When it comes to Z-Wave motion sensors, there are several choices. We have compiled a list of the top ten Z-Wave motion sensors that come with essential features such as a long battery life, pet immunity which means you do not need to worry about your dog or cat triggering the sensor, compatibility with other home security systems which allows you to boost your home security, AES encryption which ensures that hackers will not be able to gain access to your data and a design which makes them blend in with your décor quite easily. Which of these Z-Wave motion sensors is better than the rest? We will have a look at each Z-Wave motion sensor and bring out all the features present to help you make a judgment as to which Z-Wave motion sensor best suits your unique needs. In addition, we will include details about which Z-Wave motion sensor best suits the needs of those buying on a very tight budget.
Alternatively, just skip to the best Z-Wave motion sensor on Amazon.
Table of Contents
Best Z-Wave Motion Sensors Comparison Table
List of 10 Best Z-Wave Motion Sensors
1. Ecolink Z-Wave PIR Motion Detector Pet Immune
First in our list of the 10 Best Z-Wave Motion Sensors is a product from Ecolink. This brand is well trusted in the home automation industry, and produces quite reliable devices. This motion detector device looks rather minimalistic and will easily blend in with home décor. It is very easy install, which means that any DIY enthusiast can easily set up this device. It comes with an easy flushing mounting bracket that also supports corner mounting. After mounting all you need to do is to insert the battery to begin the learning process. It works with both Z-Wave and Z-Wave Plus. It is compatible with most Z-Wave security systems such as Vera Lite, Vera Edge, HomeSeer, Vera Plus, D-Link staples connect and Piper NV. It is also compatible with Z-Wave hubs such as the Samsung SmartThings hub.
It comes with two modes which are automation mode and security mode. Automation mode can be used to provide accurate and instant motion detection to control your home devices such as your lights. In security mode, the motion detection is used to instantly alert you of an intrusion. It is also boasts of the pet immunity feature. This means that pets that are 55 lbs going down will not trigger this device. This is a huge advantage for homeowners who have multiple pets as they can easily trigger the motion detector, and when it is linked to a security system this leads to sleepless nights as the pets continuously trigger the alarm. It is made to last due to its durable, robust build quality. It is made to greatly reduce false alarms. The product comes with a CR123A battery which lasts up to 5 years. All these features could easily make this device the best Z-Wave motion sensor.
This product does have a few drawbacks. These drawbacks include the long motion reset timer. This can be up to 5 minutes. The model also seems to have a narrow detection range. This is the best Z-Wave motion sensor on the market.
2. Samsung SmartThings GP-U999SJVLBAA Magnetic Motion Sensor
This is a device from the semiconductor giant, Samsung. This is a relatively low cost Z-Wave device that is a motion sensor. It also has the Zigbee communication protocol. This device is not the most beautiful device out there. It definitely is not the most unobtrusive device out there. It is powered by a single CR2 battery that is included in the packaging. It has a wireless range of around 50 – 130 feet. This means that it will be able to connect to your hub as well as other Z-Wave devices. It is rather easy to install and any DIY enthusiast can easily set it up. The product comes with a wall mounting pad and a magnetic ball to allow you to install it quite quickly. It can measure the temperature as well as the motion. It has wide compatibility as it can be used with a SmartThings hub, Google, Alexa and more. It can be used to quickly and easily make devices automatically turn on or off as people come and go. This helps to minimize energy wastages e.g. in cases in which smart lights are left on when there are no occupants. It is quite easy to adjust the sensor with the quick tilt magnetic ball mount to capture motion up to 15 feet away from the sensor. It also comes with a 120 degree view range. It allows for the homeowner to receive alerts when there is unexpected movement in the home. It comes with a 1 year limited warranty.
The device does come with a few drawbacks however. The device requires a SmartThings Hub or a compatible device with SmartThings functionality as well as the SmartThings application. In addition, your device has to have either iOS 10.0 going up and Android 6.0 going up. In addition, the device’s battery life fluctuates on a daily basis and there does not seem to be any regular power consumption pattern. This is the cheapest Z-Wave motion sensor on the market.
