YoLink SpeakerHub & Three Water Leak Sensors Starter Kit – Plays Tones/Sounds, Spoken Messages, LoRa-Powered ¼ Mile Range, App Alert, Emails, SMS/Text, IFTTT

Humphrey Bogart quote notwithstanding, this is the most impressive home automation startup I've ever dealt with. I decided to add water leak detection to my home automation setup and originally chose a DLink option, based on some positive previous experiences. But DLink's device is not ready for prime time- I never could get it to communicate properly and gave up. I then saw YoLink's leak detectors on Amazon with some very strong reviews, so I figured I'd give them a try. The system, which does require a hub, was simple to set up and worked perfectly. The LoRA technology they use has many benefits over WiFi or Bluetooth, allowing widely spaced sensors that last 2 years on 2 AA batteries, providing incredibly flexible placement options. The only thing I didn't realize is that it utilizes notifications to your cell phone or PC to alert you to a problem. I didn't want to miss a problem that happened at night when our phones are downstairs on chargers, so I looked for a siren option to add to the hub. That's when I found this product, the YoLink Speaker Hub, which apparently had just been introduced- there were only 12 reviews. But they were solid reviews and I was already impressed by the ease and performance of my YoLink detectors, so I ordered this to replace the silent hub I started with. Well, from the amazing capabilities and expansion options of the Speaker Hub, it is obvious that YoLink has big plans for a comprehensive home automation suite. This is both a good and a possibly less good thing. The flexibility to customize alarms, alerts, notifications, spoken alerts, etc is great. But the learning curve is much steeper. So to get the Speaker Hub to do what I wanted required 2 calls to customer service. And this is where YoLink blew my socks off. Both calls were answered by the second ring by a YoLink engineer! And these guys know their system software inside and out. The first call got me 90% of the way there, but one issue stumped me. The second call resolved that issue in a couple of minutes. The system now provides an audible alert that announces which detector sensed a leak, as well as sending text notifications and emails in case we weren't home. All of this happens within seconds of the sensor touching water- they even placed contacts on top of the sensor so it can detect a leak that is dripping from above before a pool of water forms. In the process of speaking to the engineers, it is clear that they are rightly proud of their product, and intend to continue improving and expanding its capabilities. The leak detectors using the Speaker Hub are a great solution on their own, but it is obvious that they've built in a ton of capabilities so that as they expand their offerings, they won't have to modify the software every time they add another device. I can't wait to see what they come up with next. Your move, YoLink!

PRO Features Diversity of product line Integration capabilities as a smart home device Low cost Battery Life CON 1/4 Mile range advertised likely clear line of site In wooded area reliable range was more like 300 feet Antennas, range extenders not available Unsupported range extender works but limits features Some limitations For house monitoring of crawl space temp/humidity, water leak detection, motion in attic etc., the product line works extremely well and has excellent smart home integration. The goal was to simplify install, minimize/eliminate wiring for sensors, and to gain smart device capabilities. When working for external device monitoring such as driveway gates, package delivery box notification at a range of 450 feet through wooded areas challenges were uncovered. For the package delivery box, the original concept was to mount a garage door sensor flush (horizontal) on the bottom of the lid that would toggle when the lid was opened. From what I could glean the device is designed to be installed on the inside of a garage door (vertical) with door closed. There was not a software option on this sensor to alert on normally open vs normally closed. Therefore a bracket needed to be assembled to mount the sensor in a vertical position for the device to operate. Would be nice if the device offered this option. During the process the range was learned to be a challenge. Moved hub outside, tried different orientations to try to optimize internal antenna (vertical / horizontal) different sides facing device and was not able to mitigate signal limitation. Yo-link does not offer an antenna, and/or range extender. Found a helpful "non-supported" solution to create a signal relay solution. This uses a yo-link Security Siren & Alarm controller and yo-link Outdoor contact sensor. Between these two devices a relay is required. I found and electronic relay with NO normally open and NC normally closed output contacts; "OONO DPST 1NO 1NC 8Amp Power Relay Module, AC/DC 12V Control Voltage" which worked perfectly. Configure the remote device to trigger the Alarm controller. Replace with siren with the input to the relay module. Attach the contact sensor to either the NO/NC contacts as appropriate for your project. This solved the range issue in this case. However, the ability to monitor if the device remains open and is not closed is lost. A goal was to add this solution to the driveway gate and obtain a notification if the gate was not closed. At this time I do not know a solution to the range challenge combined with some of the additional features yo-link offers. I am using these devices outside of their intended design, so I will still rate them highly. However, it would be nice for yo-link to have an extended range solution that supports all of the device capability as well as a tilt sensor (garage door sensor), that allowed the NO/NC configuration to be modified. Overall I have been impressed.

