If you want to build or extend a Smart Home, you will find a large selection of different manufacturers and systems. The prices are partly exorbitant. The Xiaomi subsidiary Aqara, on the other hand, offers a variety of sensors and a HomeKit hub at affordable prices. We have taken a look at the Aqara Smart Home System and present an overview of the Hub M2 and selected devices.

The Aqara Smart Home System indicates a lot of potential. Not only through communication via ZigBee 3.0, which makes it usable with a variety of other Smart Home devices and systems. The HomeKit compatibility and the significantly lower price compared to Apple products also show the potential that Xiaomi has. The price-performance ratio is second to none among smart home systems. The only drawback is the discontinuation of EU support for the Aqara Home app. Those who do not yet operate any Aqara products with the Aqara-Home app can configure the Aqara modules in the Mi-Home app without any problems right from the start.

Aqara HomeKit Hub M2 with ZigBee 3.0

Without the hub it is not possible to use Aqara sensors in conjunction with the HomeKit. Here Xiaomi offers two alternatives: A Mijia hub that can be used with Mijia and Aqara sensors or the Aqara hub that is limited to the connection with Aqasa sensors. The newly introduced Aqara HomeKit Hub M2 can be connected to up to 100 devices and communicates in the ZigBee 3.0 radio standard.

In addition, the HomeKit Hub M2 can be connected via WLAN, Bluetooth and RJ45 connectors. Aqara also offers the sensors in a version suitable for the new hub. However, the new sensors cannot be used with the predecessor hub. However, the old sensors are compatible with the new hub. The Aqara Home app (Android | iOS) is required to use the full range of functions of the Aqara hub. The required firmware updates are uploaded via the app.

This already reveals a major shortcoming of the Aqara Smart Home System. Due to the DSGVO Xiaomi has discontinued the EU support of the Aqara app and refers to the use of the Mi-Home app (Android |iOS) or the HomeKit mode. So there are alternatives. But one thing is annoying: If you want to control the Aqara sensors via the Mi-Home app, you have to reset and reinstall all previously used sensors.

Aqara window and door sensor

Aqara window and door sensor doesn't differ fundamentally from products from other manufacturers in terms of functionality. But what makes the Aqara products very interesting is the price. While other HomeKit sensors cost up to 50 dollars, Aqara sensors are available from Gearbest for around 10 dollars. The sensors can be easily integrated into the Smart Home via the Aqara Home App. Open the app, select the hub to which the sensor is to be connected, then press a small button on the sensor. A small blue LED on the sensor indicates that the coupling process was successful when it starts flashing. The sensor can then be found directly in the app and can be integrated into scenes.

Aqara Temperature Sensor

Similar to Eve Room, the temperature sensor of Aqara measures temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure. Via Siri, the user can query the values in different rooms, provided there are corresponding sensors in the room. The sensors are set up in the same way as the Aqara window and door sensors. After coupling, the values can be read directly in the app or queried via Siri.

Aqara water leak sensor

The water and leak sensor from Aqara is particularly practical. Anyone who has ever had a water damage knows about the usefulness of this Smart Home device. The Aqara water sensor detects leaking water from a dishwasher or washing machine and sends a message to the smartphone. So you can quickly hurry home and stop the water or even ask your neighbor for help. The leak sensor is also easy to install: Add the device to the Aqara Home app and press the sensor in the middle until the LED flashes. The sensor is already integrated and you can view the status of the sensor via the app and activate alarm notifications.

More Smart Home Devices from Aqara

Under the Aqara brand, the company offers a variety of other smart home products such as light switches, lamps, motion sensors, door handles with fingerprint scanners or cameras.