Which is The Best SmartThings Motion Sensor? Here are My Top 5 Recommendations!

A couple of days ago, one of my clients reached out to me and asked me – “Which are the best motion sensors that work with SmartThings?”

She has been slowly transforming her home into a Smart Home. With each new purchase, her gadgets kept upgrading to smart devices. But when it became too tedious to manage everything, she decided to create a true smart home and zeroed down on Samsung SmartThings as the hub.

When she wanted smart motion sensors that can work with SmartThings, she sought my advice. I have installed the Samsung SmartThings Sensor in my home. I really like the way it performs. But I did not want to limit the options for my client, so I shortlisted 5 best sensors for her and you.

Here is my top pick for SmartThings compatible motion sensor

My Top 5 Picks for Best Motion Sensors for SmartThings

Since there are so many good options available in the market, choosing the best motion sensor for SmartThings was not an easy task.

However my experience as an interior designer came in handy and I was able to build this list that I then shared with my client.

Samsung SmartThings Motion Sensor

What better motion sensor to get for Samsung SmartThings hub than the Samsung SmartThings motion sensor itself?

If you are questioning why to choose this motion sensor, then your answer is simple. If you are planning to build an ecosystem, then having all devices from the same company makes it easy for you.

I am sure James would not agree with me on this as he is a geek and can make things work around. But for a lot of people like me who are more concerned about the ease, it makes a lot of sense to get devices from the same brand if price and compatibility allows.

I highly recommend this product because I use it in my garage. It does it all for me, from opening my garage door to turning on the lights. Thanks to this movement sensor, I never have to park my car in a dark garage again.

The device is Z-Wave and ZigBee communication protocol compatible. It is also compatible with Google Home and Alexa.

The motion sensor from Samsung takes care of all your security needs. But its functions are not limited to only motion. This sensor also senses temperature and triggers responses according to it.

So, along with getting notified each time some movement takes place, you can also create your morning and night routines by using its function to control light.

This sensor is made for indoor use and the coverage ranges from 50 to 130 feet.

Additionally, Samsung provides a 12-month warranty on this product.

This device is small and easy to install. Even with the battery, it weighs only around 3.4 oz.

It has a magnetic ball that gives a quick tilt for up to 15 feet and a broad view range of 120 degrees.

Pros

This device falls under affordable motion sensors.
It is compatible with home assistants such as Alexa and Google Home.
The magnetic ball mount that comes with it makes the installation process easy.
FCC, ICC, and CE certified sensor.

Cons

It does not come with batteries included.
This sensor can also trigger responses in the presence of a pet.
Sometimes, this sensor has trouble connecting with the hub when used with WiFi as a communication protocol.
This device has only motion and temperature sensors.

Buy this product

Aeotec TriSensor

The Aeotec Tri-Sensor is a SmartThings compatible motion sensor that comprises three sensors. A light sensor, a motion sensor, and a temperature sensor. This sensor is your perfect one-stop home automation solution.

It takes care of your home, from its security to maintaining a comfortable temperature.

This device is small and easy to install. It is only 1.77 inches big and weighs as little as 50 grams. So practically, you can place this sensor anywhere in your home.

When we talk about its motion sensor, it is very impressive. It provides a motion detection range of up to 31 feet. But that’s inside your home. When we talk about open spaces, this sensor ranges up to 490 feet radius.

You can completely automate your room temperature with this device. This sensor is equipped with the ability to read the real-time temperature. It can detect temperatures from 14°F to 122°F. Due to its ability to read the real-time temperature, it can maintain your home at your preferred temperature at all times.

With this sensor, you can make your smart light smarter. You can effortlessly control your smart lights with this device, it has the capacity to control the light from 0 to 30,000 LUX. You can set your lights to a schedule. Or even have them turn on and off as you enter and leave a room.

This battery-powered device has great battery life. It also comes with an additional one-year warranty on its battery.

