The IKEA MYGGSPRAY isn’t perfect, but at $9.99, it doesn’t need to be.

As part of IKEA’s newer Matter over Thread product lineup, the MYGGSPRAY delivers reliable motion detection, excellent battery selection, flexible mounting options, and a price that’s hard to beat. While the design is bulkier than we’d like and the illuminance reporting isn’t reliable enough for critical automations, the core motion sensing functionality works well.

For short-term rental owners looking for an inexpensive motion sensor that stays off the guest Wi-Fi network, the MYGGSPRAY is worth considering.

Why Motion Sensors Matter in Short-Term Rentals

Motion sensors can be surprisingly useful in vacation rental properties when used appropriately.

Common applications include:

• Automatically turning lights on and off
• Triggering hallway or stairway lighting
• Monitoring areas excluded from guest use
• Creating occupancy-based automations
• Improving guest convenience
• Reducing energy consumption

At Rental Home Automator, we generally recommend using motion sensors only in areas that are obvious and always disclosing their presence to guests. Motion sensors should never be installed in bedrooms, bathrooms, or other private spaces.

When deployed correctly, they can significantly improve the guest experience while reducing unnecessary energy usage.

Matter Over Thread Is a Major Advantage

Like the other sensors in IKEA’s Matter lineup, the MYGGSPRAY uses Matter over Thread rather than Wi-Fi.

This provides several advantages for short-term rental properties:

• Guests never interact with the device
• The sensor doesn’t rely on guest Wi-Fi
• Battery life is typically better than Wi-Fi alternatives
• Communication remains fast and reliable
• The device participates in your Thread mesh network

For rental properties, we strongly prefer Thread, Zigbee, and Z-Wave devices over Wi-Fi sensors whenever possible. Keeping automation devices separate from the guest network reduces support issues and improves overall reliability.

The MYGGSPRAY checks that box nicely.

Flexible Installation Options

One of the stronger aspects of the MYGGSPRAY is its mounting flexibility.

The sensor includes a corner-mount backplate that allows it to be installed neatly in room corners, which is often the ideal location for maximizing motion coverage.

This works particularly well in:

• Entryways
• Hallways
• Stairwells
• Common living areas

If corner mounting isn’t necessary, the sensor can also be mounted flat against a wall using the included adhesive strips. Without the corner bracket, the overall profile becomes noticeably smaller and less intrusive.

Having multiple installation options makes it easier to adapt the sensor to different property layouts.

AAA Batteries Make Maintenance Easier

One thing we consistently like about IKEA’s newer sensor lineup is their decision to use AAA batteries.

The MYGGSPRAY runs on two standard AAA batteries rather than coin-cell batteries.

For property owners, that means:

• Batteries are easy to find
• Maintenance staff likely already have them available
• Replacement costs stay low
• You don’t need to stock specialty batteries

When managing multiple rental properties, these small maintenance considerations add up.

Motion Detection Has Been Reliable

The most important feature of a motion sensor is whether it reliably detects motion.

Fortunately, the MYGGSPRAY performs well here.

Motion detection is responsive and dependable, and Thread connectivity has been stable throughout our testing. Once motion is detected, the sensor typically remains in the motion state for approximately 25 to 30 seconds before resetting.

That’s perfectly acceptable for most lighting automations, although it may feel slightly slower than some premium motion sensors with shorter reset times.

For the vast majority of rental property use cases, this won’t be a problem.

The Form Factor Is Larger Than We’d Like

Our biggest complaint is the physical design.

The MYGGSPRAY isn’t ugly, but it is noticeably larger and bulkier than many competing motion sensors.

Compared to the IKEA MYGGBETT contact sensor, which is sleek and discreet, the MYGGSPRAY feels much more utilitarian.

Guests will be more likely to notice it, especially when mounted in visible locations.

This isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, but if aesthetics are important to you, there are certainly smaller motion sensors available.

Illuminance Reporting Needs Improvement

The MYGGSPRAY also includes an illuminance sensor, which sounds great on paper.

In theory, illuminance reporting allows you to create smarter automations such as:

• Turn lights on only when motion is detected and the room is dark
• Adjust automation behavior based on ambient light levels
• Create more intelligent occupancy-based routines

Unfortunately, our experience with illuminance reporting has been mixed.

The readings can be inconsistent, updates often appear delayed, and automations that depend heavily on illuminance don’t always behave as expected.

Motion detection itself works well, but we would not recommend building critical automations around the illuminance sensor.

Treat it as a bonus feature rather than a primary reason to buy the device.

Battery Access Could Be Better

Like several other IKEA sensors, opening the battery compartment can be more difficult than expected.

The cover and mounting components fit tightly, and a flathead screwdriver can make the process easier.

Fortunately, this isn’t something you’ll need to do frequently, but it does make routine maintenance slightly less convenient.

Final Verdict

The IKEA MYGGSPRAY is a good motion sensor that gets the fundamentals right.

For just $9.99, you get:

• Matter over Thread connectivity
• Reliable motion detection
• Flexible mounting options
• AAA batteries
• Indoor and outdoor use
• Excellent value

The bulky design isn’t our favorite, and the illuminance reporting isn’t reliable enough for advanced automations, but neither issue undermines the sensor’s primary purpose.

If you’re looking for an affordable motion sensor for a short-term rental property and you primarily care about motion detection, the IKEA MYGGSPRAY is an easy recommendation.

Just buy it for the motion sensing capabilities and consider the illuminance sensor a nice extra feature if it happens to work well in your environment.