FP300 Multi Presence Sensor Guide

Here is my next instalment for the Multi Presence Sensor FP300. Attached as usual is the downloadable PDF and as usual, feel free to share with anyone who you think might benefit.

I will be producing more guides soon but I have spent a considerable amount of time producing these (about 16 hours in the last 4 days) so the next batch might be a while.

Hope you all have a great day and enjoy the guide!

FP300 Multi Presence Sensor Guide.pdf (260.8 KB)

Aqara Smart Home Info Sheet Series

Aqara FP300 Multi-Presence Sensor Guide

5 sensors in one device, Thread & Zigbee support, and incredibly smart presence detection.

Overview

The FP300 is one of the most advanced presence sensors Aqara has released β€” and unlike older presence sensors, this one is battery powered, extremely clever, and designed to give you reliable detection without the usual false alarms or dropouts.

It uses dual PIR and mmWave presence detection, backed by AI learning, so it can detect tiny movements, recognise when you’re still in the room, and avoid triggering when something like a fan or a curtain moves.

On top of presence detection, the FP300 also includes light, temperature, and humidity sensors, letting you build powerful automations without needing multiple separate devices on the wall.

Whether you use Thread mode for direct Matter connections, or Zigbee mode for advanced Aqara features, the FP300 is an excellent upgrade from older presence sensors.

Usage & Reliability

  • Dual PIR + 60GHz mmWave for incredibly accurate presence detection

  • Detects stationary presence (reading, watching TV, working at a desk)

  • AI filters out fans, curtains, small pets, and background motion

  • 120Β° field of view and up to 6m range

  • Battery powered β€” up to 3 years Zigbee, 2 years Thread

  • Adjustable sensitivity, detection range, and absence delay

  • Disable individual sensors to extend battery life

  • Strong detection even in awkward room layouts

  • Optional ceiling, wall, or corner mounting with multi-axis bracket

  • Zigbee mode unlocks Aqara’s full advanced feature set

  • Thread mode allows direct Matter support without a hub

FP300 Multi-Sensor Breakdown

1. AI-Powered Presence Detection

This is the FP300’s strongest feature.

The dual PIR + mmWave combination means:

  • It knows when someone is in the room, even if they’re completely still

  • It reduces false β€œno presence detected” events

  • It can handle large rooms (up to 6m range)

  • AI learning improves accuracy over time

Perfect for living rooms, offices, bedrooms β€” anywhere you sit still for long periods.

2. Ambient Light Sensor

Great for automating lights based on how bright the room actually is.

Examples:

  • Only turn on a desk lamp when natural light is low

  • Automatically brighten/dim ceiling lights throughout the day

3. Temperature Sensor

Helps with heating/cooling automations:

  • Turn on cooling when the room gets too warm

  • Adjust heating based on presence + temperature

  • Maintain comfort without wasting energy

4. Humidity Sensor

Useful for:

  • Bathroom moisture control

  • Running fans or dehumidifiers

  • Monitoring humidity in bedrooms or offices

5. Dual-Protocol Support (Thread + Zigbee)

The FP300 is the first Aqara presence sensor that supports both.

  • Thread Mode - Connect directly to Apple Home, Google Home, SmartThings, Home Assistant (Matter). No Aqara hub required.

  • Zigbee Mode (Recommended)

Unlocks:

  • AI spatial learning

  • Adjustable sensing distance

  • Adjustable absence delay

  • Sensor enable/disable options

  • Full Aqara ecosystem automations

  • More reliable device-to-hub communication

Recommended Settings (Zigbee Mode)

My Personal Tip

When using Zigbee mode, I strongly recommend:

1. Setting the detection distance:

  • Open FP300 β†’ 3 dots β†’ On-Site Configuration β†’ Detection Range

  • Set it to the length of your room for best accuracy

2. Running AI Spatial Learning:

  • FP300 β†’ 3 dots β†’ On-Site Configuration β†’ AI Learning

  • This massively improves responsiveness and reduces errors

This is one of the biggest improvements Aqara has introduced β€” and few people know about it.

Accessibility & Ease of Use

The FP300 is excellent for accessibility:

For mobility limitations:

  • Automates lighting and heating without interacting with switches

  • Works with extremely subtle movement

  • Can control entire rooms automatically

For visual impairment:

  • Helps automate lighting based on illuminance

  • Works seamlessly with smart speakers

For cognitive or memory challenges:

  • Removes the need to remember to turn things off

  • Can automate comfort, safety, and lighting routines

For neurodiverse users:

  • Helps create predictable, sensory-friendly environments

  • Enables calm lighting transitions based on presence

Practical Scenarios

|Scenario|Use Case|Example|

| β€” | β€” | β€” |

|Presence Based Lighting|Presence-Based Lighting Lights respond to presence|Presence + low lux β†’ Turn on ceiling lights|

|Energy Saving|Turn off lights when empty|No presence 3 min β†’ Turn off lamps|

|Smart Cooling|Maintain comfort|Presence + temp > 28Β°C β†’ AC cooling|

|Home Office Lighting|Optimised workspace|Presence + dim room β†’ Desk lamp on|

|Night Safety Lighting|Low-level guidance|Presence 1–6am β†’ Warm 10%|

|Humidity Control|Bathroom moisture|Humidity > 70% β†’ Extractor fan|

|Bedroom Comfort|Warm wake-up|Presence + temp < 18Β°C β†’ Radiator 40%|

|Ambient Adjustments|Adaptive room lighting|Low lux β†’ Brighten T1M/T2|

|Security Monitoring|Detect presence when away|Presence + nobody home β†’ Alert|

|False Trigger Reduction|AI learns environment|AI filters curtains/fans|

|Accessibility Routine|Hands-free control|Presence β†’ Room scene|

|Full Smart Room|Combined sensing|Presence + lux + temp β†’ Full automation|

Aqara Home Automations (WHEN β†’ IF β†’ THEN)

Example 1 - Presence-based lighting

WHEN: Accessories β†’ FP300 β†’ Presence Detected

IF: Outdoor Weather β†’ Illuminance < 400 lux

THEN: Accessories β†’ Desk Lamp β†’ Turn On

Example 2 - Energy-efficient AC control

WHEN: FP300 β†’ Presence Detected

IF: Temperature > 28Β°C

THEN: AC β†’ Cooling Mode

Example 3 - Bathroom humidity control

WHEN: FP300 β†’ Humidity > 70%

THEN: Extractor Fan β†’ Turn On

Example 4 - Bedroom low-stimulation night light

WHEN: FP300 β†’ Presence Detected (Night Zone)

IF: Time β†’ Between 1am–6am

THEN: T1M / T2 β†’ Warm 10%

Example 5 - Security alert

WHEN: FP300 β†’ Presence Detected

IF: Geofencing β†’ Nobody Home

THEN: Alert System β†’ Siren + Notification

Example 6 - Room comfort routine

WHEN: FP300 β†’ Temperature < 18Β°C

THEN: Radiator Valve β†’ Open 40%

Apple Home Automations

Example (Step-by-Step)

Goal: Turn on a lamp when presence is detected AND it’s dark.

  1. Open Apple Home

  2. Tap + (top right)

  3. Tap Add Automation

  4. Select A Sensor Detects Something

  5. Choose FP300

  6. Choose Presence Detected

  7. Add condition β†’ Light Level is Below X Lux

  8. Action β†’ Turn On Desk Lamp

  9. Save

In Apple Home, the FP300 appears as:

  • Presence Sensor

  • Light level Sensor

  • Temperature Sensor

  • Humidity Sensor

Allowing powerful combined triggers.

Tips for Best Use

  • Use Zigbee mode if you want the full Aqara features

  • Always run AI Spatial Learning for accuracy

  • Set detection distance to the room length for best sensitivity

  • Use low absence-delay for dynamic lighting

  • Combine light + presence for excellent energy savings

  • Use humidity for bathroom routines

  • Use temperature to optimise heating/cooling

  • Avoid placing it near reflective surfaces (mmWave can bounce)

  • Keep automations simple but powerful

Final Thought

The FP300 is one of Aqara’s smartest and most flexible sensors yet. With AI presence detection, five built-in sensors, dual-protocol support, and outstanding battery life, it can completely automate comfort, lighting, and energy management in your home.

Whether you’re starting fresh or upgrading from older motion sensors, the FP300 gives you the intelligence and precision needed to fully automate your rooms β€” exactly the way a modern smart home should work.

8 Likes

Hello @UKAndyC
Thank you for sharing this guide with us, it will be useful for everyone who has or will have an FP300. :+1:t2:
:omzdu6fxikcn5wgqqcyj9q_62:

1 Like

I am also using the Aqara FP300 presence sensor, but I am experiencing relatively poor near-field detection performance.

The sensor is installed in a narrow hallway (mounted across the corridor), and while I understand that the detection angle is limited to approximately 120 degrees, detection becomes unreliable when standing close to the sensor or slightly outside the main detection cone. In these positions, presence is often not detected at all.

I would like to ask if there are any recommended placement, mounting height, angle, or configuration tips to improve near-field detection in such scenarios.

Any guidance or best practices would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

1 Like

Hi there, in the on-site configuration settings, measure the maximum distance that this answer will be effective, then press the button on the sensor once so that it took dates more quickly. Also, mount the sensor between 1.4 and 1.7 m from the floor. Also, in the on-site configuration after you have let it configure the distance, perform an AI learning session. This should dramatically improve the accuracy of the sensor.

Thanks for the detailed review. Maybe a silly question but can you also use the fp300 outside? I would like to use this as a sensor to automatically turn on the exterior lighting on the front door. Thanks for the feedback :+1:t2:

This was very helpful. Thanks