Apologies for the redundancy, but over the past few years, I've actively sought to swap out as many Bluetooth and WiFi devices as possible for their Thread equivalents. I've had considerable success, too, with Thread models of air purifiers and humidifiers (Airversa), buttons (Tuo/Arre), contact sensors (Aqara P2), temperature/humidity sensors (Eve, QingPing), and smart locks (Aqara U200). While motion sensors have been addressed in my transitions, today's review focuses on an outdoor-specific motion sensor – the Onvis Smart Motion Sensor – Outdoor (SMS2-OD). As you’ll discover shortly, this device is essentially an outdoor adaptation of the company's indoor motion sensor. Given the outdoor environment, proper protection is paramount, and the SMS2-OD excels in this regard. If you're intrigued by a Thread-connected outdoor sensor, keep reading...

PACKAGING | CONTENTS

Upon seeing the initial design of this product, I was pleased to find it had a conventional appearance while also being functionally streamlined. I had initial concerns that the sensor might possess an unusual or quirky design that wouldn't appeal to a broad audience, akin to their camera and, to a lesser extent, the indoor motion sensor. This model seems like it could comfortably fit into a Philips Hue catalog, for instance. It clearly appears to be a motion sensor, and perhaps more crucially, it's evidently designed for outdoor use, eliminating any uncertainty regarding its purpose.

The SMS2-OD operates using HomeKit over Thread, as noted on the front of the box, meaning it will only function within the Apple Home ecosystem (apologies to Matter users). However, the use of Thread is a significant plus in my eyes. The sides of the box highlight several features, which I'll summarize below;

• IP66 Waterproof rating
• Thread/Bluetooth
• Motion detection
• Temperature and humidity monitoring
• Light/dark sensor
• Four-year battery life
• Scheduled detection

The standout feature is the IP66 rating, which surpasses that of Philips Hue (IP44) and Eve (IPX3). While Eve provides a separate light sensor (which connects to Apple Home via Matter over Thread), the Onvis sensor only includes a basic light/dark sensor that isn't accessible to Apple Home. Although Eve provides some outdoor protection, I believe it’s primarily suited for indoor applications. The Onvis, however, may be a bit too large to resemble an unobtrusive indoor design unless placed in a garage or outbuilding.

The battery life is impressive, boasting a four-year lifespan from just two AA batteries, assuming that claim holds true. However, be aware that it only remains functional down to -10ºC/14ºF, which suggests it might not perform well in a frigid Canadian winter.

Inside the box, you’ll find the sensor itself, which measures 84 x 84 x 43mm (HWD), along with a weather cover or hood, a robust ‘ball-and-socket’ mounting bracket, a spare double-sided adhesive (the bracket includes one already), and two screws for a more permanent fixture. Additionally, there's a small manual (not shown).

The front of the SMS2OD (OD = outdoor) features a standard fresnel lens centrally located, with the basic dark/light sensor positioned below it. Beneath that lies a hole for the integrated temperature and humidity sensor(s). The rear is equipped with a thread for attaching the mounting bracket. The backplate has four screws that you’ll need to remove to access the battery compartment – but keep in mind, that will only be necessary once every four years! The rear cover fits snugly in position when secured with screws, which is a blessing, as this area is potentially more vulnerable to water ingress. Additionally, there are two small holes at the back for the hood attachment.

Apart from the previously mentioned holes for securing the hood, little else stands out. The side of the device sports a single QR code, which I recommend backing up, as it may not survive long in wet conditions. That said, another HomeKit code is included in the manual.

The final components consist of the sturdy mounting bracket I previously mentioned. Despite the sensor's low cost, the bracket has a robust build and none of the flimsy feel you might expect. Similarly, the hood covering the top half of the sensor, although simple, is also quite durable.

The hood is firmly secured; it requires a significant amount of force to remove. As previously mentioned, this feature mainly aims to protect the fresnel lens from moisture, which could potentially interfere with the motion detection capabilities (just a thought…).

This image illustrates the size disparity between the outdoor sensor (SMS2OD) and its indoor counterpart (SMS2).

IN APPLE HOME

If you own the indoor version of this motion sensor, the SMS2, you'll be familiar with the trio of sensors represented in Apple Home: motion, temperature, and humidity. It might surprise you that the SMS2OD is shown in the app simply as SMS2. This is because, although designed for outdoor use, the sensing components are nearly identical to the indoor model. There’s no cause for concern here; the indoor sensor boasts impressive features, has functioned flawlessly in my tests (review HERE), so you're essentially getting a reliable device built to withstand outdoor conditions. However, it's worth noting that there’s no light sensor feature, as it only registers light or dark, rendering it ineffective for tracking specific light levels. You can monitor battery readings via the settings panel as well.

