It is crazy how much door sensors have evolved since they were first introduced. The modern door sensors are smaller, look much better than they did a decade ago and now utilize the cutting edge Z-Wave technology. In this buying guide, we will explore the top 10 best Z-Wave door sensors that look minimalistic, fit into tight spaces, come with a long lasting battery that can last for many months without a replacement, and use the Z-Wave technology. Which of these Z-Wave door sensors is better than the rest? We will have a look at each Z-Wave door sensor and bring out all the features present to help you make a judgment as to which Z-Wave door sensor best suits your unique needs. In addition, we will include details about which Z-Wave door sensor best suits the needs of those buying on a tight budget.
Alternatively, just skip to the best Z-Wave door sensor on Amazon.
Table of Contents
Best Best Z-Wave Door Sensor Comparison Table
List of the 10 Best Z-Wave Door Sensors
1. Schlage RS100HC Z-Wave Window and Door Sensor
This product comes from a company that makes quite impressive Z-Wave door locks. This sensor is quite small. It will easily fit into any tight spaces. It has a minimalistic design and comes in the color white. This means that it will easily blend in with your home’s décor. This device comes with screws. This will help you to easily setup and install the device to your door. If you do not want to use any screws, no need to worry. The product comes with glue which allows you to attach the device to your door without damaging it in the process. This is perfect for those who are renting and would not want to damage their landlord’s property. The product uses a 3V Lithium CR123A battery which is included with the device. This battery is capable of powering the device for up to 26280 hours. It is easy to install and setup – you do not need to be a technology professional to get this up and running. It has an operating range of up to 100 feet. It has a tamper alarm which goes off when the alarm cover is opened. It has wide compatibility as it works with Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus as well as other Z-Wave hubs. The manufacturer offers 1 year limited mechanical and electronics warranty. This is the best Z-Wave Door Sensor.
This device does have the disadvantage that the device can only be used indoor.
2. NEO Z-Wave Plus Door/Window Sensor
This is a device that comes with an aesthetically pleasing design. It is rather easy to install, and it comes with glue and screws. You can put this contact sensor wherever you want. This could be on a garage door, window, interior door, cabinet, safety gates and more. It has a high sensitivity trigger alarm. This sensor can easily detect when a door or window is opened or closed. It immediately sends a notification to the Z-Wave network. You can easily view the message records and this feature increases your safety and guarantees peace of mind. It uses a CR2 battery that is included in the packaging. This battery lasts for quite a while, and the manufacturer claims that it can last for up to 1 year. This device supports multiple devices. This means that it can work interactively with other Z-Wave sensors via the gateway. The Neo Z-Wave Plus sensor can be used both indoors and outdoors. It is IP20 outdoor rated with an operating temperature of 0° – 40°C. This means that it can withstand any harsh weather conditions. It has an operating range of up to 200 feet so there is no need to worry about where to place it. It works for a wide variety of smart hubs. These include the following: Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus, Wink, Harmony, Homeseer, Aotec, Iris and ADT Pulse. It transmits open/close status, as well as the battery status of the device. It is Z-Wave plus certified and comes with all of the advantages associated with this advanced wireless technology. This is the best budget Z-Wave door sensor.
The device does have the main drawback that it has communication issues. A few customers complained that it would stop communicating with the central Z-Wave hub.
3. Z-Wave Plus Rare Earth Magnets Door & Window Sensor
This product comes from the company Ecolink. The company is a leading manufacturer of low power wireless systems. This device is available in both white and brown. It is very easy to install. All you need to do is to pull out the plastic pull-tab from the back of the sensor and the sensor should automatically start the inclusion process. In addition, the packaging comes with screws, glue and adhesive pads to make it very easy for you to mount it to your door or window. It has an LED that is used to give notifications. It uses a rare earth magnet which allows for it to improve the accuracy. This means that it is perfect for most door or window applications. This device works with a wide range of devices. It can be used with smart hubs such as: Vera Plus, Vera Lite, SmartThings, HomeSeer, Piper NV and D-link staples connect. It is tamper proof. This means that the device is rather protected against thieves as well as vandalism because you will get notifications and immediately take action. It works with a range of up to 100 feet. It is a very efficient device as it is able to last for up to 3 years. It comes with a battery status which allows for you to get alerts for when the battery is low. It is Z-Wave plus certified which means that it comes with the latest advances in the Z-Wave technology such as AES encryption which protects the Z-Wave devices in your Z-Wave network from hackers and intruders. In addition, Z-Wave plus is much faster and more reliable than Z-Wave.
