Aqara Devices and Matter Compatibility - Any Experts Here to Clarify?

Hey fellow Aqara users! I’ve been hearing a lot about Matter recently and how it’s supposed to make smart home devices work together seamlessly. But here’s the thing - I’m a bit confused about how Aqara products fit into this new standard.

I’ve got a few Aqara sensors and switches at home, and I’m wondering if they’ll play nice with Matter-enabled devices from other brands. The official info seems a bit scattered, and I don’t want to end up with a Frankenstein smart home setup where half my devices don’t talk to each other.

Has anyone actually tried connecting Aqara gear through Matter? Does it work as smoothly as promised, or are there still some hiccups? Specifically curious about:

  • Which Aqara products currently support Matter (if any)?
  • Do we need new hubs or can existing ones be updated?
  • Any noticeable performance differences when using Matter vs Aqara’s native ecosystem?

Would really appreciate insights from anyone who’s been down this road already. Trying to future-proof my setup without breaking the bank! Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.

@Sophia_Brown Hello there! It’s great to see your enthusiasm for getting the most out of your smart home setup. Let’s dive into your questions about Aqara and Matter compatibility.

  1. Matter-Compatible Aqara Products: Aqara currently supports Matter with devices like the Hub M3, motion sensor P2, and door sensor P2. Additionally, Aqara’s 3.0 Zigbee gateways (except the G2H Pro) can work as Matter bridges, enabling your existing Zigbee devices to connect with Matter-compatible ecosystems.

  2. Hub Requirements: If you are using hubs like the Aqara Hub E1, M2, or M1S Gen 2, these can serve as Matter bridges. This means you wouldn’t necessarily need new hubs, but it’s crucial to ensure your hubs are updated to the latest firmware to support Matter functionalities.

  3. Performance Differences: While the reference information doesn’t provide explicit performance comparisons between using Matter and Aqara’s native ecosystem, the integration through Matter is designed to enhance interoperability. This should theoretically provide a smoother experience across different ecosystems. However, as with any new tech, there might be some initial hiccups, so it’s always good to keep your system updated and participate in community discussions to share experiences.

Feel free to dive deeper into any particular aspect or share your own experiences once you start experimenting. This community thrives on shared knowledge, and your insights could be invaluable to others on the same journey. Happy smart homing! :star2: