Best Motion Sensors for Home Assistant (WATCH before you BUY!)

In this video I review fourteen different smart motion sensors that work with #HomeAssistant using Zigbee Home Automation (ZHA) and Z-Wave JS. I tested each #motionsensor and compare them, so you can decide which one is right for your #smarthome.
Thanks for watching! I hope this review helps you out when you're looking for a motion sensor! I've left affiliate links below for all the products - if you decide to buy one, using the link will help me financially at no additional cost to you! If there are two links, the non-Amazon link is the cheapest price, not including shipping. Thanks!
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Written Version:
www.makeitwork-tech.com/best-...
-- Motion Sensors in this video --
Aqara: amzn.to/3AbbMye
Linkind: amzn.to/3qFv3EM
Sonoff: amzn.to/3tK16FA
ThirdReality: amzn.to/3rD9O66
AduroSmart: amzn.to/3fGzCIR
Centralite: amzn.to/3AgVyUf
AGSHOME: amzn.to/3tK5tAu
Philips Hue: amzn.to/3C2NmYy
Zooz 4-in-1 (TSH): www.thesmartesthouse.com/prod...
Zooz 4-in-1 (Amazon): amzn.to/346Pja0
Ecolink (TSH): www.thesmartesthouse.com/coll...
Ecolink (Amazon): amzn.to/3HmUwc0
Zooz Q-Sensor: www.thesmartesthouse.com/coll...
Zooz Motion-Vibration: www.thesmartesthouse.com/coll...
FIBARO: amzn.to/3Iilvpd
----
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you!
Chapters:
00:00 Intro & Background
00:53 Requirements (important!)
01:49 Zigbee Sensors (Aqara)
03:46 Linkind
05:05 Sonoff
06:02 ThirdReality
07:07 AduroSmart
08:23 Centralite
09:46 AGSHOME
10:54 Philips Hue
13:21 Z-Wave Sensors (reminder)
13:52 Zooz 4-in-1 (ZSE40)
16:08 Ecolink
17:50 Zooz Q Sensor (ZSE11)
21:38 Zooz Motion Vibration Sensor (ZSE18)
24:07 Fibaro
25:58 Testing (Temp, Lux, Range-ish)
28:14 Final Thoughts
28:36 Favorites
30:52 Least Favorite
32:00 Thanks for watching!
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[@dienal-hakim8649]

like the features, setup was difficult for some of my devices (August Door lock, kzbin.infoUgkxhB5YOMNj04GuoAosExygP4cH-dKeb4aB Bose speaker)... but all switches and outlets (5), thermostat, tankless water heater. Unfortunately all I can do is turn on/off Bose. It doesn't support volume or changing channels, but I believe that is due to the particular speaker I have.... Worth getting if you already have other devices to use it with... I don't sit around and ask Alexa questions much so that doesn't really matter to me....

[@makeitworktech]

Glad to hear it

[@subukai]

FYI - For the Hue motion sensor. I purchased mine new on Jan 2019. I just replaced the battery on it when it got to 9% May 2022. This was used in my garage to automate turning lights on. Great compilation review thanks for producing this.

[@makeitworktech]

Good to know that the battery life is great! Thanks! 🙏 👌

[@rrassoc]

Great video, as always! I bought the Zooz Z-Wave Plus Motion Sensor ZSE18 with Magnetic Base for my garage, installed magnetically on, and plugged into the same outlet using the microSD cord, as my garage door opener. Incredible little device for the $.

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! Yeah I love the magnetic base!

[@Mark-fs7ok]

Another thing to consider: Amazon Echo Dots and Shows have motion (and temperature) sensors built in, and on sale are the same price or cheaper than dedicated sensors. I just bought an Echo Dot (5th gen) for $23.

[@lukevanderwaal]

While I can see the motion and temperature on my 5th gen echo dot, I cannot on the echo show 5 or 8 that we have. Maybe only the larger echo shows?

[@KenMarshall]

For what it's worth, I have both Philips Hue Motion Sensors and Aqara Motion Sensors. The Aquara sensors use a fairly non standard (and relatively expensive) battery cell CR2450. I get about 9 months out of a $1.50, quality battery, in a busy area (kitchen). On the other hand, I get 2-3 years out of the batteries in the Philips Hue sensor, in busy areas (plus the AAA batteries are cheap and readily available), using rechargables I get 1-2 years out of the Philips Hue sensors.

[@makeitworktech]

Good to know! So you have the 14 second cool-down and you get 2 years? That's nuts!

[@KenMarshall]

@@makeitworktech Yeah, love those sensors. I just wish they weren't $40!!

[@garymccrohan7247]

I just got a switchbot motion/light sensor. I've used it to replace my sonoff sensor, which was constantly false triggering. It's a little pricey, but so far seems to work quite well.

[@makeitworktech]

I never tried the switchbot, maybe I will!

[@makeitworktech]

Written version here: www.makeitwork-tech.com/best-motion-sensors-for-home-assistant/ IMPORTANT UPDATE: After testing a few of your suggestions with the Linkind sensor, I found that it has an FOV that is angled down, and having it rest on a surface (as I did for all my testing) for some reason makes it stay "detected". The sensor is actually pretty great, so I'd add it to the list of recommended devices. Sorry for the issues - I learned a little something! Also, over the past month the Sonoff has seemed to have some issues with picking up motion (misses triggers), so I don't think I'd recommend it. Thanks for watching!

[@chrisschoultz7051]

I bought three, none of them worked. Before tossing them out, I tried replacing the supplied battery and afterward, all three work properly.

[@MartianMoon]

This is an amazing comparison vid, thanks a lot for putting this together

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks, I appreciate it! 🙏 Lots of work!

[@DonParlor]

Best motion sensor video so far! Thanks! Very detailed and great for HA users!

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks, I appreciate it! More on the way!

[@HATipsByLarry]

Man i noticed how small the aqara motion sensor was in the video but seeing it in person really brings home how tiny it is. Needed something in my bathroom that could detect motion and light as i have a frosted window box in that bathroom that lets in a lot of light in the day time. After seeing your video i bought one and it works perfectly with HA. Thanks for the info, not many motion sensors that also have a light sensor bulit-in. Love that they put in the manual that this is not a toy lol.

[@makeitworktech]

Yeah it's a great sensor! Haha yeah I saw that note about it not being a toy. So funny 🤣

[@samueldanda5572]

I must subscribe , I mean you pretty much cover all my requirements for smart devices. Home assistant compatible which is a must, No companies hub required and no cloud ☁️ services required. Keep up with the great work and please do more smart devices comparison videos covering more devices categories like light switches, rgb light bulbs, alarm systems, cameras, etc

[@makeitworktech]

Thank you! I'm planning to cover smart RGB bulbs next, but it will take some time as I have a long lineup of videos. Glad you like the vids

[@arnavjindal3021]

Thanks, was waiting for this.

[@makeitworktech]

Hope it helps!

[@greggblankman7772]

A really good video. As someone with a fairly large home automation system your results are pretty close to what I have observed with the sensors on your list that I have used. I do have a couple thoughts on two of the sensors however: 1. I suspect the issue with the Linkind sensor is that the testing was done without the bracket. In addition to holding the unit in place the bracket also acts to determine if the sensor is being tampered with (and sets the motion as active). Also worth noting is that sensors looks in a downward manner so it would need to be placed high on the wall or corner to get the most coverage. 2. The ecolink sensors are unique in that they can be pet immune. So when you leave the house, rover will not trigger the alarm. I have found this works well with cats and smaller dogs. It is also worth noting that if you set the cool down time to the longest length (about 5 minutes) the battery will last for years!! I purchased 5 of them about 5 years ago and have only replaced two batteries. I should also point out that the sensor can be removed from the bracket without opening it. I am curious to try out the centralite for its occupancy sensor. That may solve a problem I have been working on for some time.

[@makeitworktech]

I wondered about that based on the Linkind docs talking about the tamper sensor. There is no tamper sensor in ZHA, but maybe the bracket has an effect. I did try it with no success, but I'll try again Great info about the Ecolink! Thanks! 👌👍

[@greggblankman7772]

@@makeitworktech I purchased an additional Linkind motion sensor and this time I had the exact same experience you had. Try as I might, I was not able to overcome the issue. I did notice the firmware was different from the 3 sensors that are currently work in my smart home. All 3 of my working Linkind sensors use firmware version 0x510d0002, while the new sensor uses firmware version 0x51230002. Thought I would pass along.

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks for the info! I found out that I was setting it on a horizontal surface, and if something is too close to the sensor it stays detected.

[@PoisonWaffle3]

Great comparison video, Aaron! I'm glad to see that the Aqara was on the top of your list for ZigBee 😁 I haven't used Z-Wave yet, just haven't needed to buy an adapter for it yet, but I may have to now. I didn't know there were so many extra options to tweak on some of those sensors. Good excuse to upgrade a few WiFi switches 👍

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! Yeah, when I first bought a Z-wave device, I was totally blown away by the customization options. More pricey, but you can make them do exactly what you want! I actually have more Z-Wave devices now than Zigbee.

[@74357175]

Still my go-to video for selecting a motion sensor! 👍

[@Paul-wd7uk]

That was a nice & thorough presentation. Thank you, for sharing.

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks, Paul!

[@peterpalupski]

Great video! Thanks for your detailed review!

[@makeitworktech]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bdnstn]

Great video, thanks. It would be good to know which ones are weather proof for outdoor use.

[@makeitworktech]

Sorry, none of them were rated for outdoor use

[@jaap7374]

Great video. It's probably THE most comprehensive and complete video on this topic. I would love a similar video on build in walk switches. Replacement wall switches are either for US or Europe, but build in is universeel and it is surprisingly difficult to find good overviews on this topic. Switches to control the lights would be a fitting addition to this video.

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! Do you mean the relays that go inside the switch box?

[@jaap7374]

@@makeitworktech Yes, I have some from Shelly, Philips hue, Sonoff, Fibaro and some local brands. Some work completely differently from others and I'm still looking for the right relay for some of my use cases.

[@makeitworktech]

Good idea! I'll need to hot those down. I was planning to do a video on those at some point. Zooz, Evvr, and others also

[@jaap7374]

@@makeitworktech Which country are you located? Perhaps I can send you some of mine or from Amazon to include. (I have no connection to any of the products or companies other than an enthusiastic user)

[@makeitworktech]

I live in the US. You can send links to me on discord or Facebook messenger or Twitter!

[@iproDIY]

Aqara motion sensor used in conjunction with zigbee2mqtt also shows temperature.

[@luisinigo5572]

Thanks for this review! 05:53 How did you achieve that LQI values for Sonoff motion sensor? I have two but both are always below 70. Regards!

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! I was using it fairly close to my hub, that's probably why

[@Smoothy0911]

Hi and thanks for this video. As far as I know, motion detectors should always be installed in such a way that they are triggered from the side rather than from the front. That's why I would do it that way when testing. You would also have to know the detection angle (detection area) exactly (data sheet of the device) and accordingly enter this area from the side by approaching it. I think that the triggering would then be faster and more repeatable. I would be interested to know how the new Aqara P1 would fare compared to the old tested model, but also to all other tested devices.

