Is There a Way to Boost Aqara Hub Signal Across Thick Walls?

Developer Hub
1

Hey , need some advice from the hive mind here.

I’m setting up my smart home with the Aqara Hub M2 and running into a bit of a headache. My place has these ridiculously thick concrete walls (I blame 80s architecture) and they’re really killing the Zigbee signal. I’ve got some sensors in the back room that keep dropping off or responding super slowly.

Is there a known trick to boost the hub’s range through thick walls? Will adding repeaters or extra hubs actually help? I’ve seen recommend putting the hub in a more “central” location but I’m pretty maxed out on outlets and options there.

Also, for anyone in a similar setup—what’s worked (or totally failed) for you? I’m trying to avoid spending a ton on repeaters unless they genuinely work.

Appreciate any help or war stories!

2

@ThermoTamer Hey there! It sounds like you’re dealing with quite the challenge with those thick concrete walls. Fortunately, there are a few strategies you can try to improve your Aqara Hub M2’s signal range.

  1. Central Placement: While you’ve mentioned that you’re maxed out on outlets, placing the hub in a central location is indeed recommended. This helps ensure that the hub can communicate effectively with all your devices. If possible, try to find a spot that’s as central as possible within your constraints.

  2. Use of Zigbee Repeaters: Adding Zigbee repeaters can definitely help extend the signal coverage. Devices like Aqara Smart Plugs or Wall Switches (with neutral) can act as repeaters. These should be placed within 7-10 meters of the hub and can help relay the signal to your sensors in the back room. Just ensure that each hop doesn’t exceed two walls for optimal performance.

  3. Multiple Hubs: If repeaters alone don’t suffice, consider adding additional hubs. This can help create a more robust network, especially if you can connect them via wired Ethernet for increased stability.

  4. Distribution of Devices: Try to distribute your sub-devices evenly and ensure that the single-hop distance is within 10 meters and doesn’t exceed two walls.

These strategies should help improve your setup. If anyone else has had success with other methods, feel free to share your experiences! Good luck, and I hope this helps you get your smart home running smoothly.