Best Door and Window Sensors

We looked at seven contact sensors that don't require monitoring and are easy to install.
Best overall
Mirabella Genio
  • pro
    Alexa and Google compatible
  • pro
    No hub required
  • con
    No built-in siren
Best budget
GE
  • con
    Not smart home compatible
  • pro
    No hub required
  • pro
    Loud siren
Best for HomeKit
Eve
  • pro
    HomeKit compatible
  • con
    Hub recommended
  • con
    No siren

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A contact sensor is one of the simplest ways to create a security perimeter around your home. This tiny device helps you know when a window's open or a door's ajar. Our top door and window sensor pick is the Mirabella Genio Door and Window Sensor, which connects to your smartphone without any need for a smart hub. It's also reasonably priced (under $30) and ties in nicely with other Mirabella Genio products to trigger smart home scenes.

For those looking for an even cheaper option or a product that works with Apple HomeKit, check out our door and window sensor picks below.



Compare the best window and door sensors

Product
Best for
Price
Number included
Smart home compatibility
Chime or siren
Learn more
Best overall 1Amazon, Google
Icon No  LightNone
Best budget 5None
Icon Yes  LightBuilt-in
Best for HomeKit 1Apple HomeKit
Icon No  LightNone

Prices are accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

1. Mirabella Genio: Best window and door sensor overall

Best overall

Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The Mirabella Genio Door and Window Sensor is an easy and affordable addition to your DIY security system or smart home. Priced at just under $30, it packs some pretty impressive features.

We love that it doesn't require a hub—as long as you've got an iPhone or Android smartphone, you're all set. Simply download the app and you'll get push notifications whenever the door or window is opened. Plus, since it's compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, you can simply ask your smart assistant of choice, "Is the garage door open?"

Also, if you've got other Mirabella Genio products (like smart lights, Wi-Fi plugs, or cameras), you can use this sensor to trigger pre-set scenes.

The only thing that would make this sensor better is if it had an in-built siren.

pro
Pros
pro No hub required
pro Affordable
pro Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility
con
Cons
con No siren
Bell
Alerts and notifications

If a door opens and nobody's home to answer, does it make a sound? It does if your contact sensor sends mobile alerts or notifications. Some contact sensors let you set chimes and sounds that trigger when the sensor goes off. Others send push notifications to your phone when they activate. These devices aren't locks, so consider pairing them with a smart lock.

2. GE Personal Security: Best budget window and door alarm

Best budget

Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The GE Personal Security door and window alarm trades smart features for budget-friendly practicality. This security sensor doesn't come with an app or wireless abilities like the others in our lineup but costs less than $10 each a pop when you buy a five-pack.

We recommend using this for off-limits areas like sheds and storage units or in areas that are dangerous or private. So while you'll miss out on app notifications, it won't be hard to hear if the blaring 120-decibel alarm sounds. Of course, if you want something easier on the ears, you can change the alarm to silent mode or chime. We think the door chime is a nice addition to busy homes so you can know when the kids head out.

Overall, we like GE Personal Security's simplicity for those that don't want a mobile app or smart home controls. It's even a great supplement to pricier smart sensors so you can place those on high-priority doors and windows while using the GE almost anywhere else.

pro
Pros
pro Affordable multi-pack
pro 120 dB siren
pro Door chime mode
con
Cons
con No smart home compatibility
con No mobile app
Light Bulb
Where can I put my contact sensor?

Where you install your sensors changes the way they function. Window and door frames are the most common places for contact sensors, but they also fit on medicine cabinets, drawers, safes, the refrigerator, or anything that opens and closes.

3. Eve Door and Window: Best for HomeKit

Best for HomeKit

Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The Eve Door and Window is one of the best ways to add a contact sensor to an Apple smart home. Its compatibility with HomeKit means you can control it with the Apple Home app without downloading any extra apps on your iPhone—you can also ask Siri to check the status.

While the Eve app isn't necessary to use these sensors, it's the only way to view statistics like time and duration of sensor activity since Apple Home doesn't track that information. You also need it to install the occasional firmware update. Still, Apple Home is the better option for using the sensor, thanks to its customisable notifications and rules for how the sensor interacts with another smart device.

On the downside, this sensor doesn't have an Android app—you must use an iOS device, and there's no siren on this unit (or even the option to add one). Also, because it's Bluetooth-powered, you need an Apple Home Hub like the HomePod Mini, Apple TV, or iPad at home if you want to check the sensor from anywhere, which adds to this sensor's already high price.

pro
Pros
pro Apple Home app compatibility
pro Compact, subtle design
pro Activity-tracking statistics
con
Cons
con Remote access requires Apple Home Hub
con Only for iOS devices
con No siren
Notepad
Smart sensors for your smart home

Your sensor can help trigger other devices if you connect it to a smart home. You can try different automation routines like linking closet lights to the closet door, turning off the air conditioning when there's an open window, or triggering a camera when the door opens.

Final word

The Mirabella Genio Door and Window Sensor is a great starting point if you want to add one or multiple smart door and window sensors around the house without a home security system. We like its smart home compatibility and the fact that it gives you notifications on your phone.

These sensors are compact and fit on door frames, window sills, and even cookie jars (for those cookie thieves in your house). Whatever you want to keep closed, these devices make it easy and cheap to do.

FAQ

The more door and window sensors in your home, the more control you have. At a minimum, we recommend placing a door and window sensor at every main entrance (front, back, patio doors, etc.) and large ground floor windows.

Most door and window sensors use magnets to activate a tiny reed switch when closed. If the magnet moves out of range, the switch moves out of alignment, and the sensor sends you an alert or sounds an alarm.

Incorrectly installing a magnetic sensor can reduce reliability and cause false alarms. So keep both pieces of the sensor level and within range of each other when you install them. If you install them on a door, check that they don't hit each other or the door when opening the door.

Curious about how motion sensors work? Our motion sensor guide outlines the basics for you.

For a smart door sensor that uses an app, you can test it on your phone. Other types may have an additional test button you can press to test the alarm or chirp of the sensor. It's smart to test your sensors in person before trusting them with your home alone.

If the sensor doesn't work, check the batteries and the alignment of the magnetic pieces.

How do I install door and window sensors?

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How we reviewed door and window sensors

We wanted to feature contact sensors that don't require monitoring or too many other components. So we started with online reviews to find the best candidates. Most of the sensors we chose in our lineup connect to your home's Wi-Fi and send updates directly to your phone.

From there, we looked at the price per sensor, user experience, ease of installation, mobile app support, smart home compatibility, and other factors that make the best door and window sensors.

Learn more about how we conduct reviews, like this one, in our full methodology.


Disclaimer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time of publish and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer’s website at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. SafeWise Australia utilises paid affiliate links.
John Carlsen
Written by
John Carlsen

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