Not that it will take too much power anyway, but it’s good to know that the manufacturer has built a system to conserve energy. However, the company claims that you can hang it as high as 10 feet vertically above the ground, and it can still detect motion. One good thing about this light bulb is the fact that it will not activate in the day time, thus saving precious energy. This means it can detect motion even in the dark at about a distance of up to 8-10 feet. As far as motion-sensing features are concerned, this light bulb uses the PIR infrared sensor to make sure any motion is detected. It offers a lumination of 1000lm, which is reasonably bright as far as light bulbs are concerned. The manufacturer claims that it can be used outdoors as long as the weather remains between 14☏ (-10☌) and 95☏ (35☌). However, a light bulb like this is probably better suited for indoor use.

Contact sensors may prematurely activate on their own if you position them too far apart, so the best contact sensors have a wider sensor range, giving you a larger margin for installation.This is a handy 12W bulb that can activate itself on motion regardless of the weather conditions. When someone opens the door, the sensor connection breaks, telling your smart home that the door is open. When the two sensor units are next to each other, your smart home knows that the door is closed. Contact/door sensors: These consist of two separate sensor units traditionally, you place one sensor on the door frame and put the second sensor on the door.Some sensors have on-screen displays that show the current temperature and humidity levels, while others relay that information in their manufacturer’s app. Temperature sensors: These models detect ambient temperature and humidity levels and are typically meant for indoor use.Most can sit on a shelf or some other flat surface, though some can physically attach to a surface or are designed to fit into a room’s corner for maximum coverage. Motion sensors: These sensors rely on infrared to detect motion within a field of view.The Aqara Door and Window Sensor is the best contact sensor, thanks to its best-in-class response time and compact size. The Centralite Temperature and Humidity Sensor works well and is compatible with many Zigbee-based hubs. The Aqara Motion Sensor P1 is the best motion sensor due to its straightforward installation process, versatile stand, and quick, reliable performance. You can find a range of sensor types, but for this guide we tested the most generally useful types in three categories: motion, temperature, and contact.

A contact sensor can trigger lights to turn on whenever you open the shed door, for instance, or set off an alarm when your teen sneaks into the snack pantry. One that detects humidity, for example, can automatically turn on a humidifier if a baby’s nursery gets too dry.

Smart sensors are essentially helper devices for your existing system when you set them up as triggers for other smart devices. Most sensors can stay connected within a typical multistory home but may struggle if you have an especially large home or want to use devices in a detached garage or barn.

Best motion sensor outdoor light