I enjoy your videos. Thank you. I have half a dozen sonoff sensors scattered around the house and they seem to perform pretty well. I've had a few lose their connection to the network but I really don't have a decent zigbee network established just yet. Baby steps.
Thanks for the useful review. I would suggest that the ease of battery replacement should be tested with the sensors mounted as intended. Doing that, the Aqara sensor only requires a slight twist and it comes off it's mount - super easy but potentially a risk as it can make the button cell accessible to small kids. The Sonoff sensor's battery is easier to change when mounted on a surface but it is still a pain. I prefer the Aqara sensor because of the ease of access and it's much better looks. Another thing to consider is that both sensors will only transmit updated measurements when the value has changed by a certain amount. This can be a problem if used with a (virtual) thermostat which expects to "hear" from the sensor every 30 minutes or so.
Thanks for your input. I agree on the Aqara looking better and being easier to access. And I've finally got the hang of opening the battery compartment, but I did ruin a few of the plastic covers trying to open them initially with a screw driver
Bought the aqara one, but found out the humidity readings are way off. It read at least 5% lower than all of my other sensors. Had to return it for this.
I have several Aqara and a few Sonoff. Sonoff works fine everywhere while Aqara keep dropping out when placed far from the controller. Aqara apparently dont like going through one or more routers...
Hello thank you very much for the review, You know the origin of Aqara. Personally I had many problems with Sonoff switches and they did not respond. Thank you!!
How often each of them is updating temp? Aqara do to every 0.1 as I remember and what about Sonoff?. Tuya with LCD reports every 0,5 or 0,7 as I remember
i have 3 of the sonoff sensors, and 2 of them are about to crap out. they have already stopped reporting temperature after just over a month. not good.
nice and detailed comparison ..... what next? and what Zigbee coordinator hardware are u using? ... I'm using sonoff hub (flashed to tasmota, very bad experience ..... it is not reliable )
Thanks! I've used two CC2531 USB dongles directly connected to my Home Assistant instance and they're working great. I will be doing a video on them in the near future.
I have a number of Sonoff SNZB-02 connected thru a bridge to the wifi and displayed in home assistant. I notice that my temperature readings only changes every hour. Rarely less. Graph always shows this hourly ladder effect. Not sure why this is happening. It's nearly always every hour, to the second. Examples 00:43;08 - 23.8 01:34:30 - 23.28 02:34:30 - 22.8 03:34:31 - 22.35 04:34:32 - 21.95 05:34:33 - 21.61 06:34:33 - 21.46 any thoughts, thanks
Should be that the sensor fires an update every hour unless the temperature changes by more than 0.5°C (like between 00:43 and 1:34, difference is > 0,5). All other changes are < 0,5°C.
in theory yeah but with the standard sonoff temp monitor is hourly update and never seen it any different. However doin some research found "HUIIUH 3PCS Tuya ZigBee3.0 Wireless Temperature Humidity Sensor" which are compatible with the sonoff bridge. These have a AAA battery which is much better and I see on HA update is now 30 mins. Sorted. Good enuf for me.
@@HomeAutomationGuy thanks for replay. Sonoff as per each device don’t need bridge as each device connect to your WiFi network and I use eWeLink app to manage daily task for those devices. Th16 is a awkward device as it not pop up on scenes. Apparently sonoff fixt it but I cannot see yet that fix. I will prefer Aqara temp sensor as they look better than sonoff. Maybe I will buy one in AliExpress to check how this work and let you or your audience know if this is good working relation. Thabks
Hi. I'm interested to buy an outdoor "smart" temperature sensor that i can connect to my phone via bluetooth or wifi. Do you have any model/brand recomandation? Thanks in advance
@@HomeAutomationGuy Thanks for answering. I will try to find something on web, because it sould exist something in the year 2021. It should be some weatherproof temperature/humidity sensors connectable to gateway must be on web. I'm still positive in my research 😀. All the best!
I have found the Philips Hue outdoor motion sensor to be a good option. Mounted to a North facing wall out of direct sunlight it can be used as a reliable light level sensor too (i dont use it as a motion sensor).
