Is the Aqara Hub M2 Worth the Upgrade?

[@VegasGuy1975]

You sir have earned a subscriber. Great content and great presentation. Thank you.

[@myHomeKithome]

Thank you! Let me know if there's anything specific you'd like me to cover. Thanks for watching!

[@maxdondada]

Good review. What about IR device automations?

[@myHomeKithome]

Thanks for the comment! In the Aqara Home app, IR Device actions can be automated but in order to use IR device actions in HomeKit, you need to add the action to a scene in the Aqara Home app. Let me know if this answers your question!

[@titopr64]

Thank for taking the time. Is the hub speaker exposed to HK?

[@myHomeKithome]

Oh man! Not as something like an Airplay 2 speaker, unfortunately. That'd be pretty sweet. You can put it's security system into different modes from within HomeKit, though. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@ChiliPeppers_]

What is usb-a port for? Can you please advise

[@myHomeKithome]

I believe it was originally intended to be used to expand their lineup, but as far as I can tell they have abandoned this idea. As far as I know it isn't even live, but I could be wrong about this. Good question!

[@GregoriusAM]

Please, please, please turn off the background music while you’re talking. It makes it very hard for a lot of us to focus and understand what you’re saying. It can cause a lot of anxiety and result in our having to turn off the video long before the end. This is an accessibility thing for many of us. Great video! But I had to stop and start it multiple times because it was affecting my anxiety. Informational videos don’t need background music. Thanks! 😊

[@myHomeKithome]

My apologies for the discomfort. I completely understand accessibility issues since I am legally blind. I will keep this in mind going forward. I appreciate you continuing to watch.

[@GregoriusAM]

@@myHomeKithome Awesome! Thanks!

[@snoogcity]

Great channel brother

[@myHomeKithome]

Thanks dude! I appreciate the kind words and thanks for watching!

[@rozariffin235]

great review,,,well done mate..is it by using few hub consider as extender to our aqara network? cheers...

[@myHomeKithome]

Thanks for the kind words! Unfortunately, having more than 1 Aqara hub doesn't extend the network, though child devices that have a constant power source like the Smart Plug or Wall Switches do extend the network. However, if you have more than 1 Aqara, they will all sound if one alarm is triggered. Thanks for watching!

[@mec69]

By the way, great channel and great content!

[@myHomeKithome]

Hey! Thank you very much!

[@felipedlf2041]

Can I link a xiaomi temperature sensor with aqara m2? Thaks!

[@myHomeKithome]

Thanks for the comment! I can't confirm this since I don't have that particular sensor, but some Mi accessories, including the Mi Temperature and Humidity sensor, do work with the Hub M2. I would confirm directly with Aqara though.

[@felipedlf2041]

@@myHomeKithome thanks, Sir!

[@kendrick.e.williams]

Can I connect multiple m2 hubs on a single wifi network? Does the m2 have to be a certain distance from the child devices?

[@myHomeKithome]

Great questions! I can't say for sure that you can connect multiple M2 hubs, but I have 4 different Aqara hubs (2 G2Hs, and OG Hub, and the Hub M2) and I've had 0 issues.They actually work together as a full alarm system, but do not act as a single Zigbee network....if that makes any sense. It's hard to say the "maximum"distance between the accessory and a hub, but Aqara says no more than 20 meters between the hub and a child device.

[@kevincribb341]

Ok I got one from China because I could not get one here. CANT get it to hookup and can it be changed to english? Is there a help line Thanks

[@myHomeKithome]

It's possible that if you bought a Chinese hub then it will need to be connected to the Chinese server. If you can change the hub language, you'll find the option in the "More settings" option. You can reach out to support via Twitter and through their website.

[@sm24572]

Does this connect with Google assistant?

[@myHomeKithome]

I believe it does!

[@AntonioRamos_To]

AQARA HUBS M 2 Does it work with Tuya (smart life) ?

[@myHomeKithome]

For now, at least. Matter will definitely changed that, for sure!

[@mec69]

Does the remote created in the aqara app is exposed in HomeKit? As a TV or air conditioner or at least as a switch?

[@myHomeKithome]

Unfortunately, none of the IR devices that you add to the Hub M2 are exposed to HomeKit. Thanks for watching!

[@danielleggett423]

Great review! Question though, does it expose the IR device that you synced to show up in HomeKit? I’m trying to find an easy way to run my fireplace that does not have a outlet/plug or a switch to control it. It uses a remote control to turn on and off and the pilot just stays lit. Would this work to let Siri turn my fireplace on and off and would it show up in HomeKit app without homebridge?

[@myHomeKithome]

Thank you! Unfortunately, the IR blaster is not exposed to a Homekit, but you can create Shortcuts based on IR blaster actions.

[@danielleggett423]

@@myHomeKithome well that sucks but at least you can use shortcuts, thank you for getting back with me!

[@myHomeKithome]

For sure. I use a couple of IR blaster shortcuts and a couple of different HomeKit scenes to control my IR based studio lights and the AC. It works just as well as can be expected. It’s an extra step, but not too terrible once you get it set up.

