Aqara Smart Home Hub is a smart Wi-Fi hub that works with the Aqara Home app, Apple HomeKit, as well as Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT, Alice, and Marusya. It connects with smart devices using the Zigbee 3.0 protocol. You can link all sorts of devices to the Aqara Smart Home Hub to control switches, lights, curtains, track temperature, humidity, air quality, check if doors or windows are open, detect movement at home, and even catch water leaks. It also triggers alarms and helps manage automations and routines. You can set up and control these routines with the Apple HomeKit app or the Aqara Home app.
The Aqara hub is a must-have in any smart home, offering security and helping you save energy. With the Apple HomeKit or Aqara Home apps, you can build automated systems that make life easier.
Aqara Hub M3 – the next-gen smart hub
The latest version, Aqara Hub M3, gives you better connectivity and features. It supports both 5GHz Wi-Fi and Zigbee 3.0, making sure your data transfers fast and everything runs smoothly, even if you have a lot of devices. The Hub M3 also comes with a built-in IR transmitter, so you can control devices like TVs and air conditioners that use infrared signals.
The Aqara Hub M3 also supports Matter, the new universal smart home standard that lets different brands’ devices work together. Thanks to Matter, the Hub M3 makes it super easy to add and control gadgets from different brands all on the same platform.
If you’re not sure which Aqara Smart Home Hub to pick, check out the comparison table below to find the best one for you:
| Protocol | Child devices | Zigbee 3.0 | Power | Alarm modes | Speaker | LED light | Extras | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aqara Camera Hub G2H Pro | WiFi 2.4GHz | 128 | Yes | USB | Away / Home / Sleep / Off | Yes | No | Camera - 1080p, Facial recognition |
| Aqara Camera Hub G3 | WiFi 2.4/5GHz | 128 | Yes | USB-C | Away / Home / Sleep / Off | Yes | Yes | Camera - 2K, Pan & Tilt, Facial, Gesture recognition, IR transmitter |
| Aqara Hub E1 | WiFi 2.4GHz | 128 | Yes | USB | Away / Home / Sleep / Off | No | No | Built-in WiFi repeater |
| Aqara Hub M1S Gen 2 | WiFi 2.4GHz | 128 | Nē | Built-in plug | Away / Home / Sleep / Off | Yes | Yes | – |
| Aqara Hub M2 | WiFi 2.4GHz / Ethernet | 128 | Yes | USB | Away / Home / Sleep / Off | Yes | No | IR transmitter |
Which Aqara Smart Home Hub Should You Choose?
If you’re just getting started with Aqara Smart Home Hubs, we suggest going with the Aqara G2H Pro Camera. It gives you sharp 1080p video with solid night vision, supports HomeKit Secure Video, and works as a Smart Home Hub too. Plus, it comes with a speaker for alarms, doorbells, and intercom, so you can save money by getting both a camera and hub in one device.
If you already have an Aqara Smart Home Hub but need another one for a bigger home or extra space, we recommend the Aqara E1. It’s compact, runs off USB, and is one of the most budget-friendly and convenient options out there.
If you don’t need a camera, go for the Aqara M2. It has a built-in speaker for alarms, doorbells, and intercom functions. You can place it near your Wi-Fi router and connect it via Ethernet for a more stable and faster connection. The M2 has a sleek design and an IR transmitter so you can control devices like TVs, speakers, or air conditioners through the Aqara or HomeKit apps.
The Aqara G3 Camera is one of the most advanced smart home hubs out there. It supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi for faster and more stable connections. While most devices still use 2.4GHz, the 5GHz support makes the G3 future-proof as new devices will likely adopt this standard more. So, the Aqara G3 is a great investment not just for now but for the long run.
The G3 Camera has 2K video resolution, giving you high-quality footage, perfect for security. It also has impressive night vision using infrared, so you can monitor your space even in complete darkness. Apple HomeKit currently only supports 1080p (Full HD), but you’ll get the full 2K experience using the Aqara Home app.
One cool feature is the 360-degree rotation, letting you see the entire room where the camera is placed. While this feature isn’t fully integrated into any smart home systems, including Apple HomeKit, it can be used via the Aqara Home app, making it really flexible. The camera also has a speaker for alarms, doorbells, and intercom, making it a solid choice if you need a security system or two-way communication.
Like other Aqara devices, the G3 has a built-in IR transmitter so you can control any device that uses infrared signals, like TVs, audio systems, or air conditioners. You can set up scenarios in the Aqara app and integrate them with HomeKit for easy control of all your devices. Even though the Aqara G3 is pricier than the G2H, it offers more features and is a great long-term investment for smart home automation.
The Aqara M1S is another solid option with a built-in nightlight and speaker. It plugs directly into a wall socket, so it’ll take up one outlet, but it’s a reliable choice for your smart home setup.
The Aqara Hub M3 is a powerful and versatile hub with support for both 5GHz Wi-Fi and Zigbee 3.0, ensuring fast and reliable performance even with lots of devices connected. Its built-in IR transmitter lets you control traditional devices like TVs and air conditioners. With Matter support, you can integrate products from different brands onto one platform, making home automation simpler and future-proof. The Ethernet connection option provides even faster and more reliable connections, which is especially handy for larger homes.
