Aqara review - sensors, switches and sockets for the smart home

In the era of popularization of Smart Home solutions, choosing the right devices is of utmost importance. Aqara Aqara has presented a range of low-cost and high-performance gadgets that will fill every nook and cranny and meet every need of a smart home. It is worth mentioning that Aqara is a long-term partner of Xiaomi Mi brand solutions in the US market.
Currently, the Aqara brand is owned by Lumi Technology and has recently become very popular in Europe. Actually, it all happened through Amazon stores and through partnership with Apple. At the moment, Aqara offers a wide range of devices, from motion sensors and indoor cameras to smart switches. Importantly, all products work with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home.

Aqara system communicates between individual smart home devices using ZigBee standard. It is a specification for data transmission protocols in wireless mesh, cluster tree networks. Networks based on ZigBee are characterized by low power consumption, low data transfer rate (up to 250kbps) and range between nodes up to 100 meters.
Aqara is a rapidly growing ecosystem with a large product portfolio that currently includes:

• Smart Home Central Unit (Hub MS1, Hub MS2, Hub E1)
• Switches and sockets (Smart Wall Switch H1 Double Rocker, Smart Wall Switch H1 Single Rocker, Smart Plug )
• Lighting (LED Light Bulb)
• Sensors (Motion Sensor, Motion Sensor P1, Door and Window Sensor, Temperature and Humidity Sensor, Water Leak Sensor, Vibration Sensor, TVOC Air Quality Monitor)
• Indoor cameras (Camera Hub G2H, Camera Hub G2H Pro, Camera Hub G3)
• Roller shutter control (Roller Shade Controller, Roller Shade Driver E1)
• Remote control (Cube, Wireless Mini Switch, Wireless Remote Switch Double Rocker, Wireless Remote Switch Single Rocker, Wireless Remote Switch H1 Double Rocker)

Read our reviews and learn more about the Aqara smart home system.

The heart (control center) of the entire Aqara ecosystem is the central HUB. This is an essential device because it is where all the other Aqara accessories will connect to and where automation and interaction can be performed. At the moment, the Hub function is performed by the following devices:

• Aqara System Control Center
• Up to 128 Aqara Zigbee devices can be connected to the HUB
• The HUB connects compatible Aqara devices to Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Google Assistant, Yandex Alisa and more.
• When paired with Aqara sensors, an audible alarm or night light.
• It includes 18 LEDs for adjustable light color and brightness.

• The most advanced and futuristic smart home HUB
• Up to 128 Aqara Zigbee devices can be connected to the HUB (gateway).
• The multi-protocol gateway (Zigbee 3.0, IR, BLE) ensures maximum compatibility.
• Connects compatible Aqara devices with HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, Yandex Alisa and more
• It can control infrared compatible devices such as air conditioners, TVs, heaters, lights, etc. And can integrate them with smart home automation.

• The smallest smart home gateway
• Supports both classic and latest Aqara devices
• Supports up to 128 ZigBee devices
• Compatible with popular ecosystems like Home Kit, Google, IFTTT etc.

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Of course, to make our ecosystem coherent and functional, we need to arm our home with various sensors, switches, sockets and other elements that will help us automate processes. We connect all these elements to our HUB, which is a central control unit.

• Water detection and home protection
• When the water level reaches above 0.5mm, the IP67 certified water sensor about it
• The sensor will activate a gateway that will sound an alarm and send a notification to the user's phone

• Detects movement from a distance
• Captures movement and detects unauthorized entry
• Automatically turns lights on/off based on presence in the room
• Detects the brightness in the room

• Detects vibration, tilting and falling
• When placed on a window or door, the sensor alerts you when there is a knock on the door or a break-in through the window.
• It can also be placed with your valuables and send notifications when an object has been moved

• Detects the open status of doors or windows in real-time
• Detects unauthorized opening of doors and windows
• Turns on/off lights, fan or curtains when a window or door is open
• Compact and robust, easy to install and set up

• Monitors temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure in real time
• Accurately monitors the temperature, humidity and air pressure in each room
• Automatically turns on the fan or humidifier when the temperature reaches a certain threshold

• Small and functional air quality sensor
• Measures total volatile organic compound (TVOC) levels
• Energy efficient E-ink screen shows temperature, humidity and TVOC levels along with air quality rating.
• Can run exhaust fans, air purifiers and open windows with Aqara controllers,

• One cube that controls everything
• Up to 6 different ways to manually control your smart home
• Each action can be customized to control a different smart home accessory or scene.

• Controls smart accessories with a single button
• Up to 3 different ways to manually control your smart home with a single press, double press or long press
• Can function as a doorbell, light switch and controller to control various home devices

• Works with the Aqara H1 EU wall switch to create a 3-way switchconfiguration
• Controls a single accessory or group of smart accessories with a single touch
• Each button supports up to 3 different ways to manually control a smart home: single press, double press or long press
• Connects directly to Aqara's Zigbee 3.0 controller and will work even if the gateway is not available.

• Flexible installation options and full smart home automation support.
• Zigbee 3.0: the latest, most stable and energy-efficient smart home technology
• Compatible with HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, Yandex Alisa and more
• Fits into almost any wall box

• Controls home appliances from anywhere using your smartphone
• Sets an on/off schedule for home appliances.
• Monitors the energy consumption of your devices.
• Ask Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant to control your devices.

• An upgraded version of our classic E27 LED bulb
• Our tunable white bulb has been updated with Zigbee wireless protocols 3.0 and Bluetooth, smoother and more customizable transition effects that will make it a best-in-class solution for those who need high-quality smart lighting.

• Open and close the curtains with your smartphone, cube controller or wireless switch
• Open/close your curtains with the touch of a button.
• Adjust the curtains by voice
• Ability to automatically adjust the curtain opening. Automatic Adjust curtain opening according to external light with dimmer function.

We have to admit that Aqara devices are a very interesting solution for building the whole Smart Home ecosystem. First of all, they are inexpensive and we have a whole range of different products that create a coherent whole. With the mobile application we can create advanced automation of individual devices and the only thing that limits us is our imagination. Aqara's Zigbee hubs, along with a growing number of compatible sensors and switches that work with Alexa, HomeKit and Google, are a must-have item for anyone serious about launching a smart home. The Aqara system offers a lot of great functionality for really little money. We invite you to buy!

Author:
Leszek Blaszczyk