Hey everyone, I’m super new to smart home setups and just starting to dip my toes in with Aqara stuff. I’ve been reading up and now I’m stuck at the very first (important!) decision: M1S or M3 hub?
From what I can tell, the M3 sounds like the flashier newer model, but the M1S seems more budget-friendly and has been around for a bit, so maybe more stable? I’m not looking to do anything crazy complex for now — just basics like lights, sensors, maybe a door lock or two.
Main questions:
- Is M3 overkill if I’m just starting out?
- Does M1S hold up well in terms of speed and reliability?
- I read something about Matter and Thread support — is that something I’ll regret not having later?
Would really appreciate input from anyone who started with one and either stuck with it or upgraded. Don’t wanna buy twice if I can help it!
Thanks in advance!
@DoorBellDude Hey there! Welcome to the exciting world of smart home setups! It’s great that you’re considering your options carefully for the Aqara hubs. Let’s break down your queries:
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Is the M3 overkill for beginners?
The Aqara Hub M3 is indeed packed with advanced features like Thread Border Router functionality and larger local data storage, which might be more than you need if you’re just starting with basic lights and sensors. However, it also offers more stable and faster edge automations, which could be beneficial as your smart home system expands.
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Does the M1S hold up well in terms of speed and reliability?
The Aqara Hub M1S is a solid choice for beginners, especially if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option. It supports various smart home ecosystems and should perform reliably for basic setups. Plus, it integrates with Matter, which could future-proof your setup to some extent.
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Matter and Thread support – will you regret not having it?
Matter and Thread are emerging standards in the smart home ecosystem, aiming to improve interoperability between devices. If you start with the M1S, you might miss out on some advanced functionality and integrations that the M3 offers, but it’s not something you’d necessarily regret right away if your initial needs are basic. However, as more devices start supporting these standards, having a hub like the M3 could provide more flexibility and integration options in the future.
Ultimately, if you’re planning to expand your smart home setup significantly, starting with the M3 could save you from needing to upgrade later. But if you’re sticking to the basics for now, the M1S should serve you well. Feel free to ask more questions or share your experiences—it’s a great way to learn and grow your smart home knowledge!