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Aqara can help expand your Apple Home to other ecosystems with Matter TechTricks365


Don’t limit yourself to one ecosystem of smart home devices by using Aqara products, which are compatible with the Matter protocol.

Chances are, if you have smart home devices, they belong to one ecosystem — Apple Home, Amazon, or Google Home. However, there are likely products in ecosystems outside of your own that you’d love to have in your home.

That’s where Matter comes in. It is an interoperability standard that lets devices built for Google Home also work in Apple Home, Amazon, or other ecosystems.

Aqara has been a leader in home device connectivity, and it is continuing that role by offering Matter updates to existing devices and adding the new Advanced Matter Bridging feature. On top of that, Aqara is supporting many of the latest device types available in the Matter spec.

Aqara and Matter

The Matter protocol helps tie ecosystems together, and Aqara has worked to ensure it can help users do just that with little headache.

By having more compatibility and control across ecosystems, users are no longer limited to one set of devices and tools. Previously, users had to look for an Apple Home or Alexa sticker on the box, but now all of those products with a Matter sticker can be included in the user’s choices.

Also, Matter helps users make their home future-proof and remove the fear of lock-in. So, if you’ve gone all-in on Hue today, you don’t have to worry about how switching to Nanoleaf might go later — it’ll all just work together.

Aqara helps users bridge their ecosystems with Matter, which also means cross-platform control will be that much easier. If you’re an iPhone user, but your roommate is on Android, you’ll both have an easy time controlling your smart home.

Matter is also built to carry commands over a local network rather than over the Internet. This means even if Wi-Fi is down, commands will still work.

It’s easy to get started bringing Matter into your home with Matter over Thread products, which means you don’t need to buy an extra hub to integrate the end devices into your existing ecosystem. In addition, the Thread protocol reduces power consumption, works stably, and faster.

Matter over Thread products

There are some excellent Matter-compatible devices that support the Thread protocol made by Aqara. Don’t miss out on multi-ecosystem compatibility that enhance your smart home.

U200

The Aqara Smart Lock U200 offers Matter over Thread support, which means it connects using a battery-saving Thread connection. The lock has up to 6 months of battery life.

The Aqara Smart Lock U200 is a deadbolt replacement with Matter and Thread – Image credit: Aqara

Even though this is an Aqara lock using Matter, it is compatible with features like Apple’s Home Key, which lets users unlock their door with a tap from their iPhone. Customers can also purchase NFC cards for those that don’t have a smartphone or need access but aren’t part of the smart home.

Save 20% on Aqara U200

There are more ways to unlock a door thanks to the fingerprint sensor and physical key slot. Users can also configure an automatic lock setting or have the lock operate quietly during certain hours.

There’s also a Pull Spring feature that automatically retracts the door latch when unlocking. This makes it easy to push a door open without needing to operate a handle.

The Aqara Smart Lock U200 is a retrofit lock, which is great for rental properties. It also has emergency charging options, temporary passcodes, and a wide compatibility with US deadbolt and Euro Mortise support.

Get the Aqara Smart Lock U200 for $215.99 from Amazon.

U300

The Aqara Smart Lock U300 replaces your door knob with a Matter over Thread-enabled handle. Like the U200, the U300 benefits from connection over the Thread protocol, which enables a 10-month battery life.

A person wearing a floral dress opens a white door using a modern black smart door handle.
The Aqara Smart Lock U300 offers many features and over 7 ways to unlock – Image credit: Aqara

There is also support for Apple Home Key, which lets users tap their iPhone or Apple Watch to the lock to unlock. Apple’s Home Key also has a feature that ensures there’s still power to the NFC reader to unlock a door in Express Mode even if the phone battery is depleted.

Save 22% on Aqara U300

The Smart Lock U300 has seven additional unlocking methods, including PIN codes, Bluetooth, USB-C emergency charging, and third-party systems like Siri control.

The fingerprint sensor can store 50 unique fingerprints, and temporary passwords are also available. Passage Mode is also available, which provides constant access without auto-lock while bringing in groceries or hosting a company.

Because of Matter compatibility, the U300 can be added to Apple Home, Google Home, and other third-party systems.

Get the Aqara Smart Lock U300 from Amazon for $179.99, down from $229.99 for a limited time.

Motion and Light Sensor P2

After you’ve equipped your home with lights and locks, motion sensors are the next logical step. The Aqara Motion and Light Sensor P2 is Matter-enabled and communicates over Thread to reduce power consumption.

A wooden table with a glass of water and a small white cylindrical object. Person in blue jeans and white shoes stands nearby.
The Aqara Motion Sensor P2 helps add automation control to your home – Image credit: Aqara

It’s a sensor that separates the motion and light sensors natively, enabling separate and specific automations. Apple Home will expose both sensors that can be used, like motion detection turning on a light, or detecting light causing a shade to close.

Save 33% on P2 sensor

Motion sensing can take place across a 170-degree angle up to 23 feet away. It’s great for turning a bathroom light or patio lights on when someone crosses a threshold.

The Advanced Matter Bridging brings unique functionality across ecosystems. Improved automations, customized detection timeout, a local alert system, and more become available outside of the Aqara app.

This Matter over Thread sensor is highly efficient too, lasting up to 2 years. It’s also super low latency, meaning commands fly across the Thread network, even when the Wi-Fi isn’t working.

Get the Aqara Motion and Light Sensor P2 for $26.99 on Amazon, down from $39.99.

Door and Window Sensor P2

Just like motion sensors are essential to upgrading your smart home automations, so are door and window sensors. The Aqara Door and Window Sensor P2 adds a simple yet powerful automation tool to your smart home ecosystem.

Gray door with a white cylindrical handle and sensor, adjacent to a section with narrow white vertical panels.
Know when doors open or shut with the Aqara Door and Window Sensor P2 – Image credit: Aqara

The sensor works with Matter, so you can add it to the Aqara app, Google Home, Apple Home, and others. The Thread protocol is also here, which means it gets a fast, local network that helps extend battery life.

Save 20% on Door sensor

Door and window sensors can help manage home security or other elements. So, you can have an alarm go off if a window is opened while no one is home, or you can automatically turn off the AC if the window is opened expectedly.

Even if you have a smart lock on your front door, there may not be one on every external door. So, an Aqara Door and Window Sensor P2 can alert you whenever a door is opened or shut unexpectedly.

These sensors mount via a simple and easily removed adhesive. Just peel and stick, then you’re in business.

Get the Aqara Door and Window Sensor P2 for $23.99 on Amazon, down from $29.99.


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