Not so long ago, smart home devices were pretty limited. Now, you can more or less configure a TV to tell you when the laundry is finished — no need to run downstairs to check yourself anymore. Expanding your smart home can make life easier, and one device that easily does so is a motion detector. You can use these sensors to trigger lights and cameras .

There are plenty of motion detectors out on the market, but one of the newest comes from Govee. The company’s Outdoor Motion Sensor is designed to help automate your outdoor lights, so you don’t have to manually turn them on and off. The Outdoor Motion Sensor can seamlessly integrate with other Govee products, such as the Outdoor String Lights 2 I recently reviewed. I tested the sensor to see if it was worth adding to a lighting setup — what I found was less than encouraging.

Price, specs, and availability

The Govee Outdoor Motion Sensor retails for $30. You can purchase one from Amazon or Govee’s website, and it’s frequently discounted. The Govee is a battery-powered motion sensor and includes two CR123A batteries with each sensor. The device also comes with mounting tools and a screwdriver for setup. Measuring at 3.93 x 1.96 x 3.93 inches, it won’t take up much space wherever you choose to put it.

The Govee weighs only 6.3 ounces. You can either mount it or place it flat on an object, though I found it easier to find a spot for it by resting it on a flat surface, since spots like that were abundant my backyard. The sensor holds up well in inclement weather, as it’s IP65-rated water-resistant and can operate at temperatures falling between 14 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit. The design features a base that allows you to swivel and position the sensor how you want it.

What I liked about the Govee Outdoor Motion Sensor

It’s compatible with many lights

Since I was already reviewing the Govee Outdoor String Lights 2, I used those to test the motion sensor. You need other Govee products to use the sensor, but it does integrate with a number of different products, including the company’s Outdoor Strip Lights, Outdoor Neon Rope Lights, Smart Bulbs, Glide LED Wall Lights, and more. Once I set up my string lights, I was able to add the Outdoor Motion Sensor in the Govee app — it’s important to note that controlling the device is possible only through the Govee app. Thankfully, the software is easy to use.

The software first tells you to find the location where you want to position the motion sensor. I tried a few different spots to see what made the most sense and eventually settled on a post near my home’s sliding door so that it would detect people coming in and out or anyone walking onto the deck from the driveway. Once I had the motion sensor set up, I tested it to make sure that it worked. Which, at first, did so well.

I set it up to send my phone a push notification any time it detected motion. I then organized for the Outdoor String Lights 2 to turn on when something triggered the motion sensor. Creating the automation was simple, as it was a straightforward if/then string. The app allowed me to select which device was used for the If and which device was used for the Then. It was easier than some other motion sensors I’ve tested, such as the Aqara Light and Motion Sensor 2.

After leaving the sensor outside for a while, I walked in front of it to make sure the automation was working well. While it didn’t always pick me up, when it did, the lights would turn on, and I would get a push notification on my phone. I played around with the sensitivity levels of the sensor, as you can adjust them in the Govee app.

There are three levels, which I noticed a bit of a difference between once I set it to pick up closer range motions. Another thing I really liked is that the Govee app shows the battery level of your Outdoor Motion Sensor, which is a convenient feature, so you’re not guessing when you have to go change it. It also shows you the history of motion alerts.

What I don’t like about the Govee Outdoor Motion Sensor

It only works some of the time

My biggest issue with the Govee Outdoor Motion Sensor is that it only works some of the time. It doesn’t always pick up the motion that’s happening mere inches to a few feet in front of it. If it does, sometimes the response can be so slow it delays the automation. Once, it took five or so seconds for my string lights to turn on after the Outdoor Motion Sensor detected movement. I adjusted the sensitivity settings, a change that only helped a little.

The Bluetooth connectivity isn’t great either. There were a few times I needed to press the button on the sensor to put it in finding mode, so my phone could connect to it. I could see it become increasingly frustrating, especially if you weren’t home to fix the issue, and you needed to know if there was motion near your home.

Also, it’s annoying that you can’t use it just to send notifications to your phone if there is motion detected. You need to integrate it with another product in order for it to work at all. Anyone who just wants to use it as a means to detect motion and not have that motion trigger another act is out of luck.

Should you buy the Govee Outdoor Motion Sensor?

The Govee Outdoor Motion Sensor isn’t an expensive addition to your smart home — as long as you’re willing to gamble on its insufficiencies, it may serve well for you. But for anyone counting on it to work properly all the time, it’s not the right pick.

Its failure to keep a Bluetooth connection and pick up all the motion that passes in front of it is so frustrating, I didn’t even try to mount it. Perhaps that would help its ability to pick up movement. But, I can’t imagine that would be the true differentiating factor for the sensor itself. I wouldn’t spend money on this unless you’re a true Govee loyalist.