Temperature sensors are an important yet often overlooked part of a HomeKit setup. Even working as a passive tracking device, I want to add them to every room to understand more about what’s happening in the air. The aree Temperature Sensor is a great option for HomeKit fans with its compact size and detailed monitoring options. Let’s have a look.
HomeKit Weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks, and everything to do with Apple’s smart home framework.
What’s in the box?
The arre Temperature Sensor keeps things simple with a compact design and a focus on doing what it claims to do. Inside the box, you’ll find:
- The actual arre sensor
- The manual (you really won’t need it)
With Thread support, you’ll have reliable connectivity in a low-power state. In addition to temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure, it can monitor VOC air quality, providing a more detailed environmental picture. Size-wise, it’s really tiny and can fit almost anywhere. I have it on a bookshelf, and it’s barely noticeable. In fact, my wife hasn’t noticed that I installed it. Here are the dimensions:
- Dimensions: 40mm x 40mm x 10.2mm
- Weight: 2.85 oz
- Power: 1 CR2032 battery
The overall compact design makes it easy to place in any room, bookshelf, behind a TV, etc.
Adding to HomeKit
Adding the arre Temperature Sensor to HomeKit is super easy. Open the Home app, scan the Matter QR code on the device or in the manual, and follow the prompts to assign the sensor to a room. Thanks to Matter and Thread, pairing it with your HomeKit environment is fast and easy.
Once added, you’ll have access to real-time readings for temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and VOC air quality. You can integrate these readings into HomeKit automations, such as turning on a HomeKit fan when the temperature rises or activating a HomeKit air purifier when VOC levels goes above a threshold that you aren’t comfortable with.
Why I like the arre temperature sensor
The arre Temperature Sensor stands out for me with its ability to measure multiple things in something that can fit in the palm of your hand. Its ability to measure VOC air quality, temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure, provides a more comprehensive view of your environment. Having Matter support built-in ensures compatibility with any smart home platform (Amazon, Google, SmartThings, and HomeKit), so you can easily swap platforms in the future without needing to rebuy any gear.
Designed for low-power operation with Thread technology, I’ve found the arre Temperature Sensor to be extremely reliable, so it’s a great addition to your home. I’ve not owned it long enough to know how long the battery lasts, but I suspect it’ll be many months if not years.
Wrap up on arre Temperature Sensor
The aree Temperature Sensor is a complete environmental sensor designed to elevate your HomeKit tracking for air and temperature. Its small size, strong feature set, and Matter compatibility make it great for maintaining comfort and improving air quality in your home.
If you’re looking for a versatile and reliable sensor to optimize your HomeKit automations and environmental monitoring, the arre Temperature Sensor is an awesome choice.
You can buy it from Amazon or directly from arre.
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