They use standard Zigbee 3.0, and can be used directly with any Zigbee 3.0 hub, including SmartThings/Aeotec. Search the forum: you’ll find many people using them.
That said, the Zigbee 3.0 standard does allow for some slight variations which can throw things off, and there can also be individual model issues.
Another very recent option with Aqara is to connect them to one of the aqara hubs which is also a “Matter bridge.“ You then bring the Aqara Hub into smartthings via matter and it will bring the contact sensors along with it.
This obviously increases the price. how much per sensor depends on how many sensors you are going to get, since one aqara hub can support more than 50. The M2 hub for example, lists at $59, and is often on sale for a bit less. But it also may be more reliable and easier to pair. I use this option myself, and am pleased with it. (Doing it this way also allows you to use the sensors in both Apple home and smartthings at the same time, if that’s of any interest.) The Matter Bridge connection is local, just like using a Zigbee direct connection, so you don’t lose anything that way.
So… you don’t need an Aqara Hub if you want to just connect the sensors directly to a smartthings/Aeotec hub via Zigbee, but they can be fiddly to pair, and some community members have found difficulty getting them to stay online. Lots of forum threads about both issues.
You do need an aqara hub like the M2 which acts as a “matter bridge“ if you want to bring them in via matter, but this method may be easier to pair and more reliable.
Choice is good. 
If you haven’t used matter with smartthings before, check the following community faq:
FAQ: What do I need to add a Matter device to the SmartThings app? Do I need a bridge router device?