Good sensors are basically helper units in your present system whenever you set them up as triggers for different good units. One which detects humidity, for instance, can routinely activate a humidifier if a child’s nursery will get too dry. A contact sensor can set off lights to activate everytime you open the shed door, as an example, or set off an alarm when your teen sneaks into the snack pantry.
You’ll find a spread of sensor sorts, however for this information we examined essentially the most typically helpful sorts in three classes: movement, temperature, and make contact with.
The Aqara Movement Sensor P1 is the most effective movement sensor because of its easy set up course of, versatile stand, and fast, dependable efficiency.
The Centralite Temperature and Humidity Sensor works properly and is appropriate with many Zigbee-based hubs.
The Aqara Door and Window Sensor is the most effective contact sensor, because of its best-in-class response time and compact measurement.
Good movement sensors
Our choose
The P1 affords standout battery life, speedy responsiveness, and a very nice stand. It requires use of a branded hub.
Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Apple Residence, IFTTT
The second-generation Aqara Movement Sensor P1 is straightforward to arrange, and it reliably and rapidly detects movement. It’s a terrific choice to provide you with a warning to movement in areas round your house that you just wish to monitor, and you too can set it up utilizing Alexa or Apple Residence to set off different good units, akin to good switches or lighting.
The P1’s rotatable mounting stand makes it particularly simple to put in discreetly nearly anyplace. Most impressively, the P1’s dual-battery setup means that you could measure the battery life in years reasonably than months.
Runner-up
Although bulkier than our prime choose, this sensor is responsive and works with plenty of hubs. We like its design, too.
Compatibility: Amazon Alexa (Zigbee-enabled audio system solely), Samsung SmartThings, Zigbee hubs
The Centralite Micro Movement Sensor detects movement exceptionally properly, even when it doesn’t do a lot past that. Throughout our testing, this Centralite sensor was simple to pair and constantly detected movement up shut or from a protracted distance. Though this Centralite sensor lacks adjustable mounting choices, its beveled edges provide you with flexibility throughout the set up course of. Most necessary, this Centralite sensor works with many frequent Zigbee hubs—which incorporates many Amazon Echo audio system—so it’s simple to pair with an present smart-home setup out of the field.
Good temperature sensors
Our choose
This temperature sensor can securely mount to a wall and works with most Zigbee hubs and Alexa audio system.
Compatibility: Amazon Alexa (Zigbee-enabled audio system solely), Samsung SmartThings, Zigbee hubs
The Centralite Temperature and Humidity Sensor rapidly detected ambient indoor situations in our assessments. In contrast to our runner-up temperature and humidity sensor, it might probably instantly pair with a appropriate Alexa speaker or different hubs that help Zigbee wi-fi. We didn’t love the reset and pairing course of for this Centralite sensor, but it surely squeaked by our runner-up because of its full help of Amazon Alexa and broader compatibility with Zigbee hubs. The included screw-mountable clip provides you extra choices for those who’re putting in the sensor in an indoor space with unpredictable temperatures or humidity ranges.
Runner-up
Aqara’s temperature sensor affords best-in-class temperature responsiveness and an particularly compact design, however its compatibility is extra restricted, and it requires a branded hub.
Compatibility: Amazon Alexa (partial), Apple Residence, IFTTT
The Aqara Temperature and Humidity Sensor was one of many quickest and smallest sensors we examined total. It offers almost real-time temperature updates, and its tiny measurement makes it simpler to cover whenever you mount it on a wall or a window body. However this Aqara sensor’s incomplete Alexa help—you may’t create Automations for it inside the Alexa app—is more likely to be a dealbreaker for anybody who has an Alexa-powered good house.
Good window/door contact sensors
Our choose
This reasonably priced, responsive contact sensor is sufficiently small to be nearly unnoticeable on a door or windowsill.
Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Apple Residence, IFTTT
The Aqara Door and Window Sensor responded immediately throughout our testing. It was additionally essentially the most compact door sensor we examined—mixed, each components of the sensor take up much less area than a matchbox—so it gained’t stick out if it is advisable place it in a outstanding space in your house. In contrast to the Aqara temperature sensor, this mannequin additionally helps Alexa automated Routines and Scenes.
Runner-up
Centralite’s door sensor isn’t as slick as Aqara’s, but it surely nonetheless affords strong construct high quality, simple set up, and wider compatibility with good hubs.
Compatibility: Amazon Alexa (Zigbee-enabled audio system solely), Samsung SmartThings, Zigbee hubs
The Centralite Micro Door Sensor isn’t as compact because the Aqara contact sensor, but it surely’s a lot small and shouldn’t stick out in your house. In our assessments, it was a breeze to put in, and we paired it with an Amazon Echo speaker (which can also be a Zigbee wi-fi hub). We appreciated the straightforward button on its facet for resets and pairing. This Centralite sensor is an reasonably priced different to the Aqara contact sensor if you have already got a appropriate hub that helps Zigbee.
