A multi-protocol smart home hub for Aqara Zigbee, Thread, and Matter devices. Includes a 360° IR blaster for HomeKit integration and local automation. Shines with Zigbee and IR; Matter support is still maturing.
6 mentions · 4 threadslast mention Jan 2026
Real comments from Reddit, linked to the original thread. Nothing paraphrased.
I've got probably 120 generic zigbee devices and 80 aqara sensors. I have an ethernet connected smlight zigbee dongle located centrally in my house. I still use the aqara m2 hub for my aqara devices though. It's quicker to pair, doesn't disconnect with devices randomly, and there's no delay with the homekit integration. ... The M3 has more support for matter devices but it's not great.
You are not alone. I am facing the same problem. Customer support has not replied to me yet.
As long as the IR blaster can see the device, it can be at the end of the corridor for all intensive purposes.
Just got my M3 to test this out...I found it pretty easy to connect it via Matter (and as a result, Thread), to my existing HomeAssistant Network. However, I have not figured out how to do the same with Zigbee.
The only thing I can suggest (and what got it working for me) is to contact Aqara Support. Eventually they will ask for logs and videos. Then one time they replied back saying they had made changes in the background and to try again... and it worked!
This stuff is pretty frustrating , I've found sometimes it worked after several attempts and for whatever reason sometimes an iPhone or iOS was better and other times I had to get my android phone to Matter connect a device to the m3 hub.
The M3 excels as a Zigbee hub with excellent HomeKit integration through its IR blaster, but Matter protocol support remains frustratingly inconsistent. Owners praise the IR blaster's 360° range and learning capability, and local automation works reliably over Zigbee, but Matter pairing and thread connectivity trip up multiple users—some requiring Aqara support intervention to resolve issues. If you're committed to HomeKit via IR and Zigbee devices, the M3 delivers. If you need stable Matter support, wait for firmware maturity or consider single-protocol alternatives.