Aqara makes some of the best value Zigbee sensors and switches on the market. Tiny, reliable, and battery life measured in years, not months. Pair them with Home Assistant and you get a local, cloud-free smart home that actually works. This guide covers every way to connect Aqara devices, the best products to buy, and automations that make them shine.
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Walk into any Home Assistant community and ask what sensors people recommend. Aqara will come up in the first three replies. There are good reasons for that: the devices are small, the batteries last 2 to 5 years, and they cost a fraction of competitors like Eve or Fibaro. A door sensor runs about $12. A temperature sensor, about $15. And they just work.
Aqara started as a Xiaomi sub-brand focused on the Chinese market, but they have expanded globally with devices sold on Amazon, AliExpress, and their own store. The product line covers sensors, switches, cameras, blinds, locks, and even an mmWave presence sensor that can detect which zone of a room you are sitting in.
Door sensors from $12, temp sensors from $15, motion sensors from $18. Nothing else comes close on price per device.
CR2032 or CR2450 coin cells last 2 to 5 years in most sensors. You will forget they need batteries at all.
Most devices use Zigbee 3.0, but newer products support Matter and Thread too. The FP2 uses Wi-Fi. You have options.
You have three paths, and the right one depends on what you already have and how much control you want.
Plug a Zigbee coordinator (like the SkyConnect or Sonoff ZBDongle-P) into your Home Assistant server. Pair Aqara devices directly. No cloud, no hub, no extra app. This is what most HA users do, and it gives you the fastest response times and most reliable setup.
Use either ZHA (built into HA, zero config) or Zigbee2MQTT (more device support, runs as an add-on). Both support the full Aqara lineup.
Some newer Aqara devices (FP2, Door Sensor P2, and a few others) support Matter. You can add them directly to Home Assistant through the Matter integration. This is the simplest pairing experience: scan a QR code and you are done.
The catch: only a handful of Aqara products support Matter so far. The classic sensors (T1/T2 series) are still Zigbee only. Matter support is growing, but for now, direct Zigbee covers more devices.
If you already have an Aqara Hub M1S, M2, or M3, you can expose its child devices to Home Assistant through the HomeKit Controller integration or (on newer hubs) through Matter. The hub acts as a bridge.
This works, but it adds a middleman. Response times are slightly slower, you depend on the hub staying online, and you cannot mix Aqara devices with other Zigbee brands on the same network. Most HA users prefer the direct Zigbee approach.
| Direct Zigbee | Matter | Aqara Hub | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Device Support | 95%+ of Aqara lineup | Growing (15-20 devices) | Full lineup |
| Extra Hardware | Zigbee coordinator ($20-30) | None (or Thread border router) | Aqara Hub ($40-60) |
| Cloud Dependency | None (fully local) | None (fully local) | Partial (initial setup) |
| Response Time | Fastest (~100ms) | Fast (~200ms) | Slower (~300-500ms) |
| Mix with Other Brands | Yes (any Zigbee device) | Yes (any Matter device) | Aqara only on this network |
Aqara makes dozens of products. These are the ones the Home Assistant community consistently recommends.
Protocol: Wi-Fi | Price: ~$55 | Integration: Matter or HomeKit Controller
The standout product. Uses mmWave radar to detect presence even when you are sitting still. Supports zone-based detection, so it knows if you are at your desk, on the couch, or in the kitchen. No Zigbee coordinator needed since it connects over Wi-Fi.
Protocol: Zigbee 3.0 + Matter | Price: ~$16 | Battery: CR2032 (2+ years)
The go-to contact sensor. Small enough to be nearly invisible on a door frame. Reports open/close state instantly. The P2 version adds Matter support and is slightly smaller than the original.
Protocol: Zigbee 3.0 | Price: ~$15 | Battery: CR2450 (2+ years)
Accurate temperature and humidity readings with a small e-ink display on the front. Reports changes within about 1 degree C. Great for climate automations and monitoring rooms, fridges, or greenhouses.
Protocol: Zigbee 3.0 + Matter | Price: ~$22 | Battery: CR2450 (3+ years)
PIR motion sensor with adjustable sensitivity and a 5-second re-trigger time (much faster than the old P1 at 60 seconds). Includes a light level sensor for "only turn on lights when it is dark" automations.
Protocol: Zigbee 3.0 | Price: ~$17 | Battery: CR2032 (2+ years)
Place it under the washing machine, dishwasher, water heater, or sink. When water touches the contacts, it triggers instantly. Pair it with a smart valve and you can auto-shut the water supply.
Protocol: Zigbee 3.0 | Price: ~$18 | Battery: CR2032 (2+ years)
Detects vibration, tilt, and drops. Stick it on a mailbox to know when mail arrives, on a washer to know when the cycle is done, or on a door as a knock sensor. One of those devices that sounds niche but ends up in every automation.
Protocol: Zigbee 3.0 | Price: ~$12 | Battery: CR2032 (2+ years)
A tiny wireless button that supports single press, double press, and long press. Stick it on a nightstand, under a desk, or next to the front door. Three actions per button means one switch can control lights, scenes, and more.
