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Apollo Automation MSR-2 vs SONOFF SenseGuard Presence Core Sensor

Buy the Apollo MSR-2 if you run Home Assistant and want one sensor that covers presence, light, UV, temperature, pressure and optional CO2. It detects people at longer range, tracks still bodies well, and owners call it reliable and easy to set up. The SONOFF SenseGuard is the simpler Zigbee pick: it mounts almost anywhere with its magnetic base and rotating head, splits the room into seven zones, and doubles as a Zigbee router. Its 3.8 rating reflects real complaints about lights switching off on still people and awkward Home Assistant setup.

  • Choose the Apollo MSR-2 if you want one multi-sensor with long radar range, true CO2 and native Home Assistant support.
  • Choose the SONOFF SenseGuard if you already run a Zigbee hub and want a cheap-to-own, flexible-mount presence sensor that also extends your mesh.

Prices

  • Apollo Automation MSR-2: $37.99 at Apollo Automation (last seen Nov 10)
  • SONOFF SenseGuard Presence Core Sensor: $24.39 at Walmart (last seen Nov 10)
  • Difference: the SONOFF SenseGuard Presence Core Sensor is $13.60 cheaper than the Apollo Automation MSR-2 at the latest prices (Nov 10)
Apollo Automation
Apollo Automation MSR-2

Apollo Automation MSR-2

$37.99at Apollo AutomationChecked 10 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Apollo Automation
Pros
  • Long 6 m radar range with strong still detection
  • Light, UV, temperature, pressure and optional true CO2 in one unit
  • Native Home Assistant setup that owners call easy
  • Small case with onboard LED for zone calibration
  • RGB LED and buzzer for notifications
Cons
  • Tracks only one target at a time
  • Wi-Fi and ESP32 mean no Zigbee mesh support
  • Bluetooth tracking needs YAML configuration
  • CO2 sensing is an option, not standard
SONOFF
SONOFF SenseGuard Presence Core 24GHz Zigbee Human Presence Sensor

SONOFF SenseGuard Presence Core Sensor

SONOFF SenseGuard Presence Core 24GHz Zigbee Human Presence Sensor

3.8(23 ratings)
$24.39at WalmartChecked 10 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Seven app-controlled detection zones
  • Magnetic base and 360° head suit almost any mounting
  • Acts as a Zigbee router to strengthen the mesh
  • Ambient light sensing for lighting automations
  • Self-learning filter against appliance interference
Cons
  • Shorter 4 m range; still detection only within 3 m
  • Needs a Zigbee gateway
  • Owners report lights turning off on still people
  • Home Assistant integration called cumbersome
  • 3.8 of 5 from 23 ratings

What separates them

Apollo Automation MSR-2SONOFF SenseGuard Presence Core Sensor
Radar rangeAbout 6 m (19.7 ft)Up to 4 m
Still-presence detectionVery good still detection, single targetStationary detection only within 3 m facing the device
EcosystemESP32, Wi-Fi, native Home Assistant with YAMLZigbee, needs a gateway
Detection zonesTunable radar gates, calibrated via onboard LEDSeven zones toggled in the app
Extra sensorsLUX/UV, temperature, pressure, optional CO2Ambient light only
MountingCase mount, compact 30% smaller bodyMagnetic base, 360° head, desktop, wall, ceiling or embedded
Mesh roleNone; Wi-Fi deviceActs as a Zigbee router
Owner sentimentPraised as reliable and easy to set up3.8 of 5; some report false absence and clumsy setup

Price history

$37.99$24.39
Oct 31Nov 11
  • Apollo Automation MSR-2: lowest $37.99 on Oct 31 at Apollo Automation; $37.99 on Nov 11.
  • SONOFF SenseGuard Presence Core Sensor: lowest $24.39 on Nov 11 at Walmart.

