Core Insights - Aqara has transitioned from a niche budget smart home brand to a significant player in the smart home market, expanding its product offerings and presence in retail spaces like Apple Stores [4][19] - The company emphasizes interoperability, allowing users to integrate Aqara devices with other brands and platforms, which enhances its appeal for new smart home setups [7][8] Hubs - Aqara's hubs are competitively priced, with the M100 available for $26, and they often come integrated with other smart devices [6] - Newer hubs support Matter and Thread protocols, enabling users to connect legacy devices and expand their smart home systems without being locked into a single brand [7][10] - The flagship Hub M3 is priced at $130 and supports multiple protocols, while the older M2 is more affordable at $39 but lacks Matter capabilities [10][17] Devices - Aqara offers a wide range of devices, including sensors, cameras, doorbells, locks, and lighting solutions, with many options priced under $20 [14] - The Presence Sensor FP2, priced at $83, features advanced radar motion detection, showcasing Aqara's commitment to innovative technology [15] - Aqara's smart locks, such as the U300 and U200, incorporate Matter-over-Thread technology and Apple's Home Key feature, enhancing their functionality and appeal [16] App - The Aqara app remains somewhat complex compared to competitors like Apple Home and Google Home, but it provides comprehensive control over the smart home system [19] - Users can manage their Aqara devices through other platforms due to Matter support, potentially bypassing the Aqara app entirely [19]