Smart lighting is even better when it works automatically. In this guide, you’ll learn how to connect a Zigbee motion sensor to your Home Assistant setup and use it to trigger your smart lights — perfect for hallways, bathrooms, or closets.
🧾 Why Motion Sensors?
Motion sensors let your smart home react to presence, without needing switches or voice commands. Some common benefits:
- Hands-free lighting
- Saves energy by turning off lights when no one’s around
- Useful at night, or for guests unfamiliar with your setup
- Can also be used to trigger cameras, alarms, or climate systems
🧩 What You’ll Need
- A Zigbee motion sensor. We have 2 recommendations in our shop :
- the very affordable Zigbee 3.0 Motion Sensor,
- the more premium sonoff snzb03p zigbee smart motion sensor
- Your Zigbee coordinator already set up (see previous guide)
- At least one Zigbee smart light (e.g. RGB bulb) already paired
🔧 Step-by-Step: Add the Sensor
1. Go to ZHA Integration
- Open Settings → Devices & Services
- Find the ZHA integration and click Configure
2. Put Your Sensor into Pairing Mode
- Usually done by pressing a button on the sensor for 5+ seconds
- An LED may blink to indicate it’s searching
- Check your device’s manual for specifics
3. Click “Add Device” in Home Assistant
- Home Assistant will scan for new Zigbee devices
- The sensor should appear as “Occupancy Sensor” or similar
- Give it a meaningful name (e.g.,
Bathroom Motion) and assign it to a room
🎯 Testing the Sensor
Once added:
- Go to Devices and click on your motion sensor
- Move in front of it and check if “Motion detected” appears
- It may stay triggered for 30-60 seconds depending on the model