Pros

Along with SmartThings, this device is compatible with all Z-Wave and ZigBee compatible gateways and hubs. In case you are looking for Zigbee compatible motion sensors, then I recently did an article for that too.
This sensor is easy to install and can be installed anywhere in the home.
The light and temperature sensors on the device work very well and accurately. They are not only accurate but always trigger a quick and correct response.
Motion detector has good accuracy and send immediate notifications on mobile phones in case a suspicious motion is detected.

Cons

I have not used this sensor myself, but a few customers have said that the batteries on this sensor are not as good as the company claims.
Even though this sensor is easy to install. Getting it started and connecting to the hub can sometimes take up a lot of time.
This sensor does not have a USB connection option like the Aeotec Multisensor 6.

You can buy this product

Centralite Micro Motion Sensor

If you are looking for a sensor that provides you with great security as well as other smart home automation features, such as sensing and controlling light and temperature, then this Centralite micro-motion sensor is a great fit for you.

True to its name, this sensor can detect micro-movements and can notify you about them. But its functions are not just limited to notifying. This sensor can also trigger responses to the detected movement.

I installed this sensor for one of my clients. She wanted a good sensor for her baby girl’s nursery. This sensor has been performing great and has lived up to my clients expectations.

This device is equipped with a three-series motion detector, making it a great device for your security solutions.

This motion sensor provides great sensitivity. It can detect motion across huge rooms or hallways. It detects motion up to 15 feet away. Along with a great detection range, it has a 120-degree broad view angle as well.

This sensor can also take actions such as triggering lights in response to detected motion.

This SmartThings motion sensor has really appreciable battery life. Its battery can last up to 3 years, which is better than most sensors.

This motion is very easy to install. You can mount it on a wall or ceiling with screws or even be stuck with an adhesive.

Pros

The motion detection sensitivity of this device is great.
It has three series of motion sensor automation.
This sensor has a very good battery life of 3 years.
It is small and extremely easy to install.
It also shows good performance when it comes to detecting temperatures.

Cons

Customer reviews suggest that the company does not have good customer support service. But since I have not tested out this product personally, I cannot say anything more.
Sometimes the sensor is ultra-sensitive, sending out false-alarm notifications.

Zooz Z-Wave Plus S2

If you are looking for a SmartThings outdoor motion sensor, then the Zooz Z-Wave Plus S2 is an excellent choice for you. This motion sensor is created especially for outdoor use. It is built to endure extreme weather conditions.

If you live in a state that sees it all, from snow to storms to sunshine, you need not worry. This sensor can withstand all of those weather conditions.

You can use this device to automate your outdoor lighting. That way you can save up on electricity by not delaying the switching off of lights during the day.

But the uses of this sensor are not limited to just outdoor lighting. With this sensor, you can manage the opening and closing of your garage door. You can even automate your garden sprinklers using this motion sensor.

This device is easy to install. It can cover the area up to 30 feet and 120 degrees of field view. This device is also very easy to set up.

Because of the auto-inclusion option that this SmartThings outdoor motion sensor has, it automatically detects all the Z-wave compatible devices around it, and you can connect to them with a single touch.

This device also gives out low battery alerts.

Pros

The device is easy to use and install.
Buyers suggest that the company has good customer support and they have received timely and useful responses from them.
It is equipped with the latest security S2 protocol.
The sensor is strong and tamper-proof.
The auto-inclusion feature makes it very easy to connect with the hub.

Cons

Batteries of this sensor die quickly.
It does not work with the Ring Alarm System.
It is not compatible with Voice Assistants such as Alexa and Google Home.
Sometimes, it tends to lose the connection with the hub.

You can buy this sensor

Fibaro Motion Sensor

Are you someone like me who gets bored of plain old-looking technology? If you like to play around with your technological devices and increase their aesthetic appeal, then the Fibaro Motion Sensor is perfect for you.

The Fibaro Motion Sensor is one of the smallest SmartThings motion sensors. It has a really attractive and interesting shape.

It is shaped like a cat’s eye. Its shape is inspired by the beliefs of ancient Egyptians.

