Review: Onvis SMS1 Motion Sensor

When I first got into setting up my home with HomeKit, the Onvis SMS1 was the first motion sensor I bought to make my smart home even smarter. I know it uses Bluetooth 5.0 now, but back then, that was all I wanted. I didn’t want to add more hubs to make everything work. And let me tell you, these motion sensors have been amazing! They’ve been working perfectly as I’ve added more and more gadgets to my home.

Spec:

Compatible with HomeKit (no additional hub)

Applications: Onvis Home app, Apple Home app.

Power Supply: 2xAAA Batteries

Motion Detection: 7 Meters

Motion sensitivity adjustment: No

Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0

Indoor use only

Humidity, temperature monitoring.

Whats in the box?

The sensor itself… which is handy.

Batteries 2xAAA

Reset Pin

Manual although in German.

Spare sticker pad.

First impressions:

The sensor itself is small and nice, but the sensor panel has good coverage. The sensor feels sturdy and well-built. My only complaint is that there’s no adjustable mount like you get with a Hue motion sensor. So, you have to do a bit of work to position the sensor in a room to make sure you get the maximum coverage before using the provided sticker pad.

Setup:

Setting up a HomeKit compatible device is a breeze. Just scan the QR code on the sensor’s side using the Home app, and you can choose what you want to share with the app (Temperature, Motion, Humidity) and assign it to a room. Boom! Done!

Usage:

So, I did notice that the motion response wasn’t great at first. I had to be really close to the sensor, like two feet away, and waving my arms like a crazy person, before it would even notice me. But guess what? After a quick firmware update that you can do through the ONVIS Home app (which is available on the iOS App Store), the sensor started working like a champ. These sensors have been working flawlessly ever since. I have one at the top of my stairs that turns on the stair light, and the other is between the toilet and bathroom. It captures motion during the night and turns on the toilet and bathroom lights to a nice level, so no one wakes up blinking in the dark. These sensors use Bluetooth, so the connection and response times are really impressive. I have thick stone walls in my house between the sensor and the HomePod Mini, and not once has the sensor failed to register motion. That’s a huge plus!

The motion sensor detection range is also impressive. Onvis says the sensor has a 7-meter range, and from testing, I’ve found that to be accurate. Some other manufacturers’ detection range claims don’t quite live up to the hype.

Another cool feature is that 100 recent or 31 days of detections are logged and are viewable within the Onvis iOS app. Also, 31 days of humidity and temperature records are viewable in the app, and these are logged every 5 minutes.

Automation Examples: Bringing the SMS1 to Life

The SMS1 sensor is a real game-changer because it can set up automations in HomeKit. Here are some cool ways I’ve used it:

• Lighting Magic: When motion is detected in the hallway after dark, the lights turn on and then off after 10 minutes of being off.

• Security Check: If motion is detected in the living room during certain hours, I get a notification on my iPhone.

• Climate Control: When the humidity goes up above 60%, the sensor turns on a smart plug to power on a dehumidifier.

Limitations of the SMS1

No device is perfect, and the SMS1 has its share of limitations:

1. No LUX Monitoring: This restricts its usefulness for advanced lighting automations.

2. Lack of Adjustable Mount: Placement can be tricky, as the adhesive pad doesn’t allow for angling or repositioning.

3. Basic App: While functional for firmware updates, the Onvis Home app lacks the polish and features of competing platforms.

Competitor Comparison: How Does the SMS1 Stack Up?

When evaluating the SMS1, it’s worth considering its competitors:

• Philips Hue Motion Sensor: While it offers LUX monitoring and an adjustable mount, it requires a Philips Hue Bridge for full functionality, adding to the overall cost.

• Eve Motion Sensor: This device includes Thread support and motion sensitivity adjustment, but it’s significantly more expensive than the SMS1.

Conclusion:

I’ve been using the Onvis sensors for about a couple of years now, and they’ve been fantastic! I haven’t had any issues since updating the firmware. The Onvis iOS app is super basic, but since I only use it to update the firmware, it’s not a big deal. Both the temperature and humidity are available in the Home app, so you have the ability to create some creative Home automations.

The Onvis SMS1 is a great motion sensor, and yes, you could probably argue that there are better-equipped motion sensors on the market. But the Onvis does what it does well. It doesn’t have LUX monitoring, but it does have humidity monitoring, which the Philips Hue motion sensor doesn’t. As with most device purchases, it comes down to personal preference. But given the price, no hub required, and the performance of this little thing, the Onvis sensor was definitely worth to be on any purchase list. I say was, because it is no longer available for purchase.

However, the Onvis SMS2 has now taken its place, offering notable enhancements like Thread connectivity and light (LUX) monitoring. These upgrades make the SMS2 a more future-proof choice for those looking to enable advanced automations and enjoy improved reliability in larger or more complex smart home setups. If you’re considering a motion sensor for your smart home, the SMS2 is the model to focus on.

Key Advantages of the SMS2

1. Thread Connectivity: Thread support makes the SMS2 faster and more reliable in larger or more complex smart home setups. It’s particularly beneficial if you already have a Thread-capable hub like the HomePod Mini.

2. Light (LUX) Monitoring: The addition of a light sensor allows for more advanced automations, such as turning on lights only when the room is dark and motion is detected.