[@makeitworktech]

Good points! I plan to test a bunch of presence sensors as well at some point

[@Quentame74]

I have 3 Aeotec ZW100 MultiSensor6, I think they should be on this test : Z-Wave, 6 sensors, battery or USB and router, a lot of configuration. I’m not really convinced by the testing part, it is making doubts on the importance of having motion sensors, since only some of them seems to work. Either something should be fixed on the device, or on the test. Also I would love the see speed motion detection testing: hide somewhere around 1-2 meters, and appears 🥳 Otherwise, good job and nice video 👏

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks for the feedback! I didn't choose the Aeotec because of the price! A little too expensive for me! Yeah, I agree the testing needs to be changed, but it is a lesson learned!

[@conantang]

Thanks for the video. I like the zooz 4 in 1 but if I put that in a zigbee environment, will that cause trouble? Of course I will grab another z-wave coordinator and plug into the nuc for sure... Thanks!

[@makeitworktech]

No, there should be no trouble!

[@theattorney6072]

Hi, when the presence sensors comparison would be published ? Thx

[@BeardedTinker]

Awesome video! Really enjoyed it!!!!! 😀

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks BT!! Means a lot coming from the bearded wonder!

[@vincenguyen8011]

Side note, the linkind motion sensors work if they are the older gen. (Base model 2008’s). I have 2 of those that work every time but I bought more (2018 base models) and they detect motion but stay on that state until you factory reset.

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks for the info!

[@Shellyfi]

Just giving small comment about hue sensor. Using z2m you can select sensor sensitivity (high, medium, low), occupancy timeout 10-65535sec, toggle led indicator on/off and in config also adjust temperature and illumination precision + calibration. For overall that device have been rock solid in 1yr use in my home office, with original batteries. I have had 10sec time out, so it’s been very aggressive guy to send messages

[@makeitworktech]

Good to know! I really need to switch to Z2M. I'm using it on my test setup, and I like it so far, although I'm not a fan of the UI. Seems like there a lot better options for devices in Z2M

[@Shellyfi]

@@makeitworktech I have never use zha, so don’t know anything about that. Some choices what had to make when this journey started

[@lukevanderwaal]

Nice video! Only thing that came to mind: if you want the sensors to detect you from further away, position them so you walk from side to side through their FOV. They’ll detect you a lot quicker (or should).

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks!! That's a good point! I don't think I fully understood the fresnel lens and how it works when I made this video

[@davek645]

Hallo, great video, thank you. Please can you give me a information about "colddown time" od these sensors? Because Sonoff has 2 minutes and this is so long time for trigger automations. Thank you very much.

[@makeitworktech]

I put all of the information in an article on my website (link in description)

[@aimadelhabti6888]

Hi Aaron I'm considering adding the Fibaro to my z wave ecosystem. My kids tend to leave their rooms' ACs on when they leave them. However, I'm afraid their ACs will be killed off when they sleep. The rooms are 5m×5m. What do you think? Will it work? If not, what other motion sensor would you suggest? The routine I'm planning will turn off the ACs but won't turn them on, on detection (electricity bills are a killer here.) Many thanks for any tips.

[@makeitworktech]

I don't think it would work very well as a presence sensor like you describe (when you're sleeping you may not move much), but I understand the new Aqara FP1 presence sensor is pretty good for that. I haven't dealt with presence detection much myself, so I'm not too sure

[@eugsmiley]

Although it's not available on Amazon, I like the Ikea Tradfri motion sensor, which is available in store or you can order it online and get it shipped to you. Only $14.

[@makeitworktech]

Shipping from IKEA to my house isn't available unfortunately 😕

[@MarcoA.E]

Thanks for the video. It would be great if you could check Air monitors!

[@derekswitzer9624]

awesome! thx for the comparisons (I've watched buttons and this one so far) - you mention ZHA in both... is that a HACS integration or something extra to configure to get these work?

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks!! ZHA is the "default" Zigbee integration. If you connect a Zigbee dongle to your home assistant machine, home assistant will automatically recognize it and ask if you want to set up the ZHA integration

[@derekswitzer9624]

@@makeitworktech perfect!! Aqara things JUST ordered on Amazon - yay weekend project!! 🙂

[@makeitworktech]

Have fun!!

[@jchsmartsecurity4345]

Thanks for you video. We focus on Smart Sensor Alarms, They can work independent or control by smart phone .We hoping to provide safety protection for more people, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, Door Sensor,motion sensor，etc.A small item may be able to help many families stay away from disasters.

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks!

[@anthonyjohnson7537]

Does anyone know of a system which could be used outside to detect motion and that alert switches on a light inside, to warn off burglars? I am based in the UK, thanks

[@makeitworktech]

I got nothing, sorry

[@ko667]

Good review.... Quick question, are you aware of any zigbee motion sensor (PIR) that can be used for the outdoors?

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! Someone else commented that there is a Philips Hue Outdoor, but that's the only one I can think of offhand!

[@TheSlimHim]

If you ever do this video again, I would suggest adding the Philips hue outdoor sensor. I use one indoors as it is advertised as having longer range (and a different FOV). Although you do no use Philips Hue, I think a lot of smart home community, especially those just starting out, do and it would add a lot to the community to have your review. At the very least, it can give a point of reference. I would also suggest reviewing the HSM200 though that is because I would like the community to know about its terrible high pitch noise it makes. I did not come across reports of it online and only discovered after I purchased it. That and when you turn on the RGB led it has, it also triggers the motion sensor. I love the form factor and idea of a motion sensor, temp sensor, light sensor, and RGB indicator all in one slim plugged in package, but their execution left me disappointed. I also use the Aeotec multisensor 6 and I love it. When powered via USB it too acts as a z wave repeater.

[@makeitworktech]

This is good feedback! I'll try to include More Hue devices, although I like to keep the price under $50 if I can. That's actually why I didn't choose the HSM200 and the Aeotec - too expensive for me!

