Best Cheap Motion Detectors

A cheap motion sensor for under $50 is one thing, but a motion sensing camera for under $50? Yes, please! The Wyze Cam Pan v2 motion sensor camera offers 360º motion tracking video with no monthly fees, so selecting it as our top pick was a no-brainer.

Wyze also provides free 14-day rolling cloud storage, and its free mobile app lets you view footage and control camera settings from your smartphone. The Wyze app sends a push notification to your phone when it detects motion, and it will start recording the motion-triggered event. The camera can even tell the difference between people and pets.

Our testing experience showed that its Wi-Fi connection was also much more reliable than other cameras we've tested.

One of the best motion features on this camera is its motion tracking—it will pan to follow motion around the room, catching everything on video so you don't miss a second of the action.

The camera also features two-way audio, but its one drawback is that the speaker on the camera is pretty crackly. It might be hard for people (or intruders) at home to understand you if you're talking through the app.

Learn more in our Wyze Cam Pan review.

The lights are solar powered, so they're easy to install because you don't have to run any wires. On the flip side, you're limited on placement since they need full sun exposure to work.

Aootek motion lights have light sensors so they can sense when it gets dark, and you have three different lighting settings to choose from. You can set them to automatically turn on full power at nightfall and turn off when the battery runs out, automatically turn on dim when it gets dark and get bright when they detect motion, or have them stay off until they detect motion.

Some customers say the sensitive motion detectors trigger false alerts by sensing far away moving objects like cars. You can put a small piece of tape over part of the sensor to reduce sensitivity.

The sensors are wireless, but they each require three AAA batteries (not included). The receiver device plugs directly into an outlet.

When a sensor is tripped, the receiver's LED lights illuminate and it will play any one of 38 different chimes of your choice. While the receiver's chimes sound a little too cheerful to act as an alarm, turning the volume up high will probably be enough to startle an intruder.

Unfortunately, you can choose only one chime for all four sensors, so unlike app-based motion sensors, you won't be able to tell which sensor triggered the alert.

This sensor didn't make our top three because with a range of just 20 feet and 120º, it's not as powerful as the other sensors on our list. We also wish you could reset it without having to wait five minutes after it's tripped. But there's no hub required, it's easy to install and use, and it's ideal for smaller spaces, like an apartment entryway.

Learn more in our full Kangaroo home security review.

Fortunately, there are a ton of Zigbee-capable hubs on the market, including the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) and the Aeotec Smart Home Hub. But you won't save much cash unless you already own one.

When you’re shopping for motion sensors, consider where you want to put them and how you want to use them.

• For outdoor coverage and larger indoor areas, you'll want sensors with a longer range and a wider angle.
• For indoor use, look for smaller wireless sensors that will give you a variety of placement options and won't require drilling.

Understanding how motion detectors work can help you figure out the best placement for your sensors.

If you want to scare off intruders, look for motion detectors that light up or sound an alarm.

Some of the best cheap home security systems include motion alarm sensors, and these might be a better option for home security than a standalone motion sensor.

If you just want to know if a person or pet is somewhere they shouldn't be, then an app-based motion detector that will send a notification to your phone can alert you without startling a loved one or pet.

We picked the sensors above because they give you the most bang for your buck. Chief among these is the Wyze Cam Pan v2, which gives you motion detection and security camera functionality in a single device.

Unlike some of the other devices on our list, Wyze Cam Pan isn't connected to an alarm or a bright light to scare off intruders, but it does have two-way audio. You can access the camera's microphone and speaker from your app so you can talk to people at home, even when you're not there. Plus, it's super easy to install.

To select our top motion detectors, we started with our favorite, tried-and-true, affordable motion devices for home monitoring. Then we expanded our search to include home security and motion monitoring products with lots of positive user ratings.

We watched videos of the items in use and analyzed customer reviews to choose the motion detectors we'd add to our own shopping lists. Our full methodology has more information about how we select products for our rankings.

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