🎯 My objectives
I need to monitor my house for fire risks as soon as the first smokes appear.
The Zigbee Smoke Detector We E8 is ideal for this mission, it is part of the 3 Zigbee equipments of the consumer range. In order to decide between them, I made a comparison:
The data of the E8 enable accurate alerts in Zigbee2MQTT and Home Assistant, such as sirens, push notifications and automatic ventilation.
The security of my home is thus strengthened in a simple and effective way.
This device complies with European standards EN14604 for autonomous smoke detectors (DAAF), as well as CE and RoHS certifications, ensuring its compliance with European safety standards.
The Photoelectric Smoke Detector We E8 home ZigBee detects a fire by detecting smoke in the air and triggers an audible and luminous alarm as soon as a certain concentration threshold is reached. It is designed for residential buildings and its single-source detection chamber is protected against false positives caused by dust, insects or moisture.
The internal ‘maze’ design allows for rapid fire detection, while limiting undesirable triggers. The case is made of fireproof plastic with a glossy finish.
🏠 Who is US?
WE is a leading European brand in smart home technologies since 2014, specializing in IoT products compatible with Google and Alexa voice assistants.
It is Polish, founded in 2014 in Warsaw, with a presence in London and still active in Poland.
It offers a wide range of sensors, switches, sockets and security cameras, often based on the Tuya and Zigbee ecosystems.
Recognised for its reliability and ease of integration, WE aim to improve everyday life through accessible and efficient smart home solutions.
To function, this detector requires a compatible Zigbee gateway (US E1, US E7 or any equivalent Tuya/Zigbee gateway) to be piloted in the application and displayed in voice assistants. Internet connection cannot be guaranteed in all cases, as it depends on the quality of the network, the intermediate equipment and the smartphone used (model, OS version, etc.).
🔍 I check the received model
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- On the technical sheet : The exact model is the E8 Zigbee 3.0 compatible for smoke detection.
- On the carton : The reference E8 is clearly indicated with identical photos of the product.
- Type of equipment : It is a photoelectric detector that detects smoke particles, with a siren of 85 dB at 3 metres.
- Protocol : The protocol used is Zigbee 3.0 compatible with Tuya devices, IEEE 802.15.4, frequency 2.400-2.484 GHz, max power 11 dBm.
- Power supply : Power is provided by an included 3-volt CR123A battery (or optional CR2450), with an estimated range of 3-5 years.
- Intended installation : Installation is provided on the ceiling, covering 20-40 m ² without obstacles.
- Detection ranges : Detection is triggered beyond 0.16 dB per metre, with automatic self-testing.
- Dimensions / IP : Dimensions are compact Ø52×52 mm, IP20 protection for indoor use, temperature -20°C to +55°C, humidity 0-95% HR.
- Standards and certifications : Complies with EN14604 (European standard for DAAF), CE, RoHS; fireproof plastic housing.
🛒 Where to buy this equipment?
Here is the link to the page dedicated to Smoke detector We E8 Zigbee.
I listed the sellers and the prices compared.
📦 Unpacking and First Impressions
The contents of the box include the detector, twist-lock mounting bracket, two screws, a supplied CR123A battery and a basic manual.
The case is made of robust and fireproof white ABS plastic, weighing only 150 grams.
The round design is discreet and the sensor grille is wide for optimal airflow.
🔧 Power On / Enclosure Opening
I turn the hood counterclockwise to access the battery easily. I find a plastic coated battery, remove the plastic and insert this new CR123A: the device emits a short beep followed and nothing more.
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The single button on the front panel allows the device’s settings and network connection settings to be reset via a 5-7 second long press. The built-in indicator light displays the current status of the device (power supply, pairing mode, alarm, etc.).
🏡 Where I install it
I place the detector in the center of the ceiling of the master bedroom, 50 or 60 centimeters from the corners and walls. I avoid areas like the kitchen because of grease vapor, the bathroom because of humidity and dusty corners. Zigbee range tests show good reception at 20 metres through concrete walls, up to 30 metres in the open field.
For fastening, the manual recommends the use of the mounting plate provided: place the plate at the chosen location and mark the drilling slots, drill two 4 mm holes 32 mm apart, insert the plastic dowels, and then tightly screw the plate. The detector then rotates clockwise on the plate until the indexing holes of the plate and detector coincide. Pressing the test button must produce an audible alarm; in the absence of sound, the manual considers the device to be defective and unusable.
The manufacturer recommends using the product only in the temperature and humidity ranges indicated in the data sheet, not installing it near heat sources such as radiators and protecting it from mechanical shocks (fall, blows). For cleaning, avoid chemical or abrasive detergents and simply use a slightly damp cloth. It is not advisable to exceed the electrical loads specified on the products in the range and do not attempt to disassemble the appliance: any diagnosis or repair must be carried out by a certified service centre.
🔗 I pair in Zigbee2MQTT
- I enable peering mode in Zigbee2MQTT.
- I press and hold the centre button for 5 seconds or more: the red/orange LED flashes.
- The detected Zigbee model is ‘TS0601’ with the identifier _TZE284 _0zaf1cr8 (Smoke sensor), named friendly ‘Nous E8’.
Exposures Zigbee2MQTT of the detector
🚨 Smoke (binary _sensor)
This statement indicates the main smoke detection state.
Value false means that the air is clean and monitoring is normal.
