Smart technology is evolving rapidly, making the cost of building a smart home lower than ever, with users even able to save costs by performing the installation themselves. Since launching its smart home products in 2016, Aqara has remained highly popular due to its diverse product range, affordable pricing, and support for HomeKit. The series covers smart curtains, control panels, sensors, smart door locks, and more. Check out the details and how to set it up now!
Further reading: 【Affordable Smart Home】LifeSmart Product Introduction + Usage Suggestions
What is Aqara?
Aqara is a smart home IoT brand founded by Shenzhen Lumi United Technology in 2016 and is a member of the Xiaomi smart ecosystem. Other members of the ecosystem include "Viomi," "Smartmi," and "Mijia," which focus on smart home appliances and lifestyle products. However, not all products are available in Hong Kong. Currently, products available locally include sensors, webcams, hubs, wireless switches, etc.
Motion Sensor
Opening your front door to a dark home and having to free up your hands to turn on the lights one by one is incredibly inconvenient! The Aqara Motion Sensor helps you manage home appliances easily when you return: as soon as you step through the door, the sensor detects human movement and automatically turns on the lights, curtains, air conditioning, etc., without needing to touch a switch, making life more convenient and smooth. Furthermore, you can set notifications; when the sensor detects movement, the system automatically sends a notification to your phone, effectively monitoring home security and protecting your family and property. The motion sensor detects human activity within a 170º range, and the 360º rotatable stand allows you to customize the perfect angle for an ultra-wide field of view.
Smart Door Lock
A suitable smart door lock not only effectively protects home security but also runs automations, relieving homeowners of tedious daily tasks. The Aqara smart door lock series has two models: N100 and A100. Common features include fingerprint unlocking, smart key cards, and single-use temporary passwords. Most notably, they feature HomeKit and Siri control, as there are almost no smart door locks on the market that support Apple systems. If you are an Apple user wanting to control your front door with your phone, this product is perfect! The lock is powered by 8 AA batteries, which generally last about 18 months; even if the power runs out, you can open it with a backup physical key. The higher-priced A100 supports setting scene modes in the "Aqara Home" app, such as automatically turning on the lights and opening the curtains after unlocking and opening the door. Non-Apple users can also control the door lock via Google Assistant.
Indoor Air Quality Monitor
Hong Kong is crowded with serious air pollution, which can easily trigger allergic symptoms. The Aqara Indoor Air Quality Monitor provides data on air quality (TVOC), temperature, and humidity, with a clear display that allows users to view home climate data instantly. It is particularly helpful for those concerned about rhinitis, as it can trigger an air purifier to turn on immediately when air quality drops, preventing allergic reactions early. Users can place it on a surface, stick it, or attach it to a wall with a magnet, making it very convenient to use. The monitor has low power consumption with a battery life of about one year.
Smart Hub
The smart hub is the brain of a smart home. Aqara products use the Zigbee communication protocol and cannot send signals directly to your phone. Therefore, the smart hub is responsible for receiving signals from the products and then transmitting them to your phone via Wi-Fi, acting as a bridge between smart products and your smartphone. The special feature of the Aqara smart hub is its support for HomeKit, allowing products to be controlled via iPhone and Siri.
Home Security Camera
Home security is certainly the primary function of a smart home camera, but have you considered it can also help you observe the safety of your family in real-time? When children/elderly are left home alone, there are risks everywhere—accidents like children playing with electrical appliances or the elderly falling can have serious consequences. The home security camera plays an important monitoring role, letting you know the situation at home anytime, anywhere via your phone. The camera features 1080p ultra-clear quality and a 140-degree ultra-wide-angle lens, utilizing point-to-point encryption technology, ensuring videos are encrypted before being uploaded to the cloud. Additionally, it comes with convenient features such as real-time calls, accurate AI human detection, and custom sleep timers to help you manage your home with peace of mind.
Smart Curtains
Smart curtains are popular smart products, saving users the time of opening and closing curtains one by one. They can be controlled not only by phone/tablet/remote control, but also via scheduled opening and closing—for example, opening at 9 AM every morning to wake you up, and closing automatically at 10 PM to help you enjoy a good night's sleep. The Aqara smart curtain set includes tracks, a motor, components, and a remote control. Users only need to have their own electric drill to install it easily, or you can choose to purchase installation services separately.
Smart Switch
Realized you forgot to turn off the bedroom light after leaving the house? After installing a smart switch, you can control the lights at any time via your phone with just one tap. By replacing traditional light switches with smart ones, you can make ordinary lamps "smart" without having to purchase additional smart lighting fixtures. Aqara smart switches are available in single and double-button versions, and after connecting to an iPhone, they can be controlled via the app or Siri. The mobile app displays the real-time on/off status of the lights, making light control even handier.
Door and Window Sensor
Home security is definitely worth being proactive about. Besides cameras, door and window sensors are effective equipment for protecting your life and property: they can prevent burglars from breaking in, as well as keep children/pets from wandering outside. When the sensor detects a door or window opening, it immediately sends a notification to the user's phone. The sensor is compact and comes with strong adhesive for easy installation.
Wireless Mini Switch
The wireless mini switch is a portable scene button. Users can set personalized scene modes in the mobile app, such as one click to turn on all lights in the house or two clicks to turn off all lights. You can set up to 3 scene modes. Place the mini switch in the bedroom, living room, etc., to control smart devices with ease.
Leak Sensor
Water leakage from air conditioners is common in summer, and water pipes in older buildings can cause flooding accidents. The leak sensor is a home water level monitoring system. When the water level exceeds 0.5cm, it will immediately emit an audible alarm and send a notification to your phone. The sensor is IP67-rated, making it suitable for placement in humid environments. No installation is required; it can be used after simple settings.
FAQ
What kind of brand is Aqara? What is its relationship with Xiaomi?
Aqara is a smart home IoT brand founded by Shenzhen Lumi United Technology in 2016 and is a member of the Xiaomi smart ecosystem, which also includes "Viomi," "Smartmi," and "Mijia." Not all products are available in Hong Kong. Products available locally currently include sensors, webcams, hubs, wireless switches, etc.
Which Aqara products support Apple HomeKit?
The smart hub supports HomeKit, allowing products to be controlled using Apple phones and Siri. The smart door locks (N100 and A100) also support HomeKit and Siri control, and the A100 can also have scene modes set in the "Aqara Home" app, such as automatically turning on lights and opening curtains after unlocking the door.
Is it necessary to buy a smart hub for Aqara products?
It is highly recommended. The communication protocol for Aqara products is Zigbee, which cannot send signals directly to a user's phone. Therefore, a smart hub is needed to receive product signals and then transmit them to the phone via Wi-Fi, acting as a bridge between the smart products and the phone.
