Xiaomi’s smart home ecosystem offers dozens of devices, from light bulbs and sensors to robot vacuum cleaners, but all require a central node to operate. The gateway (or hub) becomes the brain of the system, linking gadgets to each other and to your smartphone. But the choice of model often raises questions: which protocol supports, is there a need for constant Internet connection, is it compatible with Home Assistant or Apple HomeKit?
In this article, we will look at all the current gateways Xiaomi and Aqara (brand partner Xiaomi), their technical features, pros and cons. You will learn which hub is suitable for a small apartment and which will cope with a home with 100+ devices, we will also analyze whether to overpay for support Matter and how to circumvent the restrictions of Chinese versions of firmware.
Important: If you plan to integrate a smart home into other ecosystems (like Google Home or Amazon Alexa), pay attention to communication protocols. Some gateways only work with proprietary standards Xiaomi, others support universal Zigbee 3.0 or Thread.
1.Why you need a Xiaomi gateway: the main features
Many people mistakenly believe that Xiaomi smart devices can work without a gateway, connecting directly to Wi-Fi. This is true only for some models (for example, Yeelight light bulbs or cameras), but most sensors and actuators require a hub.
- 🔄 Local control: Without a gateway, many devices will depend on the Mi Home cloud, which slows down the response and makes the system vulnerable when the Internet is down.
- 🛡️ Security: The hub encrypts traffic between devices, protecting against hacking (for example, swapping commands to open a door).
- ⚡ Energy efficiency: Zigbee sensors consume 10 times less power than Wi-Fi devices by running on a hub network.
- 🤖 Automation: Only through the gateway can you configure complex scenarios (for example, if the motion sensor worked and it is dark outside - turn on the light and send a notification").
Without a hub, you lose half of the power of a smart home, such as the Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor door opening sensor that will only send push notifications, but won’t turn on the siren or camera when triggered.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi gateways are not compatible with other brands' devices at the protocol level.For example, a Philips Hue light bulb will not connect to the Mi Home Gateway, even if both use Zigbee.
2. Comparison of current models of the Xiaomi and Aqara gateways (2026)
There are 5 major hub models on the market, with protocols, designs and functionality, and we've put together their key features in a table:
| Model | Protocols | Max. Devices. | Support for Matter | Radio of action | Price (≈) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi Home Gateway 3 | Zigbee 3.0, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | 128 | ❌ No. | up to 100 m (under ideal conditions) | 2 500 ₽ |
| Aqara Hub M2 | Zigbee 3.0, Wi-Fi, Ethernet | 128 | ✅ Yeah. (with the firmware) | 150m | 3 800 ₽ |
| Aqara Hub E1 | Zigbee 3.0, Wi-Fi | 128 | ✅ Yes. | 100m | 3 200 ₽ |
| Xiaomi Mi Smart Home Gateway (2019) | Zigbee 1.2, Wi-Fi | 32 | ❌ No. | 50m | 1 800 ₽ (b) |
| Aqara Camera Hub G3 | Zigbee 3.0, Wi-Fi, HomeKit Secure Video | 128 | ✅ Yes. | 100m | 6 500 ₽ |
A critical difference: Aqara gateways (unlike Xiaomi) are officially certified to work with Apple HomeKit and Google Home, which is important for owners of iPhones or Nest speakers.
If you want maximum compatibility with other ecosystems, choose the Aqara Hub M2 or Camera Hub G3. Mi Home Gateway 3 is a budget solution, but note that it does not support Matter and has limited integration with third-party services.
3. Zigbee vs Wi-Fi: Which Protocol is Best for a Smart Home
The main question when choosing a gateway is which protocol it supports. Xiaomi uses two basic standards:
- 📶 Zigbee 3.0: Low power consumption, high reliability, support for mesh networks (devices relay each other's signals) Used in sensors, switches, some light bulbs.
- 🌐 Wi-Fi: High speed, but high power consumption and router dependency, suitable for cameras, robot vacuum cleaners, some outlets.
The advantages of Zigbee 3.0:
- ⚡ Battery life up to 2-5 years (vs. months for Wi-Fi sensors).
- 🔗 Mesh Network: The more devices, the more stable the connection.
- 🛡️ Interference protection (operates at 2.4 GHz but with dynamic channel selection).
Disadvantages:
- 📡 Limited range (solved by installing repeaters, for example, Xiaomi Zigbee Repeater).
- 🔌 Requires a gateway (not directly working with the phone).
For most scenarios, Zigbee is preferable, except if you have few devices (up to 10) and all of them support Wi-Fi (e.g. Yeelight light bulbs and Xiaomi Mi Home Security Camera).
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If your home has a lot of concrete walls, choose a gateway with support for Zigbee 3.0 and buy repeaters. Wi-Fi devices in such conditions often lose communication.
