Samsung’s SmartThings ecosystem includes a variety of smart devices that help you receive alerts, sound an alarm, unlock a door, or turn on a light.
Since you are reading this article, you already know that the actual smartness of the smart home systems is dependent on the smartness of the motion sensors that come with automation. With so many options available, it becomes quite confusing to select the best-suited sensors, but rest assured, we’ve done all the research, and have come up with the following list.
Quick Picks For The Best Motion Sensors For Smartthings
We’ve narrowed down our top options to a select few motion sensors. Whichever option you choose, you can relax knowing that it will function with your SmartThings hub.
Best overall: Fibaro Motion Sensor
As a Z-Wave motion sensor, Fibaro is pretty fluent in detecting humidity, temperature, and water.
Best Budget Option: Ecolink Z-Wave PIR Motion Detector
This pet immune device can’t be beaten when it comes to preventing false motion detection of all sized pets.
Best Indoor Option: Orro Indoor Motion Sensor
Calling a smart light switch universal is a strong claim, yet a justified statement when it comes to integrating your home environment with ORRO.
Best Outdoor: Zooz Z-wave Outdoor Motion Sensor
Zooz is an easy-to-use Z-Wave motion sensor that can connect with the holy trinity of smart home systems.
Our Review Process
As there are so few natively compatible sensors for Samsung SmartThings, we put them all to the test.
We focused on convenience-oriented sensors, such as motion sensors and contact sensors (which detect when a door or window opens or closes), rather than safety-oriented sensors.
We’ve spent a lot of time evaluating linked devices like smart thermostats, garage door controllers, sprinkler controllers, and smoke detectors.
Our team spent over six months living with several motion sensors installed in our house while researching this guide.
We looked at many evaluations of each item we examined, as well as owner reviews and online forums, to get a sense of how people are using it in their homes.
Best Motion Sensors For Samsung Smartthings: Reviewed
Not all Samsung SmartThings motion sensors are created equal. So we’ve put together a list that won’t give you any headaches, and help you keep an eye on your home from anywhere you are.
1. FIBARO Motion Sensor
Fibaro is a customer favorite when installing a motion sensor that doesn’t ruin the view. You can either hide it with a customizable LED indicator or show it off with a flexible mounting bracket. Fibaro was the clear winner in our tests, which comprised five additional motion/multi-sensors.
Getting the Fibaro connected to your z-wave network is relatively simple in terms of setup. The manual’s directions are exact and valuable.
Protected from tamper alerts, you can effortlessly transfer your data using encrypted signals.
What’s more? Almost all of the options were available through the app on my phone. The only time you’d have to use the API would be to change the motion interval.
2. Ecolink Z-Wave PIR Motion Detector
The Ecolink detector makes it simple and effective to increase the safety of your home.
These smart motion sensors made with premium components can deliver instant and dependable performance as part of your smart home.
Ecolink excels at sensing motion that passes perpendicularly across it at close range.
It comes with a bracket that allows you to put it flat against a wall or in a corner with ease.
This motion detector gives you over 20 different settings that you can access from your phone.
On the downside, the detection angle appears to be limited. Because you can hug the walls and walk right up to it if you install it in the corner.
3. ORRO – Smart Light Switch and Home Automation System
ORRO answers to you automatically based on your selections. It learns your behavior and keeps an eye on your home without using any additional sensors.
This home automation system reinforces a healthy sleep routine with its sunrise/sunset timings. As a result, your circadian rhythm will improve naturally.
ORRO switches can be used to control all of the lights in your home, with just a tap, you can shift the mood. Besides that, you can regulate the lighting in the entire room with scenic settings.
The installation is quick and easy, and hardly takes three-quarters of an hour. Hence, there will be no messing with wiring and screws. Just connect the cables, and your Orro is ready to go!
As a user, the ORRO app is an excellent add-on in simplifying your home settings.
4. Zooz Z-Wave Plus S2 Outdoor Motion Sensor
Zooz is a simplistic design that blends in nicely with the rest of your home. The instructions in the handbook do, however, recommend avoiding direct sunlight and rain.
When the battery is low, the device’s LED illuminates when motion is detected. It can also signal when it’s time to replace the battery.
All in all, the batteries should last for up to a year in total. Plus, you might like the aesthetic better without the cable.
Any movement at the sides of the lens, rather than immediately in front, is best detected by the sensor. The sensor may be adjusted to point at your main subject area by tilting it up and down. The motion detection should work well for you as long as you don’t cover too much ground.
5. Z Wave Plus 700series Smart PIR Motion Detector
The Z Wave Plus consumes a shockingly minimal amount of power. Its wireless communication consumes less energy and boosts resting and dynamic performance.
As a result, when fully optimized, battery life can be increased by up to ten years. Z-Wave devices may now communicate further while using much less power.
This gadget is all about automation and control. And the 700 series is the fastest at it. Its fast CPU is paired with wireless transfers of up to 100 kbit/s, providing rapid security.
Z-Wave Plus chips and modules provide significant benefits. End consumers will notice the difference in wireless speed and battery life the most. The expanded wireless range and memory will be the most noticeable to developers.
How To Choose The Best Smartthings Compatible Motion Sensor
There are a lot of factors that contribute to connecting your smart home. Before you begin using your devices, make sure they are working with the SmartThings app and your hub.
Range
The majority of SmartThings motion sensors now have a range of feet and degrees. Consider the area you’d like to cover. Choose a short-range motion sensor if you want to secure a small space. If you need to cover a broad area, choose a long-range sensor. The cost of purchasing this type of motion sensor may vary.
Depending on the design, motion sensors can detect activity from a distance of 15-200 feet. In the traditional sense, motion sensors detect intruders in the home. However, some motion sensors are outside the house to see guests.
The vibrations from a motion detector do not pass through walls. Or other tricky things like furniture. Imagine your motion sensor as a light on the wall when you’re installing it.
Anything that casts a shadow resulting from the light’s position is crucial. It can prevent the motion sensor from covering the shadowed area. Keep in mind that putting motion sensors under an overhang can restrict their range.
Field Of View
The size of the visible world observed at any given time is referred to as the field of view. In the case of motion sensors for SmartThings, it is a solid angle. A detector is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation through this field of view.
Motion sensors are similar to flashlights. In that, they emit a beam of light, but instead of light waves, they detect motion using infrared energy waves. Infrared radiation is denser nearer to the gadget and spreads out farther away. Similar to how light is brighter closer to the bulb.
Most motion sensors detect motion up to 15 feet away. And have a 120-degree field of vision. On the sensor’s base, you can pivot it left/right and up/down to aim it in the most effective direction.
An overhang can obscure the motion detector light’s 180-degree sensing angle. Thus, changing it into a 90-degree sensing angle, just as it does when you wear a hat with a brim or a visor.
Battery
The battery life of a typical motion sensor can last up to two weeks. If you are lucky, some of these devices last for an entire month. Before purchasing, you should check the battery capacity. When the battery life is sufficient, you may easily install it in many places. Notably in drawers, refrigerators, pet doors, near curtains, and so on.
A high-capacity motion sensor battery can improve signal and performance. This no-maintenance feature alleviates the tension that comes with utilizing traditional AC-powered sensors. Some devices work with both battery and USB connections. Most motion sensors are powered by batteries.
Although others are solar-powered or employ another type of energy. You may not need to hardwire any motion sensors, depending on the device. Solar-powered batteries are a huge plus when it comes to saving energy. Unless you don’t get much sun, solar-powered motion sensors are an excellent choice.
Integration With Smartthings
To get the best performance from your motion sensor, you must configure it. Fortunately, the majority of the top SmartThings motion sensors include a simple setup.
In short, setting up the motion sensor shouldn’t be too difficult. Some models may feature mounting choices that are ideal for your needs.
The correct position is critical in this scenario. You can also connect your motion sensor to your system by following the instructions. Most DIY systems will assist you through the setup of your motion detectors, often utilizing the main keypad or a mobile app.
Furthermore, a hub enables many devices to connect to improve performance. If you’re using a generic hub, make sure all of your sensors are operating simultaneously.
FAQs About the Best Motion Sensors for SmartThings
We’ve tried answering all your burning questions about motion sensors for the Samsung SmartThings Hub in the above paras, still, a few more to go.
What is Samsung SmartThings?
Samsung SmartThings is a user-friendly smart home platform. A Samsung SmartThings network is made up of both software and hardware. To complete the setup, a hub and a compatible SmartThings app are required. The hub communicates with SmartThings-compatible smart home technology.
A Samsung SmartThings compliant hub connects to a router, either physically or wirelessly, and controls all the devices and sensors, ultimately storing the data of all the communications either locally or by sending it to the cloud.
What are the causes of false alarms for motion sensors?
Pets, rats, and insects may set off some motion detectors.
Pet owners should make sure their home security system has “pet-friendly” sensors, to avoid any false alarms due to the pets roaming around the house.
Unlocked or buckling doors and windows are other typical sources of false alarms. A two-piece sensor is typically used for window and door security, one mounted on the frame and the other on the window or the door. The alarm will ring if the connection between the two contacts is broken. A partially closed door or window can be blown wide open by the wind.
How to reboot the SmartThings Hub?
If you’re having problems with your SmartThings Hub, a simple reboot may be all you need. The resetting process for the SmarTthings motion sensor should be pretty straightforward.
If your motion sensor isn’t working correctly, a reset may be necessary. Here’s how to do a manual reset and configuration. You can use one of three techniques to restart your SmartThings hub.
For 7 seconds, press and hold the recessed Reset button on the back of the hub (release when the LED turns off)
Plug the Hub back in after unplugging it (fast restart)
Unplug the hub for at least 6 minutes before reconnecting it.
Can you connect a motion sensor with other smart devices?
The SmartThings Hub communicates with wireless sensors. As the brain of your smart home, it can also communicate with plugs. Thus, increasing their battery life and reducing the load on your home Wi-Fi.
It also enables your sensors to communicate with one another and with a variety of smart brands. SmartThings is compatible with thousands of other smart devices including Samsung, Amazon, Google, Philips Hue, Ring, and Sonos.
You may use the app or your voice to control various things. Particularly speakers, cameras, thermostats, lighting, washing machines, and more. You can also track their energy use, plan start and stop times, and manage them remotely in one spot.
Final Thoughts
We have tried listing out the best motion sensors for lighting and security systems to connect with Samsung SmartThings. Each has its pluses and minuses.
With all the discussed factors, you may select the best motion sensors!
