Xiaomi’s smart home ecosystem is one of the most developed on the market, thanks to its wide range of devices, affordable prices and high degree of integration. In 2026, the company offers more than 200 compatible gadgets, from simple sensors to complex security and automation systems. But what exactly goes into this smart home, how do devices interact with each other and what is really needed to get started?
In this article, we will take a look at all the categories of Xiaomi and Aqara devices, their functionality, compatibility with voice assistants (Alice, Google Assistant, Siri) and central hubs, and answer the key question: which devices are required for basic automation and which can be dispensed with. If you are just planning to build a smart home or want to expand the existing one, here you will find the latest information without water.
1. Central hubs: the “brain” of Xiaomi’s smart home
Without a central hub (gateway), most Xiaomi devices won't be able to work together.The hub is responsible for communication between sensors, actuators and your smartphone via the Mi Home or Aqara Home app. In 2026, three models are relevant:
- 🔹 Xiaomi Mi Smart Home Gateway 3 – the base model with support for Zigbee 3.0, built-in speaker and RGB-Suitable for small apartments (up to 30 devices).
- 🔹 Aqara Hub M2 — Advanced hub with Zigbee 3.0 support, Ethernet connection and backup power, designed for 128 devices.
- 🔹 Aqara Hub E1 — Compact version without Ethernet, but with Matter support (for integration with Apple HomeKit).
All hubs work with Mi Home, but Aqara also requires the installation of a proprietary app for full functionality. Importantly, the Xiaomi and Aqara hubs are not compatible at the protocol level - devices from one brand will not work with the hub of another.
For stable operation, the hub must be connected to the router via cable (except Hub). E1) It is located in the middle of the apartment, if you have a large area (100).+ m2), an additional hub or Zigbee signal repeater may be required.
⚠️ Note: When buying a hub, check the region in the model name (e.g, CN, EU, US). Devices for China (CN) may not support Russian in voice alerts and may have restrictions on firmware.
2.Sensors: Eyes and Ears of Your Smart Home
Sensors are the basis of any automation, they detect changes in the environment and transmit data to the hub. Xiaomi/Aqara Sensors are presented for all occasions:
| Type of sensor | Models (Xiaomi/Aqara) | Functional | Battery life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door/window opening sensor | Xiaomi Mi Door/Window Sensor 2, Aqara Door and Window Sensor P2 | Opening Notification, Integration with Alarm | 2 years (CR2032) |
| Motion sensor | Xiaomi Mi Motion Sensor 2, Aqara Motion Sensor P1 | Responds to movement within a radius of 7 m, adjustable sensitivity | 2 years (CR2450) |
| Temperature and humidity sensor | Xiaomi Mi Temperature and Humidity Sensor 2, Aqara Temperature and Humidity Sensor | Measurement with precision ±0.3°C, warnings when going beyond | 1 year (CR2032) |
| Water leak sensor | Xiaomi Mi Water Leak Detector, Aqara Water Leak Sensor | Instant water alert, integration with taps | 3 years (CR2032) |
| Smoke sensor | Aqara Smoke Alarm | Smoke and carbon monoxide detection, 85 dB sound siren | 5 years (built-in battery) |
For basic security, there's enough opening and movement sensors. If you want full control, add leakage sensors (especially for upper floor apartments) and smoke sensors. Xiaomi/Aqara They work on the Zigbee protocol, so they do not require Wi-Fi and do not load your network.
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Place motion sensors at an altitude of 2.2-2.5 m at an angle to the door - this minimizes false positives from pets.
3.Executive Devices: What Can Control Your Home
Sensors detect changes, and actuators respond to them. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, this is:
- 💡 Smart lamps and lamps: Xiaomi Mi LED Smart Bulb (color, 16 million shades), Yeelight (Xiaomi brand for advanced lighting). Support brightness and color adjustment through the app.
- 🔌 Smart outlets: Xiaomi Mi Smart Plug (with energy measurement), Aqara Smart Plug (with Matter support). Allows remotely turn on / off household appliances.
- 🚪 Smart locks: Xiaomi Mi Smart Door Lock (with fingerprint, code and key), Aqara Smart Lock N100 (Apple HomeKey Supported).
- 🌬️ Smart fans and air conditioners: Xiaomi Mi Smart Fan, Mi Air Conditioner Companion (module for control of conventional air conditioners).
The most popular automation scenarios: If the motion sensor is triggered → lights on if the leak sensor is triggered → The smart faucet closes if the temperature is above 25°C → air-conditioning.
For curtain control and blinds, there is Xiaomi Mi Smart Curtain Motor (compatible with most standard cornices) + Mi Smart Irrigation Controller.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi smart outlets do not support equipment above 2200 watts (for example, heaters or kettles). T1.