[@TheSlimHim]

@@makeitworktech that's fair! Gotta keep a budget. Since I went ZWave and not ZigBee, all my motion sensor options have been very expensive. I considered getting a ZigBee stick and not get any more zwave unless required. Though since I already had the Hue hub (only hub I have) I gave their outdoor motion sensor a try and although still way more $ than I wanted to spend, it's my clear favorite. Supposedly great battery (havent had it long enough to say that yet), what feels like instant reaction (even better than my zwave, haven't timed but zwave I feel the delay) and 10 sec reset time ( I implement my reset time dynamically in node red).

[@dnvr12]

Are there any you recommend that doesnt require adding a bulb on their app 1st?

[@makeitworktech]

This comment is on the motion sensors video, but for bulbs... I'd say you should pick one of the Zigbee bulbs, but you need a zigbee radio of course

[@MarcoSpelde]

Great ! I was doubting to buy the Aqara motion sensor, just started with Zigbee and Z2MQTT. Now I know it's a good idea to buy a few !

[@makeitworktech]

Yeah, I love that sensor! Sees me no matter where I am in my garage!

[@MrOzzy281]

What motion sensor can you use which doesnt use a hub but can send an alert to my phone with an app?

[@makeitworktech]

Probably a WiFi Tuya (Smart Life) motion sensor

[@WoottonRivers]

Great video. Really useful. (Just don't tell anyone I spent half an hour watching a video about motion sensors 🤣🤣)

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! Haha when I reviewed it I watched it at 2x speed. Same info, just quicker! 😂

[@wizdude]

Does anyone have comments on sensors that don’t trigger with pets? I noticed the thirdreality sensor lists this as a feature. I am using sonoff sensors and if you mount them around your head height they pick up pets walking around. Would love to hear any recommendations in reference to this. Cheers!

[@makeitworktech]

I'm working on a mmwave sensor video - they don't all seem to be triggered by small pets, but I don't have a small pet to test, I'm using an RC car haha

[@NX232]

For whatever it's worth, the Linkind zigbee sensor works perfectly fine with ZHA in my sample size of one. I've been using one to control my kitchen lights for a few months now, and it hasn't given me any issues. I would suspect that you got a faulty unit, but getting two bad sensors in a row seems pretty unlikely, so I do wonder what went on there. Since your sensors weren't cooperating, I'll note that the cooldown on mine is 60 seconds, and I'd put the FOV somewhere around 170 degrees. I haven't tested it for distance. I also have the ThirdReality sensor, and one aspect that you didn't cover is that the sensor is mildly directional, and its install orientation matters (it's intended to be mounted vertically). Its FOV is limited in the 'up' and 'down' directions (when mounted vertically), with the idea being that it'll ignore household pets. I haven't actually tested that aspect of the sensor, so I can't speak to whether or not it does a good job at ignoring pets.

[@makeitworktech]

Did you try including with and without the bracket attached? Thanks for the added info! Yeah, it's made to ignore pets, but I don't have any 😔

[@NX232]

​@@makeitworktech Pretty sure I included my Linkind sensor with the bracket not attached, but it's been a few months (so I'm not 100% sure) and I only had to include it once. It's never given me any issues, and behaves the same without the bracket attached (in brief testing prior to mounting it in the kitchen) and with the bracket attached. Some additional info that may or may not be of any use whatsoever: I'm using the GoControl HUSBZB-1 Zigbee/Z-Wave combo USB stick, which on the Zigbee side is only compatible with ZHA (not supported by Zigbee2MQTT). I purchased the Linkind in early November, and it has continued working fine for me through every Home Assistant update since then. In the Zigbee mesh, it's currently connected to one of my kitchen lights (also Linkind), which is connected directly to the GoControl stick. But it was initially paired directly to the GoControl stick, and worked fine there during initial testing, before I moved it to the kitchen and the mesh rearranged itself. Regarding the ThirdReality: Yeah, I don't have any pets either. :( I just bought it because it was the cheapest motion sensor I could find on Amazon at the time I bought it. That said, I just pulled mine off the wall to test it in different orientations, and it actually has significantly reduced FOV in both the 'up' AND 'down' directions (relative to a vertical mounting position). I'll edit my other comment to reflect that. So, in theory you'd mount it vertically if you want maximum FOV, or horizontally if you specifically want a narrower FOV for whatever reason.

[@makeitworktech]

@@NX232 ah ok. I was using the conbee 2 with my test setup. I'll give it a try with my main setup. I use the GoControl for my main so hopefully it works. I'll leave a pinned comment if it does

[@SchoneMarisha]

I used sonoff motion sensors (2 of them) and both didnt work well for me. As of today, I am super satisfied with Aqara motion sensor and switchbot as well (work well in HA and Alexa).

[@makeitworktech]

Good to know!

[@paltomare]

Thanks for this video, do you know of any true occupancy sensors that work with HA, not just motion detection?

[@makeitworktech]

I have never looked into occupancy sensors, sorry

[@HiltonT69]

The Aqara one has an occupancy sensor in it. You can see that in this vid.

[@RedRyz3n]

The Hue outdoor sensors have been a real PITA for me personally. I’ve ordered a Zooz 4in1.

[@makeitworktech]

I'm not impressed by Hue personally, except for the battery life! My 4-in-1 is still going strong! My first Z-Wave device, and still the best motion sensor I own. Rock Solid

[@RedRyz3n]

@@makeitworktech 100% agreed

[@XellosMetallium]

how do i pair one of these sensor to kasa light switch?

