Z-Wave Plus Rare Earth Magnets Door & Window Sensor
This is one of my favorite devices. It is easy to install and to configure. It comes in two pieces: one is the sensor itself, and the other one is a magnet. You normally put the magnet directly on the door, and the sensor on the wall, positioned to almost touch the magnet when the door is closed. The principle is extremely simple: when the sensor "meets" the magnet, it detects that the door is closed, and when it "leaves" it, it detects that it was just opened.
With Home Assistant, you can use this device to trigger an automation when a door is opened or shut, or when it stays open or closed for a specified amount of time.
On some doors, it can be tricky to position the sensor and the magnet properly to make sure the events are always detected, but since it can be installed using double-sided tape, it is easy to fix a bad installation if needed (you might however need to buy extra double-sided tape if you have to move the device after using the provided one).
I highly recommend this device to anyone who wants to monitor the state of a door or trigger automations based on it being opened or closed.
This product review is provided with no guarantee that you will have the same experience as its author. (Full Disclaimer)