Aqara FP2 vs FP300 for Home Assistant: Which to Buy?
The FP2 and FP300 solve different installation problems. The FP2 can divide a room into occupancy zones and needs USB power. The FP300 runs on batteries and adds temperature and humidity readings, but treats its detection area as a single occupied space. Choose around those differences first.
Which sensor fits the room?
Choose the FP2 for separate sofa, desk or doorway zones. Choose the FP300 when a battery-powered sensor and one occupancy signal are enough. Both need testing in the intended location; a feature list cannot predict false detections in a particular room.
Connecting them to Home Assistant
Both can provide local state updates, through different integrations. Follow the path for the model you have rather than trying to pair both sensors with a Zigbee coordinator.
FP2: Wi-Fi through HomeKit Device
Configure the FP2 and its zones in Aqara Home, then add it to Home Assistant using HomeKit Device, the integration formerly called HomeKit Controller. The sensor uses Wi-Fi and does not join ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT. An Aqara Zigbee hub is not needed for that direct connection.
HomeKit pairing ownership matters: if the sensor is already paired to Apple Home, follow the FP2 setup guide before trying to add it to Home Assistant.
FP300: Zigbee or Matter over Thread
In Zigbee mode, the FP300 pairs with a supported Zigbee2MQTT coordinator and reaches Home Assistant through MQTT. Its Matter-over-Thread mode uses a Matter controller and Thread border router instead. Switching protocols requires commissioning it again.
The FP300 Zigbee setup guide covers protocol switching, pairing and the available controls.
Local control and app dependencies
| Requirement | FP2 | FP300 through Zigbee2MQTT |
|---|---|---|
| Home Assistant integration | HomeKit Device over Wi-Fi | MQTT discovery from Zigbee2MQTT |
| Aqara hub for this path | Not required | Not required |
| Initial configuration | Aqara Home for setup and zones | App may be needed to switch protocol |
| Ongoing presence reports | Local over the LAN | Local through Zigbee and the broker |
| Zone editing | Aqara Home | No separate room zones |
| ZHA connection | Not a Zigbee device | Check current model support if choosing ZHA |
| Firmware updates | Aqara’s supported update flow | OTA support is listed by Zigbee2MQTT; image availability varies |
Local reporting does not make every app function or automation offline. Check remote notifications and cloud-controlled targets separately. The internet-dependency guide explains what to test.
Detection and measurements
Presence sensors are useful when a PIR motion sensor stops seeing someone who is reading, working or resting. Mounting, reflections and moving objects still affect the result. Test occupied and empty-room states before letting either sensor control lights unattended.
Presence while someone sits still
The FP2 uses mmWave radar. The FP300 combines radar with PIR; its radar provides the small-movement detection that matters for continued occupancy. PIR detects changes associated with movement and does not itself prove that a still person remains present.
Avoid a universal accuracy ranking. Check whether each device retains the seated person and clears reliably after they leave, with the room’s fans and curtains behaving normally.
Room zones
The FP2’s room map lets you assign occupancy zones and use their separate signals in automations. Keep zone boundaries away from places where a small position error would trigger an unwanted action. The FP300 can adjust its detection behaviour, but those controls do not create FP2-style independent zones.
Light, temperature and humidity
Both provide light measurements. The FP300 also provides ambient temperature and humidity, which can be useful for a room dashboard or climate rule. The FP2 does not replace a dedicated temperature or humidity sensor. Check the entity’s unit and location before comparing readings from different sensors.
FP2 features beyond zone occupancy
Aqara offers features such as multi-person tracking, fall detection and sleep monitoring with particular placement and mode requirements. Those app features are not a promise that HomeKit Device exposes person counts, fall events or sleep metrics in Home Assistant.
Build the direct Home Assistant setup around the zone occupancy and illuminance entities it actually discovers. For an additional Aqara signal, investigate whether Advanced Matter Bridging supports that specific trigger. It does not automatically export full tracking or sleep data.
Power and placement
The FP2 needs a continuous USB-C power connection; plan the cable and outlet before choosing a mounting point. The FP300 uses replaceable batteries and can go where a cable is inconvenient. Battery life depends on protocol and settings rather than a guaranteed replacement interval.
Follow each model’s mounting instructions. Check the view of the seating area, potential reflections and moving objects, then repeat the empty-room test after installation. The FP2 manual and FP300 product guidance cover the hardware requirements.
Check the Home Assistant entities
For the FP2, verify each configured zone and the light reading. For the FP300, start with presence, illuminance, temperature, humidity and battery, then review the settings and diagnostics discovered through MQTT. Entity counts change with configuration and software, so a fixed total is not a useful acceptance test.
Choose by the job it needs to do
| Room requirement | A practical choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Separate desk and sofa lighting | FP2 | Independent zone occupancy |
| One occupancy signal without a power cable | FP300 | Battery operation |
| Temperature and humidity from the same sensor | FP300 | Includes those measurements |
| Already using Zigbee2MQTT | FP300 in Zigbee mode | Fits the existing coordinator and broker |
| No Zigbee network, but a suitable Thread setup | FP300 in Thread mode | Uses Matter over Thread |
| Advanced Aqara app feature | Check the exact FP2 mode first | App functionality and Home Assistant exposure are separate |
Buying the right version
Check the exact model, supported region, warranty and included mounting accessories. Compare current local prices rather than assuming the FP300 is always cheaper. For the FP2, include the cost and placement of its USB supply; for the FP300, confirm which protocol you intend to use.
Frequently asked questions
Can both work without an Aqara hub? Yes, using the direct paths described here. The FP300’s Thread path still needs a Thread border router.
Does the FP300 replace an FP2? It can replace a single occupancy signal, but it cannot replace independent room zones.
Will FP2 fall detection appear automatically in Home Assistant? Do not assume that. Check the exposed entities and the supported bridging options for the particular feature.
Which should I use on an existing Zigbee network? The FP300 can use that network. Read the hub-free Aqara guide if the coordinator and MQTT setup are new.