Prices at every store

Apollo Automation MSR-2

  • Apollo AutomationNew

    Availability unknown

    $37.99+ $8.25 shippingChecked 10 h ago
    Visit Apollo Automation
Prices and history →

SONOFF SenseGuard Presence Core Sensor

  • SONOFFNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $24.90Checked 10 h ago
    Visit SONOFF
  • WalmartNew

    Availability unknownSold by Seller

    $24.39Checked 10 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $24.90Checked 10 h ago
    Visit Amazon
  • AmeridroidNew

    Availability unknown

    $28.95Checked 10 h ago
    Visit Ameridroid

Also available at

  • ameriDroidCheck price at ameriDroid
  • Sonoff OfficialCheck price at Sonoff Official
All 9 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecApollo Automation MSR-2SONOFF SenseGuard Presence Core Sensor
ColorRed—
Radar detection rangeabout 6 meters (19.7 feet)—
Radar modelHLK-LD2410B—
Target trackingsingle-target tracking only—
CO2 sensor modelSCD-40—
Radar gate size0.75 m—
Radar gate 8 range6 m—
LUX/UV sensor modelLTR-390UV—
Temperature/pressure sensorDPS310—
Bluetooth tracker modelESP32-C3-Mini—
Size reductionshrunk down the size by 30%—
Boardesp32—
Show all 22 specsShow fewer specs
SpecApollo Automation MSR-2SONOFF SenseGuard Presence Core Sensor
Radar frequency—24GHz
Detection range—up to 4 meters
Detection zones—seven independent zones
Stationary detection—Within 3 meters facing the device
Connectivity—Zigbee
Gateway requirement—A Zigbee gateway is needed
Mounting—desktop placement, wall mounting, ceiling insta…
Head rotation—360° rotatable
Light sensing—ambient light sensing

What reviewers say

Apollo Automation MSR-2

Owners describe the MSR-2 as reliable for presence and zone lighting in Home Assistant, with plenty of settings to dial in. They like the small size and the number of sensors it reports. The main friction is configuration, especially the YAML-based Bluetooth tracker.

What people mention
  • Presence detectionPraisedOwners say still-person and motion detection work reliably for zone lighting and occupancy.
  • TuningPraisedMany settings let users dial in sensitivity and tune out false positives.
  • SizePraisedThe case is noticeably smaller than the MSR-1 and easy to place.
  • SetupMixedSetup is straightforward for Home Assistant users but involves many options.

SONOFF SenseGuard Presence Core Sensor

  • 3.8 / 523 ratings

Owners who get it working call it a capable presence sensor that detects people and not much else. Others report unreliable presence, with lights switching off on people who are still, and a cumbersome Home Assistant setup.

What people mention
  • Presence accuracyCriticisedOwners say it sometimes decides nobody is present while a person is still in the room.
  • Stationary detectionMixedIt catches small movements when close and facing the sensor, but coverage weakens with distance and angle.
  • False triggers

Questions and answers

Which is better for detecting someone sitting still?
The Apollo MSR-2. Its radar holds still presence across roughly 6 m, while the SONOFF only promises stationary detection within 3 m facing the device, and some owners report it losing still people.
Do I need a hub for either one?
The SONOFF needs a Zigbee gateway. The Apollo connects over Wi-Fi and works directly with Home Assistant, so no separate hub is required.
Which covers a bigger room?
The Apollo, at about 6 m of radar range versus 4 m for the SONOFF. The SONOFF offsets this with seven zones you can switch on or off.
Is the SONOFF worth stepping up to over a basic motion sensor?
Yes, if you have Zigbee. It detects micro-movements that PIR sensors miss, adds light sensing and extends your mesh. Just expect to tune zones to avoid false absences.
Which is easier to set up in Home Assistant?
The Apollo. Owners describe it as easy to set up and calibrate. SONOFF owners call the Home Assistant integration cumbersome.
Does either measure air quality?
Only the Apollo, and only with the optional SCD-40 CO2 sensor. The SONOFF reports ambient light but no CO2, temperature or pressure.

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Zigbee role
—
Zigbee router
Praised
Buyers report it detects human motion and filters out other movement sources well.
  • Home Assistant setupCriticisedIntegration and configuration are described as cumbersome and not user-friendly.