3. Dome Home Automation Motion Detector Z-Wave – Light Sensor – Magnetic Mount
This is a device with quite an artistic look. Some find it to be great, some find it a bit odd but both groups of people do agree that it works quite well. It is very easy to install, and it comes with a magnet inside one of its dimples. This is used to connect it to the mount. The package comes with adhesive tape as well as a few screws. This gives you, the user flexibility as you choose which method of mounting you would want to use. Adhesive tape would be best for surfaces that you would not want to damage, or if you are renting an apartment and using screws would be a good idea if this is a permanent fixture.
The device is quite easy to connect to the Z-Wave network. You just need to set your hub to detect devices and press the pairing button on the device. The device will then connect to your network and you are done. It is Z-Wave and Z-Wave Plus certified and is compatible with a wide range of Z-Wave Hubs. These include the following: HomeSeer, Nexia, Wink, Samsung SmartThings and others. It is able to sense both motion and ambient light. This allows for it to create smart lighting scenes that help optimize your personal safety as well as your home security. It comes with adjustable sensitivity which helps reduce false alarms. It is battery powered and due to its size, it is quite easy to install it virtually anywhere in the home. It uses 1 CR123A battery that comes included in the package and usually lasts for up to 3 years. It has a wireless range of up to 150 feet. It detects movement with extra wide 110 degree coverage. It is up to you, the homeowner, to decide which actions to take when movement is detected. You can automatically trigger a siren, or you can automatically turn a few lights on. It picks up movement around 21 feet.
This device does one main drawback. This is the light sensor. It does not appear to work very well.
4. GE Enbrighten Z-Wave Plus Smart Motion Light Switch
Our fourth product in our list of the best Z-Wave motion sensors is a product from General Electric. This is a Z-Wave switch that functions as both a Motion sensor and a smart switch. For a switch, this device is relatively easy to install. All you need to do is unbox it, attach the relevant wires from your home circuit and you are good to go. It is a good motion detector with three motion detection options. The first mode is the occupancy mode. In this mode, the lights are turned on or off automatically. The second mode is vacancy mode. In this mode, the lights are turned on manually and off automatically in this setting. In the last mode, the lights are turned on and off manually. It comes with five time out duration options. These are in the range of five seconds to 30 minutes. This helps you to choose the mode that best suits your needs. It also comes with up to 180 degree detection coverage. In addition, the device accommodates any room with varying amounts of activity. This device uses Z-Wave and Z-Wave plus. This means that it is compatible with a wide variety of devices. It can work with the following Z-Wave certified hubs: Samsung SmartThings, Ring Alarm, Wink, Trane, Nexia, Honeywell, HomeSeer, Harmony Home Extender, Vera, ADT Command, ADT Pulse and more. It also acts as a Z-Wave range extender and can extend the range of your Z-Wave network by up to 150 feet. It is compatible with Amazon’s Alexa as well as the Google Assistant which allows for you to control it using your voice. The products comes with 2-Year limited warranty.
This device does have a few drawbacks. The process of pairing it to a hub can be a bit tricky. In addition, the PIR sensor in the device could have been made more sensitive. It needs a neutral wire.
5. Schlage Z-Wave Motion Sensor with Nexia
This is a motion sensor by Nexia. This device has quite a simple design and will blend in quite well with your home’s décor. It is rather small and unobtrusive. It is very simple to set up. It does not require any drilling. If you are a tenant, or you do not want to damage your walls then this device is definitely for you. In addition, this device can be easily set up on a flat surface or in a corner. It is a battery powered device, and the battery can easily last for up to 26280 hours. This means that it is quite possible to install the device with the battery at 100%, and have the battery capacity fall to 99% after nine months. It is rather small and lightweight and will not cause any weight problems that will need complicated workarounds or damage to your walls. The communication range of this device is very good and this means that you are guaranteed of reliable performance. This device is quite perfect for those who want a solution that allows for remote access. You can easily customize the device to allow it to send you a text message or email alert when activity is detected in your home. You can also use the motion sensor to record a short video when activity is present. It can also be incorporated into a scene to allow your lights to turn on when activity is detected. It comes with 1 year limited mechanical and electronics warranty.
