Water damage is no fun. We just finished our basement renovation, and as we were showing it to our first friends (to see the house, we had friends before this), they looked around and immediately pointed to the drop ceiling and said: “Looks like you have a leak here.” The brown spot in the newly placed tile made me feel all sorts of emotions. None of them good. It was then, and there I decided we needed to get some water sensors around the house. We chose the D-Link Wifi Water Sensor after researching a bunch of them. Here is our D-Link DCH-S161 Wifi Water Sensor Review.
Table of Contents
Pros of D-Link DCH-S161 Wifi Water Sensor
- Works with Google Home Assistant
- Quick installation (under 5 minutes)
- Quick app set up
- Batteries make it able to be placed anywhere you want
- App shows battery levels
- Batteries last up to a year and half
- Works with IFTTT
- Easy to add more to your home
- Super affordable
Cons D-Link DCH-S161 Wifi Water Sensor
- In-app functionality only, which means that if you want an Alexa notification or Home Kit, you have to use a third-party app
- No other features besides water detection (no humidity/moisture or temperature)
Click here to buy this water sensor
Details of the D-Link DCH-S161 Wifi Water Sensor
This water sensor is a smart and simple design by D-Link. It has an audible notification as well as an app notification. The water sensor is cordless (battery-powered), has a cable that can extend up to 6 feet, and can be silenced by the app or pressing the button on the device unit. Connectivity through the app is great; when your internet (or power) goes down, you receive a notification on your phone indicating that the device is unreachable. It’s also integratable with Google home making it a compliment to other smart home devices, and can connect through IFTTT to trigger other devices if you want to do so. The only disappointment is in the product itself. After you set up the wifi water sensor, you don’t really have any other reason to go back to it (except for when the battery dies, which is every year and a half). So it’s a great product but not the flashiest of the smart home devices you can buy.
Why do you need a water sensor?
If my situation doesn’t seem so bad (you swap out the tile and voila! It’s fixed), consider if it had been a drywall ceiling, then the spot would need to be cut out, re-patched, and then fingers crossed it doesn’t happen again. Water damage is one of the worst things to happen to a house. Its nature is that when it happens, you won’t know until it’s too late unless you have a sensor. That is why these D-Link DCH-S161 Wifi Water Sensors make so much sense. They are low cost and can save you big time! A water detector in key areas can be the difference between a quick clean-up and a home renovation that costs you thousands of dollars. When you consider that the average water damage costs a family $2000-5000, these water sensors can save you a lot of money. Compare that to its under $50 price point, and it’s a great deal.
What is a wifi water sensor?
A wifi water sensor, like the D-Link Wifi Water Sensor, is a sensor you can install anywhere you want to detect water leaking out. The sensor connects via app and wifi (took less than 5 minutes) to notify you of water in the future. The D-Link Wifi Water Sensor will notify you with sound and via the app that there is a water leak (meaning water has come in contact with the sensor).
Where should water sensors be placed?
Depending on your house, some of the best places to install a water sensor are:
- Under the sink
- By your sump pump (here’s how to maintain your sump pump)
- By your hot water tank (water heaters leak from both the bottom of the tank and the top of the water tank)
- Under the fridge (click to see how long it takes for a refrigerator to get cold)
- Near the dishwasher
- Near a shower
- Around bathtub
- Behind toilet
- By the washing machine
Does the D-Link Wifi Water Sensor need to be plugged in?
No. It runs on AA batteries; they advertise that the batteries should last roughly a year and a half. 
How does a water leak sensor work?
When the water sensor detects water, you will receive a notice via the D-link app on your smartphone. You will also hear a loud ringing from the D-link water sensor, which continues until the sensor is removed from the water.
Is this a water heater leak detector?
Yes, I put my sensor by our water heaters to ensure any leaking would be picked up by the water leakage detector.
D-Link Wifi Water Sensor FAQ
How do you install a D-Link DCH-S161 Wifi Water Sensor?
D-Link Wifi Water Sensor comes with two screws that you can install at the rear of the item. Personally, we used the same velcro strips we used to when we hung our picture frames quickly. You can get these velcro strips here on Amazon. From there, you download the app on your phone and scan the QR code on the back of the device (it’s easy, and the setup was about 1 minute). Then you install the water sensor wherever you want it to go, and you are set!
Do I need to pay for monitoring?
No, the app notifies you of the water issues free of charge. There is no ongoing or initial setup costs of this device besides the purchase of the device itself.
Is the D-Link Wifi Water Sensor reusable?
Yes. The D-Link Wifi Water Sensor is reusable. The first thing I did when I brought it home was put some water on it. It sounded immediately, and then I removed the water and tried it again. It is completely reusable and movable.
Final Thoughts on the D-Link Wifi Water Sensor Review
This is a cost-friendly device that can save you a lot of money in water damage. Depending on your insurance company, you may even get a break on your premiums (ask your insurance agent). Best of all, it’s easy to set up. Simple to install and requires no upgrades. If you are looking for an easy to use, and a quick install that can notify you through an app and an audible sound, this is the wifi water sensor for you. I’m very happy with this purchase; it’s provided me with a huge peace of mind. My only regret is that I didn’t buy this sooner to save my ceiling.