Battery powered presence sensors have been one of the most requested upgrades in smart home automation, and they are finally here. Unlike traditional motion sensors, presence sensors can detect whether someone is still in a room even when they are not moving, making them ideal for lighting, heating, and bathroom automations.
Until recently, most presence sensors required constant USB power, which often made positioning awkward or impractical. New battery powered models from Aqara, Meross, and SwitchBot aim to solve that problem while still supporting modern smart home platforms like Apple Home, Home Assistant, Alexa, and Google Home.
What Makes Presence Sensors Different?
Presence sensors use a combination of PIR and mmWave radar technology to detect micro-movements such as breathing. This allows automations to stay active while someone is sitting still, working at a desk, or relaxing on the sofa, something motion sensors simply cannot do reliably.
Design and Installation
Aqara FP300 Presence Sensor
The Aqara FP300 Presence Sensor is the smallest and most discreet of the three. It features a fully rounded design and attaches to its mount using a magnetic metal plate, making it easy to position on walls or ceilings without visible fixings.
Meross MS605 Presence Sensor
The Meross MS605 Presence Sensor closely resembles Meross’ earlier wired model but is slightly thicker to accommodate the battery. While it is not the most attractive of the three, it blends reasonably well against white walls and ceilings. Sensors are located on the front, with an adjustable stand on the back and a physical button on the top.
SwitchBot Presence Sensor
The SwitchBot Presence Sensor looks similar to a traditional motion sensor, with rounded edges and a compact white housing. Its stand can be attached to either the back or base, making it suitable for wall, ceiling, or floor mounting.
Price Comparison
Pricing varies significantly between the three battery powered presence sensors.
- Aqara FP300 Presence Sensor – approximately £50
- SwitchBot Presence Sensor – approximately £30
- Meross MS605 Presence Sensor – approximately £26
When platform requirements are factored in, overall cost can change depending on whether a hub is required.
Battery Life and Power
Meross MS605 Presence Sensor
The Meross MS605 Presence Sensor is rated for up to three years of battery life and uses a single CR123A battery, which is included. After one month of real-world use, the battery level remains at 100%.
Aqara FP300 Presence Sensor
The Aqara FP300 Presence Sensor uses two CR2450 batteries. In Zigbee mode, it is rated for up to three years of battery life, while Thread mode offers around two years. After two months of use in Zigbee mode, battery levels remain at 100%.
SwitchBot Presence Sensor
The SwitchBot Presence Sensor uses two AAA batteries and is rated for up to two years of battery life. After six months of continuous use, battery level sits at around 80%.
Smart Home Platforms and Connectivity
All three presence sensors support Matter, allowing them to work with Apple Home, Home Assistant, Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings.
Meross MS605 Presence Sensor
The Meross MS605 Presence Sensor uses Matter over Thread and does not require a proprietary hub if you already have a Thread border router such as an Apple HomePod mini.
Aqara FP300 Presence Sensor
The Aqara FP300 Presence Sensor can operate in either Matter or Zigbee mode. Zigbee mode requires an Aqara hub, such as the Aqara M3, while Matter mode allows it to join an existing Matter network directly.
SwitchBot Presence Sensor
The SwitchBot Presence Sensor supports Matter but requires a SwitchBot Hub, which increases the overall cost if you do not already own one.
Built-In Sensors
Sensor availability plays a big role in how flexible automations can be.
- Aqara FP300 Presence Sensor: presence, temperature, humidity, and light sensors
- Meross MS605 Presence Sensor: presence and light sensors
- SwitchBot Presence Sensor: presence and light sensors
The Aqara FP300 Presence Sensor exposes all sensors to Apple Home and Home Assistant regardless of connectivity mode. The Meross MS605 Presence Sensor exposes light and multiple presence zones, while the SwitchBot Presence Sensor only exposes presence data to third-party platforms.
Presence Detection Performance
All three presence sensors use PIR and mmWave radar technology. The Aqara FP300 Presence Sensor uses a 60GHz mmWave sensor and includes AI learning features within the Aqara app. Meross and SwitchBot do not publish detailed specifications for their mmWave sensors.
In daily use, all three sensors detect presence within roughly one second. Reliability has been excellent, with no noticeable false positives, including from pets.
Bathroom and Humidity Suitability
Environmental ratings are especially important when installing presence sensors in bathrooms.
- Meross MS605 Presence Sensor: IP67 rated and suitable for wet areas
- SwitchBot Presence Sensor: IP65 rated but limited to non-condensing humidity
- Aqara FP300 Presence Sensor: no official wet-area rating
For bathroom installations, the Meross MS605 Presence Sensor is the safest and most practical choice.
Automation and Real-World Use
Automations work best when presence detection can be combined with light level checks. This avoids lights turning on during bright daylight conditions.
The Aqara FP300 Presence Sensor excels here thanks to its multiple exposed sensors and the flexibility of the Aqara app. Advanced conditions such as delayed presence ending or extended presence detection are easy to configure and can run locally when paired with an Aqara hub.
The Meross MS605 Presence Sensor performs well but requires more complex automation logic due to multiple presence zones. The SwitchBot Presence Sensor is more limited unless automations are handled directly within the SwitchBot ecosystem.
Which Battery Powered Presence Sensor Should You Buy?
For bathrooms and humid environments, the Meross MS605 Presence Sensor is the clear choice thanks to its IP67 rating and competitive price.
For most rooms in the home, the Aqara FP300 Presence Sensor offers the best overall experience. While it is more expensive, the additional sensors and excellent automation support make it the most flexible option.
The SwitchBot Presence Sensor is best suited to existing SwitchBot users who already own a hub. Without that ecosystem, it offers fewer advantages compared to the other two.
Final Thoughts
Battery powered presence sensors remove one of the biggest compromises of earlier models. Whether you prioritise price, sensor flexibility, or bathroom suitability, there is now a strong option available to fit most smart home setups.
SwitchBot Presence Sensor Meross MS605 Presence Sensor (Save 10% with code marktech10) Aqara FP300 Presence Sensor Aqara M3 Hub Aqara Matter Hub (£20) SwitchBot Hub
