For a DIY smart-home detector that can track target positions and apply configurable zones, use a Hi-Link HLK-LD2450 radar module with a UART-capable controller running ESPHome, then connect the device to Home Assistant. The key difference from a basic motion sensor is that the LD2450 reports target coordinates, distance, angle and speed, allowing zone-based automations. It detects presence and target movement; it does not identify people or guarantee security-grade coverage.
Choose the LD2450 for coordinate-based zones
ESPHome supports the HLK-LD2450 directly. Its target tracking reports a moving target’s position relative to the sensor, including distance, angle and speed. ESPHome also exposes target details and counts, and supports up to three configurable rectangular zones.
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The HLK-LD2410 is a different fit: it exposes presence, moving-target and still-target states, along with distance and energy measurements, but it is not the coordinate-and-zone option described for the LD2450. Its manufacturer manual lists a maximum sensing distance of 5 m and distance resolution of 0.75 m; those figures apply to the LD2410, not the LD2450.
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The typical chain is radar module → UART-capable controller → ESPHome → Home Assistant. ESPHome requires UART for both the LD2450 and LD2410. For the LD2450, ESPHome recommends hardware UART to support its default 256000 baud rate. Its LD2410 UART setup specifies no parity and one stop bit.
#1 Best Overall
- LD2450 Ra·dar Module: A Trajectory Module, which can achieve real-time tracking of the position of the moving target in the detection area, and output the distance, angle and speed information of the moving target in the area through the serial port.
- Using Scenes: It is mainly used in common indoor scenes, such as home, office and hotel, to realize the positioning and tracking of moving people.
- Detection Angle : Azimuth ± 60° / Tilt ± 35°. Angle Accuracy : 2° ~ 20°.
- Detection Distance : Max Sensing Distance 8m. Distance Defense Rate : 0.75m. Distance Measurement Accuracy : 0.15m.
- Data Format : Serial ASCIl output. Modulation Mode: FMCW. Sweep Bandwidth: 250MHz (CE/FCC compliant). Frequency: 24G-24.25GHz.
- Radar: HLK-LD2450 module for coordinate tracking and zone configuration.
- Controller: a board with compatible UART hardware. An ESP32 development board is one common approach, but the cited ESPHome documentation does not prescribe a specific board model or wiring layout.
- Build materials: wiring, power, USB connection and an enclosure as required by the selected board and installation. A 2024 DIY tutorial uses jumper wires, a USB cable and a 5 V supply; those are that tutorial’s build choices, not universal specifications.
Before buying or wiring components, check the exact radar and controller variants, pinout, UART availability, power requirements and mounting orientation against their board documentation. The official integration documentation establishes the UART requirement but does not validate a particular ESP32 board or wiring diagram.
Configure LD2450 zones in ESPHome
ESPHome supports up to three rectangular zones. Coordinates are in millimeters relative to the sensor: x runs from -3000 on the left to 3000 on the right, and y runs from 0 nearest the sensor to 6000 farthest away. A zone can be disabled, used to detect only targets within that area, or used to filter an area out.
Rank #2
- Elevate your indoor spaces with our 24G millimeter-wave radar sensor, the LD2450. Designed for precision human motion Detection,effortlessly outputting distance, angle, and velocity data for moving targets via serial ASCII. Perfect for domestic, office, and hotel settings where smart, practical solutions are valued
- Boasting a wide detection angle (Azimuth: ±60° / Elevation: ±35°) and high angle precision (2°~20°), the 24G HLK-LD2450 radar sensor module stands out for its reliability and accuracy. Its advanced sensing capabilities make it an indispensable asset for creating smarter and safer indoor environments
- Engineered for excellence, our Radar Sensor Module operates at a frequency of 24G-42.25Hz, ensuring optimal performance through serial ASCII output. This smart sensing solution is designed to adapt to various indoor conditions without being affected by temperature, brightness, humidity, or light fluctuations, reinforcing its practicality in any setting
- Featuring an easy-to-install wall-mounted design, the LD2450 Sensing Distance radar offers up to 8m of precise tracking distance. Its exceptional adaptability makes it suitable for installation within various enclosures, providing they possess good transmission properties at the 24GHz
- Discover unparalleled performance with our 24G radar sensor. Whether it's for residential, commercial, or hospitality applications, this radar sensor module ensures accurate, reliable, and intelligent monitoring of movements within any indoor environment, showcasng its versatility and efficiency in real-time target tracking
Set the zone geometry to match the sensor’s installed orientation and the area you want an automation to consider. Then inspect the reported targets and test the resulting behavior in the actual room. A configured boundary is not a promise of perfect occupancy detection or zero spillover beyond the zone.
