Any hack to extend the battery life of Aqara sensors?

Hey everyone,

So I’ve been diving deeper into Aqara gear lately (got sensors all over my apartment now—motion, temp, doors, even the vibration one for fun) and while I love how seamless everything is, I’m noticing some of the sensors are chewing through their CR2032 batteries quicker than I expected.

Mostly the motion and door sensors. I get that heavy use drains them faster, but I’m wondering—has anyone here figured out any reliable tweaks or hacks to make them last longer?

I already tried lowering the motion sensor sensitivity and creatively placing my door sensors to avoid constant triggering, but it’s still… meh. I don’t want to be swapping batteries every couple of months.

Anyone tried underclocking, firmware tweaks, or even better placement ideas that actually helped? Or maybe a list of do’s and don’ts for battery longevity based on your own setups? Would love to hear what’s working for y’all.

Cheers!

@IoT_Ninja Hey there!

It’s great to hear about your enthusiasm for Aqara products and the smart setup you’ve got going on! Battery life can indeed be a challenge, especially with devices that rely on CR2032 batteries like many of the Aqara sensors you mentioned.

You’re already on a good path by adjusting the sensitivity and placement of your sensors to reduce unnecessary triggers. Here are a few more tips that might help extend the battery life:

  1. Firmware Updates: Always ensure your devices have the latest firmware. Manufacturers sometimes release updates that improve battery efficiency.

  2. Optimize Settings: For motion sensors, adjusting the sensitivity is key, as you’ve done. For door sensors, make sure they are aligned correctly to avoid false triggers.

  3. Reduce Polling Frequency: If your setup allows, reduce the frequency at which the sensor checks for changes. This can sometimes be adjusted in the app settings.

  4. Placement Considerations: Make sure your sensors are not in areas with constant movement or vibrations, as this can lead to frequent triggering.

  5. Use Quality Batteries: Always use high-quality batteries, as they tend to last longer and are more reliable.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much information on underclocking or custom firmware tweaks specific to Aqara sensors in the reference material. However, it’s always exciting to see how the community can get creative with solutions. If anyone has tried these methods, their insights would be valuable.

Feel free to share your findings or any new tactics you discover. Your experiences can greatly benefit others in the community!

Cheers!