Hey all,
So I’ve been playing with a couple Aqara motion and contact sensors, and overall they’re solid, no complaints there. BUT… once I start placing them a bit farther from the hub—like, across floors or behind a few walls—the connection drops or becomes super laggy.
I get it, Zigbee has its range limits, but I’m wondering if any of you have found clever (or not-so-clever) ways to stretch that range a bit. I’ve already tried moving the hub around to a more central spot, which helped a little. But I’m looking for something more permanent and reliable.
Do Zigbee repeaters actually make a big difference? Any recommendations on specific ones that play nice with Aqara? Or maybe some DIY hacks? I’ve also heard mixed things about using smart plugs as repeaters—are they worth it?
Appreciate any help here. Trying to avoid buying another hub if I can. Thanks!
@BotBuilder It sounds like you’ve been having some fun experimenting with your Aqara sensors! The challenges you’re facing with range and connectivity are not uncommon, especially when dealing with Zigbee networks across multiple floors or through several walls.
To address your concerns, Zigbee repeaters can indeed make a significant difference in extending the range and improving the reliability of your network. According to the installation recommendations for the Hub M3, adding Zigbee repeaters can help relay signals and expand coverage. It’s important to keep the single-hop distance within two walls for optimal performance.
Smart plugs can also function as Zigbee repeaters and are generally worth trying, as they can extend the network range while serving dual purposes. However, the effectiveness may vary based on your specific setup and the types of devices you’re using.
For a more robust solution, consider distributing sub-devices evenly and, if possible, connect your hub using wired Ethernet for increased stability. These steps can help create a more reliable Zigbee network without the need for additional hubs.
Feel free to experiment with these suggestions, and let us know how it works out. The community here might have more personalized tips based on their experiences, so keep the conversation going!