After creating the most comprehensive Z-Wave Door Sensor roundup on the net, we now turn our attention to Z-Wave recessed door sensors.
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Why Z-Wave Recessed Door Sensors
Sometimes you don’t want an unsightly bulky contact sensor cramping the style of your beautiful doors or windows. Yes there are slim sensors like the Aeotec Door Sensor 6 but they are most certainly not invisible!
To make your door sensors truly invisible, you need recessed door sensors. These are also made of 2 halves just like any door sensor, but they are installed inside the door frame and doors or windows.
For sure these are more difficult to install but the fact that it is totally hidden cannot be beaten. Do bear in mind though – recessed sensors tend to have weaker Z-Wave wireless range.
The Aeotec Recessed Door Sensor 7 is the most popular indoor sensor model around. Not a surprise really as they are a great brand and have a humongous range of Z-Wave products. Just like their other sensors, this one is also of the Z-Wave Plus variety giving improved wireless speed, range, security, and battery life.
This sensor looks just like any other recessed sensor – white in colour, but it is just 0.4″ in width. That means you can get away with drilling a small hole into your door. There are two halves – the larger main sensor and the smaller magnetic sensor. The main sensor houses the battery and the electronics. There is also a red LED. However there is no tamper detection.
Surprisingly, Aeotec claims a range of up to 150 feet but this really depends on the door material, the thickness of your walls and the number of walls between the sensor and the Z-Wave hub. The included 3V CR2 lithium battery is rated at 800mAh capacity, and should last up to a year.
On the software front, the sensor supports AES 128-bit communication encryption and Z-Wave S2 security.
Full specs:
- Transmits open/closed status & battery status
- Z-Wave Plus certified
- Size: 71 x 20 x 22 mm (main body), 40 x 11 x 11 mm (magnet)
- 1x CR2 lithium battery
- 12 months battery life
- Weather rating: Indoor only, operating temperature: -10° to 60°C
- Operating range of 150 metres (492 feet)
- Works with Home Assistant, Hubitat, Samsung SmartThings and other Z-Wave hubs
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If you require a door or window sensor that can be used outdoors, the stylish and unique Sensative Strips is the only option.
Its marketed as being invisible because it is only 3 mm thick and in most cases can be mounted between the door/window and its frame. The custom non-removable non-rechargeable battery used by Sensative can last up to an incredible 10 years. The default wakeup interval is 24 hours, but it can be set to as little as 30 minutes but at the cost of battery life. Sensative provides an extended warranty of 3 years for the built-in battery.
There are 3 separate pieces – the main sensor body, a rectangular magnet and a small button-like magnet. The strips have a tamper detection sensor and an LED that indicates magnetic contact. The maximum range of magnetic contact is 15 mm.
By itself the strips have a wireless range of up to 40 metres, but the presence of a nearby AC powered Z-Wave device acting as a repeater can boost this to 150 metres.
The Sensative Strip Guard is also available in a Zigbee version which also sports a temperature sensor.
Full specs:
- Transmits open/closed status & battery status
- Z-Wave Plus certified
- Size: 195 x 15 x 3 mm (main body), 30 x 11 x 1 mm (magnet 1), diameter 12 * 3 mm (magnet 2)
- Built-in non-rechargeable battery
- 10 years battery life
- Weather rating: Outdoor, operating temperature: -10° to 60°C
- Operating range of 150 metres (492 feet)
- Works with Home Assistant, Hubitat, Samsung SmartThings and other Z-Wave hubs
Conclusion
As you can see, there are not many recessed Z-Wave door sensors on the market. But the two very diverse options above are both great choices.