This device has a few drawbacks. The device does look attractive, but it is made of plastic and looks and feels quite cheap. In addition, there is need to pay a monthly subscription fee of 9.99 USD for remote access.
6. GE Enbrighten Z-Wave Plus Portable Smart Motion Sensor
Our sixth product in our list of the 10 Best Z-Wave Motion Sensors is a product from General Electric. This product is made in a very minimalistic and attractive design. It is a battery powered device that uses two CR123A batteries. These batteries are included in the packaging and last for up to two years. The device can also be powered with a micro USB cable. When this cable is plugged in, the device becomes a Z-Wave signal repeater function. This helps to increase the range of your Z-Wave network. It has a reach of up to 45 feet. and up to 180 degree coverage. This means that the device is able to provide wide coverage of your room. It comes with three sensitivity settings which are low, medium and high. This helps it to suit your exact needs. It can be placed anywhere. The package comes with mounting hardware that can be used to mount the device to a wall, or ceiling. In addition, you can use the device on the following surfaces: counters, desks, shelves or any other flat surfaces that are in any indoor location. It is quite ideal for high traffic areas. Such areas include entryways, common rooms, hallways, and more especially when powered by a micro cable. It is a wireless device that supports the Z-Wave and Z-Wave Plus protocols. It can easily send notifications to mobile devices, activate lights and trigger scenes when movement is detected. It has a wide wireless signal range of up to 150feet. It is compatible with a wide range of Z-Wave devices such as the Samsung SmartThings, Wink, Trane, Nexia and more. It works with virtually any Z-Wave certified device.
This device does have a few drawbacks. It drains the battery very quickly when used very frequently. It has a 4 minute motion sensor delay when using battery power. In addition, a few users reported hypersensitivity to motion.
7. ZOOZ Z-Wave Plus 4-in-1 Sensor ZSE40 VER. 2.0 (Motion/Light/Temperature/Humidity)
This is a device from ZOOZ. It is a motion detector that uses both Z-Wave and Z-Wave plus. The latest version of this device, version 2.0 comes with a longer battery life. This was achieved by swapping the AAA batteries with CR123A batteries that are able to contain more power. This provides an impressive battery life and also makes the device maintenance and hassle-free. It comes with a clear manual which is rather clear and intuitive which makes it very easy to successfully set up the device in very little time. This means that any DIY enthusiast can install this with ease. It comes with screws, mounting brackets as well as adhesive tape. This gives you choice as it allows you to use tape which does not damage the mounting surface. When installing the device, remember to connect the sensor to the Z-Wave network first. Also make sure that you place the device at least 7 feet from the ground. It comes with multiple sensors – it has temperature, light, humidity and motion sensors.
It allows you to configure the motion sensor to a fine degree. The motion sensor has a range of up to 40 feet, which is great, but may cause a few false positives. You have the option to choose between 7 sensitivity settings and you can set the sensor to update to the number of seconds you want in the range of 15 to 255 seconds. You can also change the report thresholds for light, humidity, temperature and motion. This allows you to get precise and unique detection for your needs. You can also get instant temperature and status reports by simply looking at the LED indicator. The various color options present can be used to communicate the current temperature, whether motion is detected and whether the tamper switch has been triggered. It uses the Z-Wave 500 series chip. It comes with bank grade AES encryption to protect communication between the device and your security enabled hub. It is compatible with SmartThings, Vera, Almond and HomeSeer.
