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An independent consumer guide to smart homes.

Aqara Hub M2 VS Amazon Echo (4th gen)

Not sure which of these two products you should buy - Aqara Hub M2 or Amazon Echo (4th gen)? Our comparative guide will help you make the right decision. Here you will find detailed descriptions, specifications and advantages/disadvantages of the two products. Let's take a closer look at what they can offer and which one is best suited for you.

Aqara Hub M2

3.7

Amazon Echo (4th gen)

3.1
-
Z-Wave
Yes, but limited
3.0
ZigBee
-
2.4GHz
Wifi
2.4GHz and 5GHz
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth
Bluetooth LE
Yes
Infrared
-
-
433Mhz
-

Aqara Hub M2

Aqara has introduced a successor to its popular M1S hub. This new M2 hub has some improvements over its predecessor, although it may not be a necessary upgrade for existing M1S owners. Let's look at some of the main differences and what they mean for users.

One of the prominent improvements to the M2 hub is its claimed ability to handle up to 128 devices. This is an impressive increase over the M1S, but there is one important detail to consider. This number only applies if you include powered repeaters in your network. Each such repeater has the capacity to handle up to 16 devices. So, in theory, you can connect up to 128 devices if you have the right distribution of repeaters in your network.

When we compare the Aqara Hub M2 and M1S, there is a significant difference in design and features. The M1S hub has a built-in LED light, which gives it an extra feature not found in the M2 model. On the other hand, the M2 hub has an Ethernet connection, which is lacking in the M1S. The choice between the two therefore depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Another important thing to mention is the M2 hub's built-in Bluetooth function. This may be a forward-thinking feature, but right now Aqara does not have any devices that use Bluetooth communication. It may be interesting to see how this feature will be exploited in the future, and it could open up new possibilities for smart home solutions.

In summary, the Aqara Hub M2 offers some exciting improvements in terms of device management and connectivity. It is important to consider your specific needs and whether you really need the extra features that the M2 hub offers compared to the M1S. The choice between the two depends on your preferences and the current ecosystem of devices you own. Choose the one that best suits your smart home project.

Amazon Echo (4th gen)

Amazon Echo has been on the Swedish market for a significant amount of time now, but there is still room for improvement in terms of its features for the Swedish audience. The Echo range, including the Echo and Echo Dot, has recently undergone an update that includes an interesting new feature: a built-in motion sensor that uses ultrasonic technology to detect when someone is in the room.

This new motion sensor could be particularly useful for improving the user experience and increasing usability in the smart home. By being able to sense when someone is present in the room, the Echo device can potentially be used for various purposes, such as activating lighting, adjusting the temperature or starting music playback when someone approaches.

However, it is important to note that while these updates are interesting and could improve the functionality of the Echo series, there is still room to adapt the devices even more for the Swedish market. Many of us have specific needs and expectations when it comes to smart home devices, and adapting the Echo range further for Swedish users can make it even more attractive and functional.

In summary, the Amazon Echo series has been on the Swedish market for some time and has recently received an update with a built-in motion sensor that can be useful to improve the user experience in the smart home. However, there is still room for adaptations and improvements to meet the specific needs of Swedish users.