So I finally jumped on the smart home bandwagon a few months ago and figured I’d share my experience for anyone who’s thinking about doing the same. I’m more of a casual tech fan than a hardcore tinkerer, but pairing Aqara devices with Apple HomeKit has honestly been smoother than I expected.
Started simple with a Motion Sensor and Door & Window Sensor, connected to the M2 Hub. Setup was a breeze using the Aqara app, and everything popped right into the Apple Home app like magic. What really got me hooked was being able to say “Hey Siri, Goodnight” and having the lights turn off, doors lock, and notifications armed. Super cool stuff.
The best part? Automation scenes. I set it so when I walk into the kitchen in the morning, lights turn on and the humidifier starts (also Aqara). It’s like my place suddenly knows me. And bonus: everything runs locally, so it’s fast and I don’t feel too worried about privacy.
If you’re in the Apple ecosystem and want to dip your toes into smart home life, Aqara’s gear is a solid way to start without breaking the bank or pulling your hair out.
Anyone else running Aqara + HomeKit setups? Would love to hear how far you’ve taken it!