[@makeitworktech]

Using an automation, which would require a hub

[@dokwonsuh]

Some mid/long term context for those of you considering the Philips motion sensor. I have 7 of them running in my home and they all tend to lose connection to HA over time. Not all at once, but one after another. Since they are able to connect again, this is not caused by some individual defect. Its just a pain in the ass and I am now going to try Aqara after watching this video.

[@makeitworktech]

Good to know! I'll keep an eye on mine!

[@klausthehybrid3128]

Can i buy the aqara motion sensor just having the Alexa Echo 4th gen?

[@makeitworktech]

I don't believe so, but I don't have a 4th Gen, sorry

[@MJ-fp2ln]

What's the name of the application (the one shows device info, sensor, automation tabs etc) you are using to see all features of each sensor? Can you share mlre details?

[@makeitworktech]

Hi, that is the home automation platform that I'm using called Home Assistant. In my opinion, it's the best platform out there (better than Alexa, SmartThings, or Hubitat). If you want to see a beginner's guide on how to start using it, check out this video I made: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXuoqKWJiKuYb9U

[@ChrisBenard]

Why no reviews of the IKEA Tradri sensor? You reviewed the remote in the remote comparison.

[@makeitworktech]

Unfortunately I don't have an Ikea near me and they won't deliver in my area. The only way I could get Ikea devices was on Amazon, and they didn't sell the Ikea motion sensor on Amazon at the time.

[@nakayle]

What happen to simple direct connected sensors? I don’t want to fool with Zigbee and pairing and batteries. The one I have runs on 12 Volts from the alarm system and simply grounds a wire when motion is detected. I want to replace it with one that has person detection logic to eliminate false alarms from things like vegetation moving in the wind.

[@makeitworktech]

Wireless sensors are great because they are easy to install - no retrofitting required

[@NathanBudd]

Be great to include the IKEA Tradfri motion sensor. Very good value and accessible by most.

[@makeitworktech]

But not accessible by me!

[@barygol]

Does anyone know any motion sensor to mount on the ceiling that works with AC?

[@makeitworktech]

There are presence sensors that fit that description... check out my mmwave video

[@Dynamic4it]

Professional videos thanks

[@makeitworktech]

Wow, thanks!

[@user-xc6pu4fv1p]

Give this man a noble prize!... thank you!... Also please check the link. When I click the link to read the written review, it is not working.

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! Hmmm, it's working for me!

[@JeffC-g1z]

Can you do a review of z wave sirens?

[@nics8040]

I got aqara p1 motion sensor and I can’t get it to detect motion unless it’s within 3 feet of it. Do you know why?

[@makeitworktech]

Not sure, I've never used it, but I think there are configuration options for sensitivity? At least in Z2M there are

[@nics8040]

@@makeitworktech in your opinion, what is the best zwave or zigbee motion detector?

[@makeitworktech]

My choices would be Zooz 4-in-1 and Aqara Motion

[@pfurrie]

Video idea: how to make a smart home that doesn't look like a smart home (no obvious sensors, no visible robot vacuum, switches that work like ole school switches, etc).

[@makeitworktech]

Very cool idea, Pat! That's something I think could be very useful! I'll have to get some ideas together

[@iKidTutor]

That's exactly what i try to achive with Shelly's.

[@BrianThomas]

Great video mate. You just like me saying the word "sensor". Ha ha. I beat you wished you could get a quarter for everytime you had to say that word.

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! Haha I almost put a counter on the screen for every time I said it. Only word I hate worse than "sensor" is "button" from my smart button video haha

[@kamilsobolak3316]

Can anybody recommend tethered PIR Motion detector? I have already cable installation prepared.

[@makeitworktech]

What kind of cable?

[@kamilsobolak3316]

@@makeitworktech 6-wire, something like 0.25mm^2 each

[@TheNightPortal]

Can you tell us how you are connecting third party detectors to home assistant. I have purchased a PM1 Gen3. Connected it and added it to HA. Enabled Bluetooth and Bluetooth gateway. Even tried adding Bluetooth device thru the Shelly App. Still nothing discovered in HA. Tell us how you do it please.

[@makeitworktech]

The Shelly PM1?

[@TheNightPortal]

Shelly 1PM Mini Gen3. These come with bluetooth gateway. But not got one to work. I did some research and found most people using usb dongle. This is ok but what if you need more than one say in a big house. Thats why the shellys appeal.

[@makeitworktech]

@@TheNightPortal I thought Shelly used Wi-Fi?

[@TheNightPortal]

They do. But now they do Bluetooth as well. All their new products like switches come with built in Bluetooth gateway. So you can have many gateways around the house. Check em out.

[@michaelhomsey2494]

Your favourite is the aqara, but the link to amazon page says it needs an aqara hub. In your intro, you explicitly said you only present ones without the need for a hub. So what has changed, do aqara devices need or not need a hub?

[@makeitworktech]

There is an assumption that you have a ZigBee radio set up with Home Assistant. Otherwise there is no way to use a ZigBee device. Same goes with Z-Wave. Aqara says you need their hub, but you don't. If you're using Home Assistant, all you need is a Zigbee radio (USB dongle like the Conbee ii or Nortek stick). Buying their hub would be a waste of money

[@michaelhomsey2494]

@@makeitworktech Thank You! I have the conbee II dongle.

[@makeitworktech]

@@michaelhomsey2494 Nice, that's all you need!

[@roycejamie8250]

27:30 I'm pretty sure most motion sensors aren't good at detecting motion in a straight line and are way better at detecting motion passing from side to side. A more conclusive test (and time consuming) would be to walk across all the sensors at different distances

[@makeitworktech]

Noted! And yeah I think you're right. Maybe a part 2 in a year haha

[@techdad6135]

Great video! Would you mind sharing which zwave stick/module you're using?

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks Tech Dad! I'm using a Zooz S2 stick for my test setup, but a Nortek HUSBZB-1 for main.