This device does have a few drawbacks. It is larger than other sensors. In addition, the user manual could be much better. If it wasn’t for these drawbacks, this device could have easily been the best Z-Wave door sensor.
4. Z-Wave Plus Gold Plated Reliability Garage Door Tilt Sensor
This is a Z-Wave door sensor that was designed with garage doors in mind. The device contains a sensor that can measure the angle of the garage door. This angle changes when the door is opened and this triggers the sensor. This is quite a reliable way to track whether or not your garage door is opened. It contains gold plated tilt components. These ensure that the device is reliable and this has made the Z-Wave door sensor an industry leader. It is very easy to install and set up. The device comes with a flush mount bracket that allows for a very simple setup. After mounting the device all you need to do is to insert the battery to begin the learning process. It is very small and it is unobtrusive. This means that it can easily blend with your home’s décor. The sensor can be connected to an external trigger. This allows for you to connect your existing doorbell and use it to trigger a notification. The device uses CR123A batteries which last for quite a long time. The manufacturer boasts that this device can last for up to 5 years. It comes with the tamper proof feature. This feature enables the device to automatically alert you when the cover of the device is removed. It uses the Z-Wave plus. This means that it comes with advanced features. These features include advanced security protocols such as 128 bit AES encryption, and the Z-Wave S2 security layer. It has wide compatibility. It can be used with a wide variety of smart hubs which include: Vera Edge, Vera Lite, HomeSeer, Vera Plus, Samsung SmartThings, D-link staples connect and Piper NV. This is the best Z-Wave door sensor in the garage door category.
This device has the main drawback that the ball bearing based tilt sensor tends to give false alarms.
5. Aeotec by Aeon Labs ZW112
This is a device that comes with a rather unique design. It has a triangular design, and together with the white color, the device will definitely blend in with your home’s décor. In addition, you can easily paint it if you decide to give your house a make-over. The device contains two magnetic triggers that make it a very sensitive and efficient device. The manufacturer boasts that it can detect a gap of up to 0.9 inches. It has an inbuilt battery which can be easily recharged. This means that you do not have to worry about buying a new set of batteries. The manufacturer makes it very easy to set up and use the device as it comes with a micro USB cable, screws as well as double sided tape if you do not want to permanently attach the device to your door. The device is compatible with a wide variety of smart hubs. It can be used with HomeSeer, Indigo for Mac, Samsung SmartThings and Mios Vera. It gives a battery status option which allows for you to check the battery status and recharge it when it is getting low. It instantly provides updates once sensors are moved away from the sensor. It is Z-Wave Plus certified. This means that you can take advantage of the advanced features that come with Z-Wave plus. This includes 128 bit AES encryption which makes it very difficult for any unauthorized individual to gain access to your Z-Wave home’s network. In addition, it has features such as improved efficiency, extended range as well as improved reliability. The Z-Wave door sensor comes with a 1 year warranty against manufacturer defects.
This device does have a few drawbacks. The device needs to be removed in order for it to be recharged. In addition, a few customers complained about the battery life being rather unimpressive.
6. Dome Home Automation Miniature
This is a very gorgeous looking device. This device comes with a glossy white finish. It will enhance the beauty of your décor as it is rather stylish and will have your guests asking you where you got it from. It does not have any wires which means that you will not have any problems with wire clutter. It is very easy to install and set up. The package comes with screws, glue as well as adhesive pads. This means that you can easily attach it to your door without using any tools at all. It can be used to automate the lights to your doors and windows and turn them off when you’re closed and locked up. The device has a range of up to 200 feet. This means that you can install the idea virtually anywhere. It comes with a 3 year battery life which gives you peace of mind as you will not have to constantly recharge the device or constantly buy new batteries. This device works with a wide variety of smart hubs such as Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus, Wink and other certified devices. You can easily configure your hub to notify you or to sound an alarm when any connected door or window is open for too long. This includes garage doors as well as medicine cabinet doors. You could also program your hub to automate your device to switch on security cameras when a window is opened. It is Z-Wave plus certified and comes with all of the advantages associated with this advanced wireless technology.