I took the liberty of positioning both sensors within the same room to compare their temperature and humidity readings. Although the temperature reading was off by half a degree and humidity was 2% lower, these discrepancies fell well within the margin of error, so this result can be considered satisfactorily accurate. Regarding the motion sensor's responsiveness, it performs swiftly thanks to Thread, reacting simultaneously with the indoor model, which was to be expected.

THE ONVIS HOME APP

The Onvis app is often criticized for its design, a sentiment I share. Nevertheless, it offers features that aren't readily available in the Apple Home app, making it worthwhile to keep on your iPhone, even if it isn’t your primary app. For instance, you can adjust the countdown period for the SMS2OD, which is the time between detecting motion and resetting back to ‘no motion’. Fortunately, unlike some other sensors that go inactive during this cooldown, the Onvis continues to monitor for motion, resetting itself with any detected movement. The countdown can only finish once no further motion is registered. While it's not as sophisticated as a true presence sensor, it presents a viable halfway solution. Moreover, you can easily view the brightness, temperature, and humidity levels, and there’s a toggle to enable or disable the motion sensor.

A feature I've long desired in Apple Home is the ability to turn a scene on or off based on another device's state. Such functionality would significantly improve automation in Apple Home—something achievable in the Aqara app. With the ability to activate or deactivate the Onvis motion sensors, you gain similar functionality, albeit confined to the motion sensor. Here's how I typically utilize it:

Our corridor connects the bedrooms to the living and kitchen areas, and it often remains dark even during the day. The motion sensor is set to activate the corridor lights upon detecting movement; however, if someone is in the living room or kitchen, there’s frequently enough ambient light to negate the need for corridor illumination. I could set a conditional automation to turn on corridor lights based on the state of other room lights through the ‘convert to Shortcut’ option in Apple Home, but I've noticed this slows down the entire detection process. By using the option to deactivate motion as part of a scene, I can easily set up a scenario where motion is turned off if the kitchen or living room lights are on and activated otherwise, allowing for a quicker response without needing to check other device states.

A variety of settings are accessible, allowing you to personalize the device, including renaming it and controlling the LED indicator's state during motion detection. Battery health and levels are displayed, although their accuracy is uncertain. The app also enables you to tie brightness levels to the motion sensor's status, a feature unavailable in Apple Home since the light sensor doesn’t integrate there.

A set of options that I find particularly beneficial allows the adjustment of both the motion and basic light sensor sensitivities. This feature enables fine-tuning according to specific conditions. Additionally, the temperature and humidity sensors can be recalibrated to align with other accurate readings you may have. You can adjust these by plus or minus ten degrees for temperature and twenty percent for humidity. While this adjustment range is generous, most users likely won’t need to alter these readings by more than a slight margin.

IN OUTDOOR OR WET CONDITIONS

I reside in an apartment on the top floor (16th), and while I have roof access, it's too far from my nearest Thread Border Router or Thread Router to maintain a stable connection to my Apple Home setup. Fortunately, I have two means of verifying the sensor's waterproof claims as stated on the packaging (which must be certified). The first is an 11-second video showing the sensor undergoing rigorous testing in a certified testing facility to confirm its IP66 rating. This verification is conducted by an independent organization, not the company itself.

The second, anecdotal test involves a friend who has placed the sensor in his shower. With the showerhead directed both directly and indirectly at the sensor, testing results indicate that the sensor performs just as reliably as it does in dry conditions, with no reported liquid ingress, fulfilling the conditions of the IP66 rating. While I cannot conduct this test myself—my wife would definitely object to placing it in the shower—this secondary validation suffices for me.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Having previously tested the indoor model, I anticipated similar performance from its outdoor counterpart, owing to their internal similarities. Ultimately, the motion sensor performed excellently, proving to be fast, dependable, and packed with features, making it a compelling choice for anyone seeking an outdoor sensor, which, unfortunately, I do not require currently.

The presence of Thread support and the ability to activate or deactivate motion detection through scenes and automations makes this product stand out. If those features don’t convince you, the four-year battery life alone is impressive. Coupled with its sturdy design, robust ball-and-joint mount, and protective hood, there’s not much to fault. My only minor complaint would be a preference for the entire unit to be made of textured matte plastic. Instead, it's glossy on the front for some reason. Offering a separate white version might be appealing too, but given its outdoor application, it could yellow over time and detract from its aesthetic. Overall, I highly recommend this device.

Onvis Outdoor Motion Sensor

Pros

• Utilizes HomeKit over Thread
• IP66 rated for outdoor use
• Strong mounting solution
• Motion activation/deactivation option
• Additional sensors included