Best Smart Sensors 2023
By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2023
A smart home is not complete without smart sensors that can detect a particular event in your home to trigger the automation of other smart home devices. A smart sensor will not only bring you convenience but also help you to save energy and even enhance your home security.
There are a number of smart sensor products in the market. Some are multipurpose, such as the Aeotec MultiSensor 7, which can detect motion, temperature, humidity, light UV, and vibration all in one device. However, such a multipurpose sensor is much more expensive than stand-alone sensors. If you need multiple sensors for your home, purchasing stand-alone sensors by tailoring them to your specific needs might be more cost-effective.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the best stand-alone smart sensors that can help you create a smarter home.
Best Motion Sensor: Aqara Motion Sensor P1
✓ Motion, ambient light
✓ 170° field-of-view
✓ Works with Alexa, HomeKit, and IFTTT
✓ Requires Aqara Zigbee 3.0 Hub
Best Contact Sensor: SwitchBot Contact Sensor
✓ Contact and motion
✓ Adhesive or mount with screw
✓ Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, IFTTT
✓ Requires a SwitchBot Hub
Best Temperature & Humidity Sensor: Aqara Temperature and Humidity Sensor
✓ Temperature, humidity, air pressure
✓ Adhesive installment
✓ Works with Alexa and HomeKit
✓ Requires an Aqara hub
Best Air Quality Sensor: Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor
✓ PM 2.5, VOC, CO
✓ Air quality score and alerts
✓ Works with Alexa
✓ Does not require a hub
#1 Best Motion Sensor: Aqara Motion Sensor P1
Aqara Motion Sensor P1
Why should you have it?
A motion sensor is typically used to automatically control lighting or any other smart home devices that you need to automatically activate and deactivate based on your presence. For example, the motion sensor can trigger the lamp and fan to turn on when you enter a room and turn them off when you leave. You may need this for hands-free convenience and energy savings. It also reduces touchpoints, preventing the spread of germs.
What does it offer?
Aqara Motion Sensor P1 uses passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect body motion to trigger home automation. With a wide angle of 170° field of view, it can also send real-time alerts to your smartphone via the Aqara Home app whenever motion is detected, providing a sense of security when you're away. The additional built-in light sensor can also detect ambient light, so you can have your light turn on only when the room is dark and motion is detected. The app also provides customization settings to suit your needs, including sensitivity settings and detection interval settings.
Aqara Motion Sensor P1 is compatible with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and IFTTT. However, it is important to note that the sensor requires an Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub and 2.4GHz WiFi to work. If you want to connect it to HomeKit, an additional Apple Home Hub is also required.
This motion sensor relies on an adhesive sticker for installation. You can stick it directly to any surface, or use the included stand holder to stick it to the wall, the ceiling, or even your home furniture. The installation is very easy without requiring any tools or wiring.
Aqara Motion Sensor P1
Best Motion Sensor
✓ Motion, ambient light
✓ 170° field-of-view
✓ Works with Alexa, HomeKit, and IFTTT
✓ Requires Aqara Zigbee 3.0 Hub
#2 Best Contact Sensor: SwitchBot Contact Sensor
SwitchBot Contact Sensor
Why should you have it?
A contact sensor can ensure security and safety in your home by detecting the opening and closing of doors, windows, cabinets, or drawers. So, when you're away from home, you can get alerts on your phone if any of these have been opened. If you are a pet owner, you can also install the device on your pet cage to know if your pet has escaped. If you have an elderly in your home, you can also track their medicine intake by installing the device on the medicine box.
What does it offer?
SwitchBot Contact Sensor is made up of two components (the sensor body and the magnet) that are aligned with each other at a distance of less than 30mm. When a contact takes place, you will get push notifications to your phone in real time.
The device is also equipped with a built-in motion sensor. When installed in a door, the motion sensor can detect if you're leaving or coming home based on the presence detected by the motion sensor and contact detected by the contact sensor.
SwitchBot Contact Sensor is also compatible for pairing with other smart home devices to trigger automation. For example, you can set your SwitchBot Indoor Cam to turn on and record footage when a door is opened. If placed on a window, you can set your air purifier to turn on when windows are open.
SwitchBot Contact Sensor is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, IFTTT, SmartThings, and Clova. Alexa has a Voice Alarm feature that can scare off burglars when the sensor detects the door opens.
SwitchBot Contact Sensor
Best Contact Sensor
✓ Contact and motion
✓ Adhesive or mount with screw
✓ Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, IFTTT
✓ Requires a SwitchBot Hub
#3 Best Temperature & Humidity Sensor: Aqara Temperature and Humidity Sensor
Aqara Temperature and Humidity Sensor
Why should you have it?
A temperature and humidity sensor can be necessary for maintaining a comfortable environment in your home. By connecting the sensor to a fan or humidifier, the sensor can automatically trigger those devices when the temperature or humidity reaches a certain level. If you place it in a basement or attic, you can monitor the temperature and humidity to prevent mold growth or damage to stored items. You can also avoid frozen pipes by getting alerts if the temperature falls below a certain threshold in the basement.
What does it offer?
Aqara Temperature and Humidity Sensor uses high-precision sensors to provide accurate temperature and humidity readings. It can detect temperatures ranging from -20° to 50°C with a precision of ±0.3°C and humidity ranging from 0-100%RH with a precision of ±3%.
A built-in air pressure sensor is also equipped in the device, so this smart sensor can also monitor atmospheric pressure in the room in real time. The atmospheric pressure detected ranges from 30kPa to 11-kPa with a precision level of ±0.12kPa.
This device can be used for remote monitoring, so you can get a push alert on your phone when the temperature or humidity reaches above or below a certain threshold. Home automation is also possible by connecting the sensor with other smart devices such as Aqara Smart Plug to automatically activate your fan or humidifier when necessary. Historical data tracking is also available in the Aqara Home app. This sensor is also compatible with Alexa and HomeKit. However, an Aqara Hub and a 2.4GHz WiFi are required. The device is also exclusively used indoors but not for refrigerators, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Aqara Temperature and Humidity Sensor
Best Temperature & Humidity Sensor
✓ Temperature, humidity, air pressure
✓ Adhesive installment
✓ Works with Alexa and HomeKit
✓ Requires an Aqara hub
#4 Best Air Quality Sensor: Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor
Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor
Why should you have it?
Bad air quality can cause health problems, especially if you have asthma or allergies. An air quality sensor can monitor the air quality in your home and alert you when it's time to take action. It can also improve your quality of life by automatically turning on your air purifier when the indoor air quality changes.
What does it offer?
Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor allows you to monitor the 5 key factors that affect air quality: particulate matter (PM 2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), humidity, and temperature.
On the Alexa app, you can keep track of the air quality dashboard and the air quality score, monitor trends over time, and get tips on how to improve air quality. You can also quickly get an indication of current air quality from the color-coded LED on the body of the device. If Alexa detects poor air quality, you can also get notifications on your phone or even announcements on Echo devices.
Home automation is also possible by enabling Routines that can activate your Alexa-enabled devices such as air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and fans when the device detects indoor air quality changes. However, it is important to note that this device does not measure carbon dioxide (CO2) and radon. It is also exclusively compatible with Amazon Alexa and not with other smart home ecosystems such as Google Home or Apple HomeKit.
Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor
Best Air Quality Sensor
✓ PM 2.5, VOC, CO
✓ Air quality score and alerts
✓ Works with Alexa
✓ Does not require a hub
Compare Smart Sensors
Final Thoughts
Smart sensors can greatly enhance convenience, energy efficiency, the security of your smart home, and even the quality of your life. It detects particular events in your home, sends you alerts, and triggers the automation of other smart home devices.
It is important to choose the right smart sensor based on your specific needs and preferences, as well as compatibility with your other smart home devices. If you're looking for stand-alone smart sensors, these four are highly recommended.
If you like to read more about Smart Sensors, check out our other relevant guides here:
Aqara Motion Sensor P1 Review
Aeotec MultiSensor 7 Review: The Best Multipurpose Smart Sensor
Philips Hue Motion Sensor vs Aqara Motion Sensor P1: Which One is Better?
Eve vs Aqara: Door and Window Sensors Comparison
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