The 6 Best Smart Sensors of 2024

Smart sensors are essentially helper devices for your existing system when you set them up as triggers for other smart devices. One that detects humidity, for example, can automatically turn on a humidifier if a baby’s nursery gets too dry. 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.

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.

The Aqara Motion Sensor P1 is the best motion sensor due to its straightforward installation process, versatile stand, and quick, reliable performance.

The Tapo T310 Smart Temperature and Humidity Sensor is the best temperature sensor thanks to its compact form factor, affordability, and compatibility with multiple platforms via Matter.

The Aqara Door and Window Sensor is the best contact sensor, thanks to its best-in-class response time and compact size.

Smart motion sensors

Our pick

The P1 offers standout battery life, speedy responsiveness, and a particularly great stand. It requires use of a branded hub.

Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, IFTTT

The second-generation Aqara Motion Sensor P1 is easy to set up, and it reliably and quickly detects motion. It’s a great option to alert you to motion in areas around your home that you want to monitor, and you can also set it up using Alexa or Apple Home to trigger other smart devices, such as smart switches or lighting.

The P1’s rotatable mounting stand makes it especially easy to install discreetly just about anywhere. Most impressively, the P1’s dual-battery setup means that you can measure the battery life in years rather than months.

Runner-up

Though bulkier than our top pick, this sensor is responsive and works with lots of hubs. We like its design, too.

Compatibility: Amazon Alexa (Zigbee-enabled speakers only), Samsung SmartThings, Zigbee hubs

The Centralite Micro Motion Sensor detects motion exceptionally well, even if it doesn’t do much beyond that. During my testing, this Centralite sensor was easy to pair and consistently detected motion up close or from a long distance. Although this Centralite sensor lacks adjustable mounting options, its beveled edges give you flexibility during the installation process. Most important, this Centralite sensor works with many common Zigbee hubs—which includes many Amazon Echo speakers—so it’s easy to pair with an existing smart-home setup out of the box.

Smart temperature sensors

Our pick

This temperature sensor quickly responds to temperature changes and is widely compatible; it does require a proprietary hub device.

Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT

The Tapo T310 Smart Temperature and Humidity Sensor responded to temperature changes in seconds during my tests, and it won’t take up extra space in a room. It does require the use of a $22 Tapo H100 Smart Hub with chime, which adds features like Routines (a way of automating actions, and compatibility with all the major smart home platforms due to it being a Matter device.

Runner-up

Aqara’s temperature sensor offers best-in-class temperature responsiveness and an especially compact design, but its compatibility is more limited, and it requires a branded hub.

Compatibility: Amazon Alexa (via Matter), Google Home, Apple Home, IFTTT

The Aqara Temperature and Humidity Sensor was one of the fastest and smallest sensors we tested overall. It provides nearly real-time temperature updates, and its tiny size makes it easier to hide when you mount it on a wall or a window frame. But as with other Aqara models, you’ll need an Aqara Hub (there are a few, starting at $30) to fully connect the sensor to other smart home platforms, and the price of both this model and a necessary hub are pricier than our top pick Tapo.

Smart window/door contact sensors

Our pick

This affordable, responsive contact sensor is small enough to be almost unnoticeable on a door or window sill.

Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, IFTTT

The Aqara Door and Window Sensor responded instantly during my testing. It was also the most compact door sensor we tested—combined, both parts of the sensor take up less space than a matchbox—so it won’t stick out if you need to place it in a prominent area in your home. Unlike the Aqara temperature sensor, this model also supports Alexa automated Routines and Scenes out of the box.

Runner-up

Centralite’s door sensor isn’t as slick as Aqara’s, but it still offers solid build quality, easy installation, and wider compatibility with smart hubs.

Compatibility: Amazon Alexa (Zigbee-enabled speakers only), Samsung SmartThings, Zigbee hubs

The Centralite Micro Door Sensor isn’t as compact as the Aqara contact sensor, but it’s plenty small and shouldn’t stick out in your home. In my tests, it was a breeze to install, and we paired it with an Amazon Echo speaker (which is also a Zigbee wireless hub). We appreciated the simple button on its side for resets and pairing. This Centralite sensor is an affordable alternative to the Aqara contact sensor if you already have a compatible hub that supports Zigbee.