Looking to make your home a “smart home”? Automate your home with these devices and transform your home into a automated powerhouse if you like! Just take note that with all technologies, maintenance is required and electronics do burn out and may become obsolete.
In this article, I’ll recommend the smart devices I use in my home in hopes to simplify your research process on what to buy for your smart home. To start off, do take note that I am referring to the Mainland China Server when I mention Mi Home APP in this article. I am also on the Mainland China Server on the Aqara APP and I use a Ipad 2 for my Homekit integration as I have a Iphone and it works well with it.
My objective here is for everything to work together as much as possible. If you like everything in my recommendation list to work together in 1 server, take note of everything that works in the MiHome APP and only buy those. ( I’ve made a video to explain this before)
Lights / Light Switches
This is an easy recommendation as this switch works with Aqara, MiHome and Homekit. This product also works with all light fixtures and will not restrict your fixture design. I highly recommend getting the D1 Wall Switch. Get the version without neutral if you are not sure whether you have a neutral cable running to your light switches. Neutral switches are relatively more stable but not necessary.
If you are looking for a light fixture recommendation, I will get a Aqara Ceiling Light. I would not recommend this in most cases as you will need your switch to always be on for it to work, get this only if you are looking for dimming features etc for your smart home.
Hub / Smart Home Server
The best recommendation I would suggest would be the Aqara M1S Hub as it works with all MiHome,Aqara and Homekit servers. Nothing much to say here but the winner in my opinion.
Motion Sensors
In this category it can get really confusing. Do not purchase the wrong sensor here! Take note of the model number instead of looking at pictures here because there are many and different versions that will only be compatible with specific servers. I would highly recommend getting the sensor that work with the hub you bought above, looking more into it you may like a variant that maybe able to do more.
Here I would recommend getting the Aqara motion sensors
Door or Window Sensors
These sensors are contact sensors and can detect is something is open or closed. It can be used in many different scenarios. I would recommend the Aqara Door & Window Sensor in a heartbeat. Its easy to use and does not complicate things too much. You may also like to look at the Xiaomi Door and Window Sensor 2 if you like more functionality but will not highly recommend it.
Kitchen Appliances
Now this really depends on how smart you would like your kitchen to be, lets go through each appliance and my thoughts on them.
Fridge: I would love this to be smart but really you don’t need it to be, just place a door sensor on the fridge doors and you have a pretty smart fridge that will warn you that the door isn’t closed properly.
Dishwasher: I would be honest and say I only had 1 dishwasher in my life and it would be the Xiaomi Dishwasher. It only works with MiHome and so only recommend it if you are looking to have the MiHome server in your home.
Hob: I do not have a smart hob to recommend here, I use a LPG store in my home currently.
Smoke Detector: You may get a Xiaomi or Aqara smoke detector depending on which server you prefer. I have not used or bought this so I have nothing else to recommend.
Other Recommendations
While there are limited devices on the Aqara ecosystem, we could still purchase devices with Matter or Homekit support and use them together with limited connectivity. We bought a water heater switch and a main door lock as Aqara does not have these devices.
As we look for a new home, we will be better prepared to get our new home smart home enabled! Just remember to put neutral wires for all switches!
