Aqara vs MAX! Window Sensors: My Experience and Recommendation

Hey everyone, I wanted to share my experience with choosing window sensors for my smart home project. After spending a lot of time researching and experimenting, I thought it would be helpful to walk through my journey and what I learned along the way. Hopefully, this can help others who are in a similar situation!I started by looking at Aqara window sensors because they are known for being affordable and well-supported by OpenHAB. However, I quickly realized that the Aqara gateway (version 3) isn’t fully supported by OpenHAB due to the developer key issue. This was a bit of a letdown because I was really hoping to stick with the Aqara ecosystem. I tried using the original Xiaomi gateway, but I wasn’t sure if the sensors would work with it since they use a custom Zigbee protocol. After some research, it seems like they might work, but there’s no guarantee. I ended up deciding against this route because I didn’t want to risk compatibility issues.Next, I looked into MAX! window sensors. I’ve heard a lot about the MAX!Cube on this forum, and honestly, some of the complaints made me hesitant. But I wanted to give them a fair shot. I decided to try using a USB dongle with Homematic instead of the MAX!Cube. This approach worked perfectly for me! The installation was straightforward, and the sensors integrated seamlessly with my existing setup. I was impressed with how reliable they are and how well they work with OpenHAB.One thing I learned through this process is that sometimes stepping outside your initial preferences can lead to better results. I initially thought I’d stick with Aqara, but the MAX! sensors turned out to be the right choice for my setup. I also realized the importance of checking community feedback and forums before making a purchase. It saved me from potential headaches down the line.If you’re considering window sensors, my recommendation is to evaluate your specific needs and existing setup. If you’re already invested in the Aqara ecosystem and don’t mind dealing with potential gateway issues, they might still be a good option. However, if you’re open to trying something new and want a reliable, hassle-free experience, I’d highly recommend the MAX! sensors with a USB dongle.I hope this helps someone out there who’s trying to make the same decision! Let me know if you have any questions or if you’ve had similar experiences. :blush: