ECOELER Motion Sensor Dimmer Switch, Digital Dimmer Light Switches with PIR Sensor and Timer, Single Pole, Occupancy & Vacancy Modes, Neutral Wire Required, Wall Plate Included, White, 4Pack

Why I put motion-sensor dimmers in my “high-traffic, hands-full” spaces

Carrying a laundry basket in one hand and a toolbox in the other is when I most appreciate the ECOELER motion‑sensor dimmer. I installed a four‑pack across my laundry room, garage entry, hallway, and a basement workshop so the lights just handle themselves—on when I arrive, off after I’m gone. Over a few weeks of daily use, the switch has proven to be a practical upgrade with just enough configurability to fine‑tune it per room without becoming a science project.

What it is

This is a single‑pole dimmer with a built‑in PIR motion sensor and an ambient light sensor. It supports occupancy mode (auto on/auto off) or vacancy mode (manual on/auto off), with adjustable shutoff delays from a 15‑second test to 1, 5, 15, or 30 minutes. It works with dimmable LED/CFL loads up to 150W and incandescent/halogen up to 300W. A neutral wire is required, and it comes with matching wall plates. It’s clearly aimed at bathrooms, closets, hallways, garages, and home offices—places where you either forget the lights or want hands‑free lighting.

Installation: straightforward, with one big prerequisite

Wiring is typical for a smart/dimmer switch: line, load, neutral, and ground. If your box doesn’t have a neutral, this product isn’t for that location. The switch body is modest in depth, and it fit into my standard junction boxes without a fight. Including the wall plate is a nice touch; the finish matched my other white switches well enough that nothing looks out of place.

A few notes from my installs:
- It’s for single‑pole circuits only. If you have a 3‑way, pick something else.
- Don’t “borrow” ground as neutral. Aside from code issues, it can trip protection upstream. If you don’t have a neutral, close it up and use a different solution.
- If you’re replacing a standard toggle, be ready for slightly different wire routing because of the neutral pigtail.

Overall, installation per switch took 10–15 minutes once I confirmed neutrals were present.

Setup and controls

Behind the paddle is a simple control panel with a menu/select interface and clear indicator LEDs for each setting. This is a smart choice—you don’t need to keep track of tiny DIP switches or a separate remote.

Key configurable items I used:
- Mode: occupancy (auto on) or vacancy (manual on). I chose occupancy for laundry and garage, vacancy for bedrooms.
- Time delay: 15 seconds (useful for testing), 1, 5, 15, or 30 minutes. In the workshop and office I found 15–30 minutes ideal to avoid nuisance offs while I’m focused and not moving much.
- Ambient light behavior: Day (always respond to motion), Dim (respond when the space is dim), or Dark (only when it’s truly dark). In a hallway with windows, Dim kept lights from popping on unnecessarily during bright afternoons.
- Sensitivity/range: low/medium/high. High covered my hallway end‑to‑end; low worked well to avoid triggering from adjacent rooms.

Actual dimming is handled by dedicated buttons. The steps feel even, and there’s a low‑end trim adjustment behind the panel to tame flicker with picky LED lamps. I tried two brands of dimmable LEDs; both were smooth after a quick trim tweak.

Motion performance and placement tips

This is a PIR sensor, which “sees” changes in infrared heat. Like most PIR switches, it’s better at detecting side‑to‑side movement than straight‑at or away. In practice:
- In a hallway, I oriented the switch so cross‑traffic passes across its field of view; it picks up movement quickly.
- In the garage, approaching directly toward the switch was detected a bit later than lateral movement. Bumping sensitivity to high and setting a 10–15 minute delay worked fine.

There’s a subtle green blink when motion is detected—useful during setup to confirm coverage. If you find the switch “missing” you occasionally, try:
- Increasing sensitivity one level
- Extending the shutoff timer
- Slightly adjusting where the switch sits relative to typical movement paths
- Cleaning the lens if dust builds up (garages and workshops can haze a lens surprisingly fast)

I did notice that if I set the timer too short in the office, the light would eventually time out during heads‑down computer work. That’s a trade‑off with any motion system. The fix was simply moving to a 15‑ or 30‑minute delay in spaces where I’m stationary for long stretches.

