Aqara is no newcomer in the field of smart home gadgets. In our test series, we have already taken a look at the Smart Doorbell G4 (review) and the smart door lock U200 (review). The Aqara FP1E test (official product page) will focus on the manufacturer’s latest presence sensor. This enables modern and convenient lighting control within your own four walls by using a sensor to detect the presence or absence of people. In contrast to the FP2 from the manufacturer of the same name, the newcomer is said to score points with a lower price, but does without WLAN and other features. Does this affect the user experience?
Presence detector vs. motion detector
So-called presence detectors form the basis of many modern smart home households. They cannot be equated with a conventional motion detector, which detects movement and switches on lights, for example. Instead, a presence detector registers the presence of people. The Aqara FP1E uses a so-called mmWave radar for this purpose.
The big advantage over motion detectors is the ability to register the presence of people without them moving. While a motion detector automatically switches the light off again when no more movement is detected, a presence sensor continues the action.
So you don’t have to worry that the light will switch off automatically when you have quietly taken a seat on the couch at home for an evening of television. If you then leave the room, the light switches off automatically. Accordingly, a presence sensor is more of a replacement for the light switch than for the motion detector. In the best case scenario, you hardly have to press it at all.
Scope of delivery
- FP1E Presence sensor
- Metal plate
- Adhesive pad
- Operating instructions
Aqara FP1E test: design and workmanship
The Aqara FP1E comes in a fairly small form factor. In combination with the modern matt white, the smart home gadget, which is primarily made of plastic, looks pleasantly inconspicuous. But you should expect the same from a motion or presence sensor. At its heart is the sensor unit, which is reminiscent of a mini school bell.
It contains the technology required to register the presence of people. The 1.9 meter long USB cable, which is unfortunately permanently connected to the sensor, serves as the energy supplier. This is a shame as it prevents the connection of another, longer USB cable.
There is a joint on the back that can be moved flexibly and ends in a support surface. In combination with the adhesive surface and/or the metal surface included in the scope of delivery, the gadget can be attached to almost any surface. The magnetic holder also allows it to be attached to metal surfaces. For example, I was able to attach the FP1E to my refrigerator door.
Aqara FP1E test: Nothing works without a hub
The FP1E is not the first presence sensor from Aqara. The manufacturer has already launched another sensor, the FP2. This also relies on mmWave radar technology. However, it had a decisive advantage. It could be integrated into the home network independently. This is not possible with the FP1E. It communicates exclusively via the Zigbee protocol.
It is therefore essential to use a corresponding Zigbee hub in order to use it. Fortunately, I still had the M3 hub from Aqara available from the test of the Smart Doorbell G4. Like the G4, the presence sensor also offers the Matter standard. This means that it can also be integrated into systems such as Apple Home. It can also be used with smart voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa or the Google Assistant.
Aqara FP1E test: Differences to the FP2
If you buy the FP1E, you save a few euros compared to the FP2. So why not go for the slightly slimmed-down model? Strictly speaking, Aqara is offering a lite version of its previously available sensor. A closer look reveals that some features are missing – not just an integrated WiFi module. A light sensor, which you would expect to find in a presence sensor, is also missing here.
Conversely, the FP1E also switches the light on when bright sunshine through the windows already provides natural fixed lighting. To alleviate this problem a little, a time can be set in advance for the sensor to give the command to switch on the light. But who wants to adjust this value every two months? Anyone who already has a brightness sensor from Aqara can disregard the fact that there is no light sensor.
This then supplies the presence sensor with the necessary data. The F1PE also lacks a sleep tracker, fall registration and counting the number of people present. These are three very practical features that some people might miss. Furthermore, the FP1E does not allow different zones to be defined.
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Room-specific automation was possible with the FP2. This enabled a different light reaction in different areas of the home. As there is only one zone for the FP1E, you would have to install several models in order to create individual zones. So if you want to have individual automation for different rooms, it makes much more sense to go for the FP2.
Aqara FP1E test: Practical test
Of course, the most important thing is to use it in practice. After installing and setting up the F1PE in a flash, I immediately established a connection to my smart lamps. The focus here is on the Aqara app. This offers various settings for the smart sensor.
Unfortunately, there are not really many. The most important is the so-called detection range. As the name suggests, this is the radius in which the F1PE detects the presence of people. Here you can choose between a maximum of 6 meters and a minimum of 30 centimetres.
In use, the gadget scores with a lightning-fast response – at least when a person enters the radius. The integrated radar works pleasingly quickly here. This is not really surprising given the 60 GHz mmWave radar technology. Aqara is a real front runner in this respect.
It took a little longer for the system to react to the absence of a person. A few seconds passed here. Unfortunately, I also noticed one or two false activations. For example, the sensor registered my dog as a person and then switched on the light. However, in view of the AI and upcoming software updates, I assume that this problem should resolve itself over time.
Conclusion
After testing the Aqara FP1E, I’m a little ambivalent. Let’s start with the positives. The centerpiece in the form of the radar works excellently in practice. The sensor recognizes the appearance of people at lightning speed. It does take a little longer to react to people leaving the detection radius, but that didn’t really bother me. The occasional misrecognition of my dog should certainly be rectified with future software updates.
While the F1PE is in no way inferior to the slightly more expensive F2P in terms of radar technology, the Lite version falls short in other respects. The missing WiFi module is unlikely to bother owners of a Zigbee hub. The lack of a light sensor, zoning, sleep tracking and other features is a different story. As a customer, I would gladly pay the extra F2P price for these. However, if that doesn’t bother you, the F1PE is a budget-friendly presence sensor (€ 39.99 * at Amazon) that does what it’s supposed to do.
Aqara FP1E
Design and processing
Hardware
Equipment
Price-performance ratio
87/100
The Aqara FP1E does what it is supposed to do. But nothing more. If that's not enough for you, you should opt for the FP2 with more features at a slightly higher price.
