$14 – $22
Compact Zigbee door/window contact sensor with 2-year battery life. Works with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google via Aqara hub. 22mm detection gap.
You want instant status updates for automations
Super reliable with immediate status changes. Over 99.5% accuracy in testing. Great for lighting automations.
You already have an Aqara hub
Seamless integration with existing Aqara ecosystem. Instant status updates and reliable Zigbee communication.
You need many door/window sensors throughout home
Low cost per sensor and excellent battery life (2+ years) make it ideal for whole-home deployment. 3-pack available for more savings.
You want the best value contact sensor
At ~$18, one of the cheapest reliable options. Tested to last 2x longer on battery than competitors. Works with HomeKit, Alexa, Google.
You do not have an Aqara hub
Requires Aqara hub ($30-60 extra). Not compatible with other Zigbee hubs like SmartThings or Hubitat without workarounds.
You want a hub-free solution
Eve Door & Window works directly with Thread/Matter - no hub needed. Costs more but simpler for 1-2 sensors.
You need to install on metal surfaces
Metal interferes with Zigbee signal. Avoid metal doors/frames or add distance between sensor and metal.
Status sometimes shows in Aqara app but not Apple Home. Sensors may appear as generic "Contact Sensor" without names.
Apple CommunityMay be detected as Switch (On/Off) instead of Sensor (Open/Closed). Prevents proper alarm triggering.
SmartThings CommunityStuck in "closed" state - does not detect opening
occasionalCause: Magnet too far from sensor (must be within 22mm) or dead battery
HomeKit shows wrong status while Aqara app is correct
occasionalCause: HomeKit sync issues with Aqara hub
Installing magnet more than 22mm (7/8 inch) from sensor
Sensor always shows "open" or does not detect state changes
Tip: Ensure magnet and sensor unit are within 22mm gap. Test before permanently mounting with adhesive.
Mounting on or near metal surfaces
Weak Zigbee signal causes missed detections and dropouts
Tip: Keep sensor away from metal doors/frames. Use standoff if needed. Consider wired sensor for metal doors.
Remote notifications, Alexa/Google voice control, firmware updates. Aqara app access when away from home.
Zigbee communication with hub is local. HomeKit automations run locally through Apple Home Hub. Basic open/close detection continues.
Tested with up to 32 devices
Range 7-10m (23-33ft) from hub in open space. Walls reduce range. Uses CR1632 battery lasting 2+ years. Tested to 878,000+ cycles.
Maximum 32 child devices per Aqara hub. For more sensors, add additional hubs or use Zigbee repeaters (smart plugs) to extend mesh.
Eve Door & Window
If: Want hub-free solution with Thread/Matter
Aqara Door and Window Sensor P2
If: Want Matter support or broader hub compatibility
YoLink Door Sensor
If: Need extreme range or Android-focused solution
You need 5+ door/window sensors
Best value for bulk deployment. Low per-sensor cost + exceptional battery life. Hub cost amortizes quickly.
You only need 1-2 sensors and no Aqara hub
Hub adds $30-60 to cost. Eve Door & Window at $40 works hub-free. Better value for minimal deployments.
You want the most reliable budget contact sensor
Testing showed 99.5%+ accuracy and 2x battery life vs competitors. The sensor for 95% of people.
Maximum 32 child devices per Aqara hub. For more sensors, use additional hubs or ensure you have Zigbee repeaters to extend the mesh network.
Source: Aqara FAQMaximum 22mm (7/8 inch) gap between sensor and magnet. Greater distance causes false readings or failure to detect.
Source: Aqara FAQAqara devices not fully Zigbee compliant. Some sensors become unresponsive after battery replacement.
GitHub IssuesSensors may stop responding after 1-2 hours on some hubs. Re-pairing temporarily fixes but issue returns.
Homey CommunitySensors stop working after battery replacement
rareCause: Zigbee compliance issues - may need re-pairing after battery change
Adhesive not strong enough for some surfaces
occasionalCause: Surface preparation needed. 3M tape alternative recommended for difficult surfaces.
No individual naming in Apple Home - all show as "Contact Sensor"
occasionalCause: HomeKit integration limitation - need to rename manually after pairing
Placing sensor too far from Aqara hub
Intermittent connectivity and delayed status updates
Tip: Keep within 7-10m of hub in open space. Walls reduce range significantly. Add Zigbee repeater for distant sensors.
Door/window open/close events, timestamps, battery status
Simple contact sensor - no audio/video. Event data stored on Aqara cloud if enabled. Local-only operation possible with HomeKit.
You use SmartThings or Hubitat without Aqara hub
Aqara Zigbee quirks cause issues with non-Aqara hubs. Consider Samsung or Aeotec sensors for native compatibility.
7-10 meters (23-33 feet) in open space. Walls significantly reduce range. Add Zigbee repeaters (smart plugs) for distant locations.
Source: Aqara FAQOver 2 years under normal usage. Testing showed it lasting 2x longer than competing sensors. Uses replaceable CR1632 coin battery.
Source: Product Specs/TestingYes, it requires an Aqara Zigbee hub (M1S, M2, E1, etc.). Not compatible with other brands hubs without workarounds. Hub sold separately.
Source: Aqara FAQ