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The second-generation Eve Motion is better for in almost every way imaginable HomeKit users, but the design is tired and doesn’t match the company’s other products.
Eve has been on a roll lately, updating much of its lineup with new designs, new features, and support for Thread connectivity. Next up is the Eve Motion which hasn’t seen an update since its original release in 2016.
This new update builds on the original by reducing the footprint, adding Thread, including a light sensor, and water resistance for outdoor use. As always, we had to put it to the test.
Design
Looking at the original Eve Motion, the new model is definitely an upgrade. It is more compact with sleeker lines. Definitely more modern looking.
Eve Motion 2 vs the original Eve Motion
Part of that smaller footprint was the switch to AAA batteries instead of the pair of AA batteries in the original. It is not rechargeable, but it is smaller.
However, the Eve Motion 2 doesn’t match the rest of the Eve range much. Eve’s other new products, such as the Eve Aqua, Eve Room, Eve Degree and Eve Button, all have this sleek, elegant look with an anodized aluminum exterior.
The all-plastic body of the Eve Motion 2 feels like it comes from a different manufacturer than Eve. This becomes even clearer if you compare it with the Philips Hue motion sensor.
Philips Hue vs Eve motion sensors
Both look almost identical, although Eve’s is slightly larger and has the logo on the front.
That said, Eve had a purpose when they started creating the updated Eve Motion. The last-generation model was quite expensive, and Eve felt movement was too critical to the smart home that they needed a much more cost-effective device.
Throwing out the aluminum for a plastic case was one way to make this easier.
Eve Motion in the rain
Choosing to keep physical batteries was also a cost decision, as it is cheaper to implement than an internal lithium-ion battery. However, it also helped the water resistance. By ditching every exposed port, Eve Motion 2 can safely stay out in the rain thanks to the new IPX3 resistor.
There are few dedicated outdoor motion sensors, with the Philips Hue outdoor sensor being the beginning and end of the list. Now we can count the Eve Motion 2 too.
HomeKit and Automations
As usual, adding Eve Motion to the Home app is very easy. We scanned the pairing code on the back of the device and we were on our way.
Eve Motion configuration in the Home app
The setup modal walks us through all the basic steps, including naming both sensors, assigning a room, and enabling one of the suggested automations. It will take a while and the device will be added to the Home app with our existing accessories.
Eve Motion settings in the Home app
In the Home app, you can see when motion is detected, see light lux in the room, and enable notifications. It’s also where you can create automations. Everything you want to happen when the light reaches a certain level or when motion is detected or stopped.
Open blinds, turn on fans, turn on lights and more. It is advantageous to combine the two sensors. You can create a conditional automation rule that turns on the outdoor lighting only when the light sensor detects a certain light threshold.
You could just set it to trigger based on the sunset, but clouds and other interferences make this unreliable and inconsistent.
Here are some examples of HomeKit automations that use a motion sensor:
- Activate lights in a room to turn on when you enter and turn off when you leave
- Turn on your porch lights in the evening when visitors approach
- Turn on cupboard or pantry lights as you open the door, which is more reliable than contact sensors
- Only turn on light bulbs on the patio when it’s dim enough to see them
- Using conditionals, turn on the under-cabinet lighting at different brightness levels and colors based on the time of day
- Turn off a loud purifier when you enter a room and turn it on when you leave
- Open your smart blinds when motion is detected in the living room
- Turn on a ceiling fan when you enter the room
The Eve app
Before we talk about the Eve app, let’s reiterate Eve’s commitment to HomeKit. Although there is technically added functionality within the Eve app, through Apple’s Home app, everything still relies solely on exposed HomeKit features.
HomeKit provides functionality that Apple chooses not to display in the Home app. Eve uses this additional data and makes it available to users within its app for advanced users. Let’s see what benefits the Eve app offers.
Eve app with the motion sensor
For starters, the Eve app can graphically show you the history of both the lux light sensor and the motion sensor. You can view each actual data point in a list (which you could export if you so choose) or in a graph.
If the motion sensor is in your house and you were out all day, you could quickly see via the graph where something – or someone – activated that motion sensor.
You can adjust the sensor settings in the Eve app. You can adjust the motion sensor’s sensitivity level between high, medium, or low, and optionally tell it to only work when it’s dark.
Other options include triggering a subtle LED flash when motion is positively detected – useful for troubleshooting – and the duration of detected activity before the Eve Motion activates.
Putting thread to the test
The Eve app also allows you to view your Thread network. The Eve Motion communicates primarily via Thread, but if you don’t have a Thread Border Router, it falls back to Bluetooth connectivity.
The Thread network at home
Most people won’t benefit from viewing their Thread network, which is why it’s buried in Eve’s settings. But if you’re curious, it’s fun to check out.
Looking at our network, we can see that the Eve Motion is connected via Thread, located in the basement as a child node for endpoints, and passed through an Apple Border Router – one of our HomePod minis or Apple TV 4K.
Eve Motion 2 uses HomePod mini as wire boundary router
In just a few days with the Eve Motion, we noticed how quickly it responds. Despite a wide range of functionalities, our Eve Motion has taken up residence on our basement stairs, with the lights turning on automatically as soon as we set foot on the stairs.
The Eve Motion is set up to activate several Thread-connected Nanoleaf bulbs and a few additional Philips Hue bulbs. Surprisingly, all Philips Hue bulbs responded just as quickly as the threaded Nanoleaf bulbs.
We also wanted to see how quickly Apple Home would identify the movement, so we turned on notifications. Sure enough, seemingly less than a second after we got inside the motion sensor frame, a warning popped up on our iPhone.
A quick reminder when we talk about Thread, everything was not right during the installation. It seemed that our Home Hubs and Thread network needed at least some time before they started to respond reliably.
For the first hour or so after adding to the network, motion alerts didn’t show every time and the lights didn’t turn on. It wasn’t until we had the settings scattered around our house that everything started to behave properly.
Should you buy the Eve Motion 2?
Movement is an essential part of the smart home. It’s not ideal for every situation, but there are certainly several examples of automation tasks made possible thanks to motion.
Since HomeKit launched, there has been little innovation for motion sensors. All existing models have been available for years and do about the same. The second-generation Eve Motion stands out by adding water resistance and wire to its feature set.
Eve Motion outside
In our tests, the Eve Motion was fast and reliable for triggering automation routines and notifications. Thread support made a big difference compared to Bluetooth, which would often have a delay of a few seconds as it established a connection to the nearest Home hub.
With the light sensor, it opened up even more possibilities outside our home. Since there was no delay, it gave us new motivation to equip our home with additional motion sensors.
The box for the second generation Eve Motion
As long as you’re okay with the plain, white plastic design, the second-generation Eve Motion is easily recommended.
Eve Motion 2 benefits
- Smaller design
- New light level sensor
- Wire for ultra-fast connectivity
- IPX3 water resistance for outdoor use
- New lower price
- Supports only HomeKit and is future-proof
- Uses standardized AA batteries (also included)
Eve Motion 2 Cons
- Plastic housing feels cheap
- Design resembles Philips Hue motion sensor
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Where to buy