Xiaomiβs Smart Home ecosystem has long since ceased to be exotic β itβs one of the most affordable ways to automate everyday life. But before buying, many people are faced with the question: how much will a full-fledged smart home based on Xiaomi cost? Prices range from 500 rubles for a separate sensor to 50 000+ For advanced sets with cameras and climate control, we will discuss in detail in this article:
The cost of basic components (hubs, sensors, sockets) and their real need;
Prices for ready-made sets for different tasks (security, energy saving, comfort);
Hidden expenses that are often forgotten (subscriptions, compatibility, installation)
How to save money without losing functionality, choosing between Mi Home and Aqara
It is important to understand that the full cost of a Xiaomi smart home is not only based on price tags on devices, but also on protocol compatibility (Zigbee, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), the need to purchase additional gateways and the potential costs of cloud services. 2K self-sufficient ~3 500 β½, But to record to the cloud, you will need a monthly subscription from 99. β½.
1. Basic components of Xiaomi smart home: prices and purpose
Any smart home starts with a central hub and sensors, and in the Xiaomi ecosystem, they are being branded as Mi Home, Aqara and Yeelight, and here are the current prices for 2026:
- π Xiaomi Mi Smart Home Gateway 3 β ~2 500 β½ (Support for Zigbee 3.0, built-in RGB-lighting, works as a night light and alarm clock).
- π‘ Aqara Hub Gateway M2 β ~3 200 β½ (Advanced compatibility with third-party sensors, Apple HomeKit support).
- π Opening sensor of doors / windows - from 600 β½ (Mi Door/Window Sensor 2) before 1 200 β½ (Aqara with protection from animals).
- π‘οΈ Temperature and humidity sensor β ~900 β½ (Mi Temperature and Humidity Sensor 2 with Display).
- π‘ Smart socket - from 800 β½ (Wi-Fi, Mi Smart Plug up to 1,500 β½ (Zigbee, Aqara Smart Plug with Power Measurement).
β οΈ Attention: Cheap Wi-Fi devices (outlets, lamps) connect directly to the router, but overload the network and depend on the stability of the Internet. Zigbee sensors (through the gateway) are more reliable, but require the purchase of a hub.
Example of a minimum set for monitoring the security of the apartment:
| The device | Price (β½) | Appointment |
|---|---|---|
| Aqara Hub M2 Gateway | 3 200 | Control Center, support for up to 128 devices |
| Door opening sensor Γ2 | 1 200 | Control of the front door and balcony |
| The Mi Motion Sensor is a motion sensor. | 800 | Responds to movement in the corridor |
| Sirena Aqara Alarm | 1 500 | Loud signal when the sensors are triggered |
| Totally. | 6 700 | Basic protection of a 1-room apartment |
2. Ready-made Xiaomi kits: prices and what comes in
Xiaomi and Aqara offer ready-made kits for typical tasks, from controlling water leaks to fully automating lighting, which is convenient for beginners, but often more expensive than assembling a system yourself.
- π The Aqara Secure Kit Smart Home" (~12 000 β½): lock M2, 2 open sensors, motion sensor, control button, siren, suitable for home security.
- π§ Set "Drip protection" (~5 000 β½): Mi Home Gateway 3, 2 water sensors, valve for automatic overlap.
- π‘ Set "Smart lighting" (~8 000 β½): Gateway, 3 Zigbee lamps Yeelight>, 2 switch.
β οΈ Note: The kits often use devices with stripped-down functionality. For example, the sensors in the Aqara Secure Kit do not support Apple HomeKit, unlike the same models purchased separately.
What is the difference between Xiaomi and Aqara?
Example of calculation for a 2-room apartment (lighting) + safety):
πΉ Aqara Hub Gateway M2 β 3 200 β½ πΉ 4 Opening Sensors (Aqara) β 2,400 β½ πΉ 2 motion sensors - 1,600 β½ πΉ 3 Yeelight smart bulbs> β 4 500 β½ πΉ 2 power-monitoring outlets - 3,000 β½ Totally: ~14 700 β½ (without regard to installation and setting).
3. Hidden expenses: what else will have to be spent on
Beyond the devices themselves, Xiaomi smart home owners often face additional costs that are not warned about in the ads:
- The new camera is called Mi Home Security Camera 360.Β° Free to keep the record for only 7 days. Extended archive (30 days) costs 199 β½/moss.
- Compatibility: Not all Xiaomi devices work with Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit (~5 000 β½ Raspberry Pi + soft-soft).
π‘
Before buying, check if your router supports the standard. IEEE 802.11 b/g/n frequency-wise 2.4 GHz β Many Xiaomi devices donβt work with networks 5 GHz.
