The Presence Sensor FP1E uses millimetre wave (mmWave) technology to detect even slight human movements, enabling precise presence detection for various home automation scenarios. It can detect presence up to 6m/19ft away and monitor a room of up to 50 sq m/538 sq ft when ceiling mounted. Unlike PIR motion sensors, the FP1E detects human presence even when the person is sitting or lying still. It can quickly recognise when a person leaves a room and trigger automation to turn off lights and air conditioning, reducing energy loss.

The FP1E complements the more versatile Presence Sensor FP2 (review HERE, video HERE) and is streamlined for user-friendliness, ideal for those seeking a precise occupancy detection solution without advanced features like zone positioning. The FP1E uses AI algorithms to distinguish between relevant movements and false triggers, eliminating the need for additional setup. It filters out small pets and interference from mirrors, metals, curtains, and ACs, while its sensitivity is self-adaptive. The sensor’s AI learning capabilities improve detection accuracy by adapting to the user’s home environment over time.

Aqara Home users can use the FP1E to detect human movement or stillness, unlocking various automation possibilities based on movement status and duration. For example, if the sensor detects a person remaining still for over 30 minutes, it can send notifications or change the colour of smart lights as a reminder to stand up. This feature aims to promote healthier routines and reduce sedentary behaviour.

The FP1E is powered by a 5V1A supply (USB power brick not included) and comes with a magnetic and adhesive-backed bracket for easy installation on walls, ceilings, or corners.

The Presence Sensor FP1E is available in Aqara’s Amazon stores in North America (US, Canada), Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, UK), and Asia (Japan), as well as from select Aqara retailers worldwide, and for a limited time you can get 20% off the list price using the following codes on Amazon stores – UK/EU – FP1EEU20 | US/CA – FP1ENA20

You can read our full written review below;

Aqara Presence Sensor FP1E (review)

The post Aqara Launches New Presence Sensor FP1E appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

(mmWave) sensing is a non-contact system of using mmWave radar sensors to measure movement, acceleration, and angles as small as a fraction of a millimeter. This system requires a mmWave radar sensor to transmit and receive pulses of millimetre electromagnetic wave energy, detecting targets and motion from the reflections it receives back.

So as you can see, simply shallow breathing will be enough to let a Presence Sensor know you’re still there, and not leave you in the dark – literally. today’s product review is for the Aqara FP1E, which can both be considered the successor to the FP1, which was only released in China, and a scaled back version of the Aqara FP2 (review HERE, video HERE).

If you’re keen to know how it performs, and how it differs from the other two Presence Sensors just mentioned, read on…

PACKAGING | CONTENTS

Aqara’s packaging is fairly standardised now, with the product front and centre, a sort of ‘disclaimer’ below, and logos for compatible ecosystems. this is where some Apple Home users might be confused, as the ‘Works With Apple Home’ logo is not present alongside the Alexa and Google logos. That’s due to the FP1E using Zigbee 3.0, which in turn means it would require an Aqara hub, which is point of entry to Apple Home. I have to assume that Alexa or Google are a bit more easy going about their logos being on the box than Apple, as the disclaimer text does state “To connect to third-party ecosystems such as Apple Home, Amazon Alexa and Google Home, an Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub is required”. So don’t panic, it definitely works with Apple Home – as long as you have one of their Zigbee 3.0 hubs.

The rear of the box is a little more technical, showing the sensor’s radar detection range, whilst the sides offer up features and specs;

Features

• Accurate presence detection
• Active spatial learning
• Hassle-free setup for all
• Versatile mounting options

Specs

• Model: PS-S03E
• Ports: USB-A
• Input power: 5V 1A
• Wireless protocol: Zigbee (3.0)
• Dimensions: 57 x 50 x 37mm
• Operating temperature: -10~40ºC | 14~104ºF
• Operating humidity: 0~95% RH, no condensation

Inside the box you get the FP1E of course, a metal plate with two holes for fixing it to a wall using screws, a matching double sided adhesive patch, and the manual in multiple languages. Both the metal mounting plate and the base of the FP1E’s stand are magnetic, so once you’ve mounted the plate the FP1E will cling to it very well. If you’ve ever used the G2H or G2H Pro, you’ll be able to attest to the magnet’s strength at holding fast. THere’s no power brick, as you may have come to expect these days.

