A full security system may be the peace of mind you and your loved ones need.
Our Top 10 Picks
- Wyze Cam with Wyze Sense Starter Kit – Best Motion Sensor + Camera Option
- Ring Floodlight Camera – Best Smart Outdoor Light
- Simplisafe Motion Sensor – Best Motion Sensor for Pet Owners
- LITOM Motion Sensor Light – Best Solar-Powered Motion Sensor
- ADT Motion Sensor – Best for a Professionally Installed System
- Govee Motion Sensor
- Mr. Beams Motion Sensing Spotlight
- J.LUMI Motion Sensor with Light
- WJLING Motion Sensor Alarm
- Kangaroo Motion Sensor
What are motion sensors?
Motion sensors are devices made to detect activity. These can be used indoors or outdoors to enhance your home protection. Whenever an indoor sensor is tripped, a signal is sent to your security system’s control panel or base station, and then your monitoring company is notified.
From there, you may be contacted by your monitoring company or the authorities may be dispatched. It’s also important to note that some motion sensors can be self-installed and come with professional monitoring. This gives you the freedom to place them wherever you feel is best in your home.
Compare Motion Sensors
| Price | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Motion detection range | Up to 26 ft. | Not specified | Up to 30 ft. | Up to 26 ft. | Up to 40 ft. | Up to 328 ft. | Up to 30 ft. | Up to 50 ft. | Up to 328 ft. | Up to 15 ft. |
| Power source | AC power cable | Hardwired | Battery | Solar | Battery | Batteries or microUSB | Battery | Not specified | Battery | Battery |
| Installation type | DIY | DIY | DIY or Professional | DIY | Professional | DIY | DIY | DIY | DIY | DIY |
| Indoor/Outdoor | Indoor | Outdoor | Indoor | Ourdoor | Indoor | Indoor or Outdoor | Outdoor | Indoor | Indoor or Outdoor | Indoor |
| Lighting | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not specified | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Image capture/video | Yes | Yes | No | No | Not specified | No | No | No | No | No |
| Siren | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty | 1-year limited warranty | 3-year limited warranty | 1 year | Not specified | Lifetime warranty | 1-year limited warranty | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
Compare Motion Sensors: Our Top 10 Picks
Our take
Get double-the-punch with the Wyze Cam V2 and Sense Starter Kit for protecting your home. You’ll be able to easily install the sensors on your doors or windows. You’ll also get notifications whenever motion is detected and can check your camera. This kit allows you to protect an area of up to 26 ft.
Stand-out features include
- Up to 26 ft. detection range
- Video surveillance with Wyze Cam V2
- Access to motion sensor history
Our take
The Ring Floodlight Camera is a motion-activated floodlight and camera all in one. It produces 1,800 lumens of light and is designed with an adjustable 270-degree motion sensor to detect any activity within 30 feet. If there’s any suspicious activity outside your home, Ring’s outdoor light allows you to sound a loud 110-decibel alarm from your smartphone using the Ring app. The camera is equipped with 1080p HD video, night vision and a 140-degree field of view.
Stand-out features include
- Weather resistant outdoor light
- Detects motion within 30 feet
- Sounds a loud 110-decibel alarm remotely
- Hardwired outdoor camera floodlight
Our take
Great for pet-owners, this SimpliSafe motion sensor has a 90-degree field of vision, providing full coverage if placed in a corner. Made with flexibility for installation, it can be set on a shelf or even hung on a wall. If you have pets under 50 pounds, this device is designed to avoid detecting them and prevent false alarms.
Stand-out features include
- Great for indoor monitoring
- Won’t detect pets under 50 pounds
- Provides full coverage with a 90-degree field of vision
- Boasts a 30-foot range for motion detection
4. LITOM Motion Sensor Light
Our take
Powered by solar energy, the LITOM Wireless Motion Sensor provides a well-lit environment for outdoor areas of your home. Featuring 24 LED lights, when motion is detected, this sensor will provide lighting for up to 20 seconds. This product can be best used for lighting above your garage, steps, corners and more.
Stand-out features include
- Absorbs sunlight and converts into electricity
- Designed to illuminate outdoor areas of your home
- Provides lighting for 20 seconds when motion is detected at night
- Waterproof design to protect circuit and battery
5. ADT Motion Sensor
Our take
Designed to be pet-friendly and customizable for your furry friends, the Motion Sensor provides coverage for large rooms and spaces and works with your security system to trigger your lights if the sensor is tripped.
Stand-out features include
- Designed for indoor monitoring
- Provides coverage for a 35-foot to 40-foot area
- Receive alerts by phone or email
- Professional technician can adjust the sensor’s sensitivity for pet owners
6. Govee Motion Sensor
Our take
The Govee Motion Sensor is a top-rated Amazon product and provides up to 328 ft. of motion detection. The large range makes this device especially helpful for use outdoors such as above your garage door. You can also choose a ringtone and adjust the volume up to 110dB to deter intruders.
