Comparison · Updated 2026
A sensor tells you about a leak. A shutoff valve stops it — even while you're at work, asleep, or on vacation. Here's how the main systems differ, and whether you need one at all.
Who actually needs one
Someone's usually home, and can get to a valve within an hour of an alert. Even a notification at 2am still leaves time to walk downstairs and shut it off by hand.
The property sits empty for stretches — a vacation home, a rental between tenants, a rehab property. Or there's simply no way anyone gets there fast enough to stop real damage.
The systems
| System | What it monitors | Install | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flo by Moen | Flow rate, pressure, temperature, leak detection across the whole home from one main-line point | Cut into the main supply line — professional plumber recommended | Whole-home coverage from a single install point; carriers sometimes offer insurance discounts for it |
| Phyn Plus | Similar whole-home flow monitoring, with Apple HomeKit compatibility on certain models | Main line, professional install recommended | Apple-ecosystem households wanting whole-home monitoring, not just point sensors |
| LeakSmart / Dome | Motorized ball valve triggered by paired point sensors, rather than whole-home flow analysis | Valve install on the main line, plus separate point sensors placed around the house | Homeowners who want shutoff wired specifically to sensors already covering known risk spots |
Installation cost is typically a few hundred dollars for a plumber to cut into PEX or copper supply lines; DIY is possible with push-to-connect fittings if you're comfortable working on your home's main water line, but a backwards install leaves you with no water at all — when in doubt, hire it out.
Next step
Start with a handful of point sensors at your highest-risk spots — that's the better first purchase for most homeowners. Add a shutoff valve later, once you actually know sensors alone aren't enough for your situation.
See the leak detector rankings →