Kini is very reliable. I tested it on drawers and cabinets, and it notified me every time they were opened. It also keeps records and times listed. Although notifications go through the cloud, Kinisium’s maker says it doesn’t collect data, and you can turn off logging entirely if you like. Kini also has a Stasis mode, so you can turn it on and it will alert you when there has been no movement for a set amount of time. This makes it a very versatile tracking device, and you can use this mode to make sure an elderly relative opens their medicine cabinet every day or check what time your dog’s walker opened the door. Kini is also compatible with IFTTT automatically, and there’s even a network connection that can send notifications to specific URLs.
More Motion Sensors
There are many other motion sensors that can notify you of movement or presence in an area or room and trigger lightsbut the right one for you depends on your present smart home setup.
I really like the Eve Motion Sensorbut if you want it to trigger notifications, you need a smart home hub, and you have to set up automation. It is a reliable sensor that works indoors or outdoors. I tested it with the Google Home system.
The FP2 Skin Presence Sensor ($83) it has many features, including location and crowd detection, and is compatible with all major smart home systems, although it is not always accurate in detecting the number of people in a room. more affordable Aqara FP300 ($50) it is an adequate presence detector for most people and can also monitor light, temperature and humidity.
The Switchbot Presence Sensor ($30) it’s the cheapest sensor I’ve tested and has a similar feature set, but you’ll need a Switchbot hub if you want notifications, and there’s a gap between detecting and alerting.
The Philips Hue Outdoor Motion Sensor is great, but only if you already have a Hue setup, because it needs a Hue Bridge to connect to it. I installed the sensor in my backyard and tested it with Bridge Pro. It reliably identifies subjects with fewer false positives. I set up my outdoor sensor to turn on the backyard strip (not the Hue) after sunset and send me a notification when it’s turned on between specific hours (midnight and 6am) using Google Gemini.
There is also a Philips Hue Indoor Motion Sensor and a Contact Sensor ($40) for doors and windows. Both are very reliable and can be configured to trigger notifications.
Intelligent Light Detection
As an interesting alternative to dedicated motion sensors, you can also use some smart lights to detect presence and movement in the home.
Wiz SpaceSense
If you have a few Wiz lights, you can try SpaceSensewhich uses Wi-Fi to detect motion in rooms. I did not enjoy the time I tried SpaceSensebut how effectively it works depends on how many Wiz lights you have and where they are. I was also testing it as a way to automatically turn on the lights, and there is some lag that prevents it from being used on that score. But as a security alert that can tell you when there is movement in your home from a distance, it can be very useful. If you already have Wiz lights, you can also try it, since it does not require registration.
Philips Hue MotionAware
Signify is the parent company of Wiz and Philips Hue, and MotionAware it’s very similar to SpaceSense, but uses Zigbee, instead of Wi-Fi. Again, how well it works depends on the number of Philips Hue lights you have and their configuration. Unfortunately, it requires registration if you want to receive notifications. MotionAware can turn on the lights at no extra cost, but if you want motion alerts, you have to pay $1 a month or $10 a year. Also included in Hue Secure subscription from $4 per month.
More Security System Alternatives
SimpliSafe
8-Section Wireless Home Security System
You can consider a standard security system. We love the Simplisafe systemwhich provides a base station, buttons, and a range of sensors. You can also find custom systems from security heroes like ADT and Vivintand security camera manufacturers like Euphy and Arlo.