This device does have a few drawbacks. It is battery operated so it cannot be used as a Z-Wave range extender. In addition, it is not supported by very many hubs. It is not compatible with the following: Wink, Nexia, Piper, Vivint, ADT Pulse, 2GIG, Qolsys, or any other smart home alarm panel.
8. FIBARO FGMS-001 ZW5 Sensor ZW500 Z-Wave Plus Multisensor-Motion
Fibaro is a well-known brand that provides home automation and building solutions. This device received several awards which include the “2017 CES Innovation Award,” “2019 CES Innovation Honoree,” “2014 & 2016 IF Design Award.” This is a rather small temperature, light, vibration and motion sensor. It is just 1.8 inches in diameter and will be able to easily blend into the environment. It does come with a rather artistic design which you may like. It comes with a wide host of features. It has intelligent object recognition capability. This means that it is able to distinguish between pets and human beings. This means that false alerts will be a thing of the past. In addition, you are able to easily change the sensitivity to suit your needs.
It has a multi-color LED eye like display that visually displays motion and temperature. You can configure the color of the LED and if you do not like it you can easily turn it off. It has built-in temper protection. This means that it will be quite difficult to steal this device. In addition, it can also be used for earthquake detection. The light sensor helps to adjust the lighting to your needs. This means it can help turn lights off or on when the sun rises and sets. It is perfect for couples with babies as it can detect motion of the baby, and then turn off the light when the baby is sound asleep. It can be used to guard your safety as it monitors motion in the room which you place it in. This device can be remotely activated to trigger a set of predetermined scenes and actions. The device is battery operated and uses CR123A batteries which come included in the package. It comes with 1 year limited manufacturer’s warranty. This device does have a few drawbacks. It does not work with the Apple HomeKit. A few consumers complained about the battery life of the device.
9. Aeotec Multisensor 6, Z-Wave Plus 6-in1 motion, temperature, humidity, light, UV, vibration sensor
This device has very many sensors within it. It comes with a motion, temperature, light lux, humidity, vibration and a UV sensor. It will certainly provide all of the details you could ever want! It has an LED that lights up whenever the device detects motion. This device has two power sources. The first power source is a pair of CR123A batteries. These are capable of providing power to this device for up to two full years. In addition, the sensor is able to work with just one battery. It can also be powered using a USB cable. This also allows you to plug this device into your PC, or connect it to your television to give real time updates as well as to provide power to it.
It is a super small device which is 1.8 inches big. This means that you can easily install it in a corner, put it on a shelf or in a downlight. It is compatible with a wide variety of devices. It works with the Webee, Home Center, Samsun SmartThings, openHAB, HomeSeer, Home Center, Z-Wave.Me RaZberry2, Universal Devices ISY994Zw, Zipabox and more. It is built using the latest Z-Wave 500 series chip and firmware. This provides a 50% greater wireless range as well as a 250% faster communication speed over previous Z-Wave products. It has AES 128 bit security encryption built right in. In order to take full advantage of the device, it is best to use a Z-Wave hub with a series 500 chip.
The device comes with 1 year warranty against manufacturer defects. It covers a 120 degree area 16 feet in front of the device at its maximum range settings. It has five sensitivity settings and also comes with the feature to completely turn off the motion sensor. The other sensors are quite useful. The light sensor can easily detect light up to 30,000 lux and can be used to turn your lights on or off depending on whether the sun is out or not. The Ultraviolet sensor measures the amount of ultraviolet radiation in the surroundings. It immediately alerts you when the levels present are rather dangerous. The vibration sensor is present to give a warning if somebody tries to tamper with the device. This makes it virtually immune to theft.
This device however has a few drawbacks. Using USB power makes the device to heat up, and this interferes with the sensor readings. It also has annoying false low battery alerts.
10. Monoprice Z-Wave Plus Pir Motion Detector with Temperature Sensor
This is a temperature and motion sensor from Monoprice. It comes with no logo and is white. We guess the manufacturer wanted it to look as plain and minimalistic as possible. It will easily blend in with your home’s décor as a result and it is completely unobtrusive. This device is very easy to install. The manufacturer made sure of that as the sensor comes with the mounting screws and adhesive tape for those who do not want to deal with screws. The device is battery powered and the battery is included in the packaging. It is rather easy to add to your Z-Wave network, and we do not expect you to have any trouble configuring and installing this device. This device uses both Z-Wave and Z-Wave plus. It uses a passive infrared sensor and sends a signal when motion is detected in its detection range. It can detect moving objects that are within a line of sight distance of up to 32 feet. It has a field of view of up to 120 degrees. The device can then be used to activate various other devices as well as to perform preprogrammed tasks. It also comes with a temperature sensor that can be used to detect changes in temperature and reports when a significant temperature change has occurred. It uses 128 bit AES encryption. This guarantees that the data obtained by this device will not be intercepted by unwanted parties. It is also tamper proof. This makes it rather difficult for thieves to tamper with the product and try to deactivate it. It supports the Android and iOS application through the RBoy applications that allow the users to configure advanced parameters for the devices as well as to create hands free automation.
The device does come with a few drawbacks. It looks rather plain. A few users complained that the temperature functionality does not work very well. The battery indicator appears to be a bit faulty as well.
Best Z-Wave Motion Sensor Brands
The best Z-Wave motion sensor brands are General Electric, Fibaro and Ecolink. The Fibaro brand is well-known in the home automation industry, and their device that we covered in this article won several awards such as the 2017 CES Innovation Award,” “2019 CES Innovation Honoree,” “2014 & 2016 IF Design Award.” General Electric is a well-known brand which is known to produce quality items. Ecolink is another well-known brand in the home automation industry and it produces good devices.
Best Z-Wave Motion Sensor
The device that gets this award is the Ecolink Z-Wave PIR Motion Detector Pet Immune. This is because of its modest price, the reliability of the device as well as the simplistic design. This product can easily blend in youth your home décor. It is made to avoid false alarms and it distinguishes between humans and pets.
Here are the key features we liked about the product:
- Wide compatibility with home security systems
- Compatible with Samsung SmartThings
- Pet immune
- Long battery life
- Security and Automation modes
Cheapest Z-Wave Motion Sensor
The cheapest Z-Wave Motion Sensor from our list is the Samsung SmartThings GP-U999SJVLBAA Magnetic Motion Sensor. This device definitely is not the most beautiful device out there. It is easy to install and can also measure the temperature of the room which it is put into. It has wide compatibility and also allows the homeowner to receive alerts when there is unexpected movement in the home.
Here are the Key features that we liked about the device:
- Zigbee and Z-Wave
- 15 feet detection range and 120 degree view range
- 1 year limited warranty
- Battery included
- Easy to install
- Relatively cheap
Z-Wave Motion Sensor FAQ
Do All Z-Wave Motion Sensors Have Built In Alarms?
Well, there may be some of them that have them, but most do not. These devices can be used to sound a siren through the use of a Z-Wave Hub
Do All Z-Wave Motion Sensors Have Batteries?
Most of them do. Most of the batteries last quite a long time and you will forget the device has a battery until you replace it. Some devices (such as the GE switch mentioned in this article) do not have any batteries.
Are All Z-Wave Motion Sensors Wireless?
Well, Z-Wave is a wireless protocol, so the obvious answer to that would be a Yes. If the device does not use any batteries (such as the GE switch mentioned in this article) then the product would need to be connected to some wired system, but it would still use the wireless Z-Wave protocol in addition to being wired to a system.
Do All Z-Wave Motion Sensors Have Multiple Features?
Not all of them. Some are just motion sensors and cannot be used for much else.
Can the Device Be Used Outdoors?
Well not in most cases. Most of the devices are made for indoor use. You will have to check before buying.