Whilst both devices, and the Hue bridge, are all Zigbee devices, I don't think they work natively with the Hue eco system. You'll need to use some sort of intermediary software like IFTTT or Home Assistant to get them to talk to each other.
Unfortunately Philips have locked it down so the Hue Hub will only control lights. You will need to get a ZigBee Hub or Dongle that works with Home Assistant/ZHA and configure it. You'll then be able to use Home Assistant to create automations that use these sensors and also control the lights. More information can be found here : th-cam.com/video/ZUWrUBJQRpA/w-d-xo.html
i never opened an aquara sensor like this ... its obvious that you will destroy plastic with the wrong tools ... this is made for using money / a coin to open it :-D
The reason you screwed up the aqara is because you used a screwdriver. Had you instead used the correct tool, you would have found it exceedingly easy.
Thanks for the comparison it really helped me and I also decided for the Aqara Sensor.
I enjoy your videos. Thank you. I have half a dozen sonoff sensors scattered around the house and they seem to perform pretty well. I've had a few lose their connection to the network but I really don't have a decent zigbee network established just yet. Baby steps.
I built mine up over time, slowly adding things as I found a new project or use case.
No need to do it all at once!
Thanks for the useful review.
I would suggest that the ease of battery replacement should be tested with the sensors mounted as intended. Doing that, the Aqara sensor only requires a slight twist and it comes off it's mount - super easy but potentially a risk as it can make the button cell accessible to small kids. The Sonoff sensor's battery is easier to change when mounted on a surface but it is still a pain. I prefer the Aqara sensor because of the ease of access and it's much better looks.
Another thing to consider is that both sensors will only transmit updated measurements when the value has changed by a certain amount. This can be a problem if used with a (virtual) thermostat which expects to "hear" from the sensor every 30 minutes or so.
Thanks for your input. I agree on the Aqara looking better and being easier to access. And I've finally got the hang of opening the battery compartment, but I did ruin a few of the plastic covers trying to open them initially with a screw driver
@@HomeAutomationGuy Don't think you should use a screwdriver for the aquara, but a coin. They never gave me issues use an euro..;)
A comparison of two thermometers without the only real test that would be needed: accuracy of measurements.
Great!
Bought the aqara one, but found out the humidity readings are way off. It read at least 5% lower than all of my other sensors. Had to return it for this.
I have several Aqara and a few Sonoff. Sonoff works fine everywhere while Aqara keep dropping out when placed far from the controller. Aqara apparently dont like going through one or more routers...
Interesting! I have Aqara and Sonoff and they both seem to work fine going through routers at my house.
Hello thank you very much for the review, You know the origin of Aqara. Personally I had many problems with Sonoff switches and they did not respond. Thank you!!
How often each of them is updating temp? Aqara do to every 0.1 as I remember and what about Sonoff?. Tuya with LCD reports every 0,5 or 0,7 as I remember
I enjoy your video. Please help me clarify about how can I track record history of temperature sensed by Sonoff SNZB-02.
Thanks. :)
I use home assistant for this. It tracks the measurements for me and can chart them visually over time using various graphs
@@HomeAutomationGuy Thank you. :)
This two Can be paired with Smartthings hub???
i have 3 of the sonoff sensors, and 2 of them are about to crap out. they have already stopped reporting temperature after just over a month. not good.
Good day mate , does the aquara sensor work with the sonoff zigbee bridge?
nice and detailed comparison ..... what next?
and what Zigbee coordinator hardware are u using? ... I'm using sonoff hub (flashed to tasmota, very bad experience ..... it is not reliable )
Thanks! I've used two CC2531 USB dongles directly connected to my Home Assistant instance and they're working great. I will be doing a video on them in the near future.
@@HomeAutomationGuy waiting for that video ... after cing that video then i will order it
@@HomeAutomationGuy waiting for that video ... after cing that video then i will order it
Hi, thanks for the video, I have the sonoff snzb-02 with eWeLink, for some reason reading is way off, any idea? Or just defective device.
It sounds like it could be broken. You can also apparently calibrate them somehow
Thanks.
