This topic took me some time to understand and it pops up again and again: “What’s the difference between Zigbee, Thread, Matter and Wi-Fi – and which ones should I care about for my Aqara setup?”
Here’s the no-nonsense breakdown:
Zigbee
- What is it? A low-power mesh network (2.4 GHz) designed for smart homes.
- Why use it? Perfect for battery-powered devices like Aqara sensors, buttons, and switches, but also for mains-powered lights and plugs.
- How does it work?
- Needs a Hub (Coordinator) – e.g. Aqara M3, M2, E1.
- Mains-powered devices act as Routers, passing signals along to extend range.
- Aqara angle: Most current Aqara devices use Zigbee. With enough repeaters (like Aqara smart plugs), you can cover a whole house with just one hub.
- Important: Check whether your Aqara hub can handle the number of devices you plan to connect – different hubs have different maximum limits.
Thread
- What is it? A newer mesh network (2.4 GHz) built to work hand-in-hand with Matter.
- Why use it? To connect new cross-brand devices without brand-locked ecosystems.
- How does it work?
- No traditional hub – instead you have a Border Router (Apple TV, Google Nest Hub, some Wi-Fi routers).
- Every mains-powered Thread device strengthens the network.
- Aqara angle: Aqara’s newest devices, like the M3 Hub, support Thread and can bridge your Zigbee devices into a Matter/Thread network.
Matter
- What is it? Not a radio protocol, but a universal smart home standard .
- Why use it? So devices from different brands (and ecosystems) can work together, whether they use Zigbee, Thread, or Wi-Fi.
- How does it work?
- Runs on top of other protocols like Thread or Wi-Fi.
- Works locally, no cloud needed for basic control.
- Aqara angle: Many Aqara hubs now act as Matter bridges, making your existing Zigbee devices visible to Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, etc.
Wi-Fi
- What is it? Your normal wireless network (2.4/5/6 GHz).
- Why use it? Great for high-bandwidth devices like cameras, video doorbells, or speakers.
- How does it work?
- Connects directly to your router, no hub required.
- No built-in device-to-device mesh (unless you have a dedicated mesh Wi-Fi system).
- Aqara angle: Used for things like the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 or security cameras – but not ideal for most sensors or buttons because of power consumption.
How it all fits together:
- Zigbee and Thread = the roads your smart home data travels on.
- Matter = the translator that lets devices from different brands understand each other.
- Wi-Fi = the highway for big data streams like video.
- Aqara hubs can bridge these worlds – letting your Zigbee sensors talk to Thread/Matter ecosystems and your Wi-Fi cameras.
Bottom line for Aqara users:
If you’re starting fresh, look for Matter-ready Aqara hubs like the M3 so your Zigbee devices can live in a future-proof, cross-platform setup. Keep using Zigbee for low-power devices, Thread for new Matter gear, and Wi-Fi only where you really need the speed.
Always remember: “If your car is smarter than your home… you’re driving into the future while living in the past” 