Protocol: Zigbee 3.0 | Price: ~$25 | Battery: CR2450 (2+ years)
A dice-shaped controller that responds to flip, rotate, shake, tap, and throw gestures. Each of the 6 faces can trigger different scenes. Rotate to dim lights, flip to switch rooms. It is the most fun controller in the HA ecosystem.
Protocol: Zigbee 3.0 | Price: ~$30 | Wired: No neutral wire required
An in-wall smart switch that works even in homes without a neutral wire (common in older European homes). Available in single and double rocker versions. Decoupled mode lets you use the physical button as a scene trigger while keeping the light always powered for smart bulbs.
Protocol: Zigbee 3.0 | Price: ~$45 | Power: USB-C rechargeable
Clips onto existing roller blinds and motorizes them. No wiring, no drilling into the window frame. Battery lasts about 3 to 6 months depending on use. Pair with sunrise/sunset automations for automatic light control.
Protocol: Zigbee 3.0 | Price: ~$50 | Power: USB-C rechargeable
Hangs on your curtain track or rod and opens/closes curtains automatically. Supports both C-rail and U-rail tracks. Works with Home Assistant position control, so you can set curtains to 50% open, not just fully open or closed.
The most common approach is direct Zigbee pairing. Here is how to get your first Aqara device connected in under 5 minutes.
If you do not have one yet, grab a Home Assistant SkyConnect ($30), Sonoff ZBDongle-P ($20), or ConBee II ($25). Plug it into a USB port on your HA server. If your server is metal-cased or the USB port is crowded, use a short USB extension cable to improve reception.
For ZHA: go to Settings > Devices & Services > Add Integration > Zigbee Home Automation. Select your coordinator and you are done. For Zigbee2MQTT: install the add-on from the Add-on Store, configure it to use your coordinator, and enable auto-discovery. See our full Zigbee guide for detailed steps.
For most Aqara sensors: press and hold the small button on the device for about 5 seconds until the LED starts blinking. For wall switches: hold the button for 10 seconds. For the Cube: press the button inside the battery compartment. Every device is slightly different, but a long press on the reset button is the pattern.
In ZHA: go to the Zigbee integration page and click "Add device." It should find your Aqara sensor within 30 seconds. In Zigbee2MQTT: enable "Permit join" from the dashboard. Once paired, give it a meaningful name like "Kitchen Door Sensor" or "Living Room Temperature." Good names save you headaches later.
Open/close a door, walk past the motion sensor, or press the mini switch. Check that the state updates in Home Assistant. If it works, you are ready to build automations. If the device drops off after a few minutes, it probably needs a closer Zigbee router (any mains-powered Zigbee device acts as a router).
FP2 Setup is Different: The FP2 presence sensor uses Wi-Fi, not Zigbee. Add it through the Matter integration (if your FP2 firmware supports it) or the HomeKit Controller integration. Open the Aqara app on your phone first to update the firmware, then pair it to HA.
These are the automations that make Aqara devices earn their keep. Each one solves a real daily annoyance.
Combine a motion sensor with a door sensor. When the door opens and motion is detected, turn on the light. When no motion is detected for 5 minutes and the door is closed, turn it off. This handles bathrooms, closets, and hallways perfectly.
automation:
- alias: "Hallway Light Auto"
trigger:
- platform: state
entity_id: binary_sensor.hallway_motion
to: "on"
condition:
- condition: numeric_state
entity_id: sensor.hallway_motion_illuminance
below: 30
action:
- service: light.turn_on
target:
entity_id: light.hallway
data:
brightness_pct: 80
- wait_for_trigger:
- platform: state
entity_id: binary_sensor.hallway_motion
to: "off"
for: "00:05:00"
- service: light.turn_off
target:
entity_id: light.hallwayWhen the water leak sensor triggers, send an urgent notification to your phone and (if you have a smart water valve) shut off the main water supply. Water damage costs thousands. This automation pays for itself the first time it fires.
automation:
- alias: "Water Leak Emergency"
trigger:
- platform: state
entity_id: binary_sensor.washing_machine_leak
to: "on"
action:
- service: notify.mobile_app
data:
title: "WATER LEAK DETECTED"
message: "Leak sensor under washing machine triggered!"
data:
priority: high
channel: alarm
- service: switch.turn_off
target:
entity_id: switch.main_water_valveMap the Cube T1 Pro gestures to different actions: rotate to dim the living room lights, flip to toggle a scene, shake to play/pause music. Each face can trigger something different, giving you 30+ possible actions from one device.
automation:
- alias: "Cube Rotate Dims Lights"
trigger:
- platform: event
event_type: zha_event
event_data:
device_id: "your_cube_device_id"
command: "rotate_right"
action:
- service: light.turn_on
target:
entity_id: light.living_room
data:
brightness_step_pct: 10
- alias: "Cube Shake Toggles Music"
trigger:
- platform: event
event_type: zha_event
event_data:
device_id: "your_cube_device_id"
command: "shake"
action:
- service: media_player.media_play_pause
target:
entity_id: media_player.living_room_speakerUse Aqara T2 temperature sensors in each room to control your heating per-room instead of relying on one thermostat for the whole house. When the bedroom drops below 19C at night, nudge the TRV up. When the living room hits 22C, stop heating.
