Launch of the Aqara Presence Multi-Sensor FP300

One of our most anticipated new products ever – the Aqara Presence Multi-Sensor FP300 is finally out! While we admit that the name is quite a mouthful – it lives up to it, and more.

When our first presence sensor, the Aqara Presence Sensor FP2 was launched in early 2023, it was also a long-awaited ‘upgrade’ to what was then the most commonly used sensor – the Aqara Motion Sensor. Why? A motion sensor couldn’t detect you if you weren’t moving. If you were sitting motionless on the sofa, watching TV, a motion sensor would not detect your motion, and send the status NO MOTION to your smart home system. If you had automations to turn off the lights, or anything else when no motion is detected, that means your automation would trigger and you’d be left in the dark.

The Aqara FP2 was a welcome addition, because now it could detect you even if you weren’t moving. This was done through a different sensing technology – mmWave (millimetre wave). Unlike the previous motion sensor’s PIR (passive infrared) sensor, mmWave technology could reliably detect humans in a room, even when they weren’t moving.

There was a caveat, though. Our Aqara Presence Sensor FP2, and the followup Aqara Presence Sensor FP1E, required a connected power source. This greatly limited the placement options to places with a readily available power point, and integration into places with more coverage (such as higher up on the corner near the ceiling) would require either long wires, or purposefully integrated power sockets in those areas.

The Aqara FP300 changes all that.

The FP300

Combining the best aspects of all the other motion and presence sensors coming before it, this new product gives us, essentially, the best-of-all-worlds product at an affordable price.

• It’s battery-powered with 2x CR2450 batteries, with a battery-life of up to 3 years.
• It has both PIR and mmWave sensors built-in.
• It can reliably detect human occupancy – not just motion.
• It’s smaller than both existing presence sensors, and about the same size as the motion sensor

Whereas before, users had to choose between convenient, battery-operated wireless mounting (motion sensors), or more accurate human occupancy sensing but with power requirements (presence sensors), the FP300 basically opens up both possibilities with a product that is less conspicuous, and with more functions than before.

Both PIR and mmWave?

The Aqara FP300 integrates both a PIR and mmWave sensors into one product. In its default mode, both sensors are used – in the app, it’s called “Infrared Radar Dual Presence” – and this is the recommended setting with the longest battery life, strong anti-interference performance, and accurately senses human presence.

But this setting can be changed, as well, for any reason if you choose to do so. You can set it to only use the mmWave sensor (this allows for the highest sensitivity) but reduced battery life. Or, you can disable the mmWave to only use PIR, but you’ll have the same problem as any motion sensor – a motionless person will not be detected reliably.

In our opinion, there’s no real reason to change this setting.

What else can it do?

The “multi” in the name “Multi-Sensor” refers to the sensor’s other features. Besides its main function as a presence sensor, the FP300 also works as a temperature, humidity, and light sensor. All of these can be used as automation triggers – turn on the aircon when temperature is above 30C; turn off circulator fan when humidity is below 70%; or turn on the lights when presence is detected AND lux (light) levels are below 50 lux.

If you decide you’re never going to use these, you can turn both these sensors off in the Aqara app for prolonged battery life (up to 30% longer).

In the Apple Home app, a single FP300 sensor exposes a Humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, a light sensor, and an occupancy sensor.

Zigbee and Thread?

As with most of the newer releases, our Aqara Presence Sensor FP300 now comes with both Thread and Zigbee wireless protocols. This, once again, is a best-of-both-worlds approach. Zigbee might be preferable to someone heavily invested in the Aqara ecosystem and with an Aqara hub, since native integration into the Aqara Home app allows for more functions.

Its compatibility with Thread means that it’s also possible to connect it to your smart home with any Thread Border Router, such as a HomePod Mini – even if you don’t have any other Aqara products – and integrating them directly into Apple Home, Google Home, or Alexa. This is great for people who love to buy different products from different brands, mixing and matching their preferred products without locking themselves in to any one brand or hub.

Note that you can only use one mode. If the product is set to Zigbee mode, its Thread radio will not be active, and vice-versa. You can change this mode through the Aqara Home app, at any time.

Comparisons to the other motion and presence sensors

With five different motion and presence sensors, choosing the correct one for you depends on the room and the price. While we could reliably say that the FP300 is probably your best product that works in any situation, there are still times where you could get a product that would work equally reliably at a lower price.

Here’s a quick guide:

For use in…	Lowest-priced option
High traffic areas – entryways, corridors, staircases (these are places where people generally won’t stay motionless)	Motion Sensor P1
Areas which requires occupancy sensing (not just motion), but where a power point is available	Presence Sensor FP1E
Areas where you want multi-zone configurations (e.g. sofa zone, table zone) [requires wired power]	Presence Sensor FP2
Everywhere else – with no requirement for wired power	Presence Sensor FP300

Conclusion

This product has been long-awaited, and for good reason. It solves most of the pain points of the prior products that came before it, and with an affordable price tag that makes it accessible for many smart home owners and enthusiasts. Motion, presence, occupancy, and absence-based automations are genuinely useful in any smart home, and the Aqara Presence Multi-Sensor FP300 brings this to the table with flexible mounting options and a great price point.

To see the product in person and to try out the automations, you are very welcome to come by our showroom at 24 Keong Saik Road.