These have saved me a few times. Super sensitive. Lick your finger and touch the 2 prongs and it will go off immediately and send you a message. I have them near my aquarium,water heater,furness, laundry room under sinks, and even under my sewer pipe where it goes thru the foundation (yes that leaked). I bought these as a gift for a neighbor's vacation home. Theirs went off when rain water entered their basement. This is a no brainer for the cost/performance. Super easy install too. The batteries last a very long time and the app tells you the battery life.

works well and easy to setup

I have used the D-Link sensors and the TP-Link Tapo sensors. The D-Link stopped supporting the ones that I bought and the Tapo sensors were rendered useless by the horrible software which 1) provided very poor alerting options and 2) no IFTTT support. The Yolink checked all my boxes so I bought a bunch some hubs, sensors and switches. Everything was super easy to set up and activate and the alerting options and support are great. I wish I had found these before i wasted my money on the TP-Link sensors.

Sensors working great now, easy to set up, app works really well. better than others that I've tried on both fronts!

I recently installed the YoLink Water Leak Detection Starter Kit, and it has been a fantastic addition to my home. The system is incredibly reliable, with the LoRa technology providing an impressive range of up to 1/4 mile in open air. This ensures that even the most remote areas of my home are covered. The SpeakerHub Audio/Talking Hub is a great feature, providing clear audio alerts when a leak is detected. The integration with SMS/Text, email, and push notifications means I am always informed, no matter where I am. The compatibility with Alexa, IFTTT, and Home Assistant adds a lot of convenience, allowing me to integrate the system seamlessly with my smart home setup. The installation was straightforward, and the water leak sensor is very sensitive, providing peace of mind that any leaks will be detected quickly. Overall, this starter kit offers excellent value and comprehensive protection against water damage. Highly recommended!

Easier to set up than every other system I’ve tried. The hub is great as it can place in centrally in the house so I can hear its alarm when I may not hear the actual sensor going off if it is a few floors and closed doors away. Sends texts WITHOUT the fuss of things like IFTTT. Just smooth and almost thoughtless. I hope it lasts and the company maintains suppose. (Also! They have a rope/cord sensor that was compatible with old cords I had from D-Link/Honeywell sensors I had years ago. Nice.)

Whilst overall unit is good, adding additional sensors is expensive, it is cheaper to purchase another starter kit. Sensors come from USA and shipping costs are as much as the items themselves. Also still trying to connect speaker hub to Alexa, the two detectors recognised no problem.

Simple to setup. Bind the speaker first and everything integrates seemlessly. I really like the Yolink system. The documentation is great and the quality is great. I have a pile of Yolink sensors and all but one have been completely without issue. The waranty appears good although I have not had reason to use it as I was within return date on the problematic sensor.

I have been using smart home devices and software for about 25 years now - and the YoLink equipment is some of the best I have ever come across. Well designed software, easily integrated into Home Assistant and Alexa, quick and straightforward to install. Highly recommended.

Very easy to use also very reliable 5 star

Great purchase! I bought the hub and attached 4 water sensors. I used 2 with a cord to hang down the sump pump, one with a cord down the basement floor drain and another sitting on the floor in basement. I have tested all of them and they work well. The app shows me the battery life in all sensors and let's me know when they need replacing. If there is an alarm, the alarm will sound on the hub, on the sensor and on my phone. Great investment to prevent water damage and no monthly charges!