The Aqara zigbee sensors work best with their own hub, and some models only work well with their own hub. But there are some models that can be connected directly to a smartthings/Aeotec hub, although they may require custom code, and the exact devices from other brands that you choose can affect the Aqara devicesâ efficiency.
So the first rule of home automation definitely applies: âthe model number matters.â
If you search the forum, you can find every possible answer to your question, because different people have had different experiences.
Some people are using the Aqara contact and motion sensors with no problems as long as they have custom code.
Other people tried them, found they wouldnât stay connected, and ended up returning them.
If you can wait a few months, once matter is fully deployed, aqara is going to offer some of their hubs as âmatter bridgesâ and at that point you should be able to add the aqara sensors to their own hub and then bring that hub into the smartthings app. No custom code required. Just as people using Apple HomeKit can bring the aqara hub into the Apple home app today. (But adding to HomeKit doesnât give you smartthings integration. Iâm just mentioning it as an example of how the future matter integration should work.)
Anyway, as you can see, itâs pretty much a trial and error situation if you do want to try them right now without their own hub. And the best integration is with the simple door sensors and motion sensors. The other more complicated sensors, including the presence sensors, have less successful integrations.
I myself use aqara sensors with their own hub in Apple home and Iâm very happy with them. So I do like the devices, but Iâm not yet happy with the smartthings integration.
Another Possible Future Option from Aqara
Another reason to wait is that aqara has announced that it intends to release a line of sensors that use thread instead of Zigbee. These will not need a hub, and as long as you have a thread border router, you should be able to add them directly to your smartthings account without needing custom code.
So again, the model number matters.
Anyway, this announcement is very good news, but the thread sensors are not yet available.
this is a bold statement. My current experience with the Thread so far is âjust another protocolâ it will work within one eco-system and will not with other manufacturers.
The coordination between manufacturers in the Thread Group is close to nonexistent. Despite the latest firmware updates, I was unable to connect Google, SmartThings, and Nanoleaf Thread devices together. I never received any response from either Nanoleaf support or the Thread Group regarding this issue.
Following the update to Smartthings Samsung account serval of my Aqara devices are no longer working correctly. In particular the Aqara Contact Sensor Model: MCCGQ11LM. I have tried removing one of the devices and I can no longer add the device directly to STHub (without AqaraHub). Am I doing something wrong?
Any help appreciated.
I was looking for the new T1 sensors but decided to email Aqara support since I could not find any available online. Not good news for US users:
On Sat, Jul 8 at 3:23 PM , Dennis wrote:
Hello.
When will the new T1 sensors be available in the United States? I am looking for the Temperature, Humidity and Pressure Sensor T1, model WSDCGQ12LM, but cannot find it in the U.S.
Thank you.
Hi Dennis,
Sorry to say there is no plan to release the Aqara T1 sensors to US market currnently
Sincerely,
Ada
Aqara Technical Support
Does anyone know if the T1 sensors are region specific, and only function in the area where they are sold? Would a T1 sensor work in the US if it was ordered from overseas?
Thanks for pointing that out. I have been considering the WSDCGQ11LM since there is a driver for it but @Mr_Tango just said something about not being able to add his Aqara sensor w/o an Aqara hub and now Iâm not so sure itâs a good idea.
Ive been using the aquara contact sensors for years with a device handler, 2 days ago the devices have all simultaniously stopped working (Ive 8). So I tried to delete and re-add hoping to re-pair with the correct driver, and the SThub wont pair the device?!
Your device likely got automatically migrated from an old device handler to a new stock Edge Driver. You probably need to change is from the stock driver to a community developed drive that works with your device. The following driver may or may not work.
Install the âZigBee contact Mcâ driver from the link below and in the mobile app change the driver. Open device tile, click on 3 dots, pick driver and change driver.
@Paul_Oliver thanks for the suggestion, Id forgotten to add above that Ive litterally placed the device 1cm away from the SThub. Ive paired these devices manytimes before. Ive roughly 20 Aqara devices dotted around.
Aqara Contact Sensor:
3 x Online (changed to Edge driver)
2 x Offline
1 x Deleted which im trying to re-pair
The deleted device doesnt exist in any automations, Samsung account, nor is it associated with anyother ecosystems ie AqaraHub.
Obviously im reluctant to delete and re-pair the 2xOffline devices, if any capability has been removed/bugged.