot Water Leak Detector: Introduction

SwitchBot’s Water Leak Detector is part of the company’s growing ecosystem of simple, affordable smart home devices. This model fits the bill with its compact sensor and seamless app alerts.

While it connects via Wi-Fi, you also have the option to pair with one of three hubs: the Mini, Hub 2 or Hub 3. Minimal, lightweight, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and straightforward installation.

Design and components

The SwitchBot Water Leak Detector is a little block that looks a bit like a window/door sensor. It’s. a bit bulkier than other disc-shaped sensors, so won’t fit under some appliances, such as washing macines. Still, I barely notice it tucked beneath my counter at the base of my dishwasher or in the bathroom behind the toilet.

This sensor has water leak detectors on both the top and bottom, so it can pick up some drips. There’s also a cable version of the sensor ($2 more) for ‘dry’ alerts, such as monitoring a fish tank and warning you when the water level has dropped.

Power is via two AAA batteries (pre-installed), which should last up to two years.

To get to the batteries you need to pry open the waterproof rear with the provided tool. That’s easy to do, but just make sure you keep this tool somewhere handy.

There’s no need for a hub and the SwitchBot Water Leak Detector comes with integrated Wi-Fi, so you can connect directly to your home network. Just make sure you’ve got good Wi-Fi coverage where you want to place the sensors; alternatively, if you have a recent hub, such as the SwitchBot Hub 3, you can connect the sensor via Bluetooth, which saves on power.

Features

• Works with the SwitchBot app
• No Matter support

Pairing the device is incredibly easy as well, with a simple two second press of the button on the sensor and then some input on the app. That’s whether you connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and a Hub.

In the app, the controls are comprehensive, with a choice of alarm duration and interval between alarms, plus the alarm volume on the device itself. An integrated alarm is useful, as it’s possible to miss alerts, and audible alerts also let other people in your home pick up on a potential issue.

Cloud integration enables notifications through Alexa, Google Home and Siri as well. Matter support isn’t currently available, although it is being worked on.

Performance

• Sensitive detection
• Fast alerts

The SwitchBot Water Leak Detector  is quite powerful, even detecting moisture from the tip of your finger. It quickly registered small drips from above and immediately recognized puddles below. The response is pretty flawless.

In my home, the probes respond to a very thin pool of water underneath the water heater in the basement.

Performance was strong throughout testing, with no false positives. I will say the Bluetooth range is decent but not great, especially if pairing for the Hub you really need the sensor in the same room.

I must say the alarm is kind of quiet, but the app notification was more reliable in some cases. You are not going to hear the sensor from another floor or across the house.

Final thoughts

The SwitchBot Water Leak Detector is a smart, flexible option for those looking for affordable, reliable leak detection. If you are already on the SwitchBot ecosystem, then it’s kind of a no-brainer, but if you’re not, there are smaller, more capable water leak sensors available

How we test

When we publish our reviews, you can rest assured that they are the result of “living with” long term tests.

Smart water leak sensors usually live within an ecosystem, or a range of products that – supposedly – all work in harmony. And they are designed to offer a range of different cleaning options. Therefore, it’s impossible to use a Smart water leak sensor for a week and deliver a verdict.

Because we’re testing smart home kit all day, everyday, we know what matters and how a particular Smart water leak sensor compares to alternatives that you might also be considering.

Our reviews are comprehensive, objective and fair and, of course, we are never paid directly to review a device.rehensive, objective and fair and, of course, we are never paid directly to review a device.

FAQs

SwitchBot Water Leak Detector : Specifications