When you think about motion detection sensors for your home, you would be remiss to leave out Z-Wave motion detectors. Z-Wave motion sensors can detect humidity, lighting, water, temperature, and of course, motion. When something changes from one of these categories, a predetermined action is triggered. This could be an automatic adjustment, alarm, or some other activity.
There are a few reasons you might want to purchase Z-Wave motion sensors. They provide an additional layer of security to your home by detecting movement where it shouldn’t be. If you pair your detector with an alarm or lights, you’ve managed to create a basic security system for your home.
Z-Wave motion sensors are easy to use. They make it easier for you to control lights, doors, and other gadgets throughout your home. You can preset lights and sensors in your house to behave in a specific manner based on specific gestures or signals. You can also set them to turn off lights after a given period of time when no movement is detected.
You can also place Z-Wave motion sensors outside and connect them to outdoor lights or other devices. With a Z-Wave motion sensor, you can have a notification sent to your smartphone if you are on vacation and a gate opens, or a light comes on. This way you have the peace of mind that even if you are away, you can still know what’s going on.
These are just a few of the ways people use their Z-Wave motion sensors. Now, let’s take a look at the best ones on the market today so you can make an informed decision before you go out to purchase one.
Zooz 4-in-1 Sensor
On the off chance that you can’t tell from its name, the Zooz 4-in-1 sensor offers four different value: motion, temperature, light level, and humidity. The Zooz device has a Z-Wave plus chip, which means you can use AES encryption as long as you use it with secure inclusion. Zooz boasts a one-hundred-foot range for the sensor, as long as it’s within line of sight, and comes with a one year warranty.
The beauty of the Zooz is that it allows you to collect data within your home and monitor specific values while performing specific tasks. For instance, maybe you want to determine how much the humidity and temperature in the kitchen changes while you’re cooking. The Zooz can help with that.
You will have the benefit of setting up your smart home automation with this device as well. The Zooz can be set to trigger specific events based on certain conditions. Perhaps you want your lights to turn on to only 20% between 10 pm and 6 am when motion is detected. You can do just that with a Zooz 4-in-1 sensor.
Installation and Functionality
The Zooz 4-in-1 sensor comes with two AAA batteries, a mounting bracket, and the screws needed to mount the device. Included with the sensor are instructions that suggest you integrate your sensor into your Z-Wave network, then install your device. Once you’ve incorporated your device into your system, you’ll be able to use the settings to dictate what you want your sensor to do and when you want it to do it.
Here are a few configuration options available with the Zooz 4-in-1 sensor:
- Luminance Reporting: Sets the amount the luminance needs to change before notifying you of the changes.
- Temperature Unit: This controls whether you want your sensor to report in Celsius or Fahrenheit.
- Temperature Reporting; This parameter dictates how much the temperature must change before the sensor reports said change.
- Humidity Reporting: Determines how much of a change you want in the percentage of the humidity level before notifying you.
- Motion Sensor Sensitivity: Sets how sensitive you want your motion sensor to be. You can select a value between one and seven, with one the highest and seven the lowest.
- Motion Sensor Retrigger: The amount of time, in minutes, until a motion event is triggered again.
There are a few drawbacks to the Zooz sensor, but they aren’t anything that should deter you from purchasing one. First, the temperature output might be a bit higher than you would expect, but the amount is typically negligible as it’s usually less than a degree off. Second, and this feels like nitpicking, but the mounting hardware is a little clumsy, but once you figure it out, it’s pretty straightforward.
Summary
The Zooz 4-in-1 sensor does exactly what it is meant to do. It provides you the ability to receive notifications when a change occurs in luminance, humidity, temperature, or motion sensing. As mentioned, you can create all sorts of fun tasks and notifications for many types of actions. If you’re looking for a reliable Z-Wave motion sensor, you can’t go wrong with the Zooz 4-in-1.
Fibaro Motion Sensor with Z-Wave Multisensor
One name that continually pops up when speaking about home automation and Z-Wave devices is Fibaro. While the company is not known for being cheap – they are one of the more expensive Z-wave manufacturers in the industry – you’re getting what you pay for as Fibaro offers a reliable, quality motion sensor with great battery life.
Sure, you can get a simple motion detector if that’s what you’re going for, but why be boring when you can get creative with a Fibaro Z-Wave Multisensor? Fibaro offers a great variety of options from its multisensor. You’ll be able to track many of the same activities you can watch with the Zooz multisensor.
First and foremost, the Fibaro is a motion sensor. It will detect movement and trigger the appropriate response. The Fibaro is capable of tracking temperature as well. If the temperature rises or falls beyond a particular threshold, the Fibaro can send a trigger to turn on the heat or air.
You’ll also have control over the brightness of your lights. You can have your Fibaro multisensor turn on the lights to a certain percentage during certain hours of the day.
As you can see, you can place the Fibaro multisensor in many different rooms throughout your home, and have it perform many various functions. The beauty of this device is that with just one sensor you can monitor several different factors of the environment around you. Think of all the fun you can have with this all-in-one device stashed throughout your home.
Summary
Overall the Fibaro multisensor motion sensor provides a good experience for users. It offers a multi-color LED, which makes it easy to see and identify when moving throughout your home. The device can measure temperature, light, and motion, so you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck, even if it is a little more costly than other motion sensors. The battery life is great, the device is easy to install and setup with your Z-Wave network, and it’s highly customizable. You won’t regret making the Fibaro multisensor a part of your smart home network if you choose to go that direction.
Aeotec Multisensor 6
The Aeotec Multisensor 6 has, you guessed it, six sensors. These sensors can monitor humidity, temperature, light, motion, vibration, and ultraviolet light. Included in the box is everything you need to get started with the Aeotec multisensor. You’ll receive a micro USB cable, two screws, a back-mount arm, double-sided sticky tape, and a battery cover. The box also includes a manual for the device.
Design
The Aeotec multisensor is basically a cube, so if you don’t want to mount it somewhere, you can just put it on a shelf or counter. The sensor is simple and traditional looking and has an LED indicator that will flash green when it detects motion. On the sensor’s rear, you’ll find a battery cover along with a Z-Wave action button.
Removing the battery cover will reveal the compartment in which the batteries are housed, along with the micro USB port. One advantage the Aeotec sensor has over others is that it can be powered by either batteries or through micro USB. When you are plugged in via USB, you’re able to get real-time data, as opposed to the delayed data you receive when on battery power.
Installation
The Aeotec sensor’s Z-Wave Action button located on the rear of the sensor is used to integrate the device with the rest of your Z-Wave network. It also allows you to enable or disable the wake-up feature on the sensor and set it back to factory default status.
Features
Aeotec boasts that its multisensor has a horizontal range of one-hundred twenty degrees, and can pick up movement as far as sixteen feet away. It will also react almost instantly when it senses motion and rarely sends out a false notification.
However, if you discover that you are getting notified for movement that you don’t care about, you can change the sensitivity on the device. You can set it as follows:
- Disable – 0
- Very Low – 1
- Low – 2
- Medium – 3
- High – 4
- Maximum – 5
Out of the box the sensitivity is set to the highest value, so this might be something you want to tweak when setting up your device. You can also control the amount of time that occurs between activations through the parameter labeled “Setting.” So a setting of 10 is going to tell the device to ignore motion beyond ten seconds. Then it will reset and be ready to sense motion again.
Battery Life
The Aeotec’s battery compartment allows for two batteries, but that does not mean it needs both to work. The device will run off of one battery, however having two means you’re doubling your battery life. Battery consumption is minimal, so if you decide to put both batteries into the device, there won’t be a need to change them for quite a while.
Summary
The Aeotec Multisensor 6 is loaded with sensors and can be used in a variety of ways throughout your home. Setup and installation are quick and easy, and you’re going to go a long time between battery changes. The device is perfect for detecting humidity, temperature, luminescence, motion, ultraviolet light, and vibrations. You can set it on any flat surface in your home, and forget about it since you know the sensor is going to detect any change and notify you.
If you need to track and measure all of the values the Aeotec is capable of tracking, this is a good device for you. You’re able to control the sensitivity of all measurements, and determine when you want the device to ignore specific behaviors. The Aeotec Multisensor 6 is a good fit for nearly any home that needs a good motion sensor.
Dome Z-Wave Plus Motion Detector
The Dome Z-Wave Plus motion detector is a solid device that has an odd shape. At first glance, you might wonder why a sensor would need to look like a golf ball, and the Death Star had a baby, but once you put the motion detector to use you may not care. It’s a small device, and hardly noticeable, but it does have an odd shape to it.
Installation
Mounting the Dome Z-Wave sensor is pretty easy and unique. The device comes with a magnet inside of one of its dimples, which is used to connect to the mount. You’ll get a strip of double-sided sticky tape and a few screws so you can choose which method you want to use, but either way, it’s a pretty straightforward install.
Connecting the Dome sensor to your Z-Wave network is simple. It consists of setting your hub to detect devices, then pushing the button for pairing on the Dome device. That’s it. Once the sensor connects to your network, mount your device, and you’re ready to go!
Features
The Dome motion sensor does a great job of detecting motion. While it may not have the range some top of the line motion sensors provides, you won’t find the Dome sensor lacking in this department. It will pick up movement at around twenty-one feet and boasts a horizontal range of one hundred and ten degrees.
Summary
The Dome motion sensor isn’t equipped with a myriad of sensors like some of the other devices on this list, but as a motion detector, it does its job well. Despite its unique appearance, the Dome device is easy to mount and painless to connect to your Z-Wave network. If you’re in the market for a simple, straightforward motion sensor, you can’t go wrong with this device.
Everspring Z-Wave Motion and Light Sensor
No products found.The Everspring Z-Wave motion and the light sensor is a battery-powered device that can be customized to suit your home automation needs. At least when it comes to motion and light. The device comes with a mount, three batteries, and the necessary hardware to get the device mounted. It is a little bigger than some of the other motion sensors on this list but is still a solid device.
Configuration
Set up for the Everspring Z-Wave sensor was not as easy as some of its counterparts. After inserting the batteries into the device, the sensor continues to beep at you until it is integrated into the Z-Wave network. Fortunately, inclusion into the system is quick, and usually only takes around ten seconds. Once detected, you simply push the button on the Everspring device three times, and you’re connected.
Unfortunately, it may take a few tries for the network to recognize the device and integrate it. It might even require that you reset the device if it doesn’t work after the first few tries. If so, just press the button on the device three times, then redo the process. It’s not difficult, but it can become tedious if it doesn’t work right away.
Like the other Z-Wave motion sensors on this list, you have the ability to configure device parameters. You can set luminescence and sensitivity values to a value between one and nine (one being least sensitive and nine being the highest).
One drawback to the Everspring motion sensor is that these values aren’t communicated to the device until it wakes up. Then your network will push the information to it. Of course, you can get around this by simply forcing your device to wake up after you configure the parameter.
Once your Everspring Motion and Light sensor is configured and set up, you’ll want to get it mounted. Be sure to place the sensor in a location where anyone coming into the area will have to cut across its line of sight. Doing so means the motion sensor will be triggered, and you’ll receive a notification.
Summary
The Everspring Z-Wave Motion and Light sensor is a solid sensor for the money. It’s not going to wow you with just two built-in sensors, but it does what it is supposed to do: detect movement and light. It’s a little bigger than you might expect, but you can configure the device sensitivity to your comfort level. This device isn’t the best on this list, but if you’re looking for a reliable option, and you don’t need a multitude of sensors, the Everspring Z-Wave Motion, and Light sensor isn’t a bad choice.
Comparison
Now that we’ve taken a closer look at these devices let’s zoom out a little and get a high-level view of how they compare to each other.
| Zooz | Fibaro | Aeotec | Dome | Everspring | |
| Motion Detection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Motion Range | 40’ | 23’ | 15’ | 21’ | 9’-27’ |
| Motion Coverage | 125 degrees | 110 degrees | 120 degrees | 110 degrees | 110 degrees |
| Motion Retrigger Time | 15-60 seconds | 1 second – 9 hours | 10 seconds – 1 hour | 5 seconds – 10 minutes | 5 seconds to 1 hour |
| Motion Sensitivity Levels | 7 | 247 | 5 | 247 | 10 |
| Indoor/Outdoor | Indoor | Both | Both | Indoor | Indoor |
| Temperature Reporting | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Humidity Reporting | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Light Reporting | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Battery Type | 2 AAA | CR123A | USB or CR123A | CR123A | CR2 |
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several great options for Z-Wave motion sensors on the market today. Whether you need one that will provide input from multiple different sensors, or you just need a simple, straightforward motion sensor, there is a device for you. Having a motion sensor as part of your smart home setup gives your home and family an extra layer of security, notifying you when movement is detected. The great feature about most of these devices is that you can control the sensitivity of these devices, and determine the amount of movement needed to trigger the motion detector.
Of course, no one’s smart home is the same. Some are complex and employ the services of many different types of devices, while others are simple and only want the ability to detect one or two values. No matter what your needs are, take a look at your options for the best Z-Wave motion sensors available this year. You’re almost sure to find one that works for you and your needs.
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