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Yes—the Zooz Titan closed the valve without internet in the reported test, and a separately configured wireless sensor also closed it with the Homey Pro unplugged. Those results apply to the tested Zooz ZAC36 actuator, ZSE42 sensor, firmware, Homey Pro, and setup. The hub remained powered during the internet-cut test, and the actuator remained powered during the hub-outage test. Phone leak alerts did not arrive while the internet was down.
Does the Zooz Titan work without internet?
In Smart Home Perfected’s September 2026 test, the ZAC36 Titan closed the valve locally while the Homey Pro’s internet access was blocked. The test used ZAC36 firmware 2.10, ZSE42 800LR firmware 2.40, Homey Pro firmware 13.5.0, and Zooz for Homey app 1.2.1. With existing internet connections killed, the tester wetted the sensor contacts. The motor began closing in under one second in all three internet-cut runs, matching the three online runs. The local Homey rule and Z-Wave connection continued working, and the app could be reopened locally. Smart Home Perfected’s test report describes the bench setup and results.
This shows that cloud access was not needed for that local leak-to-valve action on the tested setup. It does not establish performance across other hubs, firmware versions, valve conditions, or long-term use.
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Does the Zooz Titan need a hub?
The answer depends on what should trigger the actuator. For the tested Homey setup, the hub ran the local rule that linked the wireless sensor to the Titan. To make the wireless sensor close the valve with the hub unplugged, the tester had to configure direct Z-Wave association; it did not work that way by default.
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- CHECK BEFORE YOU BUY: Make you sure you have a standard 0.5" - 1.25" ball valve and enough space to install the Titan actuator. Measure that there is 3" clearance from the valve center to each side on the pipe, at least 1.25" clearance between the valve handle and the pipe, at least 1" clearance between the pipe and the wall. If your installation doesn't match the requirements, do not purchase the product.
- SMART FLOOD PREVENTION: Shut your main water valve automatically when a leak is detected to prevent costly water damage. The Titan actuator installs over your ball valve and comes with a plug-in leak detector to monitor water presence around it. It will work offline with the probe connected directly to the Titan but the device works best when included to a compatible Z-Wave hub (sold separately) for full wireless functionality.
- EXTREMELY STRONG: Unlike other retrofit solutions, the Titan is equipped with a powerful motor that opens and closes even the most stubborn valve reliably. It calibrates on each individual valve once installed for optimal performance.
- DIY INSTALLATION: You don't need any tools and it takes just a few minutes to mount and calibrate the device. You can use it outdoors too! Follow the steps in the manual and installation video carefully when installing the product. Check your set-up before buying: suitable for 0.5" - 1.25" ball valves only; 3" clearance from the valve center to each side on the pipe, at least 1.25" clearance between the valve handle and the pipe, at least 1" clearance between the pipe and the wall.
- Z-WAVE COMPATIBLE: Get the most of your Titan Valve Actuator when you include it to your Z-Wave hub. Program it to shut the water off if water is detected on any of your wireless leak sensors (sold separately) for complete protection. The Titan works best with the Z-Box Hub and is compatible with SmartThings, Hubitat, Ring Alarm, and Home Assistant. Check with Zooz for compatibility before buying if your hub is not listed.
With the hub powered but offline
The local rule still triggered the Titan when internet access was blocked. The hub was online to the local Z-Wave network, but not to the internet.
With the hub unplugged
After manually configuring the sensor and actuator, the ZSE42 closed the Titan when wet in all three unplugged-hub runs. The valve remained closed after the sensor dried. Smart Home Perfected reports that this configuration requires ZSE42 firmware 2.30 or later; its test unit ran firmware 2.40.
