 |
| Shelly’s Presence Gen4 sensor |
The smart home community is buzzing with anticipation this week as evidence mounts that the long-awaited Shelly Presence Gen4 sensor is finally gearing up for a full market release. First showcased to the public at IFA 2025 in Berlin, this sophisticated presence detector has now broken cover in a series of retail listings, suggesting that consumers won’t have to wait much longer to get their hands on this versatile device.
For those who have been tracking the evolution of smart home automation, the Shelly Presence Gen4 represents a significant step up from traditional motion sensors. While standard PIR (passive infrared) sensors often struggle to detect stationary individuals—leaving you sitting in the dark if you don’t wave your arms—the Gen4 uses high-frequency radar technology to detect even the subtlest movements, including breathing.
Spotted on Amazon and European Retail Shelves
The most concrete sign that a launch is imminent comes from the digital shelves of major retailers. In recent days, the Shelly Presence Gen4 has been spotted in Amazon product listings across key European markets, including the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany. While the e-commerce giant has yet to reveal an official price tag on its listings, the appearance of the product pages typically serves as the final step before the "Add to Cart" button goes live.
Further corroborating the expected price point, German electronics retailer Reichelt Elektronik has listed the device at approximately €83 to €85. This positions the Gen4 as a premium, yet competitive, option for enthusiasts looking to upgrade their home automation infrastructure with high-end presence detection.
Next-Generation Features for the Smart Home
So, what exactly are you getting for that price tag? According to the specifications circulating alongside the listings, the Shelly Presence Gen4 is built to handle complex automation scenarios with ease.
The sensor is capable of covering a substantial area measuring up to 42 m² (~450 ft²) . Unlike standard sensors that simply tell you whether a room is occupied or not, the Gen4 can detect up to six individuals simultaneously, distinguishing between still and moving people. This granularity allows for highly specific automations, such as dimming lights when a user is sitting still watching a movie, versus keeping them bright when movement is detected.
Users can define up to ten distinct monitoring zones within that coverage area. This allows for "zoning"—you can program the sensor to ignore high-traffic areas like a hallway but focus intently on a desk or seating area. Crucially for pet owners, the sensitivity is adjustable to prevent false triggers caused by cats, dogs, or roaming robot vacuum cleaners.
In addition to its radar capabilities, the device packs an integrated light sensor. This allows the system to measure ambient brightness, ensuring that lights only activate when it is actually dark enough to need them.
Connectivity and Form Factor
In a move that underscores Shelly’s commitment to open ecosystems, the Presence Gen4 is a connectivity powerhouse. It supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, Zigbee 3.0, and Matter-over-Wi-Fi. This wide array of protocols ensures that regardless of whether you use a proprietary hub, a universal dongle, or Wi-Fi directly, the sensor will fit into your setup.
For official documentation and detailed installation guides, users can refer to the manufacturer’s support page, which provides in-depth technical insights into the device’s capabilities:
Shelly Presence Gen4 Official Documentation
HomeKit users will be pleased to note that it works seamlessly with Apple HomeKit, in addition to Amazon Alexa and Google Home. This allows for a unified smart home experience where notifications and automations can be routed through the user’s preferred apps.
Physically, the device is compact and unobtrusive. Housed in a white plastic casing, it measures just 64 x 41 x 26 mm (~2.52 x 1.61 x 1.02 inches). It offers flexibility in installation; users can mount it on a wall for a permanent fixture or simply place it on a table or shelf for a more temporary setup.
Release Date Uncertainty
Despite the promising retail appearances, it remains unclear precisely when the Shelly Presence Gen4 sensor will be officially released in Europe or when it might make its way to other markets like North America.
However, given the historical patterns of tech product launches, the combination of IFA exposure and the activation of Amazon product pages usually signals that the official release is just days or weeks away. For now, enthusiasts in the EU will be keeping a close eye on those retailer pages, waiting for the green light to bring this advanced presence detector into their homes.
Sources: Shelly, Shelly via Amazon, Smarthome Assistent.
 |
| The Shelly Presence Gen4 sensor |