Until now, users could only use Aqara hubs such as the M2 or the variant with an integrated surveillance camera G3 (test report) to control Aqara components (guide). With the new smart home system (best list) M3, which like its predecessor M2 supports Wi-Fi, Zigbee and Bluetooth and also works with Thread, you can now also control smart home components from other manufacturers. However, the Matter-compatible M3 only supports a few devices at market launch. But with Philips Hue, the industry leader is also involved when it comes to lighting (guide).
Features and functionality: Aqara M3
But that’s not all that Aqara’s new smart home center has to offer. Thanks to PoE support, when using a PoE switch, a network cable is sufficient for power supply. Alternatively, a USB-C cable with a corresponding power supply provides energy. Even without an Ethernet cable, the M3 can only contact the home router via radio. Here it supports dual-band Wi-Fi, so it can handle 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks equally.
Unlike the previous M2, automations with the new hub work even if there is no connection to the Aqara cloud. With a total of 8 GB of memory, the M3 offers enough space for automations that still work even when the Internet is not available. This also applies to automations distributed across other Aqara hubs. The M3 integrates these and thus serves as a supervisor for the other hubs. Users can use Aqara centers to build a smart home system that covers a very large area. The M3 can control up to 64 devices directly, and in combination with up to ten other Aqara hubs it can even control up to 127 devices. It also acts as a thread border router and is therefore used to expand the thread network.
With the integrated 360° infrared blaster, it can read out corresponding remote controls and, for example, teach an infrared-controlled air conditioning system and also pass it on to other smart home centers via Matter. But this only works with air conditioning. There is also an integrated speaker that offers up to 95 dB and can be configured as a siren with its own sounds.
A bracket including screws and dowels is included in the scope of delivery for mounting the M3 on the ceiling or wall. However, a USB power supply is not included (see also picture gallery).
Aqara Hub M3 in operation
The power consumption of the M3 is less than 2 watts. This means that the M3 can not only be powered via a USB-C power supply, but also via a USB socket (guide), whereby the M3 supports Power Delivery and therefore also a USB-C to USB-C cable can serve as an electricity supplier. As mentioned, a PoE Ethernet cable can also act as a power source when connected to a PoE switch. This has the advantage that in addition to the power supply, you can also use it to establish the network connection.
Aqara Hub M3: Integrate Zigbee and Matter compatible devices
In addition to some Zigbee and Thread components, we also paired an Innr lamp connected to the M3 via the Hue Bridge with the M3 (see picture gallery). However, teaching various Matter adapter plugs did not work. According to Aqara, the connection of Matter devices from third-party manufacturers is currently limited to the Hue bridge, as well as sockets and dimmers from the manufacturer Leviton, which is unknown in this country. In addition, thermostats from Google Nest are already compatible with the M3. Conversely, we were also able to control the M3 and connected Zigbee devices via Matter from Home Assistant, Homey Pro and Apple Home. However, thread components such as the P2 motion detector and the P2 door/window sensor must be passed on individually via Matter if you want to use them on other platforms.
Apparently Aqara has improved the Zigbee range on the M3 compared to the M2. In the test with the T1 LED strip and the T1M ceiling light, both components reported improved Zigbee reception (see also picture gallery).
Who is the Aqara M3 suitable for?
Users can also put many of Aqara’s Zigbee components into operation directly with a powerful smart home center such as Homey Pro or Home Assistant, so users of these platforms do not necessarily need an Aqara hub. However, not all configuration options are available for some devices. This is primarily the case with Aqara lamps such as the LED strip T1 (guide) or the ceiling light T1M (guide). If you want that, you need an Aqara hub.
Who is the Aqara M3 not suitable for?
If you only want to use Zigbee sensors or Matter-compatible sensors from Aqara, you can also pair them directly with a smart home center such as Apple Home, Samsung Smartthings, Home Assistant or Homey Pro. In this case, an Aqara hub is not needed. However, if you want to use all the functions of Aqara’s LED lights, you currently cannot avoid an Aqara hub. Users can even fully configure the new thread-based sensors such as Aqara Motion Sensor P2 or Aqara Door Window Sensor using just the M3.
Prices
Aqara charges 130 euros for its new Hub M3. This is an expensive premium compared to the M2, which currently changes hands for 50 euros (price comparison). When the device launches, Aqara is offering a 20 percent discount until May 10th. To do this you have to use the code “ on AmazonHUBM3EU5” enter at checkout. This means that the Aqara M3 only costs 104 euros. (May 8, 3 p.m.: The M3 is currently not available on Amazon in this country, but is available in France and Italy.
Conclusion
With the M3, Aqara offers a smart home center that transmits with Zigbee and Thread and can, for example, integrate an old and “dumb” air conditioning unit via infrared and pass it on to other smart home centers via Matter. At the same time, the M3 serves as a thread border router and thus helps to build a stable thread network. Thanks to Matter compatibility, the M3 also supports the integration of appropriate hubs or Matter-compatible components. At the start, however, support is still limited to a few devices. But Philips Hue is the market leader when it comes to lighting. It is also positive that automations work even if the M3 is not connected to the Internet and does not have access to the Aqara cloud. Compared to the M2, it also offers improved Zigbee range. So if you would like to use Aqara components in your smart home and configure them fully, the M3 is a good choice.
The compatibility with Matter-compatible smart home components such as Philips Hue is certainly a big step forward, but the M3 is nowhere near the versatility of Home Assistant or Homey Pro, which fully support thousands of smart home devices. Nevertheless, users of these systems will need the new M3 if they want to fully configure the new thread-based Aqara sensors.
For smart home beginners who just want to control a few lights, motion detectors and sensors, the Aqara M3 and the Aqara platform are a good start. Thanks to compatibility with Homekit and Matter, it can not only control Philips Hue lamps, but also pass on the trained devices to other smart home centers such as Home Assistant, Homey Pro and Apple Home. All in all: The previously closed Aqara system is opening up and offering a modern smart home center with the M3.