You might be wondering why a smart door sensor will be useful to protecting you and your car. The simple answer is security layers. It takes longer to peel a whole onion rather than just two layers, and the same principle can be applied to the world of garage security products.
Smart door sensors essentially detect when a door, shed, or gate opens. They’re usually battery-powered, are quite compact, and trigger the siren on a nearby alarm to warn you of an intrusion.
They’re about the same size as a small block of cheese or a matchbox. They have no obvious labelling denoting what they are, unlike garage alarms which are a bit more obvious. You just have to know what you’re looking at.
The best smart door sensors at a glance:
Editor’s pick: Eufy Security Entry Sensor – buy from Amazon.
Best for outdoors: Ring Outdoor Contact Sensor – buy from Amazon.
Best smart door bell sensor: Google GWX3T Nest Doorbell Camera – buy from Amazon.
With that said, at least compared to CCTV camera setups, they can be a bit of a niche as far as garage security goes. When searching for one, it can be difficult to find a good brand. We’ve compiled the best smart door sensors ranging in size, budget, and usefulness to suit as many needs as possible.
The best smart door sensor
Editor's pick
The installation is super easy with the option of sticking it anywhere using adhesive tape. But if you insist, it does come with three mounting screws as well. You do need to add it to Eufy's HomeBase system before you get started. These units cost around £160, but there are no monthly fees to worry about thereafter.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Great value door sensors
- No monthly fees
Cons
- You do need a HomeBase unit to pair it to
- Siren is loud should you trigger it accidentally
Best outdoor smart door sensor
It requires a first or second-generation Ring Alarm base station to be compatible and only needs two AA batteries to get going. It's designed to withstand temperatures from -20°C to 49°C. You will need the compatible kit, but once you're set-up, it's an incredibly effective device.
Pros
- IP66 weather-resistant rating
- Compact item
- Can withstand extreme temperatures
Cons
- Needs a Ring base station to be compatible
- Can be a slight fiddle to install
Best value smart door sensor
It's a discreet little device that can be connected to Alexa and Google Assistant and fits neatly onto your windows or your door. It adds a great layer of security to protect you and your possessions.
Pros
- Great value
- Discreet design
- Fits on both doors and windows
Cons
- Needs to be compatible with Bosch Smart Home system
- Not really suitable for a garage door
Most discreet door sensor
It's able to send notifications to your phone when the door or window is opened unexpectedly, and when a break-in is detected, it can sound an alarm to the Aqara Hub. It's compatible with both Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa and can even automatically turn on your lights when you open the door at night.
Pros
- Subtle device
- Works with Alexa and HomeKit
- Can turn on your lights automatically when entering
Cons
- Isn't compatible with Google Assistant
- Needs Aqara Hub to be compatible
Best smart door bell sensor
It can send you alerts detecting people, deliveries and vehicles parking outside your home, can keep up to three hours history on video, and is battery-powered which removes the need for having the system wired in.
Pros
- Smart doorbell with ability to view what's happening outside your home
- Detects movement outside your home
- Easy to install with batteries
Cons
- Not strictly a door sensor
- Video quality isn't the greatest
Things to remember regarding fitting a smart door sensor
Whilst they are pretty intelligent things, you must remember that smart door sensors are not the be-all and end-all of home and garage security. They add on a layer that’s designed to build up a household that feels more secure than without a complete setup. An outdoor security camera setup is undoubtedly more substantial as far as layers of security go.
When fitting the things themselves, you really want to consider where would be the most effective for you. Do you want to protect your car itself or the keys to it? Depending on your preference, you’ll need to install the smart door sensor where you see most fit. If it’s on your garage door, you may want to look into the best garage door locks to fully secure it.
Lastly, if you’re building up a security system around your home to protect yourself and your vehicle, consider what else you’ll need. There are loads of add-ons such as solar security lights, but more often than not, you’ll need to pick a brand to bridge your security systems to. Whether it be Ring, Eufy, Google or somebody else, it’s impossible to get various brands and link them all together. Not unless you want to pay different subscription fees.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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