Water damage is one of the most expensive and unpredictable home disasters. In 2024 alone, insurance claims for water-related damages in the U.S. exceeded $13 billion, with the average homeowner facing repair costs of over $7,000. Whether caused by burst pipes, appliance malfunctions, or undetected leaks, water damage can quickly escalate into mold growth, structural damage, and costly repairs.
Early detection is the key to minimizing these risks, and smart water sensors like the SimpliSafe Water Sensor offer a proactive solution. With home security technology evolving rapidly, SimpliSafe’s water detector aims to provide homeowners with real-time alerts, app-based notifications, and seamless integration with its broader security ecosystem. But does it truly deliver the reliability and performance needed to protect your home?
In this SimpliSafe Water Sensor review, we’ll put the SimpliSafe Water Sensor to the test. From installation and usability to its battery life and monitoring capabilities, we’ll cover everything you need to know to determine if this sensor is the right fit for your home in 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Water damage is one of the most costly home repairs, with U.S. insurance claims exceeding $13 billion in 2024. Early detection with a water sensor can prevent major losses.
- The SimpliSafe Water Sensor is compact, wireless, and battery-powered, making it easy to install in high-risk areas like basements, kitchens, and attics.
- It integrates with the SimpliSafe monitoring plan, providing real-time alerts through email or the mobile app, allowing users to respond quickly to leaks.
- With a 5–10-year battery life and water-resistant housing, this sensor is designed for long-term reliability without frequent maintenance.
- The device functions as a standalone unit but works best when paired with SimpliSafe’s broader security ecosystem for enhanced protection.
- While the sensor itself is a one-time purchase, full functionality—such as remote alerts—requires a subscription to SimpliSafe’s monitoring service.
Contents
Overview Of The SimpliSafe Water Detector
The SimpliSafe water detector is a simple yet effective tool against water and flood damage. You can place the small and compact detector in areas where you think flooding and water issues could be a problem, and then it will alarm you when it detects water.
We have seen before how SimpliSafe has a great track record with its security products, and this water sensor is no exception.
Throughout this review, we will go into more detail about what this detector has to offer in terms of features and benefits.
Importance Of Having A Water Sensor For Safety And Home Protection
In the past, we have looked at why it’s important to have comprehensive security measures for your home. As we touched on before, water damage can be devastating when it occurs. It can ruin floors, electronics, and sentimental objects like family photos that are being stored. These are a few examples, but anything can fall victim to water damage.
Water damage can be a silent occurrence, so the sooner you can be aware of the problem the sooner you can act. Knowing about a leak early not only allows you time to remove valuables from the area but may also let you fix the problem before it gets worse.
Having a water sensor can allow you to get an early heads-up before it gets worse. Floods and other natural disasters have become more and more frequent in recent years, so it’s vital to be one step ahead, as we have covered before.
Key Features And Benefits
SimpliSafe Monitoring Plan Integration
SimpliSafe offers an optional monitoring plan subscription for many of its safety products. While these plans aren’t mandatory for using the sensor, you definitely get the most out of the product by being a part of this plan.
Linking the sensor to the monitoring plan means you will get email alerts straight to your smartphone, meaning you can be aware of flood or water damage even if you’re on vacation. We have previously looked at why these kinds of monitoring plans are always a good idea.
Sends Time Sensitive Alerts To Mobile App
If you link your sensor to the SimpliSafe app, you can also get alerts that way, meaning that you will be unlikely to be caught unaware if flooding occurs.
As with most SimpliSafe products, it’s well worth it to take advantage of the extra features they offer.
Protect Your Home From Flood Damage
Flood damage is something that no one needs in their lives. We have touched on how devastating it can be, and it’s even worse if you don’t find out about it until it’s too late.
The sensor will give you the best chance possible to know about the problem before it becomes a major issue.
Wireless Operation
It’s pointless having a device like this one if you will need to constantly worry about how to power it or whether it might die on you in a time of need. Luckily, the SimpliSafe leak detector has a simple, wireless design that means you won’t have to be constantly checking it to see if it is powered.
It also means that you won’t need tools or expertise to install it.
5-10 Year Battery Life
Having to wonder whether the batteries will last in your device is always a huge concern, but luckily it’s not something to worry about here. You will typically get between 5-10 years of battery life with the SimpliSafe water detector depending on how much it is used.
It will also alert you when the battery needs to be replaced, so it’s unlikely that you will be caught off guard.
Water Resistant Housing (No Battery Tab)
Seeing as this device is designed to detect water, it would be rather unfortunate if it would get destroyed when in contact with water. Luckily, the device has a water resident, an air-tight design which means it won’t be ruined in the case of water contact.
That means that you will be able to use it again in the unfortunate instance of future water leaks and damage.
1 CR-2032 Lithium 3V Battery (Included)
The SimpliSafe water sensor operates with a CR-2032 Lithium 3V battery, and you can rest assured that the device comes included with the battery, meaning you won’t need to source one yourself.
