Hey , Share a little journey I’ve been on over the past couple months. I finally dipped my toes into smart home life, but I wasn’t about to drop a fortune on it. Enter: Aqara.
I started small — a Hub M2, a couple motion sensors and contact sensors during a sale. Didn’t expect much at first, but wow, these little gadgets pull their weight. I’ve now automated my hallway lights to turn on low when I get up at 3am (because yes, I’m that night snacker), and set up a pretty slick away mode that notifies me if doors are opened while I’m out.
What impressed me most? Everything just worked. Setup was smoother than expected, and the app’s automation tools are surprisingly flexible. I even paired a cheap fan with a smart plug and now have it auto-turn on during hot afternoons when the temp sensor hits 28°C.
All in, I’ve probably spent less than $150 so far and my place feels way more “alive.” Anyone else taking the budget route with Aqara? Would love to swap ideas or hear what setups y’all are running.