Sensors that work with Home Assistant
Sensors are what make a smart home actually smart — motion, presence, door contact, temperature and leak detection are the triggers behind every good automation. This list leans local: Zigbee sensors that pair straight into Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA, Matter-over-Thread newcomers, and mmWave presence sensors that know you're still in the room when you sit still. All verified purchasable in the UK.
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Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a motion sensor and a presence sensor?
PIR motion sensors detect movement, so they go blind when you sit still — fine for hallways, wrong for offices and living rooms. mmWave presence sensors like the Aqara FP2 detect micro-movement (even breathing), so lights stay on while you're reading. The usual pattern: cheap PIR for transit spaces, mmWave for rooms you occupy.
Do Aqara sensors need the Aqara hub?
No — despite what the packaging says, Aqara's Zigbee sensors pair directly with Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA through any Zigbee coordinator. The catch: they can be picky about which router devices they connect through (IKEA and Sonoff routers are fine; some others cause dropouts).
How many sensors do I actually need to start?
A motion sensor and a door sensor per key room gets you the classic automations: lights on entry, alerts when doors open, heating down when a window opens. At £7–£15 per Zigbee or Thread sensor, kitting out a whole UK terrace costs less than one smart speaker.