[@danielleggett423]

@@myHomeKithome no it doesn’t sound bad at all and I will most likely do it and will most likely end up satisfied with it but for the time being I will be disappointed with HomeKit for not having a way to fully integrate it. I’m thinking if getting this aquara hub for just this purpose. I’m not currently running any aquara products but maybe this will be an excuse to

[@myHomeKithome]

Now that you mention this, I would definitely recommend the G3 camera hub. It has the IR blaster, a full security system, a 2K camera, and a much louder alarm.

[@mubindhk]

Great video! One question: could HomeKit identify the TV that you added as and IR device?

[@myHomeKithome]

Thanks for watching! Unfortunately any of the IR devices that you add to the Aqara Hub M2 are not exposed to HomeKit. This is a limitation of HomeKit itself.

[@dougbsfei]

@@myHomeKithome Could Alexa able to identify the TV that you added as well, using the scene in Aqara home app?

[@myHomeKithome]

@@dougbsfei I unfortunately can't confrim nor deny this as I don't use Amazon products. Sorry ;(

[@titopr64]

I have the original hub with over 20 child devices and many automation in HK. If I add the new hub will all devices and automations be transfer? Any painless method of doing so?

[@myHomeKithome]

That's a pretty nice setup! As far as I know there isn't a "painless" way to go about transferring the accessories other than the "3-clocks" trick in the video. I do want to mention, though, that you can keep both hubs and if the original Aqara Hub is triggered, the Hub M2 will also sound. I've got 3 hubs placed around the house and it's a relatively solid security system this way.

[@crowehar]

I am looking to get the M2 hub and want to know how aqara treats it. For example, if my other hub is disconnected can the M2 continue to run and expose the accessories to HomeKit or do I have to switch all of the child devices over to the new M2 hub?

[@myHomeKithome]

What a great question! This is one of the downsides of Zigbee, the protocol that Aqara uses. All connected devices have to go back to the one hub that they are connected to. You can definitely have multiple hubs, but their connected devices won't jump over to another hub if one goes down. A cool thing about having multiple Aqara hubs, though, is that the security system function works across all hubs simultaneously regardless of which hub's device is triggered. For example, I have 5 different hhubs across my home. If the door and window sensor triggers the M2 in my studio, all 5 hubs will sound their alarms.

[@AlexManMe]

Is it worth getting the Chinese version from China? I’m having something sent anyways so I’m considering in getting one Would it work in home assistant? If it doesn’t work with Alexa out of the box?

[@kevincribb341]

Dont do it !

[@AlexManMe]

@@kevincribb341 why?

[@kevincribb341]

It will not work in USA. It will tell you it’s not Certified and will not work, plus it is in Chinese

[@MichaelBradenWright]

Great review!!! And very timely. Thanks 🙏🏿

[@myHomeKithome]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching!

[@felipedlf2041]

Amazing video, thanks!

[@myHomeKithome]

Thank you for the kind words and for watching!

[@Kevin_Kalonji]

Great review!!!! Can you connect other Zigbee devices to the hub like lights?

[@myHomeKithome]

You're too kind! Admittedly, I don't have a ton of Zigbee devices that are Aqara other than Hue and I haven't been able to get those to connect. I do know that many Xiaomi / MI HOme ZIgbee accessories work with the Aqara hubs

[@BENGALSPRIMETIME2024]

I went down the Aqara path 4 weeks ago and now I realize I made a mistake! The AQARA SENSORS Are always DROPPING OFF LINE! Waste of money. Who wants one component of a Aqara System always DROPPING OFF LINE? Now looking to replace the AQARA System with something else. Does anybody need some useless Sensors?

[@myHomeKithome]

Have you tried making sure your firmware is up-to-date? I very rarely have an issue with their devices dropping off-line. You might also want to check the location and distance between your hub and child devices. You can see the strength of the Zigby signal in the app. Hope this helps.

[@umutbayrak]

Nice video! But I want to say that the M1S is exposed to Homekit with 4 modes aswell…

[@myHomeKithome]

I appreciate you! That's good to know. I don't have any experience with that particular Aqara hub. How's its speaker?

[@umutbayrak]

@@myHomeKithome its pretty loud! With comparisation they say its louder then M2, I dont have a M2 by my self so cant judge about it 😄

[@myHomeKithome]

Good to know! Thanks!

[@rozariffin235]

so means M1S is more reliable for homekit modes?

[@myHomeKithome]

In this regard, the M2 and M1S are exactly the same.

[@BigMu2003]

Is there a entry delay setting for when you are getting home?

[@myHomeKithome]

Great question! There isn't one in the Aqara app, but you could use a location-based automation or even a a strategically-placed button to put it into Home mode before or as you are walking in. Thanks for watching!

[@BigMu2003]

@@myHomeKithome thanks for letting me know! Do you find it reliable? I’ve been burned by buying the cheap options before.

[@myHomeKithome]

I’ve had zero issues

[@nguonchandy]

it support with 5G WiFi network ?

[@myHomeKithome]

Yes! It supports 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks

[@myHomeKithome]

💥💥use promo code M2HUBRD1 for a sweet discount on the Aqara Hub M2💥 geni.us/IzF1j

[@mistrykm4u]

Nice explaining…. 👍

[@myHomeKithome]

Cheers friend!!

[@rivjr007]

Shorter answer, they got rid of the LED, no it is not an upgrade.

[@myHomeKithome]

Faster and further reaching Zigbee seems like an upgrade to me. IR, ethernet, Bluetooth, and a complete redesign do too, but I may be splitting hairs.