Small, smart, Matter-compatible – IKEA's new KLIPBPOK water leak sensor

With the KLIPBPOK Water Leakage Sensor IKEA is expanding its portfolio with a small but extremely useful safety device. The sensor detects leaking water early and uses an open standard. Matter. KLIPBPOK is therefore specifically aimed at users of open platforms such as Home Assistant, but is also compatible with common systems from Amazon, Apple, Google, Homey and Samsung.

KLIPPBOK water leak sensor in detail

The KLIPBPOK is a compact sensor that detects water via two contacts on its underside. As soon as moisture is detected, it triggers a local alarm and reports the event to the connected smart home system. Its low profile makes it particularly suitable for tight spaces, such as under kitchen cabinets or behind household appliances.

The sensor is battery-powered and designed for economical continuous operation. This allows it to operate in the background with minimal maintenance for extended periods – a crucial factor for security devices that ideally perform their function unobtrusively.

Why a water leak sensor is indispensable in the household

A water leak detector is essential in any household because water damage is among the most frequent and costly types of damage. Leaks often develop gradually in hard-to-see places such as under sinks, behind washing machines, or in the basement. Without early detection, escaping water can cause damage unnoticed for hours or even days. Even small amounts of water are enough to permanently damage floors, furniture, walls, or the building structure. Additionally, the risk of mold growth increases, which is not only costly but also poses health risks. Water damage is particularly critical during extended absences, such as vacations or while at work.

IKEA KLIPBPOK and Matter compatibility

The KLIPBPOK is based entirely on the open Matter standard and is therefore compatible with various smart home platforms. These include Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Homey, and Samsung SmartThings. Thanks to Matter, the sensor remains flexible and future-proof.

In our scenario, integration with Home Assistant takes place. A compatible hub with Matter support or a [missing information] is required. Thread Border Router. We recently acquired the Echo Show 8 unveiled, this supports Zigbee, Matter as well as Thread in the role of a border router.

Requirements for integration with Home Assistant

For the integration to function smoothly, the following prerequisites must be met:

• A current version of Home Assistant on suitable hardware, e.g.:
  • Raspberry Pi*
  • Home Assistant Green*
  • Home Assistant Yellow*
• A functioning Thread Border Router, e.g.:
  • Aqara Smart Hub M200*
  • Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2*
  • Amazon Echo Show 8 or 11*
  • Home Assistant Yellow*

• IKEA KLIPBPOK with 2x insertedAAA batteries*
• The Matter QR code or numeric pairing code is printed on the front of the user manual and on the side of the sensor.

Setting up the KLIPBPOK in Home Assistant

Adding Matter devices is currently done via the Home Assistant Companion app on your smartphone. After inserting the batteries, the sensor starts automatically and remains in pairing mode for 15 minutes. This period restarts if the batteries are briefly removed. If the sensor is already paired with another system, it can be reset using a button in the battery compartment.

Step-by-step instructions

1. In the app: Settings → Add to Home Assistant → Add device → Add Matter device
2. „Select "New" and scan the QR code or enter the pairing code manually.
3. The sensor is added to the Thread Border Router and the Thread network.

After a few seconds, the KLIPBPOK as a new device in Home Assistant.

KLIPBPOK in Home Assistant: Features and data

The device information displays the firmware version, hardware version, and connection type (Matter). The sensor overview shows whether a water leak has been detected – indicated by the status. Dry or Wet.

The diagnostics section provides information on battery charge level, battery voltage, and battery type (AAA). An identification function is also available, which illuminates the sensor's status LED. The sensor can be directly integrated into automations, scenes, or scripts, whose activities are also clearly displayed.

Test: Automations with KLIPBPOK

In practice, an automation can be created quickly: If the sensor detects water and changes to the "wet" state, a notification such as "water leak detected" is triggered in Home Assistant.

In a test run on a washing machine in the basement, the KLIPBPOK demonstrated its strengths. Upon contact with water, a loud audible alarm sounds and the status LED flashes red. The volume is sufficient to draw attention to the problem even without smart home integration. If you are not at home, the smartphone notification complements this warning effectively.

Conclusion: Small investment, great protection

The IKEA KLIPPBOK water leak sensor KLIPBPOK impressively demonstrates how useful simple smart home devices can be. It combines a clear purpose with modern technology like Matter and integrates seamlessly with Home Assistant. As a preventative measure against potential water damage, it's an extremely worthwhile addition to any household. For those who operate their smart home openly, locally, and with future-proofing in mind, KLIPBPOK offers an affordable yet powerful component for enhanced security.

Source/Photo: (Amazon / IKEA (Chris Smart / Image Generator)