I assume to maintain backwards compatibily with the older hubs etc they’ll continue to offer ZigBee as most matter devices seems to offer dual protocols onboard. But only time will tell once they are released.
I’m not mad they are tossing the old range out, as I had a pretty poor outcome from those devices. So hoping the new range works better!
In the meantime, I’m trialing a couple of these BTHOME Bluetooth door sensors as replacements, they take 2xAAA batteries. I’ve got a few Bluetooth proxies around, so coverage isn’t an issue.
Pretty impressed with the battery monitoring volt level wise. The sensor has been updating the temp every 5 mins as well. Plus does the door open/close thing as expected
Lets see if I get the 1–2 years claimed battery life on two AAA batteries
A few weeks ago, I read in an interview with an IKEA manager that the new devices only support Matter over thread and that the Dirigera Hub can be used as a Matter bridge for “old” devices with Zigbee.
It sounded as if IKEA was unfortunately saying goodbye to Zigbee completely.
That sounds promising. Unfortunately, they seem to be quite large, so you can’t just hide them in the door or window frame, can you?
I installed an Aqara Zigbee contact sensor on our front door. It’s nice and inconspicuous in the door frame and very battery-efficient. The only thing that detracts from the positive impression is that it can only be paired with one Zigbee router and cannot switch automatically if it fails.
So far so good with this new sensor, been happily working away. Size wise, it takes 2 x AAA side by side, so yes a different shape. It does look a lot ‘bigger’ in the photos, but just pulled the measuring stick out its not really crazy bigger.
Size is HxWxD
BTHOME is 70 × 25 × 20 mm
IKEA is 85 x 18 x 18 mm
Anyhow just putting it out there for others how are after a cheap sensor. Yes different device, but seems most here are using HA so bluetooth proxies shouldn’t be too out of the normal for them. Plus this one does temps and reports battery voltage, which might be a pro to some people.
Both Original Parasoll with IKEA batteries and Bad Boy (modded parasoll) lasted 11-12 days.
The SNZB-04 is stil working (has two IKEA AAA’s).
I did notice it sometimes failed to report correctly, you can see this issue around nov 12 in the upper bar. I think this is because all 3 were next to each other. Since the IKEA sensors are dead, it seems to act normal.
Could it be that the sensors perform worse battery wise when there is more interference (lots of 2.4 Ghz devices - like a wifi AP very close to the sensors)? In addition to a very busy door/windows of course.
Anyhow. I’m done with the parasols, useless.
I will take them all off and return them, only bad boy can stay
Same… They are now EOL, there is a new product out to replace them, but think I’m going to focus on the Bluetooth ones as been really impressed with them so far.
I’ve had a few IKEA ZigBee devices and not impressed, other than the water leak ones.
My final addition to this topic. I’ve successfully returned all my Parasoll sensors bought over the last 18 months (over multiple purchases) in one go. Only my modded/opened-up ‘bad boy’ is still here on a non-crucial and less opened door.
Before I took all of the door/windows and returned them I used IKEA chat to verify if I could do so (explained the issue).
Then some days later at the counter with all them in a (IKEA) bag they asked me the reason. I told that they are untrustworthy, battery remaining 12 to 60 days max. No further questions asked, just the (digital) receipts were scanned. All was back in my account in 10 minutes.
Might try some of the new sensors in January. Guess buying more will have too wait until summer 2026 (6-10 months battery power is the least!)
I read an article saying Ikea is first to market using a new chip design that is both zigbee AND thread capable, but it can only use one protocol at a time.
In other words, pair with zigbee and you stay with zigbee. Pair with thread, and you stay with thread. The only way to switch is a factory reset.
I know this is a bit of an older thread now, but which Aqara sensors did you end up going with? How have they been? Don’t all the Aqara ones require a hub or something? Would LOVE to find some better sensors than the ones I’ve been using…
As an alternative, I’ve been using 2 of the EWeLink MC500A/MC510A-A002 (AliExpress), which show up as Sonoff/Ewelink SNZB-04 in HA. This sensor costs about 4 EUR.
I installed them on Nov 4th. Today Dec 29, the battery is 80%. And again, this is a very active door, drained the IKEA Parasalls (multiple at the same door) within 12-60 days.
So, I will know for sure it lasts longer in a month or so…
I’ve also been busy adding the IKEA Matter Myggbett. Will be testing these to upcoming period as well.
Months later. Guess this will be my last update in this now old topic.
Modded parasoll (red line) is on a door that opens like once a month (technical space). I needed to replace the battery 3 months in. It's really close (<1 meter) to the antenna.
Ewelink (aliexpress) (yellow line) is running almost 7 months on a really busy door (hallway to living) is now on 60%. Parasoll only did like 4 weeks there at tops.
New IKEA Matter Mygbett (blue) is still at 100%, but I must admit, this one is on an alkaline battery and I'm not sure if it will read the correct percentage because of that. My other Mygbetts are on recharables, they are 5 months in at 60%. It does not seem to matter if they are busy or closed 99% of the time.
Only Mygbetts (2) that run out where stuck in a firmware update/crashed. Light was on always and offline.
6+ months battery life on recharables is OK I think. 10-12 would be nice though.
I really appreciate your updates and sticking out the testing! So the mod might work after all! Such a pity IKEA couldn't get it right on the first go.
All my IKEA Parasoll sensors went to ewaste last year!
I might as well give an update on my athom bthome door sensor as I put this forward as a possible replacement item if you have a bluetooth device as an option over the Ikea one.
I had totally forgotten about batteries in this door sensor, I haven't replaced a battery since installing the device ~ 7months ago.
Still showing 100% battery left, not that I trust the %.
Thankfully it also exposes the voltage too. It has been slowly going down over time. This is the front door and is opened many times a day. The old IKEA sensor would last a few weeks at best on this door. This one is ~7 months in and still going, might get 10 out of it?
(6-10 months battery power is the least!)