I have a number of Sonoff SNZB-02 connected thru a bridge to the wifi and displayed in home assistant. I notice that my temperature readings only changes every hour. Rarely less. Graph always shows this hourly ladder effect. Not sure why this is happening. It's nearly always every hour, to the second.
Examples
00:43;08 - 23.8
01:34:30 - 23.28
02:34:30 - 22.8
03:34:31 - 22.35
04:34:32 - 21.95
05:34:33 - 21.61
06:34:33 - 21.46
any thoughts, thanks
Should be that the sensor fires an update every hour unless the temperature changes by more than 0.5°C (like between 00:43 and 1:34, difference is > 0,5). All other changes are < 0,5°C.
in theory yeah but with the standard sonoff temp monitor is hourly update and never seen it any different. However doin some research found "HUIIUH 3PCS Tuya ZigBee3.0 Wireless Temperature Humidity Sensor" which are compatible with the sonoff bridge. These have a AAA battery which is much better and I see on HA update is now 30 mins. Sorted. Good enuf for me.
Why not open it up and compare sensor ic's?
Because I'd have no idea what I'm looking at 😜
Can you use Aqara to control sonoff TH16. I use th16 for my electric underfloor heating but I would like temp sensor without cables
You can if you use something like Home Assistant and automations.
If you're using the Sonoff bridge then I'd suggest keeping everything Sonoff
@@HomeAutomationGuy thanks for replay. Sonoff as per each device don’t need bridge as each device connect to your WiFi network and I use eWeLink app to manage daily task for those devices. Th16 is a awkward device as it not pop up on scenes. Apparently sonoff fixt it but I cannot see yet that fix. I will prefer Aqara temp sensor as they look better than sonoff. Maybe I will buy one in AliExpress to check how this work and let you or your audience know if this is good working relation. Thabks
yes is the easy answer but i would swap it out for a sonoff basic and use the th16 eslse where assuming 13A ok
Hi. I'm interested to buy an outdoor "smart" temperature sensor that i can connect to my phone via bluetooth or wifi. Do you have any model/brand recomandation? Thanks in advance
I do not have any recommendation I'm afraid, I don't have any devices that measure outside temperature
@@HomeAutomationGuy Thanks for answering. I will try to find something on web, because it sould exist something in the year 2021. It should be some weatherproof temperature/humidity sensors connectable to gateway must be on web. I'm still positive in my research 😀. All the best!
If you find something please share it here so we can all learn! I could use one of them myself!
I have found the Philips Hue outdoor motion sensor to be a good option. Mounted to a North facing wall out of direct sunlight it can be used as a reliable light level sensor too (i dont use it as a motion sensor).
@@jimmywoody6962 Hi. That's greate! Thank u for information. I will search about this devise. 👍🏻
Are both compatible with the Philips Hue Bridge?
Whilst both devices, and the Hue bridge, are all Zigbee devices, I don't think they work natively with the Hue eco system. You'll need to use some sort of intermediary software like IFTTT or Home Assistant to get them to talk to each other.
@@HomeAutomationGuy I‘m running HomeAssistant on my HomeServer. The Sensor just needs to Connect to the Hue Bridge
Unfortunately Philips have locked it down so the Hue Hub will only control lights. You will need to get a ZigBee Hub or Dongle that works with Home Assistant/ZHA and configure it. You'll then be able to use Home Assistant to create automations that use these sensors and also control the lights. More information can be found here : th-cam.com/video/ZUWrUBJQRpA/w-d-xo.html
@@HomeAutomationGuy Thanks a lot for the answer.I will buy a zigbee dongle for it. Great Video!
Will the Aqara work outdoors?
Not really.
i never opened an aquara sensor like this ... its obvious that you will destroy plastic with the wrong tools ... this is made for using money / a coin to open it :-D
Fair point, but who has coins these days 🤣
The reason you screwed up the aqara is because you used a screwdriver. Had you instead used the correct tool, you would have found it exceedingly easy.
And what would that tool be???
@@KameraShy that's been covered on my channel. ;)