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Best Motion Sensors

Updated March 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Philips Hue Smart Motion Sensor
Philips
Hue Smart Motion Sensor
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Bottom Line

A solid choice if you are looking for a motion sensor for indoor use that's also intuitive.

Pros

A compact device that doesn't require installation – wireless operation powered by the Philips Hue app. Compatible with Alexa.

Cons

Requires some tech-savvy to set up. Doesn't pick up motion if placed in tight spaces or behind walls/objects. Not for outdoor use.

Best Bang for the Buck
First Alert Motion Sensing Light Socket
First Alert
Motion Sensing Light Socket
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Bottom Line

An inexpensive way to protect yourself and your home through hands-free, automatic lighting. A high-quality, economical motion sensor and the best bang for your buck.

Pros

A light socket sensor that provides light when you enter a room and turns off when you exit.

Cons

Sensitivity can be hampered if placed too close to another object. No alarm.

SadoTech Wireless PIR
SadoTech
Wireless PIR
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Bottom Line

A wireless doorbell sensor with adjustable alarm tone and volume. Known for accuracy and reliability. The best choice on the market.

Pros

An economical alternative to a pricey home security system. Doorbell activated; a buffet of alarm tone choices.

Cons

A bit on the expensive side, but well worth the extra cost.

Chamberlain Wireless Motion Sensor
Chamberlain
Wireless Motion Sensor
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Bottom Line

A sensitive wireless motion detector at the higher end of the pricing spectrum. May falter at detecting vehicles in bad weather.

Pros

Waterproof. Great for outdoor settings. Wind and weather don't cause false alarms.

Cons

Inclement weather may hamper vehicle detection.

1byone Safety Driveway Patrol
1byone
Safety Driveway Patrol
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Bottom Line

A low-cost motion sensor/alarm with some known defects, including false alarms.

Pros

An outdoor alarm. Accurate detection even if an intruder is out of "sight lines."

Cons

Occasional false alarms caused by movements in nature.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Models
Considered
60
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Consulted
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Researched
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Buying guide for best motion sensors

Motion sensors in and around your home are a great way to beef up your home’s security system. Motion sensors can also keep track of the comings and goings of family members, and can be used to enable and control lighting automatically.

Finding the right motion sensor for your needs may feel like an overwhelming process, considering the number of options available. BestReviews is here to help you make the best buying decision possible. We’ve put together this shopping guide to help you decide on the best motion sensor to suit your needs.

We’ve also received a bit of help from our expert Bill, an engineer and DIY-pro, to ensure that we provide you the best advice for selecting motion sensors for your home.

Once you’ve taken all the information in, feel free to scroll back up to the top of the page to take a peek at our top-five picks.

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Some motion sensors can make different noises when people approach. Some even mimic a dog to drive away intruders.

Types of motion sensors

There are various types of motion sensors on the market. Your needs will dictate which type is best for you and your unique situation.

Passive infrared

This is one of the most common types of motion sensors. Passive Infrared sensors use body heat to detect movement and potential intruders.

Infrared is useful for monitoring large areas, and is sensitive enough to detect movement.

Microwave

This type of motion sensor detects movement from a distance by using microwaves fill a target area.

The sensor monitors the frequency of the reflected waves. Intrusion by a moving object alters these frequencies, triggering an alarm.

The biggest drawback to microwave motion sensors is that they’re prone to false alarms.

Combined microwave and infrared

Some motion sensors utilize a two-step process for detection that includes both passive infrared and microwave technologies.

The double-step verification process reduces the chance of false alarms.

Vibration

This type of sensor is activated by the vibrations that occur due to movement.

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Did you know?
Many motion sensors are advertised as “pet immune,” which means they won’t go off if movement is under a certain size, weight, or shape.
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Ultrasonic

Another type of motion sensor that uses waves to detect the presence of moving objects or people. In this case, sound waves are used.

This type of detector is prone to false alarms and is not appropriate for those living in busy metropolitan areas, or other places with a lot of outdoor noise.

