VerdictAI

Reviewer consensus · 2026

Best Smart Motion Sensors of 2026What 0 reviewers actually think, trust-weighted

Smart motion and presence sensors range from simple battery PIR pucks to mmWave radar units that can detect a stationary person across a room. The signals available for this subcategory are thin, structured expert testing, specialist-community threads, and video reviews were not present in our data, so the synthesis below leans heavily on verified-purchase rating patterns and review volume from major-retailer listings. Treat these as consensus-of-buyers verdicts rather than lab-measured rankings, and weight the higher-volume listings accordingly.

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Highest-rated by the consensus

#1 of 7
Top pick · #1Philips Hue Motion Sensor - Exclusively for Philips Hue Smart Lights - Requires Hue Bridge - Easy No-Wire…
Best overall

Philips Hue Motion Sensor - Exclusively for Philips Hue Smart Lights - Requires Hue Bridge - Easy No-Wire…

★★★★★4.6(993)88Great

Across the verified-purchase reviewers we read, the Philips Hue Motion Sensor draws the most consistent praise of any dedicated motion sensor in this pool, holding a 4.6-star average over roughly 993 ratings. Buyers repeatedly highlight its built-in light (lux) sensor, which lets automations fire only when a room is actually dark, and the no-wire, battery-powered installation.

Price

$48.99

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The rest of the rankings

#2,7

Frequently asked

4 questions
What's the difference between a PIR motion sensor and an mmWave presence sensor?
PIR (passive infrared) sensors like the Philips Hue and Aqara P1 detect movement by sensing heat changes, so they're reliable, battery-friendly, and cheap, but they can miss a person sitting still. mmWave radar sensors like the Aqara FP2 and FP1E detect tiny movements and even a stationary body, enabling true 'presence' automations, but they're pricier, usually need wired power, and verified-purchase reviewers report a steeper setup curve.
Do these motion sensors need a hub?
Most do. The Aqara P1, FP1E, and the Philips Hue sensors require their respective Zigbee hubs/bridges. The Aqara FP2 connects over 2.4GHz Wi-Fi without a hub, and the Kasa motion switch is Wi-Fi and hub-free. Check the listing carefully, since several Aqara models require a specific Aqara or Matter/Thread controller.
Which motion sensor is best for triggering lights automatically?
For lighting specifically, buyers gravitate toward the Philips Hue Motion Sensor (it has a built-in lux sensor so lights only trigger when it's dark) and the Kasa Motion Sensor Switch, which replaces a wall switch and handles the lighting logic directly without extra bulbs or hubs.
Are PIR motion sensors pet-friendly?
Some are. The THIRDREALITY Zigbee sensor is marketed as pet-friendly, and many PIR units can be mounted high or angled to reduce false triggers from pets. mmWave radar sensors are more sensitive and may need careful zone configuration to avoid being tripped by animals.