This product does come with a few drawbacks. It uses odd batteries that are hard to find. In addition, the quality control process seems to leave much to be desired.
7. HomeSeer HS-DS100+ Z-Wave Plus Door/Window Sensor
This is a minimalistic looking Z-Wave door sensor. This device is very easy to install. You can either use a set of screws or use adhesive tape to attach the device to either a door or a window. Both the screws and the adhesive tape are included in the packaging. It comes with a tamper-proof design. This means that you do not need to worry about the device being tampered with by thieves. You will immediately receive a notification when someone is trying to remove the cover. It gives a battery status indicator that allows for you to easily check whether you need to replace the batteries. It uses two AAA batteries. These batteries are able to last for up to 2 years. The Z-Wave door sensor has a range of up to 300 feet. This means that you do not need to worry about exactly where this device is located relative to the hub. It works with a wide variety of smart hubs such as Samsung SmartThings, Vera Plus and more. It gives open/closed status notifications that automatically notify you when the door or window has been opened or closed. This allows for you to closely monitor your home and to enhance safety. It is Z-Wave Plus certified which means that it is more stable, has lower power requirements and has 128 bit AES encryption.
This device has a few drawbacks. A few customers complained about poor documentation and it is not weather proof.
8. Aeotec Door/Window Sensor 7
This is a device that has a very beautiful device. It is small enough to fit into any narrow space which means if you have space constraints, this device will be perfect for you. It is so small that the manufacturer boasts that this is the smallest 3 in 1 Z-Wave door/window sensor. This device is very simple to install. If you have a SmartStart enabled gateway you can easily connect it to your Z-Wave hub by simply scanning its QR code. It has a built-in tamper proof sensor. If anyone tries to damage or remove the sensor, you will be immediately alerted and smart sirens and other connected devices can be triggered. This device has 3 inbuilt sensors. It has a magnetic contact, dry contact relay as well as a tilt sensor. It has the best battery life which is optimized to use up to 66% less battery power to communicate than previous generations. It uses a CR123A battery which can last for up to 3 years. It has a very fast sensor that is able to quickly detect when the door is opened. Its enhanced sensitivity as well as the use of advanced spatial intrusion algorithms means that the alerts are provided up to 50% faster than other sensors. The scene triggering sensor can remind you to close the doors and windows you left open. If you use this device with the Nano Shutter from Aeotec, the device can even close the windows for you. It comes with advanced security as it has 3 layers of anti-wireless hacking including Z-Wave Plus and Z-Wave S2.
This device does have the drawback that the battery indicator does not work very efficiently.
9. Sensative Z-Wave Plus Plus Ultra Thin Door/Window Contact Sensor
This is a rather unique looking Z-Wave door sensor. It comes with a rod- like design which looks quite modern. This unique design allows for the strip to be installed virtually anywhere. It can easily fit between the frames of any standard window or door. This makes it a very robust device as it can be placed where other sensors cannot just work. The device is made from very high quality materials which guarantees that it will last for quite a while. It is designed and developed in Europe and meets the very strict quality standards present in that continent. The Z-Wave door sensor is very simple and quick to set up. To install, you just need to attach it with the piece of tape that comes with the device. To connect it to your Z-Wave hub, all you need to do is to use the auto inclusion feature. You just click the add thing option and take off the magnet. This immediately makes it ready for use. This device can be used in both indoor and outdoor applications. This is because the device was made to be weatherproof as it is completely sealed. It gives text and email notifications whenever the sensor is triggered. It works with a wide variety of smart hubs such as Fibaro, Wink, HomeSeer, Samsung SmartThings, and Vera. It comes with an inbuilt battery which does not need to be replaced at all. It allows for you to monitor the amount of battery power left in the strip. It allows for you to communicate with your smartphone, but you will need a Z-Wave gateway to include strips into your smart-home network. It comes with a very long Z-Wave range of 130 feet line of sight.
This product does have a few disadvantages. The manufacturer claims that the battery lasts for 10 years, but many customers complained that the battery last for much less than that. In addition, the battery is not replaceable.
