Where you place your Minut M3 sensor makes a big difference to how well it works. In the wrong place it can miss noise events, raise false smoking alerts or give inaccurate temperature and humidity readings. This guide covers what to know before mounting, indoors and outdoors.
Indoor or outdoor mode is set permanently at installation and can't 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.
Coverage and detection range
Figure | Value |
Area covered per sensor | 70 m² (753 ft²) |
Maximum mounting height | 3 m (10 ft) |
Motion detection area at 2.4 m (7.9 ft) ceiling height | About 25 m² (269 ft²) in a circle around the sensor |
Operating temperature | −10 to 50 °C (14 to 122 °F) |
Recommended for larger units | 1 sensor per room |
One sensor is usually enough for a studio or one-room apartment. In larger units, install one sensor per room, especially where guests spend most of their time or where noise is most likely.
Indoor placement
Mounting position
The best position is on the ceiling, facing straight down, as close to the centre of the room as possible. This gives the widest motion coverage and the most accurate noise readings.
If you can't mount it on the ceiling, for example because the ceiling is very high or sloped, mount the sensor high on a wall instead. Never place it higher than 3 m (10 ft) above the floor.
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 the ceiling isn't possible: at least 2 m from the floor, away from corners
At least 30 cm from corners and walls: avoids 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: blocks 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 shortens the sensor's life
Higher than 3 m above the floor: motion detection becomes unreliable
Room-by-room guide
If Minut covers more than one room, use this guide to decide where each sensor goes.
Living room — recommended first sensor. The best choice for a single sensor in any unit: it catches the most guest activity and noise. Install it on the ceiling in the centre of the room.
Main entrance / hallway — best for Presence Detection. Good second sensor in larger units where the living room is far from the entrance.
Bedroom — optional for large units. Useful in large units with several separate sleeping areas. Be transparent with guests about sensors in sleeping areas.
Kitchen — avoid above cooking areas. Stoves and ovens trigger false smoking and temperature alerts. A sensor at the far end of an open-plan kitchen and living room is fine.
Bathroom — not recommended. Steam, condensation and high humidity affect accuracy and can cause false mould risk alerts.
Pool area or terrace — use outdoor mode. Use Outdoor mode for any installation outside the building. Install it somewhere covered, out of direct rain and sunlight. See "Outdoor placement" below.
Placement by type of unit
Type of unit | Recommendation |
Studio or one-bed apartment | One sensor in the main living area, usually on the ceiling of the living room or open-plan area. This covers noise, motion and climate for the whole unit. |
2–3 bedroom house or apartment | One sensor in the living room covers most needs. Add a second in the main entrance hallway if Presence Detection is a priority. If there's a separate kitchen or dining area, a third sensor in the noisiest room helps catch events earlier. |
Large villa or multi-floor house | At least one sensor per floor, in the main common area of each level. Prioritise the main entrance, the living room and any outdoor entertaining area. |
Hotel room or aparthotel unit | One sensor per room, on the ceiling. Avoid placing it directly above the bed if the room is single-purpose. The hallway or near the entrance gives more useful coverage in a typical hotel room. |
Multifamily apartment | One sensor per apartment, in the main living area. Treat common areas (lobbies, shared kitchens, roof terraces) as separate spaces and install accordingly. |
Mounting the plate
The magnetic mounting plate goes on the surface first, then the sensor snaps onto it magnetically. You can remove and reattach the sensor at any time without tools.
Good practice
Use the included adhesive tape on smooth ceilings and walls.
Use flat-head screws (from any hardware store) on textured or uneven surfaces.
Clean and dry the surface before applying the adhesive.
Press the plate firmly and hold it for 30 seconds.
Wait 30–60 minutes before attaching the sensor.
Avoid
Dusty surfaces, or paint that isn't firmly bonded: the adhesive may pull the paint off. Test with tape first.
Adhesive alone on very textured surfaces: use screws on Artex, rough plaster or stone.
Heat sources: the adhesive weakens at high temperatures.
Moving the sensor. The adhesive is designed to hold permanently. To move the sensor, slide dental floss or a thin wire behind the mounting plate to cut through the adhesive before pulling. See How to move or remove your sensor.
Outdoor placement
The Minut M3 sensor can be used outdoors when you select Outdoor mode during installation. Outdoor mode turns on AudioID noise filtering, which stops wind from triggering false noise alerts.
The Minut M3 sensor is weatherproof, not waterproof. It withstands rain, temperature changes and dust, but must always be installed under a roof, porch cover or overhang. Never install it where it's exposed to sustained rain, and don't leave it plugged into power outdoors.
Orienting the sensor 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 puts the USB-C port at the top, where it's best protected from rain running down the wall or ceiling.
Good outdoor placement
Under a roof, covered porch or overhang: essential, the sensor must be protected from direct rain
At least 50 cm (20 in) above the ground: reduces rain splashing up from below
Facing the main activity area (pool, terrace, garden): covers the noise and motion where guests gather
Shaded from direct sunlight: keeps temperature readings accurate and extends battery life
Away from other noise sources at the unit: gives cleaner readings of guest activity
Avoid outdoors
In direct rain with no cover: the sensor is weatherproof but not waterproof
In direct sunlight: causes inaccurate temperature readings and wear
Near AC units, pool pumps or other machinery: constant background noise hides guest activity
Low to the ground where rain splashes
Enclosed outdoor spaces with no airflow: humidity builds up and affects climate readings
Outdoor use cases
Pool area — common use case. Mount under the pool house roof or on a covered wall facing the pool. Great for catching outdoor parties early. Keep it away from the pool pump and filtration equipment.
Terrace or patio — common use case. Mount on the wall above the terrace, under the roof overhang, to cover outdoor dining and seating where evening noise is most likely.
Entrance or driveway — entry monitoring. Useful for late-night arrivals or unexpected activity when the unit should be empty. Mount under the entrance porch, facing the approach.
Garden — position carefully. An open garden is harder: wind can affect noise readings even with AudioID. Mount on a covered structure rather than a freestanding post where possible.
Features not available in outdoor mode
Some indoor features don't work in outdoor mode. Make sure you don't need them before choosing outdoor installation.
Smoking detection
Crowd detect
Security alarm
Alarm sound and glass break recognition
Nightlight
Mould risk analysis
Noise monitoring, temperature, humidity and Presence Detection (motion-based) remain available in outdoor mode.