Value true means that smoke has been detected above 0,16 dB per metre: this triggers a continuous beep of 85 decibels, a fixed red LED and immediate publication via MQTT.
I use this exhibit for immediate alert automations, such as activating a global siren or sending evacuation notifications. The reset is done automatically after aeration or by pressing the button.
🔓 Tamper (binary _sensor)
This exposure protects against opening or tampering with the housing.
Value false means that the housing is closed and the mounting secure.
Value true is triggered if the device is unscrewed or opened for more than 3 seconds: this causes a separate quick beep and MQTT alert.
I use this exhibit for anti-theft or vandalism safety, as it also detects shocks or removals from the support. It is ideal in an installation with several detectors.
🔋 Battery _low (binary _sensor)
This expose alerts about the end-of-life of the battery.
Value false means a voltage greater than 2.4 volts and a correct autonomy.
Value true is triggered below 20 per cent of the remaining capacity or 2.3 volts: the device then emits periodic warning beeps.
I use this exhibit for preventative notifications like “Change CR123A battery”, with an automatic reminder in the Home Assistant calendar.
📶 Linkquality (sensor)
This statement indicates the quality of the Zigbee signal via the LQI index.
A value above 200 is excellent, below 100 it is degraded and requires bringing the coordinator closer together.
I use this exhibit to diagnose the network and maintain the Zigbee mesh.
Conclusion on the proposed exhibitions 😏
It is really simple, maybe too simple. We really have the minimum of the minimum, even the first-price detectors offer to exhibit self-tests, battery levels, adjustable sensitivity levels, some a temperature info, …
Perhaps the energy was put by the developers on the quality of the physical detector, the soft part was a little forgotten.
Interconnection : No direct RF link between detectors (no documented native wireless audio interlink), but the manufacturer offers interconnection via Zigbee/MQTT network: triggering should spread alerts to all compatible devices (siren, multiple notifications). I could not test it, I only have one device of the brand.
🏠 Integration in Home Assistant
Entities are self-discovered via the MQTT broker: 4 ready-to-use entities but Handling seems not to go up and the Battery, we will not know for 3 years if the sensor will change value.
📱 Smartphone application integration
At the same time, the We E8 can also be matched to the application US Smart Home (Android/iOS), available free of charge on the Play Store and App Store.
After installing the application, it must be granted all the necessary permissions in the smartphone settings and then create a user account.
Connection procedure via the US app (classic Zigbee mode):
- Connect the smartphone to Wi‑Fi 2.4 GHz (Zigbee hubs are not planned for Wi‑Fi 5 GHz, Zigbee hub must already be added in the app).
- Turn on the detector, then hold the button for 5-7 seconds if the LED does not flash quickly to return it to factory pairing mode.
- In the WE Smart Home app, launch the addition of a new device: an automatic detection can propose the sensor, then just confirm the coupling.
- If the auto-analysis finds nothing, choose “Add manually”, category “Smart Sensors”, then “Smoke Sensor E8”.
- Follow the steps ‘Next step’ and ‘Next’ until the end of pairing with the Zigbee hub.
- At the end, name the device and choose the part; This name will be taken over by Alexa and Google Home.
If the device is removed from the list in the application, its network settings are reset and the association procedure must be repeated. If there is a Wi‑Fi password error when configuring the hub, a ‘Wi‑Fi connection failed’ message is displayed in the app with correction steps.
📊 My first Zigbee tests
🚨Autotest
There is no controlled self-test function, so I started it manually by pressing the button, it worked well, the detector started ringing and Smoke switched to True.
🔓Tamper 😒
If I open the case, Tamper does not react. Strange, this information does not work, it does have a small button that should detect this but the information is not available in Zigbee2MQTT despite the presence of the exposure.
🔋Batterie 😒
Unable to follow up, we will just have the information when the battery is almost dead, no indication of percentage or mV.
🌐 Integration with Alexa
In the Alexa ecosystem, it is possible to link the US Smart Home account to the voice assistant via the dedicated skill. I do not use it as it is my Home Assistant who is talking to Alexa. But here's how to do it for those who don't have the Nabucasa-Alexa link.
You must log in to your Alexa account, open the menu and then "Settings" and "Configure a new device". In ‘Skills’, search for ‘US Smart Home’, select the skill and activate it, then enter the credentials of the US account (currently supported in the US region) in order to link the two accounts.
Then, discover the devices by saying ‘Alexa/Echo/Amazon, open my devices’ or by using the ‘Discover devices’ button in the Alexa app; After about 20 seconds, compatible US Smart Home devices are listed. The basic controls are of the type ‘Alexa, turn on [device]’ or ‘Alexa, turn off [device]’, the name having to correspond exactly to that defined in the WE Smart Home application.
💬 My opinion after commissioning
✅ Strengths: All essential presentations are active (smoke, battery _low), the detection is fast (10s), the Zigbee signal is stable, the assembly takes only 1 minute, compliant with EN14604/CE/RoHS, economical price.
❌ Weaknesses: Lack of exposure for quantitative smoke density or self-test via MQTT; no direct sound interconnection between units; poor quality manual; archi-simple in terms of exposures, probably too much.
My final verdict: The We E8 is an excellent economical choice for a Zigbee smoke detector in home automation if you are looking for simple equipment. The presentations are explained clearly for beginners and the alerts are reliable. It is not the one I chose for my home, I invite you to consult the comparison of smoke detectors to choose the one that corresponds to its context:
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