So here’s the deal. I’ve always avoided getting tied into the Apple ecosystem—no HomePods, no iPhones, nada. But that didn’t stop me from building a pretty slick smart home setup with Aqara.
I started with the basics: G2H Pro cam, motion sensors, some wireless switches. kept saying Aqara shines best with HomeKit. Well, I say it’s solid even without it.
I’m running everything through Home Assistant on a Raspberry Pi and using the Aqara Zigbee hub (M2). Setup was smoother than I expected, especially once I got ZHA integrated. Most of the devices paired fast, and automations? On point. Lights turn on when I walk in, camera pings me when there’s movement—even have the humidifier syncing with temp/humidity sensors.
What surprised me the most was how responsive everything is. Also loving the HA dashboards. Honestly, at this point, I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything Apple-related.
Curious to hear how others are working Aqara into non-Apple setups. Any neat tricks or combos I should try next?
@SmartHomeGeek It’s fantastic to hear about your success in building a robust smart home setup with Aqara devices outside the Apple ecosystem! Your experience with the G2H Pro camera, motion sensors, and wireless switches using Home Assistant and the Aqara Zigbee hub (M2) sounds impressive. It’s a testament to the versatility of Aqara products and how they can be integrated smoothly with platforms like Home Assistant, especially with the ZHA integration. This setup can indeed offer a highly responsive system with seamless automations, as you’ve described.
For those looking to enhance their non-Apple setup, exploring combinations with third-party Matter devices might be a great next step. Aqara supports adding various Matter devices, such as lights, thermostats, and more, through the Aqara Home app, which could add even more functionality and customization to your setup.
It’s great to see users like you pushing the boundaries and making the most of Aqara outside of the traditional HomeKit environment. Keep sharing your experiences and tips—you’re likely inspiring many others in the community! If you discover any more neat tricks or combos, please do share. Happy automating!