10. Fibaro FGDW-002-1 FGDW0021
Fibaro is a global brand that is well reputable. This company offers quality home automation devices. This company won awards such as the 2017 CES Innovation Award, 2019 CES Innovation Honoree, as well as the 2014 & 2016 IF Design Award. This device is well-designed and looks quite beautiful. It comes in a glossy white finish and will certainly look very good wherever you put it. You can also order it in 6 other colors. It is available in white, grey, black, cream and 3 shades of brown. This Z-Wave door sensor also has a temperature sensor which is quite a handy feature. It has a small blue LED light whenever contact is made or broken. This helps to give a visual indication that the device is working well. It has an operating range of up to 164 feet. It has the tamper proof feature. This means that you do not need to worry about thieves trying to deactivate or even steal the device as it will automatically give you a notification. It also comes with AES 128 bit security encryption. This means that you are guaranteed that your device is safe from hackers. It can trigger pre-programmed scenes when the sensor detects opening or closing. This feature may require a compatible controller though. It works with a wide variety of smart hubs such as SmartThings, Samsung connect, Verizon Smarthub, Nexia, Homeseer, Fibaro HC2/HCL. The device uses a CR123A battery that is included with the packaging. It comes with a warranty of one full year. This device does have a few drawbacks. Some customers complained that they found it rather difficult to use the device. In addition, the factory reset process is quite complicated.
Best Z-Wave Door Sensor Brands
The best door sensor brands are Schlage, Aotec and Ecolink. Schlage makes very impressive Z-Wave door sensors. Their product we reviewed has a minimalistic designs, has wide compatibility and comes with a long lasting battery. Aotec makes very beautiful looking devices. The devices that we reviewed are very aesthetically pleasing. They also have advanced features such as Z-Wave plus, enhanced sensitivity and tamper proof mechanisms. Ecolink is a leading manufacturer of low power wireless systems. The devices from this manufacturer that are on this list work pretty well and have batteries that last for years.
Best Z-Wave Door Sensor
The Best Z Wave door sensor is the Schlage RS100HC Z-Wave Window and Door Sensor .This is a device that comes from the manufacturer, Schlage. It is quite small and will fit into any tight spaces. It is very easy to install and set up. It has a battery that powers the device for up to 26280 hours.
Here are a few things we liked about the device:
- Minimalistic
- Fits into tight spaces
- Long lasting battery
- Good operating range
- 1 year warranty
Best Budget Z-Wave Door Sensor
The best budget Z Wave door sensor is the NEO Z-Wave Plus Door/Window Sensor. This is a cheap Z-Wave door sensor that comes with an aesthetically pleasing design. It uses a CR2 battery that is included in the packaging and it lasts for up to 1 year. This cheap Z-Wave door sensor is IP20 outdoor rated which means that it can definitely withstand any harsh weather conditions.
Here are a few things that we liked about the device
- Aesthetically pleasing design
- Wide applications
- Battery lasts for long
- Weather proof
- Z-Wave Plus
Why Do You Need a Z-Wave Door Sensor?
Automation
The advent of technology has allowed for us to introduce automation in the home. The use of Z-Wave door sensor devices makes this very easy. You can use these devices to perform actions such as to turn down the thermostat automatically if external doors or windows are open for too long.
Security
The Z-Wave door sensors can detect when the door (or window in some cases) is opened or closed. This means that you can set the system to automatically trigger an alarm when it detects that a door has been opened. In addition you can perform actions such as automatically activate a camera to automatically capture a video when the door is opened.
Alerts
You can use these Z-Wave door sensors in order to give you notifications. This can be done when you have a mailbox and you would like to find out when there is mail in the mailbox. This is a very convenient feature.
Monitoring
These Z-Wave door sensors are able to notify other devices in the Z-Wave network such as the Z-Wave hub when the door or window has been opened. You can easily set up the device to communicate with your mobile phone. This allows for you to monitor whether your doors are opened or closed when you are far away from home.
Types of Z-Wave Door Sensors
The Z-Wave door sensors are divided into two main categories:
Recessed Door Sensors
These are Z-Wave door sensors that come in two halves. The larger half contains the battery which powers the Z-Wave communication circuitry and is recessed into the door frame. The smaller magnet is recessed into the door.