[@techdad6135]

@@makeitworktech oh nice! I also have the Nortek HUSBZB-1. I only recently plugged it back in after watching your button review video and puchasing the Aqara and Ikea buttons. Another question, does the Nortek adapter work with zigbee2mqtt?

[@makeitworktech]

I don't believe it does work with Z2M. I was looking into that, and I saw a reddit post where someone said they got it working I think. I use a conbee ii for my test setup which works with Z2M I believe

[@techdad6135]

@@makeitworktech my man! I found the reddit post you mentioned. I followed the guide to update the firmware on the HUSBZB-1 first, then followed the instructions to get the adapter working. Can confirm I was able to join my aqara button, I see publishing mqtt messages and home assistant has created three entites for it.

[@makeitworktech]

Awesome! I need to try that!

[@jefflane2012]

Bought the Zooz 4-in-1 and had problems setting it up. Only shows as a node. Returning it and I see other Amazon comments with same problems and how Zooz products have gone down in quality. A shame. Zse11 is sold out. Any other sensor you can recommend that does light, temp, and humidity?

[@makeitworktech]

Hey Jeff, that's a bummer! I'd suggest talking to Zooz support - they are very responsive and may be able to help. Are you using ZJS2MQTT or Z-Wave JS? The only other one is the Aeotec Multisensor 6, but it's expensive! I haven't experienced any decrease in quality with Zooz, but maybe they are getting worse?

[@jefflane2012]

@@makeitworktech IWith the 700 stick, I installed the ZJS2Mqtt and had much difficulty setting them up. Even contacted Zooz support. They helped and the stick is working consistently now. I bought the power cable and that had no problems recognizing or showing entities. The 4-in-1 not though. I installed Z-waveJS also, but didn't help. Also the battery they shipped was basically dead and they are $6 each at Walmart. That's why I looked at the zse11.

[@makeitworktech]

Ah ok, sorry to hear that. I excluded mine and included it again without issue. Maybe you had a defective unit

[@jefflane2012]

@@makeitworktech Thanks for the understanding. I tried various things yesterday: help device, re interview, remove/re-install, etc. Can't seem to get it to 'wake up'.

[@MaxGoddur]

Is it is possible with any of the motion sensors to avoid false triggers as things other than humans?

[@makeitworktech]

The 3rd Reality sensor has a narrow vertical range , if you mount it with the lens up, it will ignore pets near the floor. The Ecolink also allows you to move a jumper for pet mode.

[@Jensen871]

What is ZHA? I'm new to HA and I am trying to figure everything out.

[@makeitworktech]

ZHA is a built-in integration for handling ZigBee devices. You don't have to use that integration, but it's the easiest to use of the three main ones. Hop on my discord if you need help getting started!

[@Jensen871]

@@makeitworktech I will definitely join the discord thank you for the help.

[@WalkingEmDry]

That's the hue motion V1. V2 has some improvements

[@makeitworktech]

Good to know! Was the V2 recently released?

[@EFazy]

So I have Hue, Aquara and one of the AGShome, without branding... My Hue was bought in 2019, and I just replaced the battery last week (for the first time)... Aquaras are fine, my oldes one (around 2019 too) I have only changed the battery once, however... my brandless AGShome is garbage, Yeah it works, but it drown 3 AAA Duracell batteries in around a year! (btw, I use my hue sensor with hue hub. There are no Occupancy for me, only Motion available in HA with the Hue integration)

[@makeitworktech]

Go to hear about battery life! My hue is still going strong too

[@philippines4.0buildinganew64]

These reviews are incredibly helpful. Your content is exceptional. I just have one question which may be very difficult to answer without spending a pile more money. You have excluded items that require a hub, which I think is a great criteria. However, people these days do have more and more hubs. So if you were to exclude this as a requirement, do you think there are fundamentally better motion sensors, buttons etc that are worth a look ?

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! That's a very thought-provoking question! Possibly in the future I'll look at those options... Off of the top of my head, I would probably take a look at Flic buttons, Switchbot, and Lutron for lighting. Hue is also an option for sure

[@philippines4.0buildinganew64]

@@makeitworktech thank you for taking the time to reply. I have a tiny KZbin channel and I know how time consuming it can be. Maybe skip Hue - we are building a new house and as Paul Hibbert might say - Corporate Greed puts this beyond my budget 😂 I am kidding of course. If they are good they are worth consideration.

[@makeitworktech]

Haha I've always avoided hue for that reason!

[@MaxGoddur]

Been trying to complete the video but it appears the honey-do-list keeps getting activated. Can you tell me and I promise I will finish the video, which motion detector works as close to out-of-box with HA as possible?

[@makeitworktech]

Ah, that's tough. The easiest were any of the Zigbee ones. Z-Wave were a bit more difficult to add. My favorites are the Aqara or the ThirdReality

[@MaxGoddur]

@@makeitworktech would like to see what is involved in setting up both Zigbee and z-wave. Not really sure what is needed in hardware and software. Maybe video showing the hardware needed for example to set up both Zigbee and zwave, including maybe a motion sensor and the required hub or dongle. If you already have a video covering these steps I would appreciate a little help finding it. Now off to buy you a cup of joe.

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks for the coffee! I did make a video on how to set up Z-Wave and Zigbee -- it should be what you are looking for. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6a9hGNjndhosJI Note that the Nortek USB stick only works in the USA or Canada - it won't work for people outside of those countries.

[@socallawrence]

I’m a security guard owner and we have a property that vagrants break into a certain bathroom. Which one would you recommend if money is not an option ? Maybe a devise that’s not on this video ..

[@makeitworktech]

Probably the Philips Hue - very fast cooldown

[@wkduff]

Got a bit of an issue on your video. Aqara, I went to buy one on Amazon and it requires the hub. And you said in the video your requirement is no hub.

