Meross presence sensor with material

The presence sensors have Significant advantages over motion detectors for controlling lights and security systemsand today we tested one of the most affordable models on the market, compatible with Matter and HomeKit, the Meross MS600.

You're probably used to seeing lights controlled by motion sensors in public restrooms, building entrances and elsewhere; you may even have one set up in your home to control when lights come on in certain areas. So you will also know the main fault: if you stop moving, they are deactivated. Who hasn't at some point had to wave their hand in a public restroom for the light to come on? Well, this problem is easily solved with a presence sensor, which It not only detects your movement, but also when you are stationarywhich makes this type of device much more useful for controlling your lights, even for use in a security system.

Features

• 2.4 GHz WiFi Connectivity (Matter)
• Size 75.4 x 34.7 x 38.4mm
• Brightness sensor 0 ~ 8000 lux
• Range: presence 6 meters, movement 12 meters
• USB-C connection for power (no battery)

The Meross MS600 supports Matter over WiFi, so you'll need to connect it to your home network. In addition, the mmWave technology used by this type of sensors requires them to always be activated, so the power consumption is too high to operate with batteries. That's why you need to connect it to a nearby outlet using the cable and power adapter included in the box. Being compatible with Matter means you'll be able to use it on any of the major home automation platforms, including HomeKit. The MS600 is a 3-in-1 sensorbecause it includes a presence sensor with a range of 6 meters, a motion sensor with a range of 12 meters and a brightness sensor.

In the box we find, in addition to the sensor, the cable and the power adapter, several accessories for fixing the cable using adhesives, another larger adhesive for fixing the sensor, and a small cover which covers the bottom of the sensor to avoid, If necessary, “small things” can be detected, such as pets or a robot vacuum cleaner. The design of this little cover could be improved, since it is not fixed and you have to use a little double-sided tape so that it does not fall. The sensor does not differ much in its design from a conventional motion sensoralthough it is more elongated. On the back, it has a cover that can be used as a support and also has a clip to catch the cable. It's not the neatest design, but it's still a small and unobtrusive device that doesn't draw too much attention either.

Configuration

The setup process is a little different than what we're used to, with more steps than usual to calibrate the device and verify that everything is working correctly. In my case there were no problems with the procedure, which in addition to being simple is very well guided with instructions that tell you step by step what you need to do. It's a Matter device, so we could add it directly to HomeKit, but It's best to use the Meross app to go through all the necessary setup process.. Once added, we have several options that we must configure so that the operation of the sensor is most suitable for our needs.

Among the most important configuration options is the detection distance, in which we will have to take into account that only the first 6 meters work with the presence sensor, the other additional 6 meters up to 12 meters use the motion sensor . We can also establish the time from which the detector determines the absence, with a minimum of 15 seconds. And another important element is the type of detection, be able to alternate between biological detection mode and security mode in which detection is more sensitive. Other additional settings that we can configure are the sensitivity level of the sensor, sending notifications and we can even test it from the application itself to verify that it is working correctly. We also have a record of all detected events over time.

HomeKit

In the home application, two sensors will automatically appear, the brightness one and the presence one. There will be no trace from the motion sensor. Both sensors can be used for automations or to receive notifications if something is detected. In the Home app, the sensors no longer have their own housing for a long time, but appear at the top of the screen, which I personally don't like at all. To see the sensors, you need to enter the room where they are located and look for them at the top of the screen. In the Home app we can use the sensors only to create automationsand this presence sensor is ideal for controlling the lights in a room or the living room itself. If they detect a presence, they turn on, if they do not detect a presence, they turn off. And here, it doesn't matter if you lie quietly on the sofa, he will know that you are there.

Another useful feature is that it can send you a notification to your phone when a presence is detected. This setting can be fine-tuned to only do this if no one is home, or if you are not at home, and you can also use schedules so that it only notifies you at night, for example. This is not a security system in itself, but it can be useful in certain situations.

Editor's opinion

Presence sensors are more recent than motion sensors, much more widespread in the home automation of our homes, but if we want to control the lighting in a room with automatic switching on and off depending on whether there is someone one inside or not, there is no better device than these new sensors, like the MS600 that Meross has launched on the market and which with a price very similar to that of a motion sensor, offers you better performance. The only downside is that you will need an outlet to power it. You can buy this new MS600 for $27.99 on Amazon (link) during this Black Friday (official price $39.99) and in Meross for $29.73 (link).