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Philips HU Motion Sensor: Two-minute review
Philips Hue Motion Sensor, as the name suggests, is a palm -shaped device that triggers your smart lights when the movement detection. This is not all, however – it also acts as a home safety sensor, when you are away, you alert you to potential intruders. Just tap a button in the app ‘ARM’ motion sensor (plus any other Philips HU cameras and your home sensor) and it will enter the safety mode, allowing your lights to behave differently and in your absence you will have to send a phone notification. For example, your light may be red or flash, while the app lets you make emergency contact calls with a tap.
The motion sensor requires Philips HU Bridge to work, so it is best if you already have an installed smart lighting setup. If you are not familiar with the bridge, it is a small hub that connects to your Wi-Fi router, and uses Zigbee wireless protocols to add all its Philips hue devices to a Aries network.
Its list price is $ 44.99 / £ 39.99 / AU $ 69.95, which means that it is not the cheapest motion sensor, and if you are not going to use its safety functions, you can be better serving by a simple Zigbee device instead. However, the additional security features of the Philips Hue Motion Sensor means that it can also be the cornerstone of your security system, and it is an excellent value from that perspective.
The sensor is a small, light device and is ready to go with two AAA batteries already installed. To connect it, just scan the QR code on the back using the Philips HU app, then grab the ‘Setup’ button until the LED flashs the orange to pair it on the front, as directed on the screen.
Once the sensor is added, you will be motivated to assign it in a room, then asked which lights you want to control. These lights should not be in one place; For example, you may want to activate a light in your study. If the speed is detected in the porch, you do not miss a package delivery (provided it is under the cover – you will need Philips hue outdoor motion sensor If it is coming in contact with elements).
The sensor can turn on and off the lights, but you can use it to adjust their brightness, and even apply scenes.
The Philips Hue Motion sensor allows you to set different actions for your light based on day time like Philips Hue Dimmer switch.
It worked perfectly during my tests, and helped me and my partner avoid dazzling at night. I installed the sensor in my hallway and kept the light level low after 11 pm so that we could find our way for the kitchen for a water drink without waking up completely after sleeping.
As I mentioned earlier, the dimer switch also acts as a safety device (either with itself or with other hue sensors and cameras), the app lets you decide which events should trigger when it is set to ‘armed’. By default, this connected Philips HU Lights will make flash when the speed is detected, but you can simply turn on them, or change the color them. A frightening red can be a good option.
The sensor does not have its own siren, but if you have Philips HU Secure camera, it can play a audible alert when it detects the sensor movement.
During my tests, the app firmly sent me a notification whenever my partner wandered and the system was armed – and he informed me that the lighting room light also turned pink. After raising the sensitivity slightly, the sensor was able to enter a wall on a wall at the other end of the room, in front of the door, even entering the living room.
It is worth noting that although you can change the direction of the sensor only by shifting to its magnetic mount (as described below) and dial its sensitivity up and bottom, the absence of a camera on this sensor means that it is not possible to make a custom zone that will not monitor, so you may need to experiment with settings so that you can use the doors and windows.
Although this is not a major issue, the magnetic mount can also be fitted on the roof, making it easy to monitor the potential entry points.
Philips HU Motion Sensor: Price and Availability
- Cost $ 44.99 / £ 39.99 / AU $ 69.95
- Often discounts are given, especially in sales incidents
Philips Hue Motion Censor is directly available from Philips Hue globally, and from third-party retailers, including Amazon.
Its list price is $ 44.99 / £ 39.99 / AU $ 69.95, but is often available at a steep discount, especially during sales events such as Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday. You will get the best values of today in your field listed below.
You can also find it together with a set of smart light bulbs as part of Philips Hue Bridge and Philips Hue Starter Kit.
Philips HU Motion Sensor: Design
- Can be placed on a wall or free-standing can be used
- Magnetic Wall Mount allows you to angle the sensor
- Available only in white
The Philips HU Motion Sensor is a desireb white device that has a magnetic back that contains a single screw, which you can undo the two AAA batteries. The sensor can be applied on the wall or ceiling, or simply placed on a piece of furniture if you like not to drill the hole.
It measures 6.9 x 2.8 x 2.2 inch / 174 x 72 x 55 mm and weighs 2.8oz / 80g.
Mount (which comes with two screws and a wall plug) is a small circular magnet. Once it deteriorates, you simply keep the sensor on top, then bend it to face the direction you want to monitor. During my tests, the sensor felt the most safe when encountered directly, but was never likely to fall at the time of inclination.
Unlike other Philips HU accessories (eg Filips Hue Dimmer Switch), you cannot attach a motion sensor to your wall using 3m tape. The mount has a slightly rubber finish that does not work well with adhesive, and the strength of the magnet means that the tape will be pulled away when you remove the sensor unit.
Unlike some Philips HU accessories, the motion sensor is available only in white. However, since it is likely to be close to a white roof, it is not a lot of problem.
The sensor is not weather resistant, and therefore cannot be used outside. If you want a sensor to detect the movement in your yard, you will need Philips HU Outdoor Motion Sensor, which is also wireless and can be placed on a wall or use free-standing.
Should you buy Philips Hue Motion Sensor?
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Filips Hue Motion Sensor: Consider also
How did I test Philips Hue Motion Sensor
I added Philips Hue Motion Sensor to my home smart lighting setup, including many bulbs, switches and a pair of Philips Hue Play Light Bar. I started it by installing it in my hallway so that I could test its sensitivity and time-based functionality (especially to trigger the dimer lights at night). Then I moved it to the living room to test my safety facilities, trigger the alert on my phone and set the main roof light in pink, while my husband was home to monitor the effects.
