Where Should You Put a SimpliSafe Motion Sensor?

On this page (7 sections)

1. Where should you place a SimpliSafe motion sensor?
2. How high should you mount a SimpliSafe motion sensor?
3. Where should you avoid placing a SimpliSafe motion sensor?
4. Will a SimpliSafe motion sensor ignore pets?
5. When should you add a SimpliSafe Glassbreak Sensor?
6. Do you need a full SimpliSafe system?
7. How do you choose the right spot for your SimpliSafe motion sensor?

Place a SimpliSafe motion sensor in a room corner, aimed across the space you want to cover. Keep its view clear, account for pets, and use entry sensors to monitor doors and windows.

The sensor is designed for indoor motion detection, with a 90 degree field of view. SimpliSafe recommends a corner for broad room coverage, and you can place the sensor on a shelf or install it with the included hardware.

Where should you place a SimpliSafe motion sensor?

Choose a corner with a clear view across the room. A corner position lets the sensor face more of the space than placing it flat against the middle of one wall.

SimpliSafe describes motion detection within 30 feet in its feature details and a 35 ft range in its product description. Use those figures as a starting point, then choose a position that faces the area where someone might move through the room.

A hallway entrance or open area between rooms may be useful if it gives the sensor a clear view. Avoid aiming it at a wall or placing it where furniture blocks the area you want monitored.

For a broader look at placement and sensor types, see our guide to the best motion sensor alarms for the home.

How high should you mount a SimpliSafe motion sensor?

Use the SimpliSafe App steps and included hardware instructions to guide placement. The sensor information here doesn't give a mounting height, so choose a spot that faces the area you want to cover.

The sensor supports peel-and-stick installation, shelf placement, or installation with included hardware. A shelf lets you adjust the position before mounting, as long as it stays stable and the view remains clear.

Once you settle on a spot, follow the app steps to add and set up the sensor. Check that the final position still faces the intended area and isn't blocked by a door, curtain, or tall furniture.

Where should you avoid placing a SimpliSafe motion sensor?

Avoid a position where the sensor's view is blocked or routine movement could trigger unwanted alerts. A clear view across the room helps cover the space you chose.

Think about doors that swing open, curtains that move, and the paths people or pets use. If a pet regularly crosses the detection area, try another angle or location that still covers the room.

For door and window coverage, a motion sensor is not a substitute for an entry sensor. Our guide to how SimpliSafe entry sensors work explains where those sensors fit.

Will a SimpliSafe motion sensor ignore pets?

It's designed to reduce false alarms from pets under around 50 lb, but placement still matters. Consider your pet's size and usual route through the room.

Aim the sensor so it covers the areas you want to monitor while considering where your pet climbs, jumps, or spends time. If pet movement is a concern, read our guide to pet-immune motion sensors for home alarms.

The sensor's pet feature and room coverage are separate considerations. A corner may provide a broad view, but a different position may make more sense if the first spot faces a busy pet area.

When should you add a SimpliSafe Glassbreak Sensor?

Add a glassbreak sensor when you want to detect the sound of breaking glass near a window. It detects a different event from a motion sensor, so the two types can cover different risks in the same room.

The SimpliSafe Glassbreak Sensor detects the sound of breaking glass within up to 20 ft. You can place it on a shelf or install it with the included hardware, then follow the SimpliSafe App steps.

Consider the window area and check the sensor's 20 ft detection range against the room layout. For more on when this sensor type may help, read what a glass break sensor does.

Do you need a full SimpliSafe system?

The SimpliSafe Motion Sensor is compatible with the SimpliSafe Gen 3 Home Security System. If you're starting from scratch, a kit can provide a base station and other system parts alongside a motion sensor.

The SimpliSafe 5-Piece Wireless System includes a base station, keypad, 1 entry sensor, 1 motion sensor, and 1 key fob. Set it up by plugging in the base station and following the SimpliSafe App steps.

Compare the kit contents with the sensors and controls you need. Our DIY alarm system guide explains the basic parts and how they work together.

How do you choose the right spot for your SimpliSafe motion sensor?

For a SimpliSafe motion sensor, start with a corner that faces across an open room, then check for blocked views and pet traffic. Use the app instructions to finish setup and assess whether the placement suits the room.

Choose an entry sensor for a specific door or window, and consider a glassbreak sensor when you want sound detection near glass. If you're adding only one device, match its detection type to the area and event you want to cover.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I put a SimpliSafe motion sensor?

Place it in a room corner and aim it across the space you want covered. SimpliSafe describes a 90 degree field of view and recommends corner placement for broad room coverage.

Keep the view clear and consider whether pets could move through the detection area.

How far can a SimpliSafe motion sensor detect movement?

SimpliSafe describes motion detection within 30 feet in its feature details, while its product description gives a 35 ft range. Treat these figures as a general coverage guide, since walls, furniture, and placement can affect what the sensor sees.

Is the SimpliSafe motion sensor pet friendly?

The sensor is designed to reduce false alarms from pets under around 50 lb. That feature does not mean every pet or movement pattern will be ignored, so consider your pet's usual routes and follow the SimpliSafe App setup steps.

Should a motion sensor replace door and window sensors?

No. A motion sensor can cover movement inside a room, while entry sensors monitor specific doors or windows.

Using each type where it fits gives you coverage for different paths into and through the home.

See our guide to how SimpliSafe entry sensors work for door and window placement.