Considerations when selecting a motion sensor

Here are the primary considerations when deciding on the right motion sensors for your home.

Smart capabilities

If monitoring your home via a smartphone is important to you, make sure your chosen motion sensor has smart capabilities and app integration.

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Did you know?
If you can find an unobstructed view, room corners are a great place to install motion sensors.
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Power source

Motion sensors are hardwired to the main electric supply, or require the use of batteries. Either option has advantages and disadvantages.

You will need to change batteries every so often, which can be tedious.

You don’t need to worry about hardwired sensors failing without a battery change, but an electrician may be required for installation.

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For your safety
It’s best to keep sensors away from vents or air conditions units, because air blown from these can cause false alarms.
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Range

Different types of motion sensors are capable of detecting intruders and movement at different ranges.

Passive infrared and microwave detectors are particularly good at monitoring larger areas.

Placement also helps improve the range of motion sensors. It’s best to place detectors high up, to get the maximum range out of each unit.

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Did you know?
Some motion sensors will alert you when the battery is running low.
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Occupancy mode

Many detectors offer users the option of enabling this function, which tells the motion sensor that someone is already in the home. This reduces the chance of false alarms.

If a system includes indoor sensors, these will be deactivated while outdoor sensors will continue working.

Your needs

What do you intend to do with the sensor? Are you concerned about potential break-ins? Or are you more focused on people coming close to the property at all?

If you are looking to prevent people from coming close to your home in the first place, you may want to invest in outdoor motion sensors. These models are durable, and can handle extreme temperatures and precipitation.

A larger area is usually in question when monitoring the exterior of a home so consider motion sensors that have bigger detecting ranges.

If you want to increase security inside your home by placing motion sensors indoors, think about where you’ll mount your new sensors.

Vibration sensors are useful for use with windows and doors, but less so for detecting movement in an open area.

To trigger an alarm or light when someone walks through the entryway, a microwave or infrared sensor may be more useful.

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Did you know?
Some motion sensors work in tandem with doorbells to activate the bell as someone approaches your front door.
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Motion sensor pricing

Single sensors usually cost less than $50. But keep in mind, most people purchase more than one motion sensor to cover different areas of their home or property.

More expensive options will have more features.

Ideas for using motion sensors

You can use motion sensors for things other than home security. Here are a few ideas for taking advantage of this type of device.

  • Conveniently turn on lights when someone enters a room or gets home. Smart lights can be used in tandem with motion sensors to cleverly automate your home’s lighting.

  • Let your detectors do the thinking for you. Setup sensors to detect when you leave your house, so they can automatically turn off lights or activate security systems.

  • Keep tabs on your kids and pets. Place motion detectors in off-limit areas to ensure your little ones or fur friends aren’t getting into something or somewhere they shouldn’t be.

  • Install sensors in crawl spaces or an attic to detect when unwanted wildlife move in.

With the right combination of smart products, sensors, and creativity, there are plenty of ways to use motion sensors.

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If you’re in an area with lots of wildlife, a very sensitive outdoor detector may cause annoying false alarms.

FAQ

Q. I have pets, can I still use a motion sensor indoors?

A. Yes, but you will want to choose a detector that is pet immune; otherwise you’ll find yourself inundated with false alarms.

Q. What should I look for when selecting an outdoor motion sensor if I live in a very cold climate?

A. You may have trouble finding an option that works reliably when the temperatures dip below freezing. Your best bet is to check owner reviews from others in a similar climate. Batteries tend to freeze in cold weather, and many motion sensors will be slower to detect when it gets very cold out.

Q. With hardwired sensors, what happens when the power goes out?

A. Most have some kind of reserve power, and will still be functional for up to 24 hours after the power goes out.

Q. Do the motion sensors in my home require any kind of maintenance?

A. If you are using sensors with batteries, you’ll need to replace those from time to time. You should also clear the sensors of dust to ensure they are working correctly. Don’t use harsh chemicals to wipe down your sensors; such cleaners can damage the sensor lens.

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