[@makeitworktech]

You are using Home Assistant? If you are using HA with a ZigBee controller, no hub is needed.

[@wkduff]

@@makeitworktech The only thing I'm using is an Android phone and Alexa boxes. So I'm guessing I need a hub

[@espressomatic]

The only other sensor that I can thihnk of that makes any sense to try is Shelly Motion (the newest one with the pink circle). WiFi, Shelly stuff is decent.

[@makeitworktech]

Yeah, just a bit pricey to get in the US I think. I need to give Shelly another try haha

[@espressomatic]

@@makeitworktech Most of my home is Z-Wave (all light switches for example) and I've had a couple of the Zooz 4-in-1 for a few years. Shelly stuff I've ordered directly from Bulgaria which took an age to arrive, back when I don't think the US store delivered to Canada. Mostly switch modules from Shelly, but I'm really curious about their newer Motion. If you have anything odd-ball you want to make "smart" their Shelly1 and especially Shelly Uno are great and highly recommended. You can even use the Uno to make your own smart motion sensor by combining it with some old non-smart PIR sensor.

[@makeitworktech]

Yeah I have a lot of Z-Wave... Moved over from WiFi

[@Kmreddsadad]

The first time heard about Z-Wave, the major drawback for me is that every country allocates different frequency bands, so if I want to buy a new fancy device from the US and use it in Australia I will be breaching the law. The best option for me is to use Wifi- ac power devices

[@makeitworktech]

Yeah, you have to buy the Z-Wave device from your country. I believe the US and Canada have the same bands, so it's not so bad in North America.

[@barygol]

Ikea just released a new motion sensor. Time to update this video with new ones?

[@makeitworktech]

Maybe... I'll have to see what's out there!

[@barygol]

@@makeitworktech cool. I just found out that sonoff is about to release its new motion sensor. A Spanish channel I follow just received it in advance to test it.

[@hrbrtlgspi]

any sensor that can detect how many people are in the room?

[@makeitworktech]

None of these are presence sensors

[@unnikrishnanvannadil]

Aqara stopped SmartThings support or the other way around:(

[@makeitworktech]

Really?? You can't add them directly via the Zigbee radio?

[@sylvester4207]

Well to me my brand new aquara motion sensor wont stay paired with home assistant

[@makeitworktech]

You have to make sure your mesh is strong and that you have repeaters that work with Aqara devices (not all do). I think the Aqea smart plug is a repeater, and so is the Ikea Tradfru plug. I'm gonna test those for a video about extending range for Aqara ZigBee devices

[@sylvester4207]

@@makeitworktech Yeah I have the sonoff CC2652P coordinator and the sensor literally doesn't care about how close it is to the coordinator. I have looked it up and some others experience the same issue, maybe the version you are using is the P1 variant(which does support matter)? Someone also said that I had the "old model" and the newer version of it supports home assistant, I dont know if this person was reffering to the P1 as the "new" model or if there was a third version he didn't mention.

[@TomaszRakowski]

Could not stop laughing at that baby bombing your video ;) Great work !

[@makeitworktech]

Haha, thanks! That baby can walk now - terrifying!

[@imawizardfools5934]

Show wired-devices I don't want to be changing batteries on 20 different sensors and switches in my house every couple of months.

[@makeitworktech]

Can you point me in the direction of some wired sensors that work with HA?

[@jefflambert4243]

They call them motion sensors but they are detecting changes in temperature. Probably why they didn’t work well outside in the cold and sometimes don’t work well around a shower.

[@makeitworktech]

Yeah, some sort of interference with the infrared radiation

[@Vlican]

Aqara is NOT RECOMMENDED. They don't conform fully to Zigbee standards, so they're not compatible with many Zigbee routers. You need to pair them directly to your coordinator or a compatible router for them to work reliably. This is well documented at various home automation forums like reddit, hubitat, ha, smartthings, etc... Pity, because the sensor hardware is great.

[@makeitworktech]

That's a good point. I had read that but never saw anything definite with good sources. I'll have to look into that! I love the hardware for sure!

[@barygol]

Every Aqara product that I own works flawlessly with ZigBee2mqtt

[@DailyDreamerMusic]

You are missing the Aeotec Multisensor 6 :(

[@makeitworktech]

I couldn't bring myself to pay more than 50 USD for it 😢 Looks awesome though!

[@cb86258]

Aqara is pretty finicky on HA for me

[@makeitworktech]

Bummer! So far so good for me!

[@Rob_65]

I have a hate love relation with the Sonoff devices. I could not get the motion sensors to work with HA - but that was almost 2 years ago - so we bought a Sonoff bridge and use the sensors in our warehouse. These sensors do give invalid "motion detected" signals from time to time but replacing the battery (with a proper Varta one) fixed this. The strange thing is that this was a tip from Seeed Studio/Sonoff so they must now there is a problem with their sensor. Other Sonoff devices also have problems. The ZBMINI switch (a combined switch/lamp relay) at 5 meters distance from my bridge keeps loosing its connection, the SNZB-02 temperature sensor (I have 3 of those) complete loose the connection and I need to pair them after a few weeks/months to get them to work again. ZWave devices keep giving me headaches... Why the h@#$ do I need to tweak parameters before I can use these sensors ??? I have 2 Zwave devices and both did not work right out of the box. Don't get me wrong: I love being able to tweak parameters but I hate having to browse the internet just to get a device to work.

