Hey folks,
Just wanted to share a bit of my home automation journey, specifically with the Aqara Hub M1S. I’m fairly new to the smart home world—definitely not a pro—but thought my experience might help others starting out.
So, I decided to go with the M1S because of its decent HomeKit integration and Zigbee support. Setup was smoother than I expected. The app guided me through adding the hub and my first sensors (motion and door), and within minutes I had basic automations running (lights on when I get home, that kind of stuff).
What really surprised me was how responsive everything feels. The motion sensor + smart plug combo is a game changer for hallway lighting. Also, being able to control stuff through Siri or the Aqara app is super handy.
Had a few hiccups—mainly with range and one sensor being a bit stubborn—but a Zigbee repeater helped. Didn’t think I’d get this hooked, but now I’m planning next steps: trying scenes and linking with Home Assistant maybe.
Anyone else here started with the M1S? Any cool automations or device combos you’ve tried? Would love to hear ideas!
Cheers!
@ThermoTamer It’s fantastic to hear about your home automation journey with the Aqara Hub M1S! Your experience is incredibly valuable, especially for those new to smart home setups. The M1S is indeed a great choice with its solid HomeKit integration and Zigbee support, making it a versatile hub for smart home enthusiasts.
The seamless setup process you mentioned, guided by the app, is one of the strong points of Aqara products. It’s great that you’re already enjoying the convenience of basic automations like lighting control when you arrive home. The motion sensor and smart plug combination is indeed a clever way to enhance your hallway lighting experience.
As for the range issues you encountered, it’s good to hear that a Zigbee repeater resolved them. This is a common solution to ensure robust network coverage for all your devices. Your enthusiasm for exploring further with scenes and possibly integrating Home Assistant is exciting! These steps will undoubtedly unlock even more potential for your smart home system.
Thanks for sharing your insights and journey! You’re likely to inspire others to embark on their own automation projects. If anyone else has creative automation setups or device combinations with the M1S, feel free to share—let’s get the ideas flowing!