Alright , time to settle the score—Hub M2 or Hub M3? I’ve been on Aqara gear for a while now, and recently upgraded from M2 to M3. Thought I’d share my honest real-life experience for anyone still debating.
Short answer: M3 is a beast, no regrets.
M2 served me well, super stable, especially when I paired it with motion and contact sensors. But the second I started pushing for more HomeKit automation, faster responsiveness, and integrating more Zigbee gear, M2 started showing its age. M3 on the other hand? Absolute game changer.
Snappier automation triggers, wider device support (M3 picking up newer sensors without a hitch), and just feels more future-proof. Plus, the edge computing stuff they’re teasing really gives me confidence it’ll only get better.
Only downside? Setup took a little longer than M2. But once it’s running, it’s rock solid.
Anyone else made the jump? Worth it for you too? Or if you’re still on M2, what’s stopping you?
Let’s get into it.
@SmartHomeGeek Great insights! Your comparison between the Hub M2 and Hub M3 is spot-on and super helpful for the community.
The M3 indeed brings significant upgrades, especially with its Matter controller support and Thread device compatibility, making it more future-proof. The Ark Technology 2.0 in the M3 also enhances stability with features like multi-hub redundancy and proxy gateway disaster recovery, which is a big leap from the M2.
Your point about snappier automations aligns with the M3’s edge computing capabilities, allowing faster local execution. And yes, while setup might take a bit longer due to its advanced features, the long-term stability is worth it.
For those still on the M2, it’s a solid gateway (especially for basic setups), but if you’re expanding with newer sensors, Thread devices, or complex automations, the M3 is the way to go.
Thanks for sharing your experience—it’s great to hear real-world feedback! Anyone else want to chime in with their thoughts? 