Shelly BLU Distance is launching soon, bringing an ultrasonic Bluetooth sensor designed for precise distance measurement to your smart home. First shown at IFA 2025, it’s built for practical everyday automations like monitoring a water tank level or confirming if a car is parked in your garage or driveway.
This compact device measures distances from 0.25 to 5 meters (about 0.8 to 16.4 feet) with millimeter-level accuracy. Four preset range profiles help you tailor performance to different scenarios, and onboard temperature compensation keeps readings reliable across changing conditions. You can set how often it captures data anywhere between 5 and 300 seconds, with 30 seconds as the default, and an obstacle detection feature adds an extra layer of awareness for smarter automations. Power efficiency is a highlight too—the lithium battery is rated for roughly two to three years of use.
Connectivity at launch includes Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0 for quick setup and broad compatibility, with Zigbee support planned via a future firmware update. Management is handled through the Shelly Smart Control app, and the sensor integrates with many of the brand’s gateways, including the BLU Gateway. Installation should be straightforward thanks to its compact design that fits into a 36 mm (around 1.4-inch) opening.
Key details at a glance:
– Ultrasonic distance measurement: 0.25–5 m with mm-level precision
– Four preset range profiles and temperature compensation
– Adjustable reporting interval: 5–300 seconds (30 seconds default)
– Obstacle detection for smarter triggers
– Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0 at launch; Zigbee coming via firmware update
– Battery life: approximately 2–3 years
– Compact form factor: fits a 36 mm opening
– App control via Shelly Smart Control
In North America and Europe, pricing is set at $31.49/€24.90. Although it’s currently marked out of stock on the company’s store, you can sign up for an email alert when it becomes available.
Who is it for? Homeowners and DIY enthusiasts looking for a dependable, battery-powered distance sensor to automate checks like water level monitoring and garage parking, or anyone wanting accurate, low-maintenance sensing that plays nicely with popular smart home setups.