4. Security cameras and systems
If you want not only automation but also security controls, Xiaomi offers a wide range of cameras:
- 📹 Xiaomi Mi Home Security Camera 360° 2K — rotary-camera 2304×1296, Night vision and motion detection, supports recording on a microSD or cloud.
- 🏠 Xiaomi Mi Home Security Camera Basic 1080p — budget version without a rotary mechanism, but with good image quality.
- 🔍 Aqara Camera Hub G3 — camera with built-in Zigbee hub (replaces a separate gateway) and Matter support.
- 🚨 Xiaomi Mi Smart Home Alarm – Autonomous siren (100 dB) with vibration sensor for protection against hacking.
All Xiaomi cameras support:
- Two-way audio communication (built-in microphone and speaker).
Human detection (excludes false positives from animals)
- Integration with Mi Home to create scripts (e.g. if the camera has detected motion) → siren).
How to get around the limitation of cloud storage?
For street surveillance is suitable Xiaomi Mi Outdoor Camera 1080p dustproof (IP65). And for hidden control - Xiaomi Mi Compact Security Camera (size of palm).
5. Voice control and integration
Xiaomi Smart Home Supports Voice Control through:
- 🎤 Alice (Yandex) – full integration with devices Xiaomi/Aqara through the Mi Home skill.
- 🎤 Google Assistant – works through Mi Home or Google Home (requires account linking).
- 🎤 Siri (Apple HomeKit) – Aqara devices with Matter support (e.g. Hub) E1 or Camera Hub G3).
Examples of voice commands:
- "Alice, turn on the light in the living room."
"Okay, Google, show me the camera at the front door."
- "Hey Siri, set a temperature of 22 degrees."
To work with HomeKit, you will need an Aqara hub with Matter support. Xiaomi devices (without the Aqara logo) are not compatible with HomeKit.
Connect the hub to Wi-Fi|Install the Mi app Home/Aqara|Add devices to the app|Connecting a skill in Alice/Google Assistant|Check the work of voice commands-->
6. Advanced automation scenarios
Basic scenarios (turn on the lights on motion) are configured in the Mi Home app in 2 clicks, but complex automation requires:
- Use logical conditions: for example, if the temperature >25°C And nobody's home → air-condition.
- Set up a schedule: automatically close the curtains at 22:00 or turn on watering plants at 7:00.
- Integration of third-party services through IFTTT Home Assistant (for example, send notifications to Telegram when the smoke sensor is triggered).
Advanced scenario example: If the traffic sensor in the hallway is triggered and the time between 22:00 and 6:00 → Turn on the light at 30% brightness and send a notification to the phone.
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Use the Aqara Home app to create complex scenarios with multiple conditions – it offers more flexibility than Mi Home.
If you need to manage devices outside the home, make sure the hub is connected to the Internet (via Ethernet or Wi-Fi). Without the Internet, scenarios will only work locally (for example, the lights will turn on on on the motion, but the notification will not come to the phone).
7. Compatibility with other ecosystems
Xiaomi is committed to openness, so many devices support the Matter standard (formerly known as Project). CHIP). This allows them to integrate with:
- 🏡 Apple HomeKit via Aqara Hub E1 or Camera Hub G3.
- 🏡 Google Home – Most devices Xiaomi/Aqara Added through Mi Home.
- 🏡 Amazon Alexa – Requires Mi Home skill in Alexa app.
- 🏡 Home Assistant – via Xiaomi Mi Home Integration plugin (requires manual configuration).
But there are nuances:
Xiaomi devices (without the Aqara logo) do not support Matter.
- To work with HomeKit, you need an Aqara hub with firmware at least 2.0.0.
Some features (such as audible hub alerts) may not work in third-party ecosystems.
⚠️ Note: When transferring devices from Mi Home to Home Assistant or HomeKit, you may need to reset to factory settings.Save a backup of scripts before migrating.
8 What to buy to start: minimum set
If you’re just starting out with a smart home, here’s the minimum lighting and security automation kit:
| The device | Model | Number of | Estimated price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| hub | Xiaomi Mi Smart Home Gateway 3 | 1 | 2 500 ₽ |
| Motion sensor | Xiaomi Mi Motion Sensor 2 | 2–3 | 1 200 ₽/piece |
| Smart lamp. | Xiaomi Mi LED Smart Bulb (colored) | 2–4 | 1 500 ₽/piece |
| Opening sensor | Xiaomi Mi Door/Window Sensor 2 | 2–4 | 800 ₽/piece |
| Smart socket | Xiaomi Mi Smart Plug | 1–2 | 1 300 ₽/piece |
Total cost of starter set: ~10 000–15 000 ₽. This package will allow:
Automatically turn on the lights when driving.
- Receive notifications about opening doors/windows.
Remotely control household appliances through outlets.
To expand the functionality of the app, add leak sensors, cameras or a smart lock. Remember: all devices must be compatible with the selected hub (Xiaomi or Aqara).