Dimming and compatibility

On compatible loads, the dimming is digital and smooth. With modern LED bulbs, a quick low‑end trim prevents glow, drop‑outs, or shimmer at the bottom of the range. If you’re mixing brands or running older “dimmable” LEDs, expect a little experimentation. The stated limits—150W for LED/CFL and 300W for incandescent—are realistic for residential rooms. I never hit the ceiling on load.

One quiet perk: settings persist through power loss. After a breaker test, my modes, timeouts, and dim levels were right where I left them.

Daily use: where it shines

• Laundry room: lights up as soon as I cross the threshold with full hands; set to auto‑off after 5 minutes.
• Garage entry: occupancy mode, high sensitivity, 10–15 minute timer so I’m never plunged into darkness while unloading the car or tinkering.
• Hallway: vacancy mode with Dim ambient setting so it only auto‑off’s and never auto‑on’s in daylight; I tap it on at night and it handles the off.
• Basement workshop: occupancy with a longer timer; dimmed a touch for comfort.

This combination has saved me from a lot of forgotten lights and kept fixture usage in check. Just as importantly, it reduces the “search for the switch” moment when carrying stuff.

Build quality and reliability

The thermoplastic housing feels tough and resists scuffs. The paddle action is positive, and the included wall plates seat cleanly. Over several weeks, operation has been consistent. PIR sensors can be finicky in tough environments, and I did have to bump sensitivity once in the garage, which gathers dust and faces temperature swings. That wasn’t a deal‑breaker—more a reminder to adjust settings per space.

Limitations and quirks

• Neutral required: the biggest install barrier in older homes.
• Single‑pole only: no 3‑way support.
• PIR physics: direct, slow approaches can be less reliable than lateral motion. Placement matters.
• LED variability: the trim helps a lot, but very cheap bulbs can still misbehave at very low levels.

None of these are unusual for this category, but they’re worth planning around.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners who want hands‑free lighting in utility spaces, garages, basements, and hallways.
• Anyone trying to curb “lights left on” without going full smart‑home.
• DIYers comfortable identifying a neutral wire and swapping a standard switch.

If you need 3‑way support, no‑neutral installation, or ultra‑long‑range detection around corners, look elsewhere.

Tips for a smooth setup

• Use the 15‑second test mode to position and tune sensitivity before committing to a longer timer.
• Set vacancy mode in bedrooms to avoid auto‑on at night.
• Use Dim/Dark ambient modes in rooms with good daylight to avoid unnecessary daytime activations.
• Start with medium sensitivity; bump to high only if needed to reduce false triggers from adjacent spaces.
• Adjust the low‑end trim after you pick a preferred dim level to eliminate flicker.

Pros and cons

Pros
- Reliable occupancy/vacancy operation with useful ambient light logic
- Sensible configuration interface with clear indicators
- Smooth LED dimming and low‑end trim to handle tricky bulbs
- Included wall plates; solid fit and finish
- Multiple timer options including a 15‑second test mode
- Good value in a four‑pack; 1‑year warranty

Cons
- Requires neutral; not suitable for many older switch boxes
- Single‑pole only; no 3‑way support
- Typical PIR limitations on straight‑on motion; placement matters
- Some finicky LEDs may need low‑end tweaking

Bottom line

I’m happy with the ECOELER motion‑sensor dimmer. It checks the right boxes—hands‑free control where it matters, reasonable dimming performance, and a setup experience that doesn’t require an app or a manual on loop. The configurability lets me tailor each location for how I actually use the space, and the ambient light options avoid turning rooms into motion‑activated discos during the day.

Recommendation: I recommend it for anyone outfitting utility spaces, hallways, garages, and similar single‑pole circuits that have neutrals available. If you’re replacing multiple switches at once, the four‑pack is an efficient way to standardize behavior across your home. As long as you account for the neutral requirement and place the switch with PIR’s strengths in mind, it’s a practical, budget‑friendly upgrade that does exactly what it promises.