Rank #2
- AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF: The Moen Flo Shutoff is a whole-home leak detection device that installs on your main water line, monitors flow, pressure and temperature 24/7, and automatically shuts off your water before leaks become damage
- CATCH LEAKS EARLY: Daily MicroLeak tests proactively find abnormalities, sends alerts via the Moen Flo App and shuts off your water. Moen device data shows 60% of new Flo owners discover a hidden leak within their first 30 days
- CONTROL FROM ANYWHERE: The Moen Flo App keeps you connected to your home water 24/7, so you can monitor, manage and shut off your water from anywhere in the world
- INTELLIGENT PROTECTION: FloSense technology learns your home's unique water patterns, getting smarter with every use to identify abnormalities like running water or small leaks before they become a problem
- WATER DAMAGE HAPPENS. MOEN FLO PREVENTS IT: Water damage is the most underestimated threat inside a home; more common than fire, more costly than theft. Moen Flo exists to change that. We prevent loss, one drip at a time
The setup placed the Titan in the sensor’s Association Group 2, set sensor parameter 5 to 4, and matched the devices’ security levels. On Homey, both devices were joined without S2 because repeated S2 inclusion attempts for the Titan failed in that particular setup. This is not general advice to disable security: use matching security, and retain S2 where the hub supports it. The report also records a successful S2 Authenticated inclusion with DSK validation on a separate Zooz ZST39 LR controller running Z-Wave JS.
Using the wired probe
The Titan’s wired probe closed the valve in the test without a hub or internet connection. Zooz also says the wired probe can close the valve when the hub is down. If the leak indication lingers after the leak is resolved, dry the probe contacts before clearing it. See Zooz’s ZAC36 product specifications.
Rank #3
- Premium Brass Construction：Crafted from high-quality brass, the valve body of this product boasts excellent resistance to wear and scratches. It’s built to withstand daily use and harsh conditions, ensuring reliable performance and long service life—so you can trust it to keep your water system running smoothly for years.
- APP Remote Control: No matter if you’re at work, traveling, or just relaxing at home, take full control of your water valve from anywhere using the "Tuya Smart" or "Smart Life" app (compatible with both Android and iOS devices). you can remotely turn the valve on or off with a tap on your phone. perfect for garden watering, routine faucet use, or preventing water waste. There’s no need for a separate hub, and no monthly subscription fees
- Effortless Voice Control：This smart water valve works with popular voice assistants like Alexa and Google (Google Home), letting you manage your water flow with simple voice commands. Just speak up to turn the valve on or off directly—no need to reach for switches or apps. Whether you’re in the kitchen, living room, or even across the house, enjoy the ease of voice-activated control.
- 2.4 GHz WiFi Connectivity：This smart water valve connects to your home’s 2.4 GHz WiFi (note: 5 GHz WiFi is not supported) for stable, fast wireless control. It integrates seamlessly into your existing smart home ecosystem, ensuring consistent communication between the valve, app, and voice assistants. For optimal performance, please position the smart water valve as close as possible to the WiFi router to maintain a strong signal.
- Product Installation Instructions: This smart water valve is available in multiple sizes to fit different pipe diameters. To avoid installation issues, please carefully check your existing pipe’s type and size before purchasing to ensure a proper match. If you encounter difficulties with app connection or installation, feel free to contact us.
Will I get a leak alert if my internet is down?
Not on the phone in the reported outage test. The Homey Pro did not deliver leak push notifications while internet access was blocked, and those pushes were not sent later after reconnection. The events remained visible in the hub’s Timeline. The author summarizes this particular result as: “The push for them is lost, not delayed.”
In that run, Homey sent an offline notification seven minutes after the internet cut; its reconnect notification arrived about a minute after access returned. These are observations from one test, not guaranteed notification timings. Local valve closure and remote phone notification are separate functions: a working local automation does not mean an internet-dependent phone alert will reach you.
Rank #4
- APP REMOTE CONTROL: You can connect WIFI through the Free"Tuya Smart" or "Smart Life" app. You can remotely trun on/off your water valve/gas valve from anywhere and anytime(Compatible with Android & iOS), supporting multiple mobile phone control! No hub required,no monthly charges.
- VOICE CONTROL: This Smart Wifi Water Valve Compatible with Alexa and Google home, you just speak the command directly, it will execute immediately.
- TIMING CONTROL & INTELLIGENT LINKAGE FUNCITION: you can set the time to automatically open or close the valve, Compatible with standard (Wi-Fi 2.4GHz) home automation systems. For example,This wifi water valve can work with water sensors pretty easily, automatically turn off water valve when detecting water leaks.