automation:
- alias: "Bedroom Too Cold at Night"
trigger:
- platform: numeric_state
entity_id: sensor.bedroom_temperature
below: 19
condition:
- condition: time
after: "22:00:00"
before: "07:00:00"
action:
- service: climate.set_temperature
target:
entity_id: climate.bedroom_trv
data:
temperature: 20Stick an Aqara vibration sensor inside your mailbox. When the mail carrier opens the flap and drops in letters, the vibration triggers a notification. No more walking to an empty mailbox.
automation:
- alias: "Mail Delivered"
trigger:
- platform: state
entity_id: binary_sensor.mailbox_vibration
to: "on"
condition:
- condition: time
after: "08:00:00"
before: "18:00:00"
action:
- service: notify.mobile_app
data:
title: "Mail's here!"
message: "The mailbox vibration sensor triggered. Go check."If you are building a Home Assistant setup from scratch and want to start with Aqara, here is the shopping list that gives you the most value.
Covers front door, bedroom door, hallway motion, and a bedside button. Enough to build your first 3-4 automations.
Covers every entry point, two motion zones, climate monitoring, water protection, and wireless controls. A proper smart home foundation.
Adds zone-based presence detection, automated blinds, and the most fun controller in smart home history. For the enthusiast who wants it all.
Lessons learned from years of running Aqara devices on Home Assistant.
Aqara sensors are battery-powered end devices. They do not repeat signals. You need mains-powered Zigbee devices (smart plugs, wall switches, or dedicated routers like the Ikea Tradfri signal repeater) scattered through your home to build a reliable mesh. One router per 2-3 rooms is a good rule.
USB 3.0 ports generate interference on the 2.4 GHz band that Zigbee uses. Always plug your Zigbee coordinator into a USB 2.0 port, or use a 1-meter USB extension cable to physically separate the dongle from USB 3.0 ports. This single tip fixes 90% of "devices keep dropping" complaints.
Zigbee shares the 2.4 GHz band with Wi-Fi. If your Wi-Fi runs on channels 1, 6, or 11 (most common), pick a Zigbee channel that does not overlap. Zigbee channel 25 avoids most Wi-Fi interference. You can set this in ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT settings, but changing it later means re-pairing all devices.
Aqara has multiple generations of each sensor. The P2 and T2 versions are the latest: they use Zigbee 3.0, have better battery life, and some support Matter. Avoid the original Xiaomi-branded sensors (MCCGQ01LM, WSDCGQ01LM) unless you are getting them very cheap. They use an older Zigbee protocol and can be fussy.
IKEA Tradfri smart plugs and signal repeaters are cheap ($10-12), widely available, and act as excellent Zigbee routers. Mixing Aqara sensors with IKEA routers gives you the best of both: affordable sensors with a strong, reliable mesh backbone. They play nicely together on the same Zigbee network.
Some Aqara devices (especially the FP2) get important firmware updates through the Aqara app. If you pair them to HA first, you cannot update firmware later. Pro tip: update firmware through the Aqara app on your phone first, then factory reset and pair to Home Assistant. Best of both worlds.
Run our free compatibility scan to see which of your existing devices work with Home Assistant. Takes 60 seconds.
Start Your Free ScanYes. Most Aqara sensors and switches use Zigbee, so you can pair them directly with a Zigbee coordinator like the SkyConnect, Sonoff ZBDongle-P, or ConBee II. You skip the Aqara Hub entirely and get local control through ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT. Some newer devices also support Matter, which connects directly to Home Assistant.
Both work great. ZHA is built into Home Assistant and needs zero extra setup. Zigbee2MQTT supports a few more models and gives you more device-level control. If you are just starting, go with ZHA. If you already run MQTT or need specific tuning, go with Zigbee2MQTT.
Yes, and it is one of the best presence sensors for HA. The FP2 connects over Wi-Fi and supports Matter and HomeKit. It provides zone-based detection, meaning it can tell which part of a room you are in. Add it through the Matter or HomeKit Controller integration.
The original Xiaomi-branded sensors (model numbers starting with MCCGQ, WSDCGQ, RTCGQ) work with Home Assistant, but they use an older Zigbee protocol that can be less reliable. They sometimes drop off the network and need to be re-paired. If you are buying new, get the Aqara-branded P2 or T2 versions instead. They use standard Zigbee 3.0 and are much more stable.
A single Zigbee network can technically support over 200 devices. In practice, most homes run 30 to 80 Zigbee devices without issues. The key is having enough Zigbee routers (mains-powered devices) to handle the mesh traffic. A good coordinator like the ZBDongle-P or SkyConnect, combined with 5 to 10 router devices, can easily handle 100+ sensors.
Everything about Zigbee coordinators, ZHA vs Z2M, and building a reliable mesh.
FP2 and beyond. Every method to detect who is home and where.
The best automations to build once your sensors are in place.
Hub, coordinator, and first device recommendations for beginners.