But this sensor is not just all about looks. This SmartThings compatible motion sensor functions as a

Motion sensor
Temperature sensor
Light sensor
Vibration sensor

The multi-colored pupil informs you about any motion detection or temperature changes. According to those temperature changes, it can control the thermostat to maintain an ideal temperature inside your home.

This sensor can also understand the intensity of lightning.

Pros

This sensor has the most unique and attractive shape.
It is small in size and can fit anywhere.
It is easy to connect this sensor to its hub.
The sensor proves to have great accuracy and sensitivity.

Cons

This sensor does not come with batteries.
Many customers have received faulty sensors that don’t connect to any kind of hub, and they had to be replaced.

You can get this motion sensor

How I Picked the Best Motion Sensors for SmartThings

Picking out a list of the best motion sensors for SmartThings, was not an easy task. Especially because Samsung SmartThings is compatible with so many devices, picking out the best got tough. So, I took these few features into consideration before finalizing my top five motion sensors that work with SmartThings.

Installation – My preferred kind of devices are the ones which clients can start using soon. If a device takes a long time to install or needs additional professional help in installation, then it becomes unappealing to me. So I always prefer devices that are quick and easy to install.
Setup – Not all of us are technically inclined. For some, it cannot be easy to comprehend the working of a new device. I understand that, and I truly find it to be a real issue. So I always prefer to recommend products that are easy to set up.
Range– When it comes to motion sensors, the range is one of the most important factors that need to be taken into consideration. Depending on whether the sensor is supposed to be used indoors or outdoors, the parameters for the ideal range vary. Ideally, a sensor with a higher range is considered a good one.
Sensitivity – How good your sensor is depends on how sensitive it is to move. A sensor with low sensitivity is basically useless. So it is important to know how good sensitivity a sensor offers before buying it.
Communication Protocols and Compatibility – While picking out devices, it is vital to look at what kind of communication protocol is supported by the sensor. I like to recommend sensors which are Z-Wave, ZigBee or WiFi compatible. I also like to make sure that most of these products are also compatible with Smart home assistants such as Google Home and Alexa. In case you are looking for the best ZigBee motion sensors, then I did an article on that one too.
Battery Life – I pick my devices based on their functionality, effectiveness and aesthetic appeal. But that is not always the case for everyone. Price is a major factor taken into consideration before purchasing a product.

Sometimes, a device can be really cheap, but the prices of the small batteries that it requires can be comparatively quite high. If you need to keep changing those batteries every couple of months, then the cost really adds up. Apart from the cost, it adds to your work. So such devices could make your life more challenging rather than making it simpler. So having devices with good battery life was one of my top priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How do you add motion sensors to SmartThings?

Answer – Connecting motion sensors to SmartThings is extremely easy. You can refer to the YouTube video made by Samsung to understand the process better! How to connect Samsung SmartThings Motion Sensor

Q2. Does SmartThings motion sensor need a hub?

Answer– Yes, the SmartThings motion sensor does need a hub. You can connect it to the SmartThings hub or any other Z-wave or ZigBee communication compatible hub.

Q3. Will Philips hue motion sensor work with SmartThings app?

Answer – Yes, the Philips hue motion sensor does work with the SmartThings app. You need to connect your Philips Hue Motion sensor to the SmartThings hub. Here is a video on how you can connect Philips hue motion sensor to SmartThings

In Conclusion

I believe that motion sensors are the link that connects all the smart gadgets together to give you a smart home.

So when it comes to picking out your motion sensors, you should always choose the best one, choose a sensor that caters to all your needs.

In my opinion, the Samsung SmartThings Motion Sensor is the best SmartThings compatible motion sensor.

So these were the best motion sensors for SmartThings, in my view.

Will you buy any of these for your smart-home, or will you pick something else? Do let me know in the comments below.

Jennifer Williams

As an interior decorator, I am always looking to make homes beautiful but with minimalism. As a part of my occupation, I am always in touch with smart devices that makes your life easy, beautiful and comfortable. I take care of the smart living section for BringUptoDate.