Smart homes are full of sensors—motion detectors, light sensors, temperature gauges—but often they feel like a patchwork of single-purpose devices. Enter the Aqara Presence Multi-Sensor FP300: a compact, battery-powered 5-in-1 sensor that aims to combine presence (even a stationary person), light, temperature, humidity and more… and do it with minimal fuss. So if you’re looking to upgrade your smart home with something smarter, here’s what you need to know.
The Aqara Presence Multi-Sensor FP300 is the latest presence/occupancy sensor from Aqara, built with advanced detection technologies and multiple environmental sensors in one. According to the official product page, it offers “dual PIR and mmWave sensors” to detect motion and presence, along with light, temperature and humidity sensing. Aqara+1
Key specs include:
Up to 6 m detection range, 120° field of view. Aqara
Supports Zigbee and Thread protocols (meaning Matter ready) for smart home integration. Aqara+1
Battery-powered (two CR2450 coin-cells), implying flexible placement. Homekit News and Reviews+1
Additional sensors: ambient light, temperature, humidity—all in the same unit. Aqara+1
In other words: rather than one device for motion, another for climate, another for light, the FP300 looks like a consolidated, smarter option.
Traditional motion sensors often use PIR (passive infrared) only, which means they detect movement but struggle when someone is sitting still. The FP300 tackles this by adding a 60GHz mmWave radar sensor along with PIR. That combo helps detect presence (someone in the room) rather than just motion. Aqara claims this means fewer “false absence” issues (i.e., the system thinks no one’s there when someone actually is). Homekit News and Reviews
Instead of installing separate sensors for temperature, humidity, light and presence, the FP300 bundles all of these. That means fewer devices, simpler install, and more context for smart automations (for example: “if presence detected AND light level < X, turn lamp on”). Aqara
Being battery-powered means you’re not stuck routing cables or worrying about plug placement—ideal for walls, ceilings, corners or even magnetic surfaces (as Aqara mentions). That increases placement flexibility and aesthetic integration. CSA-IOT
Because it supports Thread, Zigbee and Matter (via Thread etc), it integrates with major smart home ecosystems: Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa, Home Assistant, SmartThings. That’s a big plus if you’re building a cross-platform smart home. Aqara+1
Here’s a breakdown of the most important features and what you should check out:
Dual sensing (mmWave + PIR): As mentioned, this helps detect both motion and presence (stationary human). In practical terms, it means more reliable “room occupied” signals—useful for HVAC, lights, security.
Environmental sensors (light, temperature, humidity): This gives more data points. For example, you can create automations like: “If presence detected AND temperature > 28°C THEN turn on fan” or “If ambient light < 400 lux AND presence detected THEN turn desk lamp on”. Aqara lists such examples. Aqara
Protocol support (Zigbee & Thread): Having dual-protocol support means you don’t have to commit to only one hub or ecosystem. Thread + Matter compatibility is increasingly valuable.
Battery life & power considerations: Battery-power is a major convenience—but you’ll want to check how long it actually lasts in your environment. Aqara mentions up to 3 years in Zigbee mode, up to 2 years in Thread mode (based on specific testing). Aqara
Placement flexibility: It can be mounted in a variety of ways—on wall, ceiling, corner, even magnetic surfaces. Good placement = better detection performance.
Smart app features and customization: When using Zigbee mode via Aqara Home app, you can tweak sensitivity, range, disable certain sensors, set absence delays, etc. Aqara
Battery vs wired tradeoff: While battery power adds flexibility, you’ll need to monitor battery levels and potentially replace the CR2450 cells periodically. If your installation is critical, a wired option might still be preferable.
Actual placement & detection angle: Though the spec says 6 m /120° FOV, real-world placement (angles, obstructions, sunlight) can impact performance. You’ll want to test in your space.
Protocol mode tradeoffs: Thread mode may offer direct Matter support but might have shorter battery life than Zigbee mode, depending on device settings. Aqara’s noted difference.
Data overload / setup complexity: Because the FP300 provides a lot of data (presence, light, temperature, humidity) you’ll need to design automations thoughtfully, otherwise you get clutter rather than value.
Cost vs simpler sensors: If all you need is basic motion detection, the FP300 may be more than what you require. The premium features justify the price only if you use them.
Integration nuances: While Thread/Matter support is great, you still need a compatible border router/hub for Thread, or Zigbee hub for full features. Make sure your smart home ecosystem supports what you want.
Smart homes looking for advanced occupancy detection: If you care about accurate “someone’s in the room” signals (for lighting, HVAC, security), this sensor is a standout.
Users who want streamlined install & aesthetic placement: Because it’s wireless, compact and multi-sensor, it suits modern homes with minimal wiring and emphasis on design.
Integration across ecosystems: If you’re already using Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Home Assistant or SmartThings and want a sensor that works across them, FP300 supports that.
Rooms where multiple environmental factors matter: For example, home offices, bedrooms, nurseries—where light level, temperature or humidity plus presence detection all matter.
Anyone upgrading from simpler motion sensors: If your current setup frequently misses stationary people (someone working at desk) or gives false negatives, upgrading to FP300 may make sense.
The Aqara Presence Multi-Sensor FP300 stands out because it takes the humble presence/motion sensor and elevates it—both in terms of detection accuracy (presence plus motion), and in offering extra environmental sensors and flexible install. It’s not just another sensor—it’s a smart hub of its own kind, feeding meaningful data into your home automation system.
If you’re building or upgrading a smart home, placing a device like the FP300 in your living room, bedroom, or any key room can open up automations you might not have thought possible. It brings more intelligence into your space and less manual fuss.
Of course, you’ll want to match your use case to its features and weigh cost vs benefit. But if you’re ready to move beyond “basic motion detector” and into “presence + environment awareness”, the FP300 is definitely worth a look.
