Shelly Flood Gen4 Review: Reliable Leak Detection

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I don’t know what it is about the filter on our washing machine, but the last two times I’ve cleaned it and reinstalled it, I didn’t do it right. Not knowing that, I’m gone after starting the load, causing quite a mess. Enough to pull out both my wet vac and carpet cleaner more than once, so I installed Shelly Flood General 4 In our basement laundry closet.

Whether you have faced a similar problem or want a device that alerts you immediately Plumbing Problem while you’re away, this smart leak detector has you covered.

Coverage and detection modes

Unlike standard water sensors that only sound an alarm if liquid touches a specific spot, the Flood Gen4 has a 2-meter (about 6.5 feet) leak sensor cable that detects moisture along its entire length. This allowed me to place the main hub high enough to keep it out of the water (it’s not completely waterproof), while running the long cord directly under my water valve and to the front of my washer where the filter door is located. If you want to go behind the vanity, fridge or dishwasher Flood Gen4You can link multiple sensing cables together to cover up to 150 meters (about 500 feet).

As for the sensor itself, you can choose between two modes depending on what you’re using it for. Flood detection mode is for indoor use, and it automatically triggers the unit’s audible alarm and sends alerts to your phone as soon as it detects water. The rain detection mode is for outdoor use, and while it mutes the alarm sound so you don’t annoy your neighbors, it still sends notifications to your phone. By combining the rain detection mode with your other smart devices, you can perform actions like rolling up the motorized awning in a storm to protect it from damage.

Compatibility, Automation and Power

This Shelly Leak Detector Supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee and Matter, which means you can integrate it into almost any current smart home system, including Apple HomeKit, Google Home and Samsung SmartThings. If you later link the sensor to inline switches or smart valves, you can set up useful safety responses such as cutting power to a leaking dishwasher or turning off your main water valve if moisture is detected.

When I first started testing the Flood Gen4, I didn’t understand why the unit that you tuck behind the appliance or leave unattended in a cabin or vacation property runs on batteries instead of plugging into a wall outlet. But given that a large leak or flash flood can easily trip a breaker and kill a wall-powered device, relying on battery power is a better way to ensure continuous operation. Plus, you can monitor the remaining power of the Flood Gen4’s four AA batteries in the app, and if it drops below 20 percent, you’ll not only get a notification but the unit will also emit short beeps periodically.

If desired, you can reduce the detector’s power consumption through Flood Gen4’s three alarm modes: acute, normal and economical. Switching to Economic extends battery life by 2 years when only state changes by turning off the audible alarm and adjusting the reporting frequency to every 30 seconds in Intense mode.

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Same functionality, different package? Not with this Sans air purifier, which offers more advanced filtration and features than most models I’ve tested — without the premium price tag.