Why the Aqara Hub M3 Might Disappoint You: A Brutally Honest Review!

The Aqara Hub M3 boasts improved connectivity with support for multiple protocols like Zigbee, Bluetooth, and now Thread. This should, in theory, enhance its integration capabilities, especially with Apple Home. However, my experience revealed some limitations in functionality and compatibility with third-party devices that you might want to consider. So, stick around as we dissect the features, pros, cons, and ultimately, whether this hub deserves a spot in your smart home arsenal. Don't forget to hit that like and subscribe button for more honest tech reviews coming your way!

Video Update: If you bring the Hub into Apple Home via Matter, you will not have the alarm settings exposed. So use the HomeKit code.

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[ModernDayTech]

PRODUCT UPDATE: If you bring the Hub into Apple Home via Matter, you will not have the alarm settings exposed. So use the HomeKit code.
*LET'S BE FRIENDS!*

[orfeaskalafatis]

Some usefull M3 info regarding the ALARM/AC use in homekit:
- Add using Matter allows you to expose the AC control option to Apple Home as a fully fledged AC controller.
If you have any Aqara lighting products that use Apple’s Adaptive Lighting, you’ll lose this functionality if the lighting is connected to the M3.
You lose the option to have the M3 act as a security system in Apple Home.

- Add using HomeKit allows you to expose the security system to Apple Home.
Lighting products capable of using Adaptive lighting, retain this feature when connected to Apple Home.
You lose the option to have the M3 act as an AC controller in Apple Home.

[robertmiller]

I appreciate your decision to steer clear of sponsorships, as this pervasive trend erodes viewers' trust gradually, akin to the proverbial frog in slowly heating water, unaware of the danger. Ironically, viewers unwittingly foster this erosion, which ultimately harms them. Thus, your commitment to genuine reviewing, featuring, or spotlighting—regardless of the label—is commendable. Thank you for resisting the tide and upholding integrity.

[DIYSmartHomeGuy]

Excellent review! Seems like we've all kind of come to the same conclusion on the M3. Thanks for joining us on the livestream Tuesday.

[myHomeKithome]

Nice! Other than Access to it library of automation triggers, I'm still struggling to figure out what the benefits of having a separate matter controller and thread border router are, especially as an apple Home user or Amazon or Google, for that matter.

[garyhenderson]

Great honest review. The M3 was the smart Device I was most excited about for 2024 and wanted to get one directly after the launch. Having watched several reviews today I get the impression it is overpriced for an Early access Product which is not yet fully offering the Smart features I was expecting. It is double the price of the M2 which I have but cannot see double the performance or benefits. Will watch what happens and maybe reconsider during prime day if a good deal is offered.

[sendo]

Yeah I got mine today and really disappointed cuz I really was looking forward to changing the settings to the matter motion sensor P2 and the matter door sensor and you can't change any of the settings.

[sabualexpoovelil]

I've been reading, Aqara automation does not work when internet is down. Is it true?

[HoustonCanuck]

I have 3 FP2 sensors are they are trash at staying connected to my wi-fi. I like the idea of them, and want fast response to my other Homekit devices, but they are not usable as-is. If I get a M3 Hub would this make them more stable and responsive?

[CuriosityCatCascade]

Why would Aqara launch such an underdeveloped product at twice the price of the M2? It appears overly greedy. I appreciate your candid feedback, especially since others often gloss over the truth to stay in the brand’s good graces.

[didipkerabat]

I think this thing main selling point is to bring in other/old protocols like Zigbee and IR blaster into Matter. If it can't, then it's kind of useless.

[Anonymousboy]

So basically the Homey Pro is all in all a better and more universal option? The Problem is that the M3 cannot connect Zigbee devices without a matter code.... i figured that out too late and now i´m looking for an better option... so could you recommend me the Homey Pro? :)

[robertoadami]

IR with this is complete other level! You can synch IR with remote!

[jurekchlebowski]

Very good review, thanks a lot. Just few questions to sum up and let me (and maybe others) take final decision to go for it or not:

- having and using homey pro would that make sense to add m3 for any particular reason?
- the above mentioned reason may be for example smart life tuya integration (in homey it sucks) or being able to easily create nice dashboards for family

Is there anything if the above in m3?

Many thanks for your kind answer. Best. J

[GG_on_wheels]

Can you still use the old hub I’ve got the one with the camera

[kithem]

Can m3 hub bridge aqara FP2 to smartthings or homey pro?

[Rem-Tech-Smarthome]

Great video Eric. So let me get this right. You can add Zigbee devices into the hub and it will show up as a child device but adding a thread device doesn’t show up as a child device 🤔. And as of right now your limited on adjusting other features on there thread devices once it is inside the hub. And you want a $130 dollar for it. And they say if the hub goes down another hub will pick it up and keep on working. I’m sorry Aqara but my hub never goes down unless I lose power. And what it seems like to me is. If you buy one hub are going to need to buy other hub “ just in case the hub goes down the M3 “ to pick up the other hub?

[ypark]

Aqara contact p2 sensor is a loser. Got three and it is hard to connect to other eco systems and drops off. One has dropped off one if the eco twice. And another never could get it into alexa.

[AlexManMe]

After the unreliability of the cameras and this price increase, I am out

[SolarizeYourLife]

Sorry there is no way I am buying into this BS brand or this overpriced matter hub... It would be a different story if aqara allowed any zigbee devices to connect up... Why because no one can use any zigbee device unless it is exclusively Aqara, secondly, homekit has no way to add zigbee anything!!! It would have been awesome if it was this m3 hub but sadly that is far from the truth....