Sonin Moisture and Leak Detection

What Sonin Moisture and Leak Detection does

Sonin Moisture and Leak Detection is a privately held, founder-owned manufacturer of water leak detectors, moisture meters, and related electronic measuring tools, founded in 1986 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The product portfolio is intentionally narrow, comprising seven SKUs across two categories: water alarms priced $26.99–$32.99 (the 00800 remote sensor, 00701 flat weighted sensor, and 00802 dual remote sensor models), which detect leaks via two small stainless-steel sensors that trigger an 85–110 dB audible alarm when both contact water, and moisture meters priced $23.99–$77.99 (LED-based model 50210, analog model 50211, and digital models 50218 and 50270), which use pin-type or pinless electrical resistance measurement with detection ranges spanning 5–40% moisture content. All products are battery-operated with no installation required and no connectivity features.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market that combines direct-to-consumer e-commerce via sonin.com (with phone ordering and USPS/UPS shipping), wholesale and retail distribution worldwide through hardware, home center, mass merchant, contractor supply, industrial supply, and online merchant channels, and a white-label/OEM program that lets other businesses rebrand the products. Revenue mechanics are entirely transactional one-time hardware sales, supplemented by quantity-based bulk pricing for commercial property managers and an implicit licensing stream from white-label arrangements. Customer segments are explicitly horizontal and span homeowners and DIY consumers (primary), property managers and condo associations, home inspectors and contractors, woodworkers and carpenters, and commercial property owners. Headcount is 1–10 employees, and no funding rounds, acquisitions, or institutional investors are documented.

Name

Sonin Moisture and Leak Detection

Legal name

Sonin

Website

https://sonin.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sonin is a privately held, Charlotte-based manufacturer founded in 1986 that designs and sells battery-operated water leak detectors and moisture meters for homeowners, property managers, contractors, and woodworkers via DTC e-commerce, retail/wholesale distribution, and a white-label program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Moisture and Leak Detection Equipment

NAICS

Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Electric Housewares & Fans (3634)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Leak Detection & Smart Shutoff Valve Systems (HSAHAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Quality & Contamination Monitoring (Lead/Chlorine/pH/TDS) (HSAHAGAC), Environmental & Technical Alarm Monitoring (Temperature, Water Leak, Gas, Power) (BPAKAFAG), Water Testing Kits & Monitoring (Household) (CRAJAJAL)

Keywords

• Water leak detectors
• Moisture measurement tools
• Electronic testing devices
• Leak detection alarms
• Building diagnostic tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Product Sales (Water Alarms): One-time purchase of battery-operated water leak detectors. Products include Water Alarm with Remote Sensor (00800), Water Alarm with Flat Sensor (00701), and Water Alarm with Dual Sensors (00802). Prices range from $26.99 to $32.99 per unit.
2. Product Sales (Moisture Meters): One-time purchase of moisture detection devices for wood and building materials. Product line includes LED Moisture Test Tool ($23.99), Analog Moisture Meter ($52.99), and Digital Moisture Meters ($72.99-$77.99). Also offers additional testing tools including GFCI testers and distance measuring devices.
3. White-Label/Licensing: Offers white-labeling of products for businesses wanting to brand devices with their own company name. Also provides bulk discount pricing for commercial building managers, condominium managers, and apartment managers purchasing for entire buildings or multiple units.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Sonin designs, manufactures, and sells battery-operated water leak detectors and moisture meters used by homeowners, DIYers, property managers, contractors, and inspectors. The product line includes three water alarm models (00800, 00701, 00802) and four moisture meters (50210, 50211, 50218, 50270) using electrical resistance and dual-sensor technology. Products are sold direct-to-consumer, through wholesale/retail channels, and via white-label partnerships worldwide.

