AqaraSmart Hub E1 (2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Required), Powered by USB-A, Small Size, Zigbee 3.0, Supports HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT

I have three Deco X55s running a dual-band mesh, so to install this Aqara Hub I told the Deco app to put my phone onto the 2.4GHz during setup since this inexpensive hub does not have a 5GHz radio (and why would it need one... it would just increase cost and reduce range). Then I downloaded the Aqara app and paired as normal.Once the Aqara Hub was connected to my WiFi, I used the Deco app to set the hub's connection preference to 2.4GHz, on the closest Deco satellite, and disable "mesh technology" since other reviews said it wouldn't work with a mesh (and the hub won't be moving around anyway).It has only been a couple of days, but the hub has worked flawlessly with Aqara's "wireless mini switch" (a little wireless button) tested outdoors up to 100' from the hub.I bought the Aqara Hub and button to control a group of Ring "smart lights" in our back yard since Ring requires you to use a slow, buggy app to turn on lights, or it relies on motion detectors which don't always see our dog. I was reluctant to add yet another hub to our home just to fill the gap in Ring's functionality, but aside from turning the lights on, being able to turn them off means saving batteries and reducing recharge time.By installing the Alexa App, then the Aqara Home "skill" and setting a "routine", I can now turn on the Ring smart light group in my back yard with a real life physical button at the door instead of "get phone->unlock screen->nav to app shortcut->enter lighting screen->wait for lights to load->turn on lights". Voice commands would probably have worked work from the Alexa app, but I refuse to live in a world where I run around yelling at apps and hubs while people try to work, sleep, and listen to music/tv/games/conversations.This is one of the least expensive hubs we have (especially compared to Ring and Hue, though the X-Sense and Diivoo hubs we have came in kits and could be considered less expensive), plus it's very small and does not need a mount as long as you have an extra USB adapter. It solved my problem, set up quickly, installed even faster, has great range, and was (relatively) inexpensive. I'm sure their other hubs have more features, but I don't need them and I'm glad Aqara has this base model smart hub!

I guess it’s okay, the Aqara smart lock works well I’ve only purchased this because of it. Seems like it’s okay I guess the USB port I use is faulty and this sometimes disconnects?

It works pretty well & doubles as a wifi extender (wifi routed through the device is pretty slow). The small size & the fact that it can be powered via USB is convenient. I had some difficulty getting everything in sync with my Apple home kit hub but eventually managed. All in all It's a good value for the money.

Works great specially for the price, connects all my Aqara products perfect

I bought the hub and 3 temp sensors to integrate into my Apple HomeKit system about 17 months ago, and for the first year or so everything worked great. I did have to reboot (unplug/replug) the hub a few times, but no big deal. Nice sensor readings on my Apple Home app, everything was good.Then the problems started. No response from all temperature sensors, entire system offline, manually deleting everything, then having to add each accessory manually, only to have to do it again less than a week later, hub connecting, then disconnecting on its own every hour. So I was forced to contact their customer service to see what they could do.I got a reply from a very courteous, but not very smart, CS rep who basically asked me to go through the same troubleshooting steps that are listed on their support articles online. Not helpful, I had already tried all of them, and told her so. Eventually, after over a month of back-and-forth emails, she offered me a replacement, and I was temporarily relieved. Finally, I could start over with a new, non-defective product.But what she sent me was a temperature sensor. Just ONE sensor. That was never the cause of the defect--the sensors had always worked fine. The hub connectivity was the source of the problems, and I already knew that. But she was clueless, and thought she was solving the problem.Emails back and forth continued for over another month, all the while my system malfunctioning. And Aqara is NOT responsive. You're lucky if you get one email reply a day from them, and it will always be over 24 hours after you contact them, because they're based in China.Finally, the CS rep offered to replace the hub. "Finally, she gets it," I thought. But that was over a week ago and I have not received anything from them, including replies to my emails. No new hub, no replies to my queries ("Where are we on this?" "What's the status of this case?" "Are you going to ship me a new hub?"). Crickets. Nothing. They have completely written me off, and refuse to reply. So as of today, I'm done with dealing with Aqara, and done with buying Aqara products.As many reviews here have stated, Aqara products seem to work fine for many people. But my hub and sensors are cheap Chinese garbage and are going into the trash today.

Easy to use and program. Pairs my lock to all of my other smart devices.

Setup was easy, connected to 2.4 ghz band immediately and paired right away.