Stand-out features include
- Up to 50 ft. detection range
- Designed for indoor use
- Features a light that can be triggered on
7. Mr. Beams Motion Sensing Spotlight
Our take
Great for warding off unsuspecting visitors, the Mr. Beams Motion Sensing Spotlight can be installed in around 5 minutes and provide motion detection for a 30-foot range. With automatic shut-off, you won’t have to worry about excessive energy use, and the weatherproof design makes this device great for mounting above your garage, storage shed or another outdoor area.
Stand-out features include
- Engineered for outdoor monitoring
- Spotlight detects motion within a 30-foot range
- Features two bright, LED spotlights with automatic shut-off
- Sturdy, weatherproof design
8. J.LUMI Motion Sensor with Light
Our take
Get motion detection and lighting with the J. LUMI Motion Sensor. This device can protect an area of up to 50 ft., and the light can be triggered on when someone’s nearby. You can also adjust the light’s sensitivity and time delay.
Stand-out features include
- Up to 50 ft. detection range
- Designed for indoor use
- Features a light that can be triggered on
9. WJLING Motion Sensor Alarm
Our take
The WJLING Motion Sensor Alarm is designed to detect activity through an infrared sensor and has a range of up to 328 feet for motion detection. This allows you to receive warnings for visitors who even arrive in your driveway. With a wireless design, you can plug the receiver into any outlet and get started with ease.
Stand-out features include
- Detects motion through an infrared sensor
- Comes with 38 ringtones for alerts
- Can be installed indoors or outdoors
- Durable, waterproof design
10. Kangaroo Motion Sensor
Our take
Designed for simplicity, the Kangaroo Home Security Motion Sensor is easy to install and controllable from your smartphone through mobile app. You’ll receive alerts whenever suspicious activity is detected; and with this motion sensor, you can avoid false alarms with its pet friendly design.
Stand-out features include
- Easy peel and stick installation
- Designed for simple indoor monitoring
- Optional professional monitoring for enhanced security
- Prevents false alarms by avoiding pet detection
Showing 5 of 10 products
Showing 10 of 10 products
Different types of motion sensors
These devices come in different types, depending on the use location and technology. The most common type you’ll find are passive infrared (PIR) motion sensors, and this is because they recognize heat signatures. Some PIR motion sensors are designed to avoid pets up to a certain weight, making these great for pet owners. Dual-technology motion sensors can be more superior to their single-technology counterparts as they can help prevent more false alarms with two types, such as combining PIR with microwave technology. We break down several types of motions sensors you’ll find while shopping below:
- Passive infrared (PIR) motion sensors – These are designed to detect body heat and movement within the parameters of the sensor. This is most common technology used in these devices on the market today.
- Microwave motion sensors – These devices send of microwave pulses, are able to provide more coverage, and are usually more expensive.
- Ultrasonic motion sensors – These sensors emit ultrasonic waves and can calculate the reflection of those waves from a moving object.
- Dual-technology motion sensors – These devices combine different motion-sensing technologies, such as PIR and ultrasonic technologies combine in one sensor.
Where to Place Motion Sensors
In general, a motion sensor can be mounted in the corner of a wall or placed in the center of a wall. Most brands will advise you to place the motion sensor at a certain height above the floor. It’s also good practice to never place your motion sensor facing a window, in an area where your pets normally travel, or in non-climate controlled areas (unless the motion sensor is designed for outdoor use or with weatherproof features).
How to Install Motion Sensors
Here are some basic steps to install a wireless motion sensor.
- Consider placing your motion sensor in a high-traffic area (such as the living room, foyer, kitchen, etc.)
- Clean the area in which you plan to place the motion sensor with a wipe or damp paper towel and then dry
- If the motion sensor is adhesible, remove the paper backing from the adhesive
- Carefully place and press your sensor in its location
- You may want to hold the sensor in place for at least 30 seconds
- And you’re all set and ready to test the sensor
Some brands may have additional instructions for testing your motion sensor. You’ll need to follow their instructions for successful use.
Benefits of motion sensors
What are the advantages of home security motion detectors?
Home security motion detectors are a main line of defense with your security system. If your security system has door and window detectors, these serve as a line of defense whenever a door or window is opened. If these detectors, however, are not triggered, then that’s when motion sensors do the “heavy lifting” of detecting suspicious activity and triggering the control panel. This is one of the biggest advantages of motion sensors and even around your home.
Another advantage that these sensors can have is if they come with lighting. It’s easy to find flood lights or outdoor lights that come with motion sensing technology. Whenever activity is detected, the lights are triggered and can provide a well-lit path if you’re arriving home late. As a two-fold benefit, these lights can also deter burglars and intruders as they’re caught in their tracks. Some outdoor motion sensors even feature alarms that will let you know when activity has been detected on your property.
The best motion sensors for your home
Motion sensors play a key role in home protection. They can work in tandem with your security system as an indoor element or standalone as an outdoor element to deter suspicious activity and keep you alert. With our list of the 10 best motion sensors, you now have a jumpstart on finding one to help guard what matters most.