Design And Build
The SimpliSafe water detector has a simple, compact design that also shouldn’t draw too much attention from decor if it is in view. It’s pretty small at 4.01 inches high and 4.01 inches wide, and it weighs 0.23 pounds.
This means you can fit it into some tight spaces and it can be transported and placed around easily.
Ease Of Use
Setting up the SimpliSafe water detector is simple and easy. All you will need to do is set it up with the app if you’re planning on that aspect, turn it on, and place it in your desired location.
There should be no installation required, and ease of use seems like it was a big priority to the designers of the product.
Performance And Functionality
This water detector is very reliable and does its job brilliantly, but a bit of strategy may be needed when placing it. It is ideally suited for areas where flood and water damage is at its most likely.
Ideally, you would want to have a few water sensors placed around your house. This could be in areas such as an attic, basement, kitchen, bathroom, or perhaps near a large aquarium.
Areas where there is some kind of water connection, especially ones you won’t be seeing every day, would be ideal for a water sensor.
Pros And Cons
The SimpliSafe leak detector is a simple yet effective device that does everything you would expect. We have covered some of the benefits of the device, and these would include parity with SimpliSafe’s security systems, its long battery life as well as its compact design.
There are a few drawbacks to note, however. The device is not as useful without connecting it to the SimpliSafe app and monitoring plans. That means that you may have to pay a subscription to get all benefits.
Most reviews on Amazon and Best Buy’s websites are overwhelmingly positive, but a small number of users did have a few quality control issues. These instances do seem to be a small exception to the rule, however.
FAQs
Are Water Sensors Worth It?
Water sensors are an excellent addition to any home security and safety setup, especially if your house is at high risk for water and flood damage.
Do SimpliSafe Water Sensors Need Wifi?
You will need a persistent wifi connection to connect the sensor to the app and receive alerts.
What Happens When SimpliSafe Water Sensor Detects Water?
Upon detecting water, the sensor will set off a loud alarm as well as send an alert to you depending on whether you have connected it to the app and monitoring plans.
Is It Easy To Set Up SimpliSafe Water Sensor?
Setting up the water sensor is really easy and doesn’t require much time or any tools. This video by SimpliSafe provides a quick overview of how easy it is to set up the sensor.
What Are The Main Areas People Place Water Sensors?
This can vary from person to person, but anywhere that there is a water connection would be a good area. Specifically places such as an attic and a basement where you might not venture often, but they could be placed in bathrooms or kitchens as well.
It would be up to you to decide where you think it would be most needed, however.
Will A Water Sensor Lower My Insurance?
This will depend on your insurance provider, so it would be best to check with them before making a decision.
How Many Water Sensors Will I Need?
This is another factor that will depend on you. Ideally, you should have as many sensors as you need to cover all problem areas. Having two water sensors in a large basement, for example, maybe a good idea too.
The more you have the more protected you will be!
How Much Is The SimpliSafe Monitoring Plan?
The monitoring plans can depend on a few factors and tiers, but they start at around $17.99 per month.
Conclusion
After testing the SimpliSafe Water Sensor, it’s clear that this small device delivers significant peace of mind. While it doesn’t come with flashy features, it excels at its core function—detecting water quickly and alerting homeowners before small leaks turn into major problems. Given that 14,000 Americans experience water damage at home every day, early detection is critical.
From my experience, setup was effortless, requiring no wiring or special tools. The battery life, rated between five and ten years, makes it a low-maintenance addition to any home. Pairing it with the SimpliSafe monitoring plan enhances its effectiveness, offering remote alerts through the app—something I found particularly useful when traveling.
Water damage is one of the most expensive home repairs, and with climate-related flooding incidents on the rise, having a reliable sensor in place is a smart move. Whether you’re looking for a standalone leak detector or a seamless addition to your existing SimpliSafe system, this sensor is a solid investment. It may not have advanced smart home integrations, but for those prioritizing affordability, reliability, and ease of use, the SimpliSafe Water Sensor gets the job done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the SimpliSafe Water Sensor Detect Slow Leaks or Just Large Water Intrusions?
Yes, the SimpliSafe Water Sensor is designed to detect even small amounts of water, which can be crucial for identifying slow leaks before they cause significant damage.
Does the SimpliSafe Water Sensor Work Without a SimpliSafe Security System?
Yes, the sensor can function independently, but for mobile notifications and remote monitoring, it needs to be connected to a SimpliSafe base station and monitoring plan.
How Loud Is the Alarm When Water Is Detected?
The SimpliSafe Water Sensor emits an 85 dB alarm when it detects water. This is loud enough to be heard throughout most homes, ensuring immediate awareness of a leak.
Can the Water Sensor Be Used in Outdoor Areas Like Sump Pumps or Near Pool Equipment?
While the sensor is water-resistant, it is not fully waterproof. It is best suited for indoor use in areas prone to leaks or minor flooding, such as near water heaters or under sinks.
What Happens If the Sensor Battery Dies?
The sensor will send a low-battery alert through the SimpliSafe app (if connected). Since the battery lasts between 5–10 years, replacements should be infrequent.
