A good door and window sensor doesn’t just tell you when something opens or closes.It can trigger lights, tweak thermostat settings, or alert you when you’re not home.The new Aqara P2 sensor checks all the boxes with fast, reliable alerts, local automation support, and wide compatibility thanks to native Matter over Thread.
If you’ve been holding off on adding a sensor to your setup, this one makes a strong case.Some of my favorite gear Abode Home Security System Abode is the best home security system and includes compatibility with HomeKit.What’s in the box and the setup process for Aqara P2 sensor You’ll find the Aqara P2 sensor, some adhesive backing, and a printed Matter setup code inside the box.
No hub required here since it has native Matter support over Thread, you can pair it directly with HomeKit.Just pull the battery tab to power it on, scan the code in the Home app, and you’re good to go.During setup, you can choose the type of “entry” that it’s monitoring (a door, window, garage door, or even a drawer) and then assign it to a room in HomeKit.
The process takes less than a minute, and you’ll be up and running fast.Once added to HomeKit, the Aqara P2 sensor reports open and closed status instantly in the Home app.The P2 uses an included CR123A battery, and Aqara claims it should last a long time depending on your setup and use case.
It stuck cleanly to my door frame with the included adhesive, and its compact size makes it easy to blend into most spaces, but it’s not completely hidden.Use cases within HomeKit Aqara P2 really shines when you start building out automation with it.One of my go-to setups for door sensors is using the sensor on the back door to trigger an outside light like the Eve Flood Cam.
If the door opens after sunset, the light turns on automatically and can stay on for a certain amount of time.Some of my favorite gear Aqara Smart Lock U50 Upgrade your doors with Apple Home Key and the Aqara U50.You could use the Aqara P2 sensor to trigger interior lights.
For example, if you have a HomeKit light bulb in your entryway, you could create an automation that turns the light on when the door is opened after a certain period.You can accomplish similar setups with a motion sensor, but a door sensor allows for more precision (opening vs closing the door, etc).Aqara P2 sensor tech specs Connectivity: Matter over Thread Battery: CR123A (included) Battery life: Varies by amount used, but is designed for long-term use Compatibility: HomeKit, Google Assisntant, Amazon Alexa, SmartThings, Aqara Home (Matter native) Installation: Adhesive backing, compact design Setup: Pull battery tab, scan Matter code, add to Home app Use case options: Door, window, garage door, drawer, and more – anything that opens and closes Wrap up Overall, Aqara nailed the product design here.
Matter/Thread make it where it’s my current go-to pick for a native HomeKit door/window sensor.It’s a fairly compact sensor, and generally does its job wll.If you want to unlock some usful Homekit automations based on door openings of any kind, then check out this sensor.
You can buy the Aqrara P2 sensor from Amazon. You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day.Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop.
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