Review - Aqara Water Leak Sensor: A Compact Guardian for Your Home

Water leaks can cause significant damage to your home, but with the Aqara Water Leak Sensor, you can take a proactive approach to prevent any potential water damage. This compact and durable device is designed to detect water leaks and alert you before it’s too late.

Design and Specifications
The Aqara Water Leak Sensor is small, measuring 50 × 50 × 15 mm, which means you can easily place it in tight locations. The main body of the device is made of plastic with a water icon on the top of the sensor. The top of the sensor is softer than the rest of the body as this is where the pair and reset button is located.

The underside of the sensor houses the battery cover and two Hex screws which act as water contact sensors. The outer edge has a shallower profile which exposes the contact sensors and allows the water to travel under and around the device. The sensor uses a CR2032 battery and Aqara claims the battery will last up to 2 years in normal circumstances.

Performance and Functionality
The Aqara Water Leak Sensor is a great buy if you are on a budget, and buying the 3 pack kit is an even better value. The detection performance has been excellent during testing both with slow trickles and fast flowing water. The sensor has an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, which means it will work in humid and dusty environments.

The sensor has two sensitive leak probes which are able to detect up to 0.5mm of water, which is more than enough to be aware of an emergency leak. When the sensor detects water, it sends an alert to your phone, allowing you to take immediate action.

Setup and Compatibility
As this is a Zigbee device, you need the Aqara hub to make it work. You can use this device with the Mi Home/Aqara app for additional functionality. The sensor is also compatible with Apple HomeKit. Utilizing the HomeKit functionality, it integrates nicely with Home Assistant. The Aqara Smart Hub E1 is a valid option.

Customer Reviews
The Aqara Water Leak Sensor has received positive reviews from customers. One user mentioned that these sensors have become their go-to DIY sensors. They appreciated the fact that the contacts are screw posts, which allows them to connect wires to each post and attach it to a variety of things to make their own sensors.

However, some users have pointed out that using HomeKit is a requirement to use the Aqara system. They also mentioned that they had issues with the hub reconnecting after a power outage.

Conclusion
The Aqara Water Leak Sensor is an affordable and reliable solution for protecting your home from water damage. Its compact design, excellent performance, and compatibility with various smart home platforms make it a worthy addition to any smart home system. However, potential buyers should be aware of the need for an Aqara hub and its dependency on HomeKit.