[@makeitworktech]

Yeah, some of this stuff just isn't as plug-n-play as it should or could be! I have had pretty good luck with Sonoff so far. I have this weird issue where the sonoff zigbee button seems to have zero battery, yet button presses still work! Very weird

[@Rob_65]

@@makeitworktech Yeah - but not just Sonoff and it differs per device. One battery in 3 different Sonoff motion sensors will give 20, 60 or 100 % battery even after some time and new batteries will sometimes start at 40% and then go up to 90%. I also have about 10 Tado knobs on my central heating system (these work on 2 AAA batteries) and each gives sporadic "battery empty" warnings, even after just a month of service. One has an empty battery warning for 4 months but still works great ... I have to say that Sonoff seems to do a good jobs looking at battery lifetime. I measured the current consumption from the motion sensor and it should have a lifetime of about 4 years on a Varta battery and I do this kind of measurements as part of my job so I know this looks okay and my oldest sensors are 2 years in service and still have ~50% battery according to Sonoff.

[@user-xu2pi6vx7o]

No love for the Shelly Motion PIR multisensor? It's a wifi device with PIR, LUX and vibration (tamper) sensors, it uses its own local web server with support for MQTT, COIOT and HTTP GET, out of the box and it has a massive 6000mAh internal rechargeable battery, with a rated life of between 6 months to 2 years, per charge, depending on usage. And, because of the huge battery, it never needs to go sleep to conserve power, thus it's super fast in its response, once triggered. It is also supported out of the box by HomeAssistant, with a, no config needed, dedicated integration.

[@makeitworktech]

I looked at Shelly, but couldn't get one at a decent price. Maybe in part 2 haha It did look pretty cool though! I just stay away from wifi because I have 80+ devices

[@user-xu2pi6vx7o]

More than the Fibaro? In my country, the Fibaro is THE most expensive sensor there is, while certain ZigBee hubs, like Hubitat, can cost around 3 times as much as the Shelly motion itself.

[@makeitworktech]

@@user-xu2pi6vx7o about the same as the Fibaro actually!

[@bengtr7352]

I hate the Range on Hue sensor, it is terrible, you can almost touch it before it turn on the light.

[@MaxGoddur]

Selecting devices for use with Home Assistant is a nightmare. You have to know which ones require some sort of dongle or hub to function in Home Assistant. For example, let's say I wanted an outdoor PIR motion sensor. If an item is purchased from a vendor how do you know it will work with HA? How do you know which devices require additional hardware as in dongle or hub? I really like HA but there are so many SW technologies available for use with devices in HA but not clear how they work and how to set them up. This is truly a geekster project cause you have to dig for days to get things figured out. And sure folks, when you ask for help, state they had no problem getting it to work as if to say "are you stupid I got it working". For them spending days digging and reading to get something to work is acceptable but not for me I have other things in life to do. Oh well, maybe one of the big companies will duplicate HA and make it more user-friendly.

[@makeitworktech]

I hear your frustration! I'm hoping these videos make it easier to know which devices work with HA so you can purchase intelligently!

[@MaxGoddur]

@@makeitworktech, is there anywhere that you know of, cause I am constantly searching, where you can review devices and their requirements for use in HA?

[@makeitworktech]

The only place I know that has anything similar to that is blakadder's list of Zigbee devices that work with ZHA, Zigbee2MQTT, or deCONZ. zigbee.blakadder.com/

[@antoinelam9272]

Why are those all on battery😢 they should all have hardwired option. Who wants to change the battery every 2years 1years months. I think nobody. Anyway this video was quite interesting. I am looking for the same thing but for outdoor setup and with a little integrated relay so i can hardwire outdoor lights to it 😁👍

[@makeitworktech]

Haha, I agree, but most people don't want to run wires everywhere, so they only have the option of wireless. Sounds like a fun project!

[@coleedwards66]

Aqara is out of stock on Amazon

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! That happens a lot

[@fantasymonsters]

My experience with the Sonoff device has been not good at all. Difficult pairing/repairing, inconsistent motion sensitivity......sure, it's small, but that's pointless if it doesn't work.

[@makeitworktech]

I have had some more time to play with it, and I've had mixed feelings about it. It works most of the time for me, but does miss events

[@nelsonthekinger]

I missed the reaction times!

[@emmanuelreynoso5770]

I had the same issue with the Linkind sensor. Really irritated me.

[@makeitworktech]

I love the price!

[@emmanuelreynoso5770]

@@makeitworktech lmao love the price but if you have to buy it more than once... Great video btw.

[@makeitworktech]

Haha thanks!!

[@ErikJohnsonFMA]

I spy a rubiks cube!

[@makeitworktech]

Bought from some cube pro in my college days!

[@jeffmeunier9150]

Not sure why your linkind experince was poor. Mine's been super and reliable.

[@makeitworktech]

I will try again with a different Zigbee coordinator

[@jeffmeunier9150]

@@makeitworktech I have a raspbeeII in my setup

[@makeitworktech]

I tried both conbee ii and Nortek stick... Same issue

[@delboytrotter7902]

The sonoff motion sensors are horrendous....too many false triggers. Philips hue all day long for me, they are rock solid. Not a single false trigger since i installed them 6 months ago. (i use z2m btw)

[@makeitworktech]

Hmmm, weird, I haven't had any false triggers that I know of. I'll keep an eye on it. Hue is premium, for sure!

[@Techlifeandmore]

You forgot about the ring alarm motion sensor.

[@makeitworktech]

I tested it... Not impressed

[@Techlifeandmore]

@@makeitworktech what did you think was wrong with it?

[@blaine3384]

@@makeitworktech I'm also curious about your thoughts on it? Would be very grateful for any thought you could share! For someone looking for a zwave 700 series or newer PIR motion sensor its significantly cheaper than many alternatives. mmwave is awesome but I have a large L shaped garage that's going to need probably 3 sensors just to get full coverage while working out there. The mmwave options all seem to have pretty limited range and if you're avoiding zigbee like me the options all become wifi only which require a power outlet.