Example: If you have a Mi Home Camera 2K post 3 500 β½ We have a yearly subscription to the cloud (199 β½ Γ 12 = 2 388 β½), The real cost of ownership will be 5 888 β½.
4. Xiaomi vs Aqara: Whatβs more profitable for a smart home
Both brands are owned by Xiaomi, but are positioned differently:
| Criteria | Xiaomi Mi Home | Aqara |
|---|---|---|
| Price. | β 20-30% cheaper | β Expensive, but justified. |
| Compatibility | Only Mi Home, Google Assistant | Mi Home + Apple HomeKit + IFTTT |
| Reliability | Frequent communication interruptions over Wi-Fi | Stable work on Zigbee |
| Assortment | Basic sensors, sockets. | Advanced sensors (vibration, gas, smoke) |
π‘
If you have an Apple device (iPhone, Mac, HomePod), opt for Aqara, which is the only way to integrate Xiaomiβs smart home into the HomeKit ecosystem.
Compare the cost of similar sets:
- πΉ Mi Home: Gateway (2,500) β½) + 2 open sensors (1,200) β½) + motion sensor (800) β½) = 4 500 β½.
- πΉ Aqara: Gateway M2 (3 200 β½) + 2 Opening sensors (1,600) β½) + motion sensor (1 200) β½) = 6 000 β½.
Difference of 1,500 β½ pays off:
HomeKit support (can be managed via Siri); β More stability of the Zigbee network; β Possibility to connect third-party sensors (e.g. Philips Hue).
5 How to Save Money on Xiaomi Smart Home
Building a smart home cheaper can be done in several ways:
Buy devices during sales (AliExpress, Beru, M. Video)|Choose Wi-Fi devices over Zigbee (unless you need high reliability)|Use used hubs and sensors (check on Avito or Yule)|Refuse cloud subscriptions in favor of local storage (SD-map, NAS)|Build the system gradually, starting with the most necessary sensors-->
Example: During Black Friday 2023, the Aqara Hub Gateway M2 sold for 2,200 β½ 3,200 β½, and the opening sensors are 500 each. β½ The savings on the base kit were ~30%.
Another lifehack: instead of branded smart lamps Yeelight (from 1,500) β½) You can use Zigbee controllers for normal use. LED-The band (e.g. Sonoff ZBBridge for $1,200) β½). It is cheaper and more flexible in setting up.
β οΈ Warning: When buying devices on AliExpress, check the seller for reviews. Xiaomi/Aqara Often do not work with official applications and can be dangerous (for example, cheap sockets without certification).
6. Xiaomi Alternatives: When Standing Aside From Other Brands
Xiaomi offers one of the most budget smart home options, but in some cases itβs better to consider the alternatives:
- π‘ For large houses (100)+ devices: Home Assistant + Zigbee Coordinator (Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 for example) ~4 000 β½). Allows you to combine devices of different brands.
- π For increased security: Ajax Systems (sensors with protection against hacking, but more expensive 2-3 times).
- π‘ For advanced lighting automation: Philips Hue (best color reproduction, but lamp costs from 3,000) β½).
Comparison of the cost of similar systems (basic security of a 2-room apartment):
| Brand | Cost (β½) | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi/Aqara | ~15 000 | Low price, simplicity | Limited compatibility |
| Home Assistant + Sonoff | ~20 000 | Flexibility, no cloud dependency | Tough setup |
| Ajax Systems | ~40 000 | High reliability, protection against hacking | Expensive, closed ecosystem |
π‘
If you only need a security system without smart chips, consider Rubet or Sagittarius β they are cheaper than Xiaomi and certified for use in Russia.
7 How Much Does Xiaomi Smart Home Cost for Different Tasks
Letβs look at the real budgets for typical scenarios:
πΉ Minimum security (1-bedroom apartment)
β Mi Home Gateway 3 - 2,500 β½;
β 1 door opening sensor - 600 β½;
β 1 motion sensor - 800 β½;
β Siren - 1,500 β½.
Totally: ~5 400 β½
πΉ Full automation (3-room apartment)
β Aqara Hub Gateway M2 β 3 200 β½;
β 6 Opening Sensors β 3,600 β½;
β 3 motion sensors - 2,400 β½;
β 2 water leakage sensors - 2,000 β½;
β 4 smart outlets - 3,200 β½;
β 5 Smart Lamps - 7,500 β½;
β 2 Cameras Mi Home Camera 2K β 7 000 β½;
β Cloud subscription for 1 year β 2,400 β½.
Totally: ~31 300 β½
πΉ Energy Conservation (Consumption Control)
β Aqara Hub Gateway M2 β 3 200 β½;
β 5 power-monitoring outlets β 7,500 β½;
β Aqara Smart Radiator Controller: 2,500 β½;
β Sensor. COβ Aqara TVOC β 3 000 β½.
Totally: ~16 200 β½