Door and Window Sensors
These are Z-Wave door sensors that come in two halves. The main sensor housing comes with the battery and the other half has the smaller magnet. One half goes on the door frame, and the other half goes on the door.
Factors to Consider When Buying A Z-Wave Door Sensor
Range
The Z-Wave door sensor is going to be embedded in your door frame. You need to make sure that it is within the range of the other Z-Wave devices present in your home. It is best to get a device that has a large range so that you do not have trouble setting up your Z-Wave network.
Batteries
There are very many types of batteries that are present. Some are rechargeable and some are not. The non-rechargeable battery types come in very many form factors as well. It is best to choose a device that comes with a non-rechargeable battery. This advice may sound rather strange, but the reason for this suggestion is that most of the rechargeable devices require you to remove the door sensor, charge it, and then mount it back where it was. This is usually done more frequently that devices that do not have rechargeable batteries.
In addition, you need to look for batteries that are rather easy to find. You do not want to buy a Z-Wave device that has a battery that is extremely hard to find. AA/AAA/CR123 battery powered Z-Wave door sensors are usually a good bet.
Sensitivity
This is another important factor to consider. The sensitivity is the amount of gap that you can have between the two components of the sensor and still correctly report an open or closed status. You need to choose a device that has the sensitivity that is perfect for your point of application. If the device you choose is too sensitive, then you may get many false alarms. If the device you choose is not sensitive enough then you will have challenges with it not reporting that the door has been opened in time.
Size
The smaller the device the better. This is because the Z-Wave door sensors are frequently made to be unobtrusive. If you choose a big Z-Wave sensor then that may defeat the whole purpose of using one as the intruder may then proceed to look for a less secure point of entry.
Frequency
The exact Z-Wave frequency used is different and this depends on the country that the product was intended for. Make sure that you buy a Z-Wave door sensor that was made for your country.
What is a Z-Wave Door Sensor?
A Z-Wave door sensor is a magnetic contact sensor that consists of two parts that are used to send a signal when a door is either opened or closed. This signal is transmitted from the Z-Wave door sensor to other devices in the Z-Wave network.
How Does a Z-Wave Door Sensor Work?
The Z-Wave sensor consists of two parts. These are the main sensor housing with the battery and the smaller magnet. These two devices are usually placed into the door. These two components can be separated by a small gap which is usually smaller than an inch. Whenever the gap between the two halves exceeds this limit, the “magnetic contact” is broken. The electronic circuit board in the device then transmits the new status of the door to your Z-Wave hub. This allows for you to monitor the status of your doors. Through the use of accessories, it is possible to use the Z-Wave sensor to trigger other actions such as turning on cameras, lights, etc.
Z-Wave Door Sensor FAQs
How Often Do I Need to Replace My Battery?
Well, Z-Wave devices use very little power. This means that they are able to run for months on end. It is quite normal to have your device last for between 6 months and 3 years without needing you to replace the battery. Consult the manufacturer’s manual for information about the expected battery life of your particular sensor.
Can It Be Used With A Smart Hub?
Most Z-Wave door sensors are compatible with the majority of smart hubs available on the market. It is best to first identify the smart hub that you would like to use with your Z-Wave sensor and see whether it is compatible with your particular Z-Wave door sensor.
Are Z-Wave Door Sensors Waterproof?
Some Z-Wave door sensors are not waterproof. This means that you need to take great care to ensure that they do not get soaked in the rain as this may easily result in it malfunctioning. There are some, however, that are weatherproof and are safe to use outdoors.
Do They Give Battery Warning?
Most Z-Wave door sensors were designed and developed to give battery warnings. They usually give some sort of a notification to your smart hub.
Can The Sensor Give Off a Sound?
Most Z-Wave door sensors do not have the feature of giving off a sound when the door is opened. In order to achieve this you may need to have a smart hub and a siren.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored a list of the 10 best Z-Wave door sensors. We gave a thorough analysis of each sensor. We also gave a detailed guide for buying the best Z-Wave door sensor for you as well as a list of FAQs for your convenience.
Check out the best Z-Wave door sensor on Amazon.
