Aqara Motion Sensor P1 vs P2: Which Should I Get for More Control & Customization?

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Hey everyone,

I’m trying to decide between the Aqara Motion Sensor P1 and the newer P2. From what I’ve gathered so far, it seems like the P1 might actually offer more control and customization.

For example: things like adjustable detection sensitivity, configurable detection timeout, and the ability to tweak behavior via Aqara’s own hub/app.

The P2 has Matter support, which is nice for broader ecosystem compatibility, but I’m worried it might come at the cost of those fine-tuning options, since Matter doesn’t expose all of Aqara’s custom settings.

For those who have used both:

  1. Do you lose any important features or control when going with the P2 over the P1?

  2. Is the P1 still the better choice if customization is a priority?

  3. Any hidden advantages the P2 has beyond Matter support?

Thanks in advance!

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@viccalexander Hello!

Your inquiry about choosing between the Aqara Motion Sensor P1 and P2 is quite insightful. Let’s dive into the key differences and advantages to help guide your decision.

  1. Control and Customization:

    • The Motion Sensor P1 indeed offers adjustable detection sensitivity and a configurable detection timeout, making it great for those who value fine-tuning. It supports high-medium-low sensitivity adjustments and a configurable timeout from 1 to 200 seconds. This flexibility can be quite advantageous if you’re looking to tailor your motion detection precisely to your environment.
    • The Motion Sensor P2, while also offering adjustable sensitivity and detection features, is enhanced with Matter support, which broadens its compatibility with other ecosystems. However, it’s true that some of Aqara’s custom settings might not be fully accessible through Matter, potentially limiting some customization compared to the P1.

  2. Ecosystem Compatibility:

    • If your priority is broader ecosystem compatibility, the P2’s Matter support is certainly a notable advantage, allowing it to integrate more seamlessly with various smart home systems like HomeKit, Alexa, Google, and Samsung.

  3. Additional Advantages of P2:

    • Beyond Matter, the P2 has a few enhancements such as improved automations and a local alert system when connected with the Aqara Hub M3 and app. Additionally, it features a robust battery life of up to 2 years with 2 x CR2450 batteries, which is quite competitive.

In conclusion, if customization and control are your main priorities, the Motion Sensor P1 might still be the preferable choice. However, if you value broader compatibility and some enhanced automation features, the Motion Sensor P2 offers these benefits. Both have their unique strengths, so it ultimately depends on which aspects are more important to your setup.

Feel free to share your further thoughts or questions with the community. We’re here to help each other out!

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@viccalexander Hey there! Let’s break down your questions using the info we have on the P1 and P2.

1) Do you lose important features/control with P2 over P1?

Not necessarily. Both sensors support sensitivity adjustment and illuminance detection . The P2, when paired with the Aqara Hub M3, retains customizable detection timeout and sensitivity, along with enhanced automations . However, the P1’s automation triggers are more motion-specific (e.g., “motion detected and brightness above/below” or “no motion over time”) , while the P2 focuses on presence/absence conditions (e.g., “occupied” or “absence for over X time”) . So the type of control shifts, but key customization tools remain.

2) Is P1 better for customization?

If your priority is motion-specific fine-tuning (like linking motion to brightness thresholds), the P1 might edge out. Its automation options are tailored to direct motion triggers . That said, the P2 still offers customization via Aqara’s hub/app (especially with Hub M3) , just with a focus on presence-based behavior. So it depends on whether you need motion or presence customization.

3) Hidden advantages of P2 beyond Matter?

Yes! The P2 uses Thread protocol (vs. P1’s Zigbee 3.0) , which can improve network reliability in smart home setups. It also includes a local alert system and supports local automations for better security and energy efficiency . While its battery life (2 years) is shorter than the P1’s (5 years) [“content_id”:0, “content_id”:8], these under-the-hood features add value.

In short, the P2 doesn’t lose customization but refocuses it, and its Thread support and local features are nice perks. If motion-specific tweaks are critical, the P1 still holds its own. Hope this helps—curious to hear others’ experiences too!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts—great to see the community diving into these details!