- HUMANIZED SETTING & WIDE APPLICABILITY: In order to prevent the inability to use caused by power outages,there is a manual clutch at the bottom of the unit with a pull ring, which allows to move the lever to close or open the valve.This Smart Home Automation System prevent water/gas leaks(add water leak sensors) etc. Used for natural gas valves, household water supply pipe, farmland irrigation pipe, garden irrigation pipe, farm water pipe, etc.
- EASY INSTALLTION & SERVICE: No additional piping, users can install it themselves. We provide 24 months warranty, If you have any question about water shut off valve, please contact us. We will be reply to you within 24 hours.
Does the Zooz Titan require an account or subscription?
Smart Home Perfected reports no Zooz account or subscription requirement for the actuator’s core operation. The app and remote-control experience depend on the compatible Z-Wave hub and its ecosystem. Zooz states that remote control requires a compatible Z-Wave hub; check the hub list and current specifications on the official ZAC36 page.
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During a 25-minute firewall capture, Smart Home Perfected recorded 200 blocked Homey Pro attempts to 33 addresses, attributed in the report to Athom, connectivity checks, and time servers. The report says the Titan and sensor had no network address and made no internet requests during the test. These are observations from that test configuration, not an independent audit or a general traffic profile for every Homey installation.
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- Z-WAVE PLUS CERTIFIED - Secure, long-range wireless communication with up to 30M reach.
- Z-WAVE HUB REQUIRED - Requires a Z-Wave Hub, Controller, or Gateway for Remote Control, Automation, and Notifications
- SMART HOME COMPATIBILITY - Compatible with SmartThings, compatible with Wink, compatible with Hubitat, compatible with Nexia, compatible with Control4, compatible with Universal Devices, compatible with Honeywell, compatible with Ring, etc.
- Don’t have a Smart Home Z-Wave Hub or Controller? Check out the Bulldog WiFi, or Bulldog JW (Just Works)
- PAIR WITH LEAK SENSORS - Pair with a Z-Wave Hub and Z-Wave leak sensors to automatically shut off water to prevent damage.
The report also gives contextual RF meter readings taken at one meter: a Titan peak of 0.325 microwatts per square meter during valve travel and a sensor peak of 0.459 microwatts per square meter when wet. The author does not present these as pass/fail results or health thresholds.
What happens if the electricity goes out?
The hub-outage test unplugged the Homey Pro, not the Titan actuator. The Titan remained powered, so the results do not establish whether it will operate through a whole-house power failure. Zooz identifies an optional Titan backup battery for the actuator; treat backup power as a separate installation requirement and verify its current compatibility and specifications with Zooz.
What should you check before installation?
- Valve and clearance: The ZAC36 is an actuator for ball valves. Confirm your valve type, dimensions, clearance, and pipe layout against Zooz’s product specifications before buying.
- Power: Plan for actuator power access, and decide whether the optional backup battery is needed for your outage scenario.
- Hub support: Confirm that your Z-Wave hub is compatible and supports the features you need. Zooz lists compatible hubs on its product page.
- Leak detection path: Decide whether the sensor will trigger the valve through a hub automation or a manually configured direct association. The tested direct-association steps and result are specific to the devices and firmware in the report.
- Valve condition: The test did not establish actuator performance on a stiff or corroded valve, so do not treat the reported response time as a guarantee for every installation.
What the test does—and does not—establish
The evidence is specific: Smart Home Perfected reports three internet-cut runs in which the actuator started closing in under one second, and three configured wireless-sensor runs in which it closed with the Homey Pro unplugged and stayed closed after the sensor dried. The test did not cover Hubitat, Home Assistant, Z-Box, Z-Wave Long Range, a whole-house power loss, multiple sensors, long-term association stability, or actuator torque on a stiff or corroded valve.
The report also notes Homey state-report discrepancies after hub recovery. Check the Titan’s physical indicator before assuming the valve is open after an outage or recovery. The test units were supplied at no charge through The Smartest House; the test article says no fee was paid for the test and the manufacturer had no say in its score.
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