The FP1E uses the now tried and tested stand you find in products going way back to the days when early Xiaomi cameras came out – you know, the ones that were released years before Wyze used the same camera design and repackaged it…

This stand is still in use with the Aqara camera Hub G2H Pro, and the cameras that preceded it – the G2, and the G2H – so it’s clearly a good design, and offers versatility for the placement of the FP1E at many different angles. Along with the option to angle it in the vertical plane, it can also be rotated, making it really exceptionally handy. The underside has a simple but easy to press reset button.

Unlike its big brother, the FP2, the power cable is fixed to the device, and as such can’t be replaced for another cable. The cable it comes with is probably more than long enough for most use cases, coming in at a bit under 2 metres.

If you’re an owner of the FP1 (I have three here myself), then you’ll immediately know the design has not changed at all with the introduction of the FP1E. It differs from the FP2 visually, but also in terms of functionally too though, which I’ll get to shortly. It has improvements over the original FP1 too, although perhaps less perceptible.

IN AQARA HOME

Compared to both the FP1 and the FP2, the FP1E is a lot more streamlined, both in terms of the options within the app, and in terms of functionality. Whilst the FP2 offered an array of functionality, including creating a detailed map of your room or living area, along with icons for furniture etc, the FP1E has none of that, and in some ways is better for it. Also unlike the FP2, which offered up to 30 separate zones – all exposed to Apple Home, I might add – the FP1E simply covers one area, which can be adjusted.

The main page for the device is quite simple, with three main accessible options shown. The first of these is a log of presence and absence events. It’s very simply laid out, and as such is easy to understand. The Detection radius setting is really simple to use, and a lot more intuitive than was offered by the FP1, which had a screen that represented your room/area, like the FP2. However, the UI for the FP1 was really difficult to get a grasp on, as through trial and error you had to work out the edges of its detection range. This for me involved standing in four corners of the living room, to check whether I was within range or out of range of the sensor, then adjust the map boundaries accordingly. It was pretty tedious, if I’m honest.

The FP1E does away with that, and just has  slider that represents the complete detection range, from zero to six metres. When you’re in the sensor’s range, a little icon would appear above the slider to show where you are in relation to the sensor, and therefore allow you to adjust the sensors detection range. This means if you wanted it to only detect presence within two metres of the sensor, even if the room was  four metres deep, then this allows for that. Of course, it’s not as detailed as the FP2 with its 30 zones, but for some people and some use cases, this simple setup is exactly what’s needed, and no more.

For the last few weeks, I’ve been testing it in a few locations, but primarily in the bathroom. The reason for testing it here is that the bathroom offers the perfect circumstances for testing how well it adheres to the limits set for its detection range. when going from the living room to the other bedrooms, we would pass by the open sliding door of this bathroom, and so for a standard motion sensor, there’s going to be the strong chance that it would pick up motion even when you’re not actually in the bathroom, merely passing by.

Not so with the FP1E! Before anything else, you should set the device up, then clear the area of any type of moving object, be that a person, a pet or a fan. Then with the help of AI, the FP1E will build up an image of the area in question as a starting point. It only take around 20 seconds to do this. after that’s done, you can go into the Detection Range Settings page, and set up the limits for the sensor.

As you can see from the last two screenshots above, I’ve set it so that anything outside of the bathroom is set so that it won’t trigger anything based on presence, even though it clearly can detect when I’m outside of the range I set it at. This has worked incredibly well, and I can stand right outside the door to the bathroom without triggering the automation I set up for it, which incidentally turns on the Aqara wall switch controlling the bathroom lights.

IN APPLE HOME

There’s not much to report on with the Apple Home side of things, so in essence, if you’re going to use the FP1E in Apple Home automations, it’ll act like any motion or presence sensor to trigger other devices, depending on the detection of presence or absence. It’ll still abide by the detection limits you set in the Aqara app, however.

One thing the FP1E lacks versus the FP1 is that the latter does offer both presence and motion detection. Motion detection is almost on a par with a standard Zigbee motion sensor in terms of speed, which is quicker than a presence sensor for initial motion detection. You can see the two separate sensors listed here in the Eve app, with the FP1E only showing presence as an option. The FP1E doesn’t have such an option, however, whilst presence detection still isn’t as fast to react compared to a PIR sensor, it’s a massive improvement over the speed of presence detection with the original FP1. In most cases I may end up using a standard PIR sensor in combination with the FP1E, unless response time isn’t a top priority.

Ultimately, the options in Aqara Home are superior, as long as the automation is working with other Aqara devices of course. