Ultimate Guide to Smart Home Sensors + ideas
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- Опубліковано 6 чер 2024
- There are a lot of indoor smart home sensors out there, but this video will help you sort through the mess and find the best ones for you. Plus I’ll share lots of sensor ideas along the way.
Links (affiliate):
-Contact Sensors-
Linkind: amzn.to/3tyaOaB
Aqara: amzn.to/2RtWL8D
Ecolink: amzn.to/2R2Alvd
Ring: amzn.to/3vMB2aB
SmartThings Multipurpose: amzn.to/2R0UCRF
-Motion Sensors-
IKEA: www.ikea.com/us/en/p/tradfri-...
Sonoff: amzn.to/2PTU3sn
SmartThings motion: amzn.to/3tsw0yx
Philips Hue: amzn.to/3b9nzBN
HomeSeer HSM200: amzn.to/2QZv4Vc
Aeotec 6 in 1: amzn.to/3toN9JA
-Less Recommended Sensors-
AGSHOME: amzn.to/3eWPJ4d
Wyze Sense: wyze.com/wyze-sense.html
Linkind: amzn.to/3b660Tp
Inovelli 4 in 1: inovelli.com/4-in-1-sensor-z-...
Zooz 4 in 1: amzn.to/3tsqT1c
My shirt: threadless.78cfvm.net/Xxmd2a
SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss more smart home videos: ua-cam.com/users/SmartHomeSo...
MORE INFO on connecting the sensors to SmartThings:
1- Aqara: Add this device handler raw.githubusercontent.com/bsp...
Then hold down on the sensor button 3 seconds to put it into pairing mode. Scan for nearby devices and it will add it.
2- Linkind: Push the pin button for 3 to 5 seconds to put it into pairing mode. Then scan for nearby devices.
After adding it, go to the device type in the SmartThings IDE account.smartthings.com
Change the device type to SmartSense Open/Closed Sensor
Then you have to remove the device and re-add it using the pin button. After that it will work.
3- HomeSeer HSM200: Follow these instructions on adding the device handler docs.homeseer.com/display/HSP...
4- Hue Motion Sensor: Here are some instructions on how to do it community.smartthings.com/t/h...
0:00 Intro
0:31 Contact Sensors
3:53 Motion Sensors
5:22 Advanced Motion Sensors
8:39 Less Recommended Sensors
9:55 Favorites
11:32 Sensor Tips
12:04 It’s getting hot in here
DISCOVER MORE
Next Level Automations: • 10 Next Level Automati...
25 Automation Ideas vol 2: • 25 Home Automation Ide...
12 Alexa Routines: • 12 Cool Alexa Routines...
MY SETUP & GEAR
See the list of everything I use in my smart home and other favorites:
www.amazon.com/shop/smarthome...
FOLLOW ME
Twitter: / smarthomesolver
Instagram: / smarthomesolver
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MUSIC
The End by EVA
open.spotify.com/artist/6UIs5...
Disclaimer: Smart Home Solver was sent HomeSeer and Inovelli 4 in 1 sensors for unbiased reviews. As always, our opinions are 100% our own and not influenced. - Наука та технологія
Can you please make a 2023 version of this video. I am sure everyone would love this.
Reviving this comment
I'm fa of this guy. I'm sure he'll do this for all of us at some point.
+1
+1
2024*
Thanks for the great review and especially the real world examples of what you can set these up to do. I work with people with disabilities and there are so many useful applications that sensors can be used for to improve quality of life and safety.
Perfect timing on this video. I'm tearing out a lot of the one-off devices I have and trying to consolidate on fewer brands just to make things easier. Sensors is one area that I was not looking forward to researching, so thanks for doing all of this for us!
I appreciate a man who knows the difference between “less” and “fewer”
You are like the Jedi of smart home tech. Great video
For the UV sensor not working, it might be because it's pointed at a modern window. Modern windows have 2 or 3 panes with an e coating, which does a good job of blocking UV and heat radiation. I'd give it a try through an open window before writing it off.
That being said, i have a few of those sensors and i have found everything other than motion is a bit unreliable. My favorite part of the aeotec sensor is the recessed mounting plate and that it can be hardwired, which is a must for me because I'm lazzzzzy and never want to change batteries
I believe you are correct, most glass blocks UV and IR light
The range of products your review is exceptional, much more useful for making informed decisions, thank you!
Great job on covering most of the common sensors, you may want to consider including a water/leak sensor which is bery important to prevent leaks.
I recently bought qingping motion and light sensor and some Mijia temperature and humidity sensors. Both use bluetooth, but they work great on Home Assistant.
Love your videos!
Thanks for watching! Links to all the sensors and SmartThings device handlers are in the description. Let me know what you’re using.
**UPDATE:** Thanks for all the comments about the UV light. I did some more tests with it today to see if my window was filtering UV light. I opened the window on a bright sunny Arizona day and it still read 0. Then I tested it in direct sunlight with the window both open and closed. With the window open it was 3 out of 255, and closed it was 2 out of 255. So yes the window does filter out some UV rays, but unless the sensor is in direct sunlight it might not pick anything up. There maybe some use cases for the UV sensor, but for me it’s not sensitive enough.
Can you shout me out? You inspired me to make a smart home channel
@8:18 Your windows may have UV light filtering. That's causing the sensor to not detect a change.
Hey Reid, what sensor would you recommend for your mailbox? I am having issues connecting through my metal mailbox, but I only have a Wyze. I’ve tried both motion and contact.
@@0h2ezy Try the long range wireless YoLink sensors. YoLink sensors can work more than 1000 feet away and use 2 AAA batteries, the battery life more than 5 years. It uses the LoRa technology vs other wireless wifi, zigbee and zwave, YoLink is much longer range and lower power and more secure protocol.
Hey as far as the UV sensor goes... Of the total UV light, 95% is UVA (the aging kind), and 5% is UVB (the burning kind). Sensors are usually designed to read only one and calculate the other. Most UV doesn't make it through modern low emissivity window glass, which you no doubt have in AZ, and so that's probably skewing your test. It might be interesting to try an outdoor test on a bright sunny day to see how it compares to, say, the current UV index that the local weather provides. The upshot is that skin is mostly shielded from the (burning) effects of UV light by normal everyday window glass, so there's that. 🙂
I have been looking at sensors lately so this is definitely a timely video. As for your sensor pointed out the window not seeing a change in UV when the blinds open, windows have a UV filter either baked into the glass or applied as a film over it (or both). Move the sensor outside as a test and you should see a change.
I tested it in direct sunlight and the UV sensor did pick it up. I also tried it with the window open not in direct sunlight and it still didn’t pick up anything. I’m not sure how useful this would be with how weak the UV sensor is.
@@SmartHomeSolver have you had a chance to look at the Konnected product for homes that prewired
Yay!! Thank you! I’ve been wanting this video for a while!! You da best!!
7:55 The UV won't change because your window is filtering it. Otherwise you'd get a sunburn just having your blinds open. Maybe you could use that as an alternative to a contact sensor to tell if windows or doors are open?
Was thinking the same thing right away. But it's definitely not a common sensor to use in automations
I opened the window and it still did the same thing with sun shining on something right outside the window. So I tested it again in direct sunlight and it worked but barely. The sensor was still pretty weak so I’m not sure how useful it would be.
@@SmartHomeSolver I'd be curious to see it pointing straight up outside and compare it to Accuweather's claimed UV Index. (although I can't think of a Use Case for knowing) Plus, Warp's correct, new windows have lots of UV protection built in.
@@JoeAiello789 even just glass blocks uv light with no addons, but it can get better with additived or double or triple glass, as is now common.
Glass only blocks uvb and uvc rays but not uva which is also dangerous to the skin
Thank you for doing these excellent videos!! VERY helpful. I love that you keep it straight to the point.
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS VIDEO!!!
I literally just thought about what am I going to do when I want another contact multi-purpose sensor now that smart things doesn't sell it thank you for this video and hopefully aotech gets their act together
I have been through a lot of motion sensors, and the Hue motion/light sensor is my favorite. It is reliable over the course of a year. The Aeotec are good when you need humidity, but for the price, they really eat through battery life quickly.. and they fail to accurately report battery life when using lithium batteries. For door sensors, I prefer the Aeotec recessed door sensor. It's very quick/responsive, and have exceptional battery life (on the 700 series model).
Hey Reed, thank you for this breakdown on sensors. I have the ring security system with contact and motion sensors throughout the house. Please come up with a video on how we can properly use ring security with Alexa and ideas on how we can further advance our home automation. Thank you for your great content
i second this! Would be great to see ring security and alexa and what can be set up using this ecosystem for us novices
I'm super late to this but I want to advocate for Yolink sensors. Both their door and motion sensors are great. They have great range, fast reactions, and most importantly they're cheap. Highly recommended for those on a budget who while still being high quality. And they work with Alexa to set up routines so I have several around my home to turn on different thing at different times of the day.
Nice shot man !
I’m using all day long the Sonoff and they are a bit tricky to install first but after they really work well.
Great video my friend! Cheers from Portugal! 💪
I have good experience with Aqara motion sensors in my SmartThings system.
They detect motion (2 minutes cool down) and light intensity, plus they're quite cheap. They are pretty cute looking and they come with a tiny adjustable bracket.
I use them in my house to automatically switch on the hallway lights when motion is detected.
But only when the light intensity in that space is below the 30 lux threshold I set.
This way the light only switches on when needed at night, or during daytime in our dark dark winter months.
Works like a charm!
Same here...was missing it in the test
I'm after some sensors so glad you uploaded this
Great video! The only thing is missing are outdoor sensors, for example if u want to use sensors in the garden or outdoor gates
I use the Aqara Motion Sensor, very satisfied. Also, with HomeSeer you can use BLRadar and create motion zones so you group sensors for given zone (I use three in my shop for example and if the entire zone is inactive for three minutes, it turns off the shop lights...lots of electricity savings).
Thanks friend, with so many sensors out there this helps narrow down what to buy
That intro was smooothhhh .... Amazing editing :)
Another great video! Appreciate the work you do!
Visonic sensors have always been my favorite. They are TINY, no logo, super easy to pair, they can be modified to be water sensors, and they were only $10 each. The price eventually went up to $15 (still great) and they eventually sold out. Can barely find them anymore now :(
As always.. great Video Reid, keep up the good work buddy..
exactly what I was looking for.Nice video!
Literally one of the only few channels left with honest video titles, no attention seeking channel thumbnails (cough) Paul Hibbert (/cough) and decent ‘to the point’ content with a little humour added in. Don’t buckle to the pressure for views on these subjects Reid and I’ll love (and support) you forever.
YEEEEEESSS!!!!! Thank You SO MUCH I have been looking for a video like this for a 👏🏾WHI👏🏾LE !!! Thank You!
Great video.
I found it amusing for you to easily see the garage door was open, but then have to actually walk to the garage to close it...
New to all of this. Great info. Keep them coming.
I was literally searching smart home sensor videos last night lol good timing
Dude that's how google and youtube works.. You search, google knows. You talk, google listen. You think, google creates a new startup to be first.
@@alissonfl He released the video hours after I searched for similar videos. You think he works for Google and UA-cam? Lol.
The last part is always the best part!
Right!!!
Like your videos Reed. One thing not mentioned is the Agara sensors require their hub to work, which adds to the cost.
Thanks! Your videos are amazing!
Good to see lots of options available so thanks for this Reed
Have you updated the firmware on the Aotec sensor as that might fix the UV issue?
At the last check it was up to v1.14 and the hub should tell you which version is being used
They are very pricey I admit, but part of Aotec's appeal for me has been compatibility, ease of integration with different vendor hubs and the potential for over the air firmware updates
Although at the time I bought these, there wasn't much competition and what really sold me was that they could be powered from USB
Motion detection alone was no good for me and so with this model the lighting rules also taken into account the light level the sensor reports to decide whether the lights should come
Aotec have since come out with a recessed mount for them which is also something to useful consider as well as they'll be less conspicuous
The Aotec door/window sensor 7 has proven to be pretty quick and the battery life should be around 3 years. They can also get OTA updates
But even though they're slim and blend in well on the inside of a recessed door where the frame isn't flush, the price would probably put most people off, especially given their purpose and what else you've shown is available
I'm a fan of Aqara sensors. They're tiny, cheap, fast and they're zigbee (using them with Home Assistant). The motion sensor cooldown time can be hacked from 1 min to 5 sec
You should review the NYCE ceiling motion sensor. I have gone through many Zigbee sensors for my SmartThings then my Hubitat hubs. The NYCE uses Zigbee and runs on two AA batteries. With lithium batteries, the sensors still show 100% battery capacity after three months of use. Previously I had SmartThings and Centralite sensors which went low on battery life at various times due to using button batteries. Of those two, Centralite was the best but now, for Zigbee motion sensors with very long battery life, I have switched over to NYCE and I'm thrilled with the redults.
