I have a big house, full of z-wave switches/blinds/smart plugs.
I want to up my security and get a smart sensor on every window and door in the house… basically any entry point.
The problem is, I need about 22 of them T_T
I was thinking either the Aqara p2 or Unifi all-in-one sensors.
Aqara because they seem good and unifi because I use them for everything network related anyway and have unifi protect cameras installed.
But it seems they both need an hub, aqara’s sensors would only work with the new M3 hub and unifi would need bluetooth access points which I dont have that many(1 U6 LR and 2x U6 lites) but I dont think they will cover the size of the house+concrete block walls…
I thought maybe some z-wave sensors but I am not sure if they are a good options, if I would build a new house today I would not use z-wave probably…
Any experience or suggestions for whats best to use in my case?
If it makes a difference, I use HA Yellow with a ZOOZ ZAC93 and also have an Hubitat c8pro. I am still playing with both to see what fit my needs better.
For me, personally, I have found Z-Wave to be much better for battery devices than Zigbee. All my Zigbee devices eat batteries for lunch, my Z-Wave sensors stand up. I have, after a lot of trial and error in both Zigbee and Z-Wave, landed on the Fibaro sensors for my windows and Ecolink for my doors. The only reason for the difference is that I think the Ecolink work better but they are much larger.
I did the Aqara stuff and it was totally garbage in my opinion.
If your sensors are for security, the key question must be is the communication secure?
Z-Wave has S2 secure inclusion, but I’ve not seen similar on Zigbee (might exist, just never seen it).
Oh, and if you’re putting in lots of battery mesh devices, also plan for several mains-powered devices to act as routers/ repeaters. The mains-devices will reduce the transmit power needed on the sensors and increase battery life (Z-Wave - Fibaro FGD-212 light switches work, Zigbee - vanilla IKEA mains plugs).
Hard wired devices act as repeating nodes. Battery powered devices will not act as repeaters. If you already have mains powered repeaters communicating well you shouldn’t need to add extras. But if it were me I’d just add more powered switches not dedicated repeaters.
If I had to do wireless and security it would be ZWave with S2. That’s a big if because that’s a lot of wireless nodes and a lot of batteries and a lot to manage. Instead I went with a DSC powerseries wired security system (wired Reed switches are cheap) and wired the entire security system in. I used envisalink. The system I used is no longer available (the panel is discontinued) but the concept is still valid. Panel + all sensors 100$ and a weekend. Envisalink - 50 bucks.
22 wireless ZWave sensors… A lot more than $150 and a lot less reliable. My vote is squarely in the ‘other’ camp.
All the z-wave switches I have are hard wired so they should be acting as repeaters?
If so I should be ok, I hope
Hard wiring everything is something I should have done in the building stage but I thought the house already finished so all the planning was not mine unfortunately
This is the same for Z-Wave and Zigbee (batteries would die too quickly to support the Rx/ Tx power).
I’d not use Unifi sensors as the integration is likely to be a bit poor (Unifi Network, LAN, and CCTV are good and I use them, but getting LOCAL API access can be a PITA and needs the controller to be active on UPS). Ubiquiti always makes me worry they are going to get bored with a new product segment and wander off to a new shiny launch (like PoE++ LED ceiling lights - uniquely ineffective and expensive!).
As Nathan suggests, single purpose alarm panel RF sensors will be cheapest and more likely to be recognised by an insurance company. A conventional wired alarm panel with an integration to HASS (like a serial port, or a module) would be my personal preference to get both approvals and data into HASS.
Note there’s a big difference between alarm sensors and automation sensors - alarms only want to trigger when it is CERTAIN there’s something happening (e.g. double knock), whereas you don’t want to wait for lights to turn on.
Look at Alarmo for a full HASS software option, but include the costs of UPS and protecting HASS signalling communication (like WAN routers and links). I doubt an insurance company would give discount on an unapproved software system (alarms have lots of complex standards to meet that can seem counter-intuitive) but the user experience you get will feel better and more versatile.
I have a Fibaro HC2-Lite in a box, but only as Fibaro are “self interested” and only allow updates via their own hubs (original FGD-212 had crap firmware), which I find user-hostile and created a ton of work for me.
It’s an uncertain time to be investing as Thread sensor kit is “coming soon” which I expect to replace my cheap Zigbee sensors - eventually! Z-Wave is still kicking and the approvals process means higher cost, but lower maintenance overall.
Thank you for the detailed explanation! It makes more sense now.
I might just buy a few FIbaro sensors on amazon and try them.
Do the same maybe with some other types and see what works best.
In the end insurance doesnt matter for me, just reliability and accuracy.
I use Ecolink and Ring for door/window sensors (Z-Wave). I like the Ecolink’s reliability and the option to connect wired contacts. I like the Ring because about 3x a year they go on sale 2-for-17 usd renewed on Amazon/Woot — can’t beat that price. Keep an eye out during prime days next month.
I’m using aqara p2 door and window sensors at the moment in my setup for the front door, the latch on the front door, my bathroom door and for my washing machine. Battery life is great on them so far since they sleep until they are triggered to send the status back to HA.
They are Matter over thread based so you want to have a thread border router or coordinator in the setup. I plan to get more for the rest of the windows in my place just for peace of mind.
and only allow updates via their own hubs (original FGD-212 had crap firmware), which I find user-hostile and created a ton of work for me.