Do All Z-Wave Motion Sensors work with all Z-Wave Hubs and Security Systems?
Actually, no. It is imperative that you check whether the Z-Wave motion sensor that you intend to buy works with your Z-Wave hub or not.
How Much Does A Z-Wave Motion Sensor Cost?
Z-Wave motion sensors are not expensive devices. You definitely will not spend hundreds of dollars purchasing these devices. These devices can be divided into two groups.
Higher end Z-Wave motion sensors. These motion sensors come with advanced features such as USB plus battery power options, multiple sensors present and a beautiful design. An example of such a device is the FIBARO FGMS-001 ZW5 Sensor ZW500 Z-Wave Plus Multisensor-Motion. Such motion sensors are in the 40+ USD range.
Lower end Z-Wave motion sensors. These motion sensors are usually plain and are battery powered. They do not usually have more than two sensors present. In this category you do not usually see names from big brands. An example of such as device is the Monoprice Z-Wave Plus Pir Motion Detector with Temperature Sensor. Such motion sensors are in the sub 40 USD range.
Why Do You Need a Z-Wave Motion Sensor?
Automation
The motion sensors usually have features that allow them to activate another device when motion is detected. You can use these devices to automatically turn the lights on when motion is detected.
Security
The motion sensors can detect when an intruder has entered the house. You can then use a Z-Wave hub and a siren to sound an alarm
Convenience
These devices usually come with a wide host of features. Some come with multiple sensors that you can use to detect vital parameters in your household.
Energy Saving
The motion sensors are able to automatically turn of devices that you easily forget to turn off. For example they can automatically turn lights off when there is nobody in the room, thus, resulting in cost savings.
Reliability
Z-Wave uses the 800-900MHz frequency band. This band is relatively uncongested unlike other bands such as the 2.4GHz band that is used by Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This makes it very reliable as the Z-Wave devices will not be competing for a specific frequency.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Z-Wave Motion Sensor
Range
This is the most important consideration. First ask yourself how many feet you would like your ideal motion sensor to detect you from.
Power Options
You may want a battery powered device which is quite easy to maintain as you just buy a new battery or replace the old one. Or you may want a device that is rechargeable and has USB power support.
Subscriptions
Some devices offer services such as remote access. These services are available at a fee. Check which service best suits you.
Features
Some sensors come with other features such as light, humidity and temperature sensors. Ask yourself if you would need these extra sensors or whether they are unnecessary.
Installation
Nothing is worse than buying a device that is hard to install and set up. Make sure that the sensor you buy is easy to install. If you are a tenant consider buying sensors that come with adhesive tape and do not damage the walls.
Compatibility
Not all sensors are compatible with all Z-Wave hubs. Make sure that the sensor you want to buy is compatible with your Z-Wave Hub. In addition, the Z-Wave frequencies used in each country is different. You need to ensure that the Z-Wave device you are using was made for your country.
What is A Z-Wave Motion Sensor?
A Z-Wave motion sensor is a device that is able to detect motion, and carry out relevant actions based on that motion by transmitting a Z-Wave signal to a Z-Wave compatible device.
How Does A Z-Wave Motion Sensor Work?
Well, the operation of these devices is quite simple. The device is equipped with a motion sensor, and Z-Wave technology. This is usually a Passive Infrared Sensor. This sensor is used to detect whether there is a human in the room or not. If a human is in the room, the sensor then transmits the signal using the Z-Wave technology to a Z-Wave compatible device. As you probably know, Z-Wave is a wireless protocol which is just like Wi-Fi, but the difference is the frequency band it uses (800-900MHz), and also that this protocol is highly efficient. This allows for the motion sensor to be battery powered and for the battery to last for years.
Conclusion
This article has explored the various types of Z-Wave motion sensors in the market. We have given a thorough analysis of 10 Z-Wave sensors in our top best 10 Z-Wave sensors list. Check out the best Z-Wave motion sensors on Amazon.