Have tried Centralite sensors? Been very happy with their performance so far and at a reasonable price.
Thanks again for the amazing content. I wish you bring more information about devices and alexa's hub. I tried to use sonoff motion sensor with it, but it was a nightmare... I bought Hue sensor and worked pretty well.
Impressed by the video and quality of the channel. Immediate sub. One question though. If I am starting to build smarter home, should I go for Zigbee or Z-Wave? You are recommending actually both of them. What are caveats of each other? What should I be looking for?
I love this comparison!!!
This is a very useful Video - Much Gratitude!
Great Video, just what I needed. Quick question do you know if the Ring Motion sensor can also be used to trigger routines?
Could you do a video on the Orro Smart Light Switch VS the Brilliant Smart Light Switch? I’m leaning more on the Orro because I’m not so keen on a camera in the Brilliant in the kids rooms…. I love how you have the intercom feature with each, and both can be used as a motion sensor (although extremely expensive). But the cost of each is pretty high. And there just is t enough videos out there to show all the feature and functions of each. Your videos are very informative and it’s just much easier to watch you inform us.
Thank you so much for all your helpful videos! Is there a way to get the Hue Motion Sense to trigger other brands of lights?
Thanks for the wide range of items mini review 😁
lmao love the content and humor! Keep it up!!
Great vid covering a lot of sensors!
One thing though, standard glass will allow UV-A to pass through it, but almost NO UV-B or UV-C.
Depending on the type of UV sensor used, it might have to be mounted outside.
Thanks! I tested the UV sensor with the window open and it still was a zero. I then tested it in direct sunlight and it worked but it was still very weak. I’m not sure how useful the UV sensor is for how weak it is.
I have the sonoff for my laundry room. Works great for turning on the lights
This is a great review video for sensors. And nice skits
Great video!
Have you tried the Aqara motion sensor? Probably the most attractive and smallest in my opinion.
Does it work with Alexa automatically to start routines or not ? planning on starting my smarthome when prime day hits this year.
Thanks Reed. Great info.
I appreciate it Ron!
Great review!!!!!
Great & helpful review.
I'd try the aqara motion sensor: nice design, small with a optional swivel arm, cheap and can do light and temperature. Cooldown is 2 minutes (or 5 seconds with small soldering job)
The range SUCKS, though. Not a huge problem with zigbee being a mesh, but the Xiaomi devices don't pair with either Phillips Hue or Tuya routers.
Great video. Same again with heat/smoke/co2 detectors and sirens please. Frient and Neo Coolcam have good ST compatible products.
I recommend the Fibaro sensor. Its great 👌🏻
Thanks for the detailed video. Any thoughts on Sonoff zigbee sensors?
Do you have a video showing different types of motion sensors, their patters, and coverage area? I’m interested to know exactly which ones have what and how/where they may be used for the best detection.
Hi, thanks for the video, I can also recommend you to check the aqara motions sensor, really good and not that pricy
Thanks Nir and I'll check those out!
Love the channel, only recently discovered as I'm in the process of buying a house and upping my game. I'm already all in on Google WiFi and Nest doorbells and x Yale locks. With the discontinuation of the Nest Detect products, what might you suggest for door/windows sensors. Obviously, I'm hoping not to add a new hub to the mix, but understand that might be the case. Thanks!
The throwing boxes at the beginning was pretty cool ngl
Seriously!
HI, love your channel help me a lot. I just added smart bulbs to my home and added smart switch all from trealife. Was looking on how to make the 2 work together. I'm using alexa.
I feel like you're missing out on the joy of Insteon. I know it's old and more expensive, but their power line + wireless communication is so fast and flexible. And often no software to set up links.
I connected 1st gen ring contact sensors directly to SmartThings, and it works fine , plus the battery last for very long time. though First get ring sensors are huge compared to new ones
YEEEESSSSS I've been waiting for this one 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Great video…as usual. Do you have an opinion about the proximity and motion sensors from Lorex?
Hue for light and Aqara for windows. Best setup!
Nice video! Have you try the Lutron Caseta Motion Sensor? What are your thoughts?
Such a great video
Great video! How'd you pair the ring sensor automations? Taking out the trash and the light turning on?
Thanks for the video. It was quite helpful to chose from the range of contact and motion sensor. How do we connect them with my home automations hub?
How did you know? I was looking for smart home sensors today!
Hi, thank you very much for this great overview! Please keep in mind that I am very new to this topic. I do have a question about the smartthings and ring contact sensors, do they need a corresponding bridge/hub from samsung/ring or can I connect them, or maybe one of them directly over my smartphone? Thank you very much in advance for your response!
Awesome review! Do you recall which door sensor and Motion sensor had the quickest reaction time. I’m finding with my current door sensor it does take about 10 seconds to turn on the smart down light in the same room. Thanks in advance!
OMG this is a video right in-time for me as I'm researching the motion sensors. Thx a lot.
Also, nice joke at 6:00.
Philips hue motion sensors and aqara door sensors, just what I went for 👌
One thing I would love to see is being able to turn off the sensing part of a sensor when not using it. Like say you only care for movement at night, it would be great to be able to tell the sensor to stop looking for movement (or whatever it senses) at 8am and say at 10pm tell it to continue working. Otherwise in these use cases the sensor may be sending useless signals throughout the day, specially for high transit areas where it could potentially be sending signals as often as it's cool down period (which btw is another thing that would be great to have control of).
philips hue sensor does that
I like the signal strength tip. Is there anyway to get access to this info without a Samsung SmartThings hub? I currently have Philips Hub, am going to be adding couple ZigBee light switches (connected to Echo Studio), setting up a Raspberry Pi, and probably either the Hue motion or Aeotec multisensor after watching your video.
Thank you for the great video. I already have the Ring alarm (2nd Gen). Are you suggesting that I can buy additional door contacts and use them for others too though? Like it I had a ring contact in my wlak in wardrobe and set up siomething like 'if ring contact triggers, switch on my hue lights'?
Love the video's I cant seem to get my Aqara vibration sensor to do anything with smart things, I may need a differnt driver?
I would love a video on navigating the new smartthings devices page.
Love your work. Hue sensors do not show up as an option to add to my smartthings system (now that I'm trashing all the older smarthings motion sensors that go offline weekly!)
Hi Reed and Thanks for this great in depth review! A quick question, the multipurpose sensor from Samsung/Aeotec, will this work with any zigbee/Z-Wave Hub? I have the Nedis hub, that works really great, but their sensors does not have the same ability like the multipurpose one from Samsung/Aeotec. What you think? cause I am thinking of ordering some of them, but don´t want if they are not compatible. Not into getting yet another hug just for administrating the sensors....Thanks in advance! and keep up enLightning us!🙏💪
Great video. Will the first two cheap motion sensors allow me to turn on Kasa smart switches?
Great guide! What's the app you use to show all the Hue sensor data?
Hi Reed thank you for your great work! I have purchased the Aqara door sensor after your recommendation. Question: can I prevent my blinds closing if the window is open or shut off my tado heating? If so how would I program that automation in homekit? Any help appreciated. Thank you, Ian
Aqara works really well with homey too. No hoops.
Hi .. I love smart home projects and I also love your videos. So, I have a question.
I bought an Echo Studio and did not find any information about the zigbee sensors that work with it.
Do you have any videos that explain this?
Great Video..
I am a newbie in the home automation. So the thing which takes up my curiosity is the knowledge about hub's. To connect the sensors mentioned in your video, do I need a hub, if yes-
1.which is the best one to use, compatible to multiple brand devices or sensors for home automation?
Thanks a ton for the overview and review of all these sensors. Very helpful! Would like to know how many and which hubs you're using if you don't mind. I only have wifi smart devices so far and would like to make a good first hub choice for zigbee, z-wave, etc. Thanks again! Oh yeah, and also a link to the Bat signal, please. ;)
I'm at the same place you are with only using wifi and need a good hub for everything.
I uses the Aeotec Trisensor that has motion, light and temperature.
BTW: We can get the Aeotec SmartThings Multipurpose Sensor here in Denmark.
Aqara motion sensor really cool. And it have light sensor built in.
0:10 Now *_THAT’S_* a COOL UNBOXING!
Can't wait for the 2024 Sensor Review!
Reed, you already have 200 comments, so sorry if a duplicate question but, for people that are happy with just Alexa, does any of these zigbee sensors work with the newest Echo with a Zigbee antenna? I'm specifically thinking in a motion sensor with light/temperature readings as well. Thanks, and great video, as always!