Hey folks,
Newbie here, just dipped my toes into the smart home world about a month ago. After way too many Reddit deep dives and YouTube binges, I landed on Aqara to start my setup. Figured I’d share my experience in case any other beginners are on the fence (or lost like I was lol).
I’ve got an iPhone, so Apple Home compatibility was a must. Got the Aqara M2 hub first, and from there slowly added door/window sensors, motion sensors, and a smart plug. The best part? Didn’t need to be a tech wizard to get it going.
The scenes are where the magic happens. I’ve got my hallway lights turning on when motion is detected at night and auto off after 3 minutes. Doors open, lights come on. Morning scenes kick off my coffee maker and playlist. It’s little stuff, but it adds up and makes the place feel alive.
If you’re an Apple user and want something you can build up over time, Aqara’s honestly a smooth ride. Still a lot to play with, thinking of adding the G3 cam and maybe some roller shade controllers next.
Happy to answer any beginner questions — trust me, I’ve probably already googled it myself.
Cheers!