Winner
Updated November 2026
Data from the official Shelly and TP-Link sites.
2026 verdict
Open platform or closed hub? The Shelly Flood Gen4 takes this one as the more capable water leak sensor, thanks to Matter, a temperature sensor and no hub requirement.
It connects over Wi-Fi, Zigbee or Bluetooth, works with Google Home, Apple Home, SmartThings and Home Assistant, sends temperature and freeze alerts, ships with a 2 m sensing cable and carries a 3-year warranty. The Tapo T300 is the lower priced and better reviewed of the two, is IP67 against IP44, and runs a rated 3 years on two AAAA cells, but it needs a Tapo hub and stays inside Google Home and the Tapo app. Both sound an alarm and flash a light on the device. Pick the Shelly Flood Gen4 for a mixed or Apple smart home, and the Tapo T300 if you already run a Tapo hub and want the tougher, longer-lasting puck.
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The biggest differences
Where these two are furthest apart, and by how much.
- Warranty3×Shelly Flood Gen43 years vs 1 year
- Battery Life+50%Tapo T3003 years vs 2 years
| Feature | Shelly Flood Gen4 | Tapo T300 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.99 | $16.99 | Tapo T300 |
| Rating | 4.1 | 4.6 | Tapo T300 |
| Warranty | 3 years | 1 year | Shelly Flood Gen4 |
| Weather Resistance | IP44 | IP67 | Tapo T300 |
| Battery Life | 2 years | 3 years | Tapo T300 |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee | Other | Shelly Flood Gen4 |
| Integrations | Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, Matter | Google Home, Home Assistant | Shelly Flood Gen4 |
| Sensors | Water Leak, Temperature | Water Leak | Shelly Flood Gen4 |
| Alerts | Water Leak Alerts, Temperature Alerts, Freeze Temperature Alerts, Low Battery Alerts | Water Leak Alerts, Low Battery Alerts | Shelly Flood Gen4 |
| On Device Alert Sound | YES | YES | Tie |
| On Device Alert Light | YES | YES | Tie |
| Local Control | YES | YES | Tie |
What the differences mean
Hub
The Shelly Flood Gen4 joins your Wi-Fi directly, or a Zigbee network if you prefer. The Tapo T300 uses a Sub-1G radio and does nothing without a Tapo hub, so add one to the cost unless you own it.
Smart home platforms
Through Matter, the Shelly Flood Gen4 reaches Apple Home and SmartThings on top of Google Home and Home Assistant. The Tapo T300 works with Google Home, only partially with Home Assistant, and not with Apple Home, SmartThings or Matter.
Temperature and freeze alerts
The Shelly Flood Gen4 measures temperature and warns about freezing pipes. The Tapo T300 detects water only.
Durability and battery
The Tapo T300 is IP67 and rated for 3 years on two AAAA cells. The Shelly Flood Gen4 is IP44, so it handles splashes rather than immersion, and is rated for 2 years on four AA cells.
Sensing cable
The Shelly Flood Gen4 includes a 2 m extendable cable for leaks behind cabinets or in crawlspaces. The Tapo T300 senses only at the puck, from probes on its top and bottom.
Which one to buy if
- you use Apple Home or SmartThings
The Shelly Flood Gen4 reaches both through Matter; the Tapo T300 supports neither.
- pipes in the space can freeze
The Shelly Flood Gen4 sends temperature and freeze alerts, which the Tapo T300 cannot.
- you already have a Tapo hub
The Tapo T300 pairs to it in minutes, is IP67 and runs longer between battery swaps.
- the sensor may end up sitting in standing water
The Tapo T300 is rated IP67, where the Shelly Flood Gen4 is only IP44.
Winner
$39.99
- + Warranty: 3 years
- + Connectivity: 2.4 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee
- + Integrations: Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, Matter
- - Price: $39.99 vs $16.99
- - Rating: 4.1 vs 4.6
15% OFF
$16.99
$19.99
- + Price: $16.99
- + Rating: 4.6
- + Weather Resistance: IP67
- - Warranty: 1 year vs 3 years
- - Connectivity: Other vs 2.4 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee
What owners say
Owners of both sensors like having the alarm on the device, and both groups mention some setup friction. Shelly Flood Gen4 owners single out fast, stable pairing over Zigbee with Home Assistant, a sensing cable that catches a single drop, and on-device automations that cut power to a pump or flash lights, but several found Wi-Fi onboarding slow and a few saw Apple Home status not refresh over Matter. Tapo T300 owners describe quick setup in the Tapo app, a loud alarm and phone alerts that caught leaks in progress, and months of stable connection beside their Tapo and Kasa devices; their complaints are about not knowing a hub was required, sensor and hub versions that did not match outside the US, and a top drip probe small enough to miss an off-centre drop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shelly vs Tapo: which water leak sensor is better, the Shelly Flood Gen4 or the Tapo T300?
The Shelly Flood Gen4 for most smart homes. It needs no hub, supports Matter and every major platform, adds temperature and freeze alerts and a sensing cable, and has a 3-year warranty. The Tapo T300 is the better fit if you already own a Tapo hub.
What is the biggest difference between the Shelly Flood Gen4 and the Tapo T300?
How they connect. The Shelly Flood Gen4 talks Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Bluetooth and Matter on its own, while the Tapo T300 needs a Tapo hub and only reaches Google Home.
Do the Shelly Flood Gen4 and the Tapo T300 sound an alarm?
Yes, both have a local alarm and a light. The Tapo T300 is rated at 90 dB; the Shelly Flood Gen4 has a built-in buzzer and an LED indicator.
Which is more waterproof, the Shelly Flood Gen4 or the Tapo T300?
The Tapo T300, rated IP67 against IP44 for the Shelly Flood Gen4. The Tapo can sit in standing water, while the Shelly is protected against splashes.
Who should buy the Shelly Flood Gen4?
Home Assistant, Apple Home and Matter users who want leak and freeze detection in one device, a sensing cable for awkward spots and no dependence on a vendor hub.
Who should buy the Tapo T300?
Tapo and Kasa households with a Tapo hub who want a rugged, long-lasting leak puck with a loud alarm and alerts in Google Home.
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