Philips Hue Motion Sensor vs Aqara Motion Sensor P1: Which One is Better?
By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2023
If you're looking for a motion sensor to integrate with your smart home, you might have come across the Philips Hue Motion Sensor and the Aqara Motion Sensor P1.
Both sensors are capable of detecting motion to trigger actions in your smart home, but there are some differences you should be aware of before making a decision.
In this article, we will compare the two motion sensors and determine which one is the better option for your needs.
Key Takeaways
One primary difference is Philips Hue offers an additional temperature sensor while Aqara P1 doesn't. Philips Hue also has a more reliable magnetic attachment compared to Aqara's adhesive mounting. However, Aqara's motion sensor covers a wider 170° field-of-view and is fully rotatable, while Philips Hue's motion sensor only covers a 100° field-of-view.
Philips Hue Indoor Motion Sensor
Discreet with Quality
✓ Motion, ambient light, temperature
✓ 100° field-of-view
✓ Requires Philips Hue Hub
✓ Magnetic attachment or screw mount
Aqara Motion Sensor P1
Affordable but Reliable
✓ Motion, ambient light
✓ 170° field-of-view
✓ Requires Aqara Zigbee 3.0 Hub
✓ Adhesive attachment
#1 Price
Philips Hue Indoor Motion Sensor
Between the two, the Philips Hue Motion Sensor is more expensive, priced at $41.95. Meanwhile, the Aqara Motion Sensor P1 is a bit cheaper at around $24.99. The difference might be small, but it can add up if you need to purchase multiple sensors for your home.
#2 Design
Aqara Motion Sensor P1
Both motion sensors look sleek and modern, but they have a significantly distinctive design. Philips Hue Motion Sensor comes in a square shape with rounded corners, while Aqara Motion Sensor P1 has more like a tubular shape with a detachable holder stand. Both are small enough to be unobtrusive to the eye, but the thin and compact design of the Philips Hue Motion Sensor makes it more discreet and easier to blend in with your home decor.
The sensor in Philips Hue is small, ball-shaped, and located at the front of its body. It has a wide 100° field-of-view and up to 16-foot range. On the other hand, the sensor in Aqara covers a larger surface of its body, resulting in a wider 170° field-of-view for up to 2 meters and 150° for up to 7 meters. The holder stand is also 360° rotatable, making it easy for you to adjust the viewing angle.
#3 Features
Philips Hue Indoor Motion Sensor
When it comes to motion sensing features, the Philips Hue and Aqara motion sensors are quite on par with each other. Both are reliable to detect body motion in a room and trigger your home's lighting or other connected smart home devices. Such capability does not only provide convenience or energy-saving benefits but also a sense of security to your home.
Both motion sensors are also equipped with a built-in ambient light sensor. This allows you to configure the lights to turn on only when the room is dark and when motion is detected. However, the Philips Hue Motion Sensor has an additional temperature sensor that can detect the temperature in the room. The report data of the brightness in lux and ambient temperature can also be accessed in HomeKit. This is different from the Aqara Motion Sensor P1, whose built-in sensor is not exposed to HomeKit.
In both motion sensors, you can configure the level of sensitivity (low, medium, high). This feature allows you to adjust the distance from which the sensor will be triggered. In Aqara Motion Sensor P1, configuring the detection interval (the shortest time interval from the previous time of "motion detected" to the next one, from 1-200 seconds) is also possible.
One defining feature of Aqara Motion Sensor P1 is the alert system that allows for constant monitoring, local sound, light alarms, and cloud notifications in case motion is detected. On the other hand, the defining feature of the Philips Hue Motion Sensor is its night light settings which allow you to set a gentle, warm light setting when motion is detected at night.
#4 Installation
Aqara Motion Sensor P1
Both motion sensors are easy to install and without any wiring necessary. However, a compatible Zigbee 3.0 hub is necessary for installation. Both sensors are also compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. However, when using Apple HomeKit for the Aqara Motion Sensor P1, a separate Apple Home Hub is required.
The Philips Hue Motion Sensor can either be placed freely on a horizontal surface (such as a shelf) or mounted to a wall using the screws included in the package. It also has a magnetic base, so you can easily attach it to a metal surface like a fridge or a metal bookshelf.
Meanwhile, the Aqara Motion Sensor P1 comes with a detachable holder stand that can be easily attached to a wall or ceiling using the adhesive sticker included in the package. You can also stick it on any horizontal surface without using the stand. However, as the motion sensor relies on adhesive attachment, the sticker may loosen over time, especially when installed on certain surfaces such as tile, glass, marble, or rough and uneven surfaces.
Philips Hue Indoor Motion Sensor vs Aqara Motion Sensor P1
Final Thoughts
Philips Hue Indoor Motion Sensor
Philips Hue Motion Sensor and Aqara Motion Sensor P1 are quite comparable when it comes to features. However, at a higher price, Philips Hue offers a more discreet design, a reliable magnetic attachment, and an additional temperature sensor. With a more affordable price, Aqara offers great value for its wide angle and alert system.
Ultimately, the choice between these two sensors will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you already have Philips Hue smart lights, the Philips Hue Motion Sensor is a great option. If you're looking for a more affordable option and already have Aqara smart home devices, the Aqara Motion Sensor P1 might be a better choice.
If you like to read more about Smart Sensors, check out our other relevant guides here:
Best Smart Sensors Singapore
Aqara Motion Sensor P1 Review
Aeotec MultiSensor 7 Review: The Best Multipurpose Smart Sensor
Eve vs Aqara: Door and Window Sensors Comparison
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