Elgato Eve Motion Review: A smart sensor to automate Apple households

Elgato Eve Motion: A HomeKit Motion Sensor Review

Elgato's Eve Motion is a HomeKit-compatible wireless motion sensor designed to trigger automated actions within your smart home based on movement detection. This review explores its setup, functionality, and performance.

Setup and Configuration

The Eve Motion boasts a straightforward setup process, typical of most HomeKit accessories. Powered by two AA batteries and utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), it eliminates the need for a hub or Wi-Fi configuration. While the Apple Home app can be used, the dedicated Elgato Eve app offers enhanced control and customization. Pairing the sensor with the app is quick, involving a simple HomeKit code scan and firmware update – a process that took approximately six minutes in our testing. Motion sensitivity and re-detection speed are adjustable during setup.

Functionality and Testing

Beyond basic motion detection, the Eve Motion excels at automating complex actions. Using the Eve app, users can create scenes (e.g., activating lights upon motion detection), timers, and rules that combine motion sensing with other environmental factors. For example, we successfully integrated the Eve Motion with an Eve Weather sensor and energy switch to control a living room fan based on both motion and temperature. The sensor also effectively triggers actions based on the absence of motion, such as automatically turning off basement lights after a period of inactivity. Our tests across various locations demonstrated consistent performance within its 30-foot range and 120-degree field of view. The IPX3 weatherproofing allows for both indoor and outdoor use.

Observations and Drawbacks

The Eve Motion's design is understated and unobtrusive, fitting seamlessly into various environments. However, we encountered a minor hiccup during the initial firmware update, requiring a sensor reset to resolve an app recognition issue. The primary drawback is the price point. At $50, it's a premium device limited to the HomeKit ecosystem. Furthermore, remote control necessitates an Apple TV or iPad as a home hub, adding to the overall cost of implementation.

Conclusion

The Elgato Eve Motion is a valuable asset for users deeply invested in the Apple HomeKit ecosystem. Its robust features and reliable performance justify its cost for those prioritizing seamless integration within an Apple-centric smart home setup. However, the price and HomeKit exclusivity may make it less appealing to users of other smart home platforms.

Specifications

• Price: $50
• Dimensions: 80 x 80 x 32 mm
• Field of view: 120°
• Range: 30 ft. max at 6.5 ft. mounting height
• Operating temperature: 0°F – 130°F
• Reaction time: 2 seconds
• Power: 2 AA replaceable batteries

Rating: 4/5

Official Site | Buy it here

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