How to Choose a Hub
With five different Smart Home Hubs to choose from, we get a common question – which hub do I need? Here’s a guide and breakdown. First, let’s start with some basics.
What’s a Aihome Aqara hub and why do I need it?
Our line of Aqara Hubs functions akin to a ‘Zigbee router’ within our smart home ecosystem. The majority of our Aqara smart devices communicate via Zigbee, a wireless protocol. However, rather than communicating directly with each other, these devices connect through an Aqara Hub. This setup parallels how a smartphone connects to Wi-Fi through a router. Visualize your Aihome Aqara Hub establishing a Zigbee wireless network, with all other smart home devices connecting to this network as clients.
What are the Aihome Aqara Hubs available?
With these five hubs to choose from, the simple answer is that you just have to pick the one that suits your needs. All of them work as a hub, although there may be differences in signal strength. Here’s the breakdown.
Product | RGB Light | Smart Aircon Control | Security Camera | Speakers (for alarms etc.) | Ethernet Port |
Aqara M2 Hub | x | Yes | x | Yes (moderate) | Yes |
Aqara M1S Gen 2 Hub | Yes | x | x | Yes (loud) | x |
Aqara E1 Hub | x | x | x | x | x |
Aqara G2H Pro Camera | x | x | Yes | Yes (loud) | x |
Aqara G3 Camera | x | Yes | Yes | Yes (loud) | x |
With these differences spelt out, it makes the choice easier. For example, if you need a home monitoring camera, it makes sense to pick our Aqara G2H Pro or the Aqara G3 cameras. If you don’t, the M2 or M1S may be more suitable.
If you’re just looking for the most affordable option, our Aqara E1 is your best bet.
Will I need multiple hubs?
As these hubs establish a wireless network, they naturally come with a limitation in wireless range. Depending on your home’s size or the distribution of Aihome Aqara smart devices you’re deploying, you may require multiple hubs. Each hub can cover a range of up to 20 meters (without obstacles). In real-world settings, accounting for walls, it’s advisable to plan for approximately one hub per 500 square feet (this is an estimate). For optimal performance, you might even consider deploying one hub per room. This approach aligns well with our Aqara M2 hubs, which serve as air-conditioner controls tailored for the room they are located in.
An exception to this rule would be homes equipped with Aqara neutral switches. These switches act as repeaters, potentially reducing the need for additional hubs.
Can I use different hubs in one home?
Exactly! For instance, you can utilize the G3 in your living room for home monitoring and smart air conditioner control, while opting for the M2 in your bedroom specifically for smart air conditioner functionality.
What we like about each hub
Aihome Aqara M2 Hub
Aqara M2 Hub
Smart Air-Con and Fan Controller that doubles as a Smart Home Hub for other Aihome Aqara smart devices.
Price: RM349.00
The Aqara M2 Hub is our most popular hub, thanks to its comprehensive features and competitive price point. It uniquely includes an Ethernet port, offering superior Zigbee strength and range compared to other models.
Its standout feature is the Smart Aircon Controller, which is highly favored by many clients.
However, it’s worth noting that the speakers on the M2 Hub are somewhat soft.
Aihome Aqara M1S Gen 2 Hub
Aqara M1S Hub Gen 2
Night light and notification speaker that also functions as an Aqara Smart Home Hub.
RM299.00
A very innovative product featuring an RGB light that can set a localized mood in any corner of your room. Its built-in speakers deliver impressive volume, suitable for use as a doorbell, security alarm, or for notifications. You can create automations that synchronize both lights and sounds, providing audible and visual alerts simultaneously.
However, we find the plug-in design inconvenient for positioning the hub, and note that it’s available only in a 2-pin plug version.
Aihome Aqara E1 Hub
Aqara E1 Hub
A plug-and-play smart home hub designed for easy placement, ideal for boosting your smart home wireless network in areas with weak signal.
Price: RM159.00
The ideal hub for addressing weak signal areas or simpler smart home needs. This straightforward hub fills the gap effectively for smaller setups, at a reasonable price.
Aihome Aqara G2H Pro Camera Hub
Aqara G2H Pro Camera Hub
Smart, connected camera featuring motion detection and night vision capabilities. Compatible with the Aqara Home app, Apple HomeKit Secure Video, Google Home, and Alexa. Functions as a hub for other Aqara Smart Devices.
Price: RM399.00
Our favorite camera, the G2H Pro, is compact and easy to mount, which are essential features for a camera. While it may lack some of the advanced features found in its larger counterpart, the G3, it performs admirably on its own.
While some customers prefer cameras with pan and tilt capabilities (available in the G3 model), we believe that pan-tilt functionality is not always a critical factor for a home monitoring camera.
Aihome Aqara G3 Camera Hub
Aqara G3 Camera Hub
AI-enabled camera compatible with Apple Home, Google Home, and Alexa. Features include infrared control, 360° rotation, automatic cruising, and tracking capabilities.
RM639.00
The Aqara G3 is the priciest and most feature-packed hub on our list, offering both home monitoring camera functions (including pan-tilt controls) and smart aircon control. Its larger size makes it a bit cumbersome to mount, but it sits perfectly on a shelf, counter, or console. Despite its higher price tag, the multitude of features it offers justifies the cost, especially since it combines multiple functionalities into a single unit.