mmWave, PIR and light sensor · exact-product guide
SwitchBot mmWave Presence Sensor: coverage, automation and Canadian buying guide
This sensor combines mmWave radar, PIR motion sensing and ambient-light measurement to keep detecting a person who is sitting quietly after ordinary motion has stopped. That makes it more suitable than a basic motion sensor for offices, reading corners and bathrooms, but aiming, room boundaries and interference still need testing.
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Paid CJ affiliate link; commission never changes our analysis. Verified September 1, 2026.Short answer
A strong fit when stationary presence matters: SwitchBot publishes up to 8 m for moving people, 5 m for stationary people and a 120° field. It can run up to two local automations without a hub; add a compatible hub for more complex scenes, remote ecosystem access and Matter bridging.
Verified specifications
The facts that change the decision
- Exact variant
- One mmWave Presence Sensor
- Detection stack
- mmWave radar · PIR · ambient light
- Moving-person range
- Up to 8 m
- Stationary-person range
- Up to 5 m
- Published field
- 120°
- Local automation
- Up to two without a hub
- Published battery life
- Up to two years
- Platform access
- Apple Home through a SwitchBot Matter hub; Home Assistant, Alexa and Google Home support is also listed
Good fit
This product may fit if…
- Lights currently turn off while someone is reading, working or sitting quietly.
- The sensor can face the occupied zone without looking through a doorway into another room.
- Two local automations are enough, or a compatible hub is already part of the system.
- You can observe several real days and tune interference filtering before trusting automatic shutoff.
Stop before buying
Do not order yet if…
- The intended position receives direct water, condensation or outdoor weather.
- The field crosses a wall, doorway or busy adjacent zone that cannot be excluded through aiming.
- A missed or false event could control a heater, lock or another safety-critical device.
- You need advanced multi-device scenes but do not plan to add a compatible hub.
Installation
Five-step verification plan
- 1
Map occupied seats, walking paths, doors, fans, air conditioners and adjacent rooms.
- 2
Temporarily place the magnetic base and aim the 120° field only at the target zone.
- 3
Add the sensor in the SwitchBot app, update firmware and enable AI anti-interference learning if needed.
- 4
Test walking, sitting still, leaving the room, pets and moving air separately.
- 5
Start with non-critical lighting scenes and observe several days before expanding automation.
After installation
What ownership requires
- Retune the detection zone after moving furniture, fans or the sensor base.
- Treat the two-year battery figure as a maximum and verify every scene after battery service.
- Keep manual control available so an automation fault never removes normal room use.
FAQ
Questions before buying
Does it work without a hub?
Yes, SwitchBot lists immediate local response and up to two local automations. More complex ecosystem scenes and Matter access require a compatible hub.
How is it different from Motion Sensor?
The mmWave model is designed to continue detecting subtle stationary-person movement, while a basic PIR motion sensor is better at obvious movement than quiet presence.
Is it a security alarm?
No. It is a smart-home presence input, not a certified or monitored security system.
Verified compatibility
Useful companion products
Add these products only for the function described on the page. A hub is not automatically required for every use.
SwitchBot Hub 3
Matter bridge, infrared remote, scene controller and indoor climate display for a connected SwitchBot home.