If smart lights, thermostats and security cameras are the staples of the smart home, think of sensors as the invisible network meshing everything together. Or, if you prefer, the eyes of the smart home.
But the word sensor is itself pretty vague. There are many sensors out there designed to fulfill different purposes: movement sensors, light sensors, temperature sensors, and plenty more.
The best part about using sensors is that they’re (mostly) super easy to install, often with no wiring required, which will be music to the ears of renters. But before we dive into the specifics of each type of sensor and the best out there, let’s go over some need-to-know pointers.
Many of the sensors you pick up today are wireless and battery-powered, allowing you to place them wherever you like. But the position of these sensors is key; if you have professional installing your smart home they should be able to provide some pointers – or just do it for you.
If you’re going DIY, think about the locations that are going to be most effective but least likely to cause false alarms if you’re using them for security. Say you’re using a motion sensor, you’ll want to put it in a place an intruder is most likely to pass by, but not somewhere it might be triggered by daily visits from the next-door cat.
Some smart home appliances also double as sensors of sorts. Smart doorbells have motion sensors in them and send you an alert when they see motion, and smart thermostats have temperature sensors in. Below, we’ve broken things down into the major categories of smart home sensors, and included some of our top picks.
There are many types of sensors that can be used in your home or office, examples of some of those sensors are:
– Motions sensors
– Light sensors
– CO2 and CO sensors, Humidity, and temperature sensors
– Leak/moisture detection sensors
– Window & door open and close
and so much more…..
