Roost Smart Water Leak and Freeze Detector: One feature short of perfection

ROOST STARTED OUT with a great battery (go.pcworld.com/roostrev) that makes any dumb smoke alarm smart. We weren’t quite as impressed with their second product, a smoke, fire, carbon monoxide, and natural gas detector (go.pcworld.com/rsa400rev) that uses that same battery for emergency backup power (the detector itself is designed to be hardwired to power). Now the company is expanding its offerings with a smart water leak detector, and it’s a winner. If the company follows through with its promise to offer an add-on accessory, it will be our top pick in this category.

That accessory is a water-detecting extension cable that Roost () says will be available soon