Product overview

Sonin offers a focused portfolio of water leak detection and moisture measurement devices. Their water alarm lineup includes three models: the 00800 (remote sensor, 110 dB), 00701 (flat weighted sensor, 85 dB), and 00802 (dual remote sensors, extended coverage up to 12 feet). The moisture meter line spans from entry-level LED-based detection (50210) through analog (50211) to digital meters (50218, 50270) with measurement ranges from 5-40% moisture content. All products are battery-operated and designed for residential and commercial use in detecting water leaks and measuring moisture in construction materials, wood, and building surfaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sonin Water Alarm with Remote Sensor 00800 Battery-operated water leak detector that sounds a 110 dB alarm when water contacts dual stainless steel sensors. Sensor and alarm units can be placed up to 6 feet apart. Includes suction cup and adhesive for secure placement, circuit test/reset button, and low battery signal. Targeted at homeowners and property managers for placement under washing machines, water heaters, sinks, and dishwashers.
• Sonin Water Alarm with Flat Sensor 00701 Battery-operated water alarm with weighted flat sensor designed for horizontal surfaces such as floors, AC pans, under refrigerators, and sinks. Features 85 dB alarm and includes mounting hardware. Targeted at homeowners and DIYers needing flat-surface leak detection.
• Sonin Water Alarm with Dual Sensors 00802 Water leak detector with dual remote sensors that expand coverage area. Sensors can be placed up to 12 feet apart. Features 85–110 dB alarm, battery-operated design, suction cups and adhesive for placement, and circuit test/reset button. Space-saving design for unattended filling monitoring.
• Sonin LED Moisture Test Tool 50210 Entry-level moisture detection tool using a 4 LED light system to indicate moisture levels in the 14-20% range. Powered by one 9V battery (not included). Ideal for homeowners and DIYers preparing to paint, wallpaper, stain decks, or lay carpet/tile.
• Sonin Analog Moisture Meter 50211 Most popular moisture meter featuring a 10-point dual analog scale indicating 10-28% moisture levels. Includes 3-foot coiled cable for detecting moisture in difficult-to-reach locations and indicates if material is safe, requires attention, or requires action. Serves inspectors, contractors, and homeowners.
• Sonin Digital Moisture Meter 50218 Professional-grade digital moisture meter measuring moisture levels from 5% to 40% with 1% resolution. Features large easy-to-read LCD display, protective cap, replacement pins, and carrying case. Targeted at home inspectors, builders, and contractors.
• Sonin Digital Moisture Meter 50270 Professional-grade digital moisture meter for measuring moisture percentages in wood and building materials. Features digital display and pin-type measurement technology.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85-110 decibel alarm volume ensures audible alert even when occupant is sleeping or away
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Kidde: Major home-safety brand offering water-leak and freeze alarms, typically stocked alongside Sonin in hardware, home center, and security product aisles.
• First Alert: Incumbent home-safety brand with water leak and environmental alarms sold in the same mass-merchant and home center channels, representing the larger, more marketing-funded alternative to Sonin.
• Klein Tools: Broad-line professional tool incumbent offering electrical testers, measurement, and diagnostic tools, frequently co-listed with Sonin in the same hardware, electrical, and contractor-supply channels.
• Fluke Corporation: Industrial-grade measurement and electrical test instrument leader whose moisture, humidity, and environmental meters compete for the professional inspector/contractor segment that buys Sonin's higher-end meters.
• Honeywell Home (Resideo): Large incumbent in residential water-leak and environmental sensing, with connected and standalone leak detectors sold through the same home center and security channels as Sonin's water alarms.

Direct peers

• General Tools & Instruments: Direct competitor in moisture meters, humidity/dew-point meters, and inspection instruments sold to similar DIY, HVAC, and contractor customers through overlapping retail and online channels.
• Protimeter (Ametek): Established brand of pin and pinless moisture meters for building surveyors, home inspectors, and restoration professionals — directly comparable to Sonin's 50210/50211/50218/50270 moisture meter line.
• Zircon: Specialty electronic tool maker offering stud finders, moisture meters, and electronic measuring tools to DIY and pro consumers, overlapping directly with Sonin's moisture-detection product line.
• Wagner Meters: Specialist in moisture measurement for wood, concrete, and building materials with both pin and pinless technologies, competing in the same professional and DIY moisture-meter segment.

Emerging players

• Phyn: Smart water-leak detection and monitoring company offering connected sensors and auto-shutoff solutions, representing the connected/IoT direction the water-leak category is moving toward versus Sonin's standalone alarms.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@sonin1984
• Facebookfacebook.com/SoninMoistureAndLeakDetection
• Instagraminstagram.com/soninmoistureandleakdetection
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sonin-moisture-detection

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sonin Moisture and Leak Detection