X-Sense SWS0A41 is a thin smart water leak sensor for DIY setups

The X-Sense SWS0A41 is an ultra-thin and lightweight smart water leak sensor that you can place just about anywhere and it will monitor for moisture. You can place one, or several, around your property for ultimate coverage. They’re also easy to install, perfect for a DIY build.

Some of the more obvious smart home devices include smart locks, smart garage door openers, security cameras, smart lights, and smart plugs. If you pair those with a smart speaker or smart automation platform, you’re golden. But to really take things to the next level, you need to install smart home sensors to measure some of the other things going on around your home. Motion detection sensors, for security and to trigger automations, noise sensors, to detect windows breaking, vibration or tilt sensors, you get it. Installing these can help you truly monitor your property. You know what’s going on at all times, including when you’re not home. Leak detection sensors are another type of smart home sensor that allow you to keep an eye on, well, potential water leaks. Enter the X-Sense (SWS0A41) ultra-thin water leak sensor.

Right up front, I will point out that you also need an SBS50 base station — which is about $23 — to use the sensor but other than that it’s easy to install for a DIY configuration. Simply put, it’s a smart water leak alarm. You can put it under a fridge or freezer, under a sink or faucet, or in areas where water might build up. It has an IP67 waterproof rating, ultra-thin design, and replaceable batteries. But when it detects moisture you’ll get instant alerts on your mobile through an app. Buy multiple sensors and you can place them in several spots.

What else is there to know about the X-Sense smart water leak sensor?

For starters, the advertised battery life is pretty impressive. X-Sense says the replaceable batteries should last for about three years. Altogether, you can enjoy up to five years of reliability with a single sensor. Presumably, you would just replace the sensor after that. But wherever you place them, they will detect moisture, sound an alarm, and send out alerts. Those alerts can ping not just you but also friends and family — if you set it up that way. The idea is if you’re away from home someone else can look in on the problem.

I have extended family who have dealt with flooding and severe water damage more than once. They certainly could have used something like this. From within the X-Sense app, you can monitor alerts, adjust the alarm settings and mute them. You can also set up a reminder if you want to double check things when you have a free moment. On the base station and the actual sensor there are also physical buttons to silence the alarm.

The batteries aren’t anything proprietary. The sensor takes two AAA batteries. Moreover, X-Sense estimates the wireless connection range stretches up to 1,700 feet or 500 meters away from the Wi-Fi base station. Water probes are located on the top and bottom of the sensor. That way, it can detect water pooling underneath or drops landing on top.

The biggest downside is you’re locked into X-Sense’s platform. There’s no Matter or Zigbee support or anything like that. You can access partial integrations via Home Assistant for some X-Sense devices, but I’m not sure if these water leak sensors are compatible.