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Presence sensors comparisons

Motion and mmWave sensors for room automations that still feel sane to live with.

Strongest overall pick

Apollo MSR-2

Apollo Automation · HA: excellent · local: excellent

excellent Home Assistant fit

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Best local-control posture

Apollo MSR-2

Apollo Automation · works offline: yes

A strong privacy and local-control option because core value comes from local ESPHome integration, not account-tied cloud services.

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Easiest starting point

Philips Hue Motion Sensor

Philips Hue · setup: easy

buyers who want easy dependable motion-based automation

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Criteria Apollo MSR-2 Aqara FP1 Aqara FP2 Everything Presence Lite Everything Presence One Philips Hue Motion Sensor
Local control excellentgoodokayexcellentexcellentgood
Cloud dependency lowlowmediumlownonelow
Home Assistant fit excellentgoodgoodexcellentexcellentgood
Works offline yesyespartly / noyesyesyes
Setup difficulty moderatemoderatemoderatemoderateadvancedeasy
Needs extra hub / controller noyesnononoyes
Power / form factor USB-C powered sensorUSB-powered sensorUSB-powered sensorUSB-C powered sensorUSB-powered sensorbattery-powered sensor
Protocols wifi, esp-home, bluetoothzigbeewifiwifi, esp-homewifizigbee
Best for advanced Home Assistant users who want richer room telemetryZigbee Home Assistant users wanting affordable mmWave presence detectionadvanced room-level presence automationsHome Assistant households that want serious local presence sensingHome Assistant power users wanting the best local presence detectionbuyers who want easy dependable motion-based automation
mid price band

Apollo MSR-2

Apollo Automation · local control: excellent · cloud: low

  • Setup: moderate
  • Needs extra hub: no / self-contained
  • Standout: Dense multi-sensor package for Home Assistant users who want more than simple motion triggers.

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mid price band

Aqara FP1

Aqara · local control: good · cloud: low

  • Setup: moderate
  • Needs extra hub: yes
  • Standout: Affordable Zigbee mmWave presence sensor — detects stationary occupancy, not just motion.

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premium price band

Aqara FP2

Aqara · local control: okay · cloud: medium

  • Setup: moderate
  • Needs extra hub: no / self-contained
  • Standout: Zone-based mmWave presence sensing instead of basic motion-only triggers.

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mid price band

Everything Presence Lite

Everything Smart Home · local control: excellent · cloud: low

  • Setup: moderate
  • Needs extra hub: no / self-contained
  • Standout: Combines mmWave presence sensing with ESPHome-level Home Assistant friendliness.

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mid price band

Everything Presence One

Everything Smart Technology · local control: excellent · cloud: none

  • Setup: advanced
  • Needs extra hub: no / self-contained
  • Standout: Open-source ESPHome multi-sensor with mmWave presence — the local-first gold standard.

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mid price band

Philips Hue Motion Sensor

Philips Hue · local control: good · cloud: low

  • Setup: easy
  • Needs extra hub: yes
  • Standout: Easy, low-drama Zigbee motion sensing that fits mainstream homes better than most enthusiast mmWave gear.

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