If you’re looking to build a smart home, you will need several key elements like smart lights, sensors, and a hub to power them all. It’s also important to choose which voice assistant you will use primarily so as to get products that are compatible with it. If you’re going with Amazon Echo, you might want to check out some Alexa-compatible smart motion sensors.
You can use motion sensors for multiple purposes like toggling a light bulb or just notifying you about the movement in a certain area. Regardless of the use case, here are some of the best smart motion sensors for Amazon Alexa that you can buy. We’ve listed several types of motion sensors so pick the one that’s right for you.
Before we get to the products, though, here are some other articles that may interest you –
- Got yourself a brand new Echo device? Here’s how to set up your Amazon Echo speaker the right way.
- If you use Spotify, take a look at how to play Spotify with Alexa on Amazon Echo speakers.
- Here are some of the best portable Bluetooth speakers with Amazon Alexa if you want a smart speaker when traveling.
With that out of the way, here are the best motion sensors that work with Alexa.
1. THIRDREALITY Zigbee Motion Sensor
Here’s one of the most affordable Alexa motion sensors that you can buy. The THIRDREALITY motion sensor uses the Zigbee protocol for connection which is quite popular. It’s small in size too so you can place it in a way that it’s not too evident. It’s capable of detecting motion up to 30ft away.
Zigbee is one of the most popular protocols when it comes to smart home devices, so it’s good to see that this Alexa-compatible motion sensor uses it. You can pair it with any Echo device that has a Zigbee hub like the Echo 4th gen, Echo Plus, or an Echo Show. Once paired, you can use the motion sensor to control lights, create routines, or just notify when your pet or child crosses it.
It’s useful in darker areas where you want lights to turn on as soon as you enter. The motion detector uses 2 AAA batteries that as per the brand’s claims, last for up to 2 years. The only downside to this smart motion sensor for Alexa is that it’s not independent and needs a Zigbee hub that everyone may not have. Purchasing the hub would add to the cost so unless you have an Echo device with Zigbee, you’d have to shell out more money.
2. TREATLIFE Motion Sensor
Here’s another motion sensor that operates on the Zigbee protocol. The TREATLIFE motion sensor has a slightly different design, though, and is much bigger than the one mentioned previously. This is because it has 360-degree coverage and is meant to be mounted on the ceiling. Once set up, you can program scenarios using the app to trigger based on movement.
Unlike the previous motion sensor that attaches to a wall, this one goes onto the ceiling and monitors the entire surrounding up to 20ft away for any movement. This is mainly helpful if you want to be notified of intruders or if you want to detect kids or pets entering a certain area in your house. It doesn’t use external batteries and instead, relies on a built-in battery that you need to charge once every 2 years.
While this motion sensor for smart lights is great, it requires you to purchase a hub from the same brand in order for it to work. If you’re planning to purchase more smart home products from this same brand, getting the hub makes sense. Another con as per the reviews is that you cannot use the Alexa app to set routines. So, you will have to resort to the brand’s custom app which isn’t very intuitive.
3. Ring Alarm Motion Detector
Ring is a company that’s owned by Amazon so you’re essentially getting a first-party smart motion sensor for Alexa in this case. This is the 2nd generation of the Ring motion detector which is now smaller and can ignore pets so you don’t get a false trigger. It’s easy to install since it only has an adhesive strip at the back and no screws.
Firstly, let’s just get it out of the way that you need a Ring Alarm Base Station for this motion sensor to work which you can purchase if you’re planning to invest further into the Ring ecosystem. The hub is also a Wi-Fi 6 router which is a bonus. Ring’s products are generally reliable so if you’re planning to set up a smart home, you can consider getting this hub along with other sensors or products from the brand.
The sensor itself uses 2 AA batteries and sticks to any surface using adhesive. This is the first con as per the reviews. You can use the adhesive only once so you cannot remove the device and stick it elsewhere. Another issue reported by users is that, though Ring claims it can ignore pets, this isn’t the case if you have a big dog. Keep this in mind if you don’t want your motion detector to trigger every time your pet passes it.
4. YoLink Motion Sensor
YoLink claims that this is the world’s longest range motion detector. It has a range of up to 1/4 mile which is incredible if you want to detect an intruder or just want to turn on your room’s lights from far away. Apart from this, a big advantage of this motion sensor is that it comes with a hub in the pack so you don’t have to purchase one separately.
The YoLink motion sensor is pretty small so you can mount it on your wall or the ceiling. Unlike most other motion detection sensors or any smart home devices for that matter, this one comes with a hub in the box which is also helpful if you plan on purchasing more products from the brand for your smart home needs.
The sensor uses AAA batteries which are claimed to last up to 2 years. Most reviews from users are also great with an emphasis on how sensitive it is, so even a slight movement triggers an alert. This is also a great option for those looking for an outdoor motion sensor that works with Alexa to use either in your patio or garage.
5. Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Motion Sensor Switch
All the previously mentioned products were motion sensors that could trigger a certain action or routine when motion was detected. Hence, they could perform multiple different functions. However, this one from Kasa is strictly a motion sensor switch. What this means is that you can only toggle the switch on or off when motion is detected, so it’s meant for a specific use case.
You need to tether the Kasa smart switch to the neutral wiring in your house, so you will need an electrician to install it for you. Once installed, the switch can be set to toggle on or off when it detects motion. You can link it to any type of bulb via the Kasa app. This makes it ideal for a bedroom or a living room where you want the light to turn on when you enter and turn off after a certain duration when you exit.
It also has a smart daylight detection mode that prevents the lights from being turned on during the daytime even if motion is detected. While the sensitivity is good, the only downsides are that you cannot use it as a motion sensor to send alerts to your phone, and you will need help setting it up as it requires some wiring, unlike all the other products that are just plug-and-play. It’s still a good product for a specific scenario, though.
FAQs for Alexa-Compatible Smart Motion Sensors
1. Can Alexa turn on lights from a motion sensor?
Yes, you can use motion sensors to turn on lights via Alexa.
2. How do I get Alexa to announce motion detection?
You can set up a routine where every time motion is detected, Alexa will notify you via an announcement. This can be done via the Alexa app on your phone.
3. Do motion sensors work in the dark?
Absolutely. Motion sensors work on the basis of detecting body heat so even if it’s dark, your motion sensor will work without any issues.
4. How many motion sensors do I need?
That totally depends on what you’re going to use them for. If you want to regulate your lights and make them smart throughout your house, you’re going to need as many motion sensors as the number of rooms.
Make Your Home Smarter
Motion detectors can be useful for various purposes right from turning on lights to notifying you of an intruder. You can even set routines like turning on the AC or the TV when you enter the living room. You can perform all of these functions by getting an Alexa smart home sensor that will make your home smarter and more efficient.
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