Skip to main content

The Phyn Smart Water Assistant monitors your water usage and warns of problems

Even as we strive to be more green in our day-to-day lives, some statistics continue to plague us. The EPA says that the average family wastes up to 9,400 gallons of water each year just from household leaks — the equivalent of more than 300 loads of laundry. Phyn wants to provide a solution to this problem with the Phyn Smart Water Assistant, an in-home water monitoring system that promises to detect leaks anywhere in the home.

The Phyn Smart Water Assistant doesn’t require a plumber for installation. It’s designed to be a DIY project. The Phyn Smart Water Assistant attaches to the hot and cold water lines under your sink with minimal effort. Once attached, the Phyn detects usage patterns and identifies ways homeowners can reduce water waste and conserve more water throughout the week. According to Phyn, the smart water assistant will alert homeowners within seconds of a leak being detected.

From its mount under the sink, the Phyn is said to be capable of detecting leaks anywhere in the home. The company even claims the water assistant can detect the gradual pressure changes of ice buildup in the lines, warning homeowners of an impending ruptured pipe and allowing them to take action before the lines burst. The Phyn provides an overview of each faucet in the home and gives homeowners a better idea of where the most water is used. For example, maybe the kids’ bathroom uses more water than the rest of the home due to a teenager’s obsession with cleanliness — or maybe dad uses a surprising amount of water for his morning shave.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Phyn Smart Water Assistant also has a diagnostic feature that can look for and identify potential problems within a plumbing system, such as faulty seals and pinhole leaks. The company says repairing problems like these can save homeowners up to 10% on their water bills. More importantly, water damage is the second-largest insurance claim for homeowners. The Phyn’s capabilities can help prevent and minimize that damage. Integration with Alexa, Google Home, and other smart devices means homeowners can set up redundant warning systems. For example, if Phyn detects ice in the lines, the system could have the lights in the kitchen flash blue.

The device retails for $299 with no additional subscriptions or fees and is available for pre-purchase at Best Buy, Phyn.com, and Belkin.com. The Phyn Smart Water Assistant will be available for purchase in stores in September.

Patrick Hearn
Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more. If it's a…
Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo vs. Dreame X40 Ultra: Which robot vacuum is best for your smart home?
The Ecovacs X2 Combo installed in a home.

The Dreame X40 Ultra and Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo are both well-rounded robot vacuums. They bring heaps of functionality to your home, including self-cleaning docks, robots that can both mop and clean in a single run, and luxurious designs that blend with most home décor. All that doesn't come cheap, and you'll be spending well over $1,000 to get your hands on either robot. That means you'll want to carefully weigh your options before making such a hefty investment.

From vacuuming and mopping performance to pricing and additional features, here's a look at the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo and Dreame X40 Ultra to help you decide which is best for your home.
Pricing and availability

Read more
Should you buy a new smart lock or retrofit your existing deadbolt?
Schlage Encode Plus smart lock installed on a wooden door to a living room.

When it comes to smart locks, all models essentially fall into two categories. The first category will be familiar to most people, as these are traditional smart locks built to replace your existing deadbolt. That means you'll get a whole new set of keys for your front door, as well as hardware that introduces smart features to your home.

The second kind of smart lock is a retrofit smart lock. These quirky devices are designed to fit over your existing hardware -- allowing you to keep using your old keys while also adding smart features. Both types of smart locks are great ways to upgrade your front door, but which is best for your home? Here's a closer look to help you decide if you should replace your traditional deadbolt with a smart lock or install a retrofit smart lock instead.
Consider your DIY skills

Read more
How to convert your window blinds into smart blinds

Smart homes are more popular than ever, with companies like Google, Amazon, Ring, Arlo, and other big brands churning out new products at regular intervals. Most people have heard of smart displays and smart light bulbs -- but smart blinds are yet to gain the same traction as these other categories.

However, smart blinds can become an integral part of any smart home. Along with giving you an easy way to manipulate your shades, they can help you save money by allowing (or limiting) light to enter your home and moderate its temperature.

Read more