So I’ve been tinkering with smart home setups for about a year now — definitely not a total pro, but not a beginner either. Lately, I’ve been diving into cross-brand integration, and I gotta say, making Aqara play nice with other third-party devices is like finding secret cheat codes for your home.
I’ve got my Aqara sensors talking to Home Assistant, which then links up with some TP-Link plugs, a couple of Philips Hue bulbs, and even my ancient LG TV. Somehow it all just… works. Automations like: “if motion (from Aqara sensor) after 10pm, turn on hallway light (Hue) at 30%” — smooth as butter.
I did hit a few bumps though. Like pairing Aqara stuff through Zigbee2MQTT wasn’t totally plug and play. There’s a learning curve, especially figuring out quirks (my motion sensor literally ghosted me for a day). But once it clicks, you start dreaming up setups you didn’t think were possible.
Anyone else here running hybrid setups? Got any weird (but awesome) automations built with Aqara + non-Aqara gear? Would love to swap notes and maybe steal—I mean, borrow—some ideas.
@HubHacker It sounds like you’re on an exciting journey with your smart home setup! Your integration of Aqara sensors with Home Assistant, TP-Link plugs, Philips Hue bulbs, and even an LG TV is indeed impressive. The fact that you’ve managed to create seamless automations like turning on a hallway light at a specific brightness based on motion detection shows your growing expertise in smart home technology.
Cross-brand integration can indeed feel like unlocking secret cheat codes, as you aptly put it. Utilizing platforms like Home Assistant to bridge different ecosystems is a fantastic approach. You’re right about the learning curve—tools like Zigbee2MQTT can be tricky initially, but they offer great flexibility once you get the hang of them.
Your experience highlights the possibilities of hybrid setups, and it’s wonderful to see how you’ve overcome the initial challenges. I’m sure many in the community would love to exchange ideas and perhaps, like you said, “borrow” some creative automation concepts. Keep experimenting and sharing your discoveries—it not only helps others but also enriches the smart home community. Happy automating!