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Check firmware and presence timeout
ESPHome says LD2450 firmware V2.02.23090617 or later is needed for proper integration functionality. Its presence timeout controls how long binary presence states persist after detection clears; it does not apply to target counts or target details.
Rank #3
- ★The LD2450 is a 24 GHz radar module capable of real-time tracking of moving targets within a detection area and outputting information on the distance, angle, and speed of moving targets in the area via a serial port.
- ★It is primarily used in common indoor settings such as homes, offices, and hotels to track the location of moving people.
- ★When installing the unit on the wall, you need to take into account external factors such as air conditioners and electric fans mounted on the ceiling. the maximum tracking range is 8 meters. You should take into account potential obstructions in the application environment as well as overhead obstacles; the recommended installation height is between 1.5 and 2 meters.
- ★The detection zone contains non-human objects in constant motion, such as animals, curtains that are constantly fluttering, or large potted plants positioned directly in front of the air vent. The detection zone contains large, highly reflective surfaces; highly reflective objects positioned directly in front of the radar antenna can cause interference.
- ★If the radar requires an enclosure, the enclosure must have good wave-transmitting properties in the 24 GHz band and must not contain metal or materials that shield electromagnetic waves.
Connect the detector to Home Assistant
With the module connected to a UART-capable controller and the ESPHome device configured, add the resulting ESPHome device to Home Assistant and use its exposed presence, target and zone-related entities in automations or dashboards. A 2024 DIY tutorial demonstrates an LD2450-and-ESP32 workflow covering wiring, ESPHome firmware, zone configuration, dashboard use and an automation; its hardware choices should not be treated as a universal wiring recipe.
If choosing an LD2410 instead, there is also a native Home Assistant BLE integration. Home Assistant documents Bluetooth support on LD2410 B and C versions. The C variant uses standard 2.54 mm pitch pins, while the B uses half-pitch pins, so verify the exact module before selecting a connection method.
Rank #4
- ★The LD2450 is a 24 GHz radar module capable of real-time tracking of moving targets within a detection area and outputting information on the distance, angle, and speed of moving targets in the area via a serial port.
- ★It is primarily used in common indoor settings such as homes, offices, and hotels to track the location of moving people.
- ★When installing the unit on the wall, you need to take into account external factors such as air conditioners and electric fans mounted on the ceiling. the maximum tracking range is 8 meters. You should take into account potential obstructions in the application environment as well as overhead obstacles; the recommended installation height is between 1.5 and 2 meters.
- ★The detection zone contains non-human objects in constant motion, such as animals, curtains that are constantly fluttering, or large potted plants positioned directly in front of the air vent. The detection zone contains large, highly reflective surfaces; highly reflective objects positioned directly in front of the radar antenna can cause interference.
- ★If the radar requires an enclosure, the enclosure must have good wave-transmitting properties in the 24 GHz band and must not contain metal or materials that shield electromagnetic waves.
DIY assembly or a prebuilt sensor?
A DIY LD2450 build gives you a configurable ESPHome setup but requires you to select compatible hardware, assemble it and configure the firmware. If you prefer an enclosed device, the ESPHome Devices directory lists Everything Presence Lite as an LD2450-based product with USB-C power and visual zone configuration. The listing states it supports up to four detection zones, two exclusion zones and up to three tracked targets; these are product-directory specifications, not independent performance measurements.
What radar zones can and cannot tell you
Use the sensor as a presence and target-zone input for smart-home automations, not as an identity detector or certified security alarm. The cited sources do not establish comparative accuracy, a measured false-positive rate or guaranteed detection of every stationary occupant. Tune and verify the configuration in the room where it will operate, and avoid treating the zone edge as an absolute barrier.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The LD2450 human body sensing module adopts 24GHz millimeter wave radar sensor technology, which is sensitive to moving human bodies and micro moving human bodies that cannot be recognized by traditional methods;
- Has good environmental adaptability, and the sensing effect is not affected by the surrounding environment such as temperature, brightness, humidity, and light fluctuations;
- Has good shell penetration, can be hidden inside the shell to work, without the need for holes on the surface of the product, improving the product's aesthetics
- The LD2450 moving target tracking sensor can accurately locate and track targets, and is widely used in various AloT scenarios
- Application scenarios: smart home, smart commerce, bathroom, smart lighting, etc
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