Heads up on those new wireless sensors from that big box store

I installed a set of those cheap wireless door sensors from the hardware store on a rental property last month. The signal kept dropping after about 15 feet, even though the box said 100 foot range. Turns out the metal studs in the walls were killing it. Learned the hard way to always do a signal strength test with the actual building materials before you commit. Anyone else run into this with budget gear?

4 comments

4 Comments

pat_stone1mo ago

Echoing @anna491's experience, my sensor thought my washer was a solid brick wall from six feet away. At this point I just assume the listed range is for an empty styrofoam box in a vacuum.

elliotm572mo ago

My apartment's wifi drops in the kitchen because of the old pipes. It feels like every wireless promise on the box is for a perfect empty room.

anna4912mo ago

My last sensor thought my fridge was a brick wall.

ivan_murphy802mo ago

Honestly, those "perfect empty room" specs are basically useless in real houses. Tbh they should just print the range you get with one wall in the way.