4.Compatible with Home Assistant, Apple HomeKit and Google Home
One of the main problems with Xiaomi gateways is the closed protocols, for example, Mi Home Gateway 3 does not have official integration with Home Assistant or Apple HomeKit, although enthusiasts have created workaround solutions.
Compare the possibilities of integration:
| Gateway | Home Assistant | Apple HomeKit | Google Home | Amazon Alexa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Home Gateway 3 | ⚠️ Mi Home Integration (limited) | ❌ No. | ✅ Through Mi Home Skill | ✅ Yes. |
| Aqara Hub M2 | ✅ Full (official plugin) | ✅ Yes (certified) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Aqara Camera Hub G3 | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (HomeKit Secure Video) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
If you use Home Assistant, the best choice is the Aqara Hub M2 or Camera Hub G3, which supports local management without the Mi Home cloud, which speeds up the system’s response and increases reliability.
For owners of Apple HomeKit only Aqara is suitable - Xiaomi gateways are not certified by Apple, while the Camera Hub G3 supports HomeKit Secure Video, which allows you to record video from cameras in iCloud with encryption.
⚠️ Warning: When buying an Aqara gateway for HomeKit, check the firmware region.Chinese versions (CN) HomeKit is not supported – you need a European (EU) American (US) firmware.
5. Which gateway to choose for different tasks: recommendations for scenarios
The choice of hub depends on your goals, and we have prepared recommendations for situations:
🏡 Small apartment (up to 20 devices)
Xiaomi Mi Home Gateway 3 or Aqara Hub E1 is enough. The former is cheaper, the latter supports Matter and integrates better with other ecosystems. If you have Apple devices, take the Aqara Hub E1.
🏠 Large house or office (50)+ device)
Optimal Aqara Hub M2 with Ethernet support (stable Wi-Fi) and extended range. For reliability add 1-2 repeater Xiaomi Zigbee Repeater.
📱 Advanced Automation (Home Assistant, Node-RED)
Aqara Hub M2 or Camera Hub G3 – these offer full API access and local management. Avoid Mi Home Gateway 3, as its integration with Home Assistant is limited.
🍎 Apple Ecosystem (HomeKit, Siri)
Only Aqara: Hub M2 or Camera Hub G3, the latter is preferred if you want cameras with iCloud recording.
💰 Budgetary decision
Xiaomi Mi Home Gateway 3 (2 500 ₽) Mi Smart Home Gateway 2019 (1,800) ₽). Note that the old model only supports Zigbee 1.2 and is limited to 32 devices.
Make sure the gateway supports the right protocols (Zigbee/Wi-Fi)
Check compatibility with your ecosystem (HomeKit, Google Home, etc.)
Estimate range (for large houses need a repeater)
View reviews on firmware stability (especially for Chinese versions)
Compare prices in official and unofficial stores (the difference can be 20-30%)
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6. Frequent problems and how to avoid them
Even the right gateway can be unstable.
- 🔌 Devices disconnect from hub: Check the distance to the gateway (maximum 10-15m in real conditions). Add a repeater or move the hub closer to the center of the house.
- 🔄 Delays in execution of commands: If you use the Mi Home cloud, go to local management via Home Assistant or Aqara Home.
- 🔒 Gateway does not connect to Wi-Fi: Make sure the router is running at 2.4GHz (5GHz not supported). MAC-address.
- 📱 App does not find gateway: Reset the hub to factory settings (reset button for 5 seconds) and repeat settings.
If you have a Chinese version of the gateway (CN), you may need to have a European firmware (EU) for full functionality.
How to change the firmware region to Aqara Hub M2
To diagnose problems, use the Mi Home app (Devices → Gateway → Event Log) If the device periodically falls off, check the signal level (RSSI): a value below -80 dBm indicates a weak connection.
7.Alternatives to Xiaomi Gateways: When to Consider Other Brands
While Xiaomi’s ecosystem is one of the most affordable, it’s worth looking at alternatives in some cases:
- 🏠 Home Assistant + Zigbee stick: If you want full on-premises management without cloud, buy ConBee II or CC2652P (about 5,000 ₽) And connect to Home Assistant, and it'll support all Zigbee devices, not just Xiaomi.
- 🍎 Apple HomeKit: For deep integration with iOS, consider HomePod Mini (as a hub) + HomeKit-enabled devices (e.g. Philips Hue).
- 🌍 If you are planning a mixed ecosystem (Xiaomi) + Google + Amazon, take Matter-enabled gateways, like Aqara Hub M2 Amazon Echo (4th generation).
The main disadvantage of alternatives is the price. + 2 light bulbs standing ~10 000 ₽, While a similar set from Xiaomi will cost 3,000-4000 ₽.
If you want maximum flexibility and willingness to pay for it, alternatives are justified. For most users, Xiaomi/Aqara gateways remain the best balance of price and functionality.
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Xiaomi/Aqara gateways are the best choice for a budget smart home, but if you want integration with other ecosystems (HomeKit, Matter), look at Aqara or alternative solutions.