Presence detection and air quality monitoring are usually handled by separate devices. The Ultimate Sensor and Ultimate Sensor Mini try to change that by combining mmWave presence detection, motion sensing, and advanced air quality sensors into one fully local solution for Home Assistant.
I’ve been testing both sensors for several days, and in this article, I’ll show you what they can do, how they differ, and whether they deserve the name Ultimate.
Purchase the sensors here: https://www.smarthomeshop.io
⭐⭐⭐ NOTE: ⭐⭐⭐
This article belongs to a YouTube video. I wrote it before recording the video. You can help me continue doing this by checking out the video, commenting on it, giving it a thumbs up, and subscribing to my YouTube channel. This will ensure that the video is offered more frequently to new visitors, allowing them to stay informed about the latest Home Assistant tutorials and smart home-related product reviews.
I appreciate your support!
Ed
What’s in the Box
Both sensors come in eco-friendly packaging with:
- A thank-you card
- A professional quick-start guide
- Wall mount and screws
- Power adapter and 3-meter USB-C cable
The Ultimate Sensor adds:
- PIR sensor
- Built-in display
- Ethernet port for PoE support
The Ultimate Sensor Mini:
- Is smaller
- Has no display or PIR sensor
- Adds a speaker and microphone
- USB-powered only (no PoE)
The build quality feels solid. Design isn’t flashy, but that’s not what these sensors are about.
Installation & Home Assistant Integration
Setup is refreshingly simple. After powering the sensor, it creates a Wi-Fi hotspot. You connect, enter your Wi-Fi credentials, and the sensor immediately appears in Home Assistant.
From there, it’s just:
Settings → Devices & Services → Configure
The Ultimate Sensor can optionally be switched to PoE, but keep in mind:
➡️ once you enable PoE firmware, Wi-Fi is disabled.
Both sensors integrate cleanly via ESPHome and run fully locally.
Presence Detection & Zones
Both sensors support mmWave presence detection with up to 4 configurable zones.
- Ultimate Sensor: PIR + mmWave
- Ultimate Sensor Mini: mmWave only
In practice, PIR reacts slightly faster, but the difference is minimal. The zone system is powerful and allows you to trigger automations based on where someone is in a room.
Bonus:
✔️ My cat was not detected, which is great news.
Built-in Sensors
These sensors are packed with environmental sensors:
- Light intensity
- CO₂
- VOC index
- NOx index
- Particulate matter (PM0.5 – PM4)
- Average particle size
- Temperature & humidity
The particulate matter sensor is self-cleaning and rated for over 10 years of use.
LEDs, Voice & Audio
- Ultimate Sensor: rear RGB LED
- Ultimate Sensor Mini: front + rear RGB LEDs
These LEDs can be used for visual alerts (e.g. CO₂ too high).
The Mini adds:
- Speaker
- Microphone
- Voice assistant support
- Media player functionality (alarms, radio, notifications)
Voice control currently depends on Home Assistant and ESPHome, and while it works, it’s still evolving. Dwain is actively improving this and working on local voice processing, which is promising.
Dashboard & Visualization
You can create detailed dashboards showing:
- Sensor values
- Presence zones
- Real-time location in a room
Dwain is also working on a custom HACS card to display all values at a glance. The dashboard code used in the video is available via the video description.
Downsides
A few things to be aware of:
- Sensor values differ slightly between devices
- Measurements don’t exactly match other products like AirGradient
- Voice functionality on the Mini is still maturing
For general smart home use, these differences are minor. If you need lab-grade accuracy, you’ll need professional (and far more expensive) equipment.
Price & Availability
Available at SmartHomeShop.io:
- Ultimate Sensor: €142.50
- Ultimate Sensor Mini: €127
Cheaper versions are available without particulate sensor and wall mount.
Final Verdict
The Ultimate Sensor and Ultimate Sensor Mini combine:
- Presence detection
- Air quality monitoring
- Local-only operation
…in a way I haven’t seen before.
They’re not perfect, but they are innovative, fully local, and incredibly useful for Home Assistant users. The Mini’s combination of sensors, speaker, and LEDs even makes it a solid all-in-one alarm and notification device.
Calling them Ultimate might sound bold—but in this case, it’s justified.
If this tutorial saved you time or frustration, consider sponsoring the channel. These guides take many hours to produce.
⭐⭐⭐
- Join this channel to get access to perks: 📺 https://www.youtube.com/c/smarthomejunkie/join
- Please consider becoming my patron 🏅 at https://www.patreon.com/join/smarthomejunkie
- Or please support me by buying me a ☕ at https://ko-fi.com/smarthomejunkie/
- Or sponsor me through PayPal at https://paypal.me/smarthomejunkie
⭐⭐⭐
#UltimateSensor #HomeAssistant #ESPHome #PresenceDetection #mmWave #AirQuality #CO2Sensor #SmartHome #DwainsDashboard #LocalOnly
