Aqara Hub M3
Continuous Connectivity for Your Smart Devices.
Introduction
The Aqara Hub M3 is a versatile smart home hub designed to provide continuous connectivity for your smart devices. It acts as a central point for managing various smart home protocols and devices, enhancing stability, automation, and user experience.
? Multi-Protocol Hub with Matter Bridge Functionality
The M3 supports the lineup of Aqara Zigbee devices and acts as a Matter bridge, seamlessly integrating the latest Aqara Thread devices. It also connects third-party devices and integrates them into the Aqara Home app.
Key Features:
- Supports Aqara Zigbee devices.
- Acts as a Matter bridge for seamless integration.
- Integrates Aqara Thread devices.
- Connects and integrates third-party devices into the Aqara Home app.
- Supports up to 127 Thread/Zigbee devices.
Note: Third-party Matter device support is currently limited to select device types and will be improved in the future. Some automations such as cloud push notification will still require the cloud connection to be executed.
? Edge Compatibility and Local Automations
The M3 is an Edge Hub, focusing on direct local control and automation. Once integrated into your network, it takes precedence over existing Aqara hubs, shifting the automations among them to local operation. This ensures automations previously executed in the cloud transition to local Edge automations, remaining operational even during internet outages.
? IR Blaster with Feedback and Smart Learning
The 360° IR blaster not only sends commands but also detects traditional remote use for accurate status updates. It also connects IR air conditioning units to Matter, allowing it to function as an AC thermostat when paired with an Aqara Climate Sensor. The infrared frequency is 38kHz.
Note: Only one device of the AC type can be exposed to Matter, and the functionality may vary depending on the particular app.
? Optimal Wired and Wireless Connectivity
Offering both wired and wireless solutions, the M3 provides dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4-5GHz) with advanced WPA3 security, and a Power over Ethernet (PoE) port. The addition of a USB-C port allows for mini-UPS and power bank connections, delivering unparalleled stability.
Connectivity Protocols Supported: Wi-Fi (Certified), IR, Zigbee, Bluetooth, Matter, Thread (Border Router).
? Privacy-Focused with Encrypted Storage
The M3 stands out by not including a microphone or camera, eliminating key privacy worries. It features local storage with end-to-end encryption, ensuring home data stays private. It also comes with 8GB eMMC storage for secure data handling.
Note: More types of data will be able to be stored locally with future software updates.
⚙️ Easy Setup and Versatile Placement
The M3 includes a mount, screws, and a sticker for easy placement on flat surfaces, or mounting on walls or ceilings. Once powered on, its MagicPair technology ensures automatic detection by the Aqara Home app.
? Matter Controller Functionality
Thanks to the Matter Controller functionality, the M3 can integrate third-party Matter devices into the Aqara Home app, which will unlock the simple-yet-powerful Aqara Home automations to thousands of Matter devices.
Currently Supported Device Types:
- Contact Sensor ?
- Occupancy Sensor ?
- On/Off, Dimmer (Wall) Switch ?
- Thermostat ?️
- Light Sensor ☀️
- Light (Dimmable, CCT, RGB) ?
- On/Off Plug and Outlet ?
- Matter Bridge ?
Note: Due to limited resources, not all the supported devices were officially tested, and as third-party support is still a "Lab" feature, interoperability issues may arise. To add the device to Aqara Home app, please ensure that the Matter device has entered the pairing mode, proceed to "Home" tab >> "+" >> "Scan code" icon and scan or (optionally) enter the pairing code manually.
?️ Centralized-Distributed Smart Home System
Once integrated into the network, the M3 assumes leadership over existing Aqara hubs, centralizing data processing and commanding other hubs for distributed computing. This creates a robust system architecture.
Diagram Description: A network diagram illustrates a Centralized-Distributed Smart Home System. A Router is shown at the top, connected to the Hub M3. The Hub M3 is connected to two Hub M2 units. Each Hub M2 is then shown connected to various smart home devices: Wireless Mini Switch, Curtain Driver E1, LED Strip T1, Relay T2, Motion Sensor P1, and Door and Window Sensor.
?️ Ultimate Stability and Device Binding Capability
In the event of a Hub M3 failure, certain routers or mesh repeaters are capable of executing simple automations. For example, the automation of Curtain Driver and Door and Window Sensor remains operational in case the M3 fails, providing a seamless automation experience.
Diagram Description: A diagram illustrates system resilience during network or hub failures. It shows that automations can still work even if there is a Cloud or internet outage, or if the Router fails. Furthermore, even if the Hub M3 fails, automations involving devices like Ceiling Light T1M (acting as a Repeater) and Wireless Mini Switch (an End device) can continue to operate.
Supported devices for binding include Zigbee devices such as LED Strip T1, Ceiling Light T1M, Relay T2, and future Thread wired controllers are confirmed to support binding.
? Hub Migration: Seamless Upgrade and Data Transmission
The M3 allows for straightforward migration from older Aqara hubs, enabling seamless network upgrades without manual device reconnections.
Note: Some hubs such as Camera Hub G2H and Aqara Hub do not currently support this functionality.
? Powerful Speaker and Custom Ringtones
The hub's 95dB speaker functions as an Aqara Home Alert siren or for announcements, allowing custom ringtones to be integrated into automations, even without an internet connection.
Integration Examples
Aqara Setup Enhancement: The M3 is a perfect addition to your existing Aqara setup. If you have used Aqara Home and Aqara hubs before, you have two options: either make the M3 lead other Aqara Zigbee hubs, which will enhance their local automation capabilities, or migrate all the Zigbee Aqara devices to the M3 and make your setup even more robust.
Air Conditioning Thermostat: Fully functional air conditioning thermostat by simply connecting a Climate Sensor. Thanks to the built-in IR blaster, the M3 can control your existing IR devices, such as an Air Conditioner. By connecting an external Aqara Climate (Temperature and Humidity) Sensor, you will be able to trigger automations based on the actual temperature of your room, and expose this AC to third-party apps such as Apple Home, Amazon Alexa and Google Home via Matter.
