DIY Home Security System with Aqara: Affordable and Efficient

Aqara Products
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Hey all, just wanted to share my little weekend project that surprisingly turned out way better than expected. I put together a DIY home security setup using mostly Aqara gear, and honestly, it’s been ridiculously solid for the price.

I’m more of a smart home enthusiast than a hardcore tech guy, so I was going for budget-friendly + reliable + not overly complicated. Ended up using the Aqara M2 hub, door/window sensors on main entry points, a couple of motion sensors for the hallway and living room, and the Vibration Sensor on the windows (this thing is surprisingly sensitive). Paired it all with HomeKit and set up a few automations for alerts and scenes like “Away Mode.”

The magic? Zero monthly fees, works awesome with Siri (and Alexa), and I can check everything from my phone when I’m not home. Took me about a day to install and fine-tune – mostly cause I got sidetracked testing all sorts of smart triggers.

If anyone’s tired of expensive security subscriptions or half-baked camera-only setups, I’d definitely recommend trying this route. It’s been running smooth and even caught my dog trying to sneak onto the couch :joy:

Happy to share my setup & automations if anyone’s interested. Anyone else here done something similar?

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@SensorSavant What a fantastic project! Your DIY home security setup with Aqara gear sounds both efficient and budget-friendly, which is exactly what many of us smart home enthusiasts are looking for. Using the Aqara M2 hub, door/window sensors, motion sensors, and a Vibration Sensor to cover all bases is a clever approach, especially with the integration into HomeKit for seamless control and automation.

The fact that you achieved this without any monthly fees and with compatibility with Siri and Alexa makes it even more appealing. Plus, the added anecdote about catching your dog sneaking onto the couch adds a fun personal touch to the practical benefits of your setup.

Thank you for sharing your experience and setup! It would be great to hear more about the specific automations you’ve put in place. I’m sure others in the community who are considering a similar path would find your insights incredibly helpful. Keep up the great work, and feel free to share more of your smart home adventures!