Before we get to the products, though, here are some other articles that may interest you – With that out of the way, here are the best motion sensors that work with Alexa.
1. THIRDREALITY Zigbee Motion Sensor
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
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
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
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
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.
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. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
