Good placement is an important factor in how well your M3 sensor performs. A sensor in the wrong location can miss noise events, generate false smoking alerts, or give inaccurate temperature and humidity readings. This guide covers everything you need to know before mounting for both indoor and outdoor installations.
Indoor or outdoor mode is set permanently at installation and cannot be changed afterwards without deleting and reinstalling the sensor. Decide which mode you need before you start. If you select the wrong mode, contact hello@minut.com for assistance.
Coverage and detection range
M3 sensor: key coverage figures
70 m2 Area coverage per sensor | 3 m Maximum mounting height |
2.5 m Motion detection radius | 1 per room Recommended for optimal |
One sensor is typically sufficient for a single-room apartment or studio. For larger properties, install one sensor per room particularly where guests spend most of their time or where noise is most likely to occur.
Indoor placement
Mounting position
The recommended mounting position is on the ceiling, facing directly down. This gives the widest motion detection coverage and the most accurate noise readings. The sensor should be as close to the centre of the room as possible.
If ceiling mounting isn’t possible; for example in a property with very high or sloped ceilings; mount the sensor high on a wall instead. Do not place the sensor higher than 3 m (10 ft) above the floor regardless of mounting surface.
Good indoor placement
Ceiling in the centre of the room, facing down: Best for noise, motion, and smoking detection
Living room or main common area: Widest coverage for a typical short-term rental
Main entrance hallway: Best for entry monitoring and Presence Detection
High on a wall if ceiling mounting isn’t possible: At least 2 m from the floor, away from corners
At least 30 cm from corners and walls: Prevents dead zones in motion and sound coverage
Avoid indoors
Near stoves, fireplaces, or cooking areas: Causes false smoking and temperature alerts
Near ventilation outlets or air conditioning units: Affects noise, smoking, temperature, and humidity readings
On top of or behind furniture: Obstructs motion detection and airflow around the sensor
Near exterior walls or windows: Temperature and humidity readings become less accurate
In direct sunlight through a window: Skews temperature readings and affects sensor longevity
Higher than 3 m above the floor: Motion detection becomes unreliable above this height
Room-by-room guide
For properties with more than one room covered by Minut, use this guide to decide where each sensor should go.
Living room
Best choice for a single sensor in any property. Catches the most guest activity and noise. Install on the ceiling in the centre of the room.
Recommended first sensor
Main entrance / hallway
Best for entry monitoring and Presence Detection. Good secondary sensor for larger properties where the living room is far from the entrance.
Best for presence monitoring
Bedroom
Can be useful for large properties with multiple separate sleeping areas. Be transparent with guests about placement in sleeping areas.
Optional for large properties
Kitchen
Avoid mounting directly above cooking areas as stoves and ovens trigger false smoking and temperature alerts. A sensor at the far end of an open-plan kitchen-living room is fine.
Avoid above cooking areas
Bathroom
Not recommended. Steam, condensation, and high humidity affect sensor accuracy and can cause false mould risk alerts. High humidity is expected in bathrooms.
Not recommended
Pool area or terrace
Use Outdoor mode for any installation outside the building envelope. Install under a covered area not in direct rain or sunlight. See outdoor placement section below.
Use outdoor mode
Placement by property type
Studio or one-bed apartment | One sensor in the main living area usually ceiling-mounted in the living room or open-plan area. This gives noise, motion, and climate coverage for the whole property. |
2–3 bedroom house or apartment | One sensor in the living room covers most use cases. Add a second in the main entrance hallway if Presence Detection is a priority. For larger properties with separate kitchen or dining areas, a third sensor in the noisiest room helps catch events earlier. |
Large villa or multi-floor property | One sensor per floor minimum, placed in the main common area on each level. Consider the main entrance, the living room, and any outdoor entertaining area as priorities. |
Hotel room or aparthotel unit | One sensor per room, ceiling-mounted. Avoid directly above the bed if the room is single-purpose the hallway or near the entrance gives more actionable coverage for a typical hotel room layout. |
Multifamily apartment | One sensor per unit in the main living area. For common areas (lobbies, shared kitchens, roof terraces), treat each as its own space and install accordingly. |
Mounting the plate
The magnetic mounting plate attaches to the surface first then the sensor snaps onto it magnetically. The sensor can be removed and reattached without tools at any time.
Mounting - good practice
Use the included adhesive tape for smooth ceilings and walls
Use flat-head screws for textured or uneven surfaces: Standard flat-head screws from any hardware store
Clean and dry the surface before applying adhesive
Press firmly and hold the plate for 30 seconds after applying adhesive
Wait 30–60 minutes before attaching the sensor after using adhesive
Mounting - avoid
Dusty or painted surfaces that aren’t firmly bonded: Adhesive may pull the paint away; test with tape first
Very textured surfaces with adhesive only: Use screws on Artex, rough plaster, or stone
Near heat sources: adhesive weakens at high temperatures
Moving the sensor. The adhesive is designed to hold permanently. If you need to move the sensor, gently slide dental floss or a thin wire behind the mounting plate to cut through the adhesive before pulling. See How to move or remove a sensor.
Outdoor placement
The M3 sensor can be used outdoors when set to Outdoor mode during installation. Outdoor mode activates AudioID noise filtering, which prevents wind from triggering false noise alerts.
The M3 is weatherproof, not waterproof. It can withstand rain, temperature fluctuations, and dust but must always be installed under a roof, porch cover, or overhang. Never install in a location where the sensor is directly exposed to sustained rainfall.
Orienting the sensor outdoors
When installing outdoors, rotate the sensor so the motion sensor lens (the clear circle on the front) is in the bottom right corner of the mounting plate. This positions the USB-C charging port at the top of the sensor, giving it the best protection from rain running down the wall or ceiling.
Good outdoor placement
Under a roof, covered porch, or overhang: Essential; sensor must be protected from direct rain
At least 50 cm (20 in) above ground: Reduces rain splash from the ground below
Facing the main activity area - pool, terrace, garden: Maximises noise and motion coverage where guests gather
Shaded from direct sunlight: Prevents temperature reading skew and extends battery life
Away from other property noise sources: Gives cleaner noise readings from guest activity
Avoid outdoors
In direct rain with no overhead cover: The sensor is weatherproof but not waterproof
In direct sunlight: Causes inaccurate temperature readings and sensor wear
Near AC units, pool pumps, or other mechanical equipment: Generates constant background noise that masks guest activity
Low to the ground in areas with rain splash
In enclosed outdoor spaces with no airflow: Humidity builds up and affects climate readings
Outdoor use cases
Pool area
Mount under the pool house roof or on a covered wall facing the pool. Excellent for catching outdoor parties early. Keep away from the pool pump and filtration equipment.
Common outdoor use case
Terrace or patio
Mount on the wall of the property above the terrace, under the roof overhang. Covers outdoor dining and seating areas where evening noise is most likely.
Common outdoor use case
Entrance / driveway
Useful for monitoring late-night arrivals or unexpected activity when the property should be empty. Mount under the entrance porch facing the main approach.
Entry monitoring
Garden
A sensor in an open garden is harder to position well; wind can affect noise readings even with AudioID. Mount on a covered structure rather than a freestanding post where possible.
Position carefully
Features unavailable in outdoor mode
Several features that work indoors are not available when the sensor is in outdoor mode. Make sure you don’t need these before choosing outdoor installation.
Smoking detection
Crowd detect
Security alarm
Alarm sound and glass break recognition
Nightlight
Motion graphs
Mould risk analysis
Noise monitoring, temperature, humidity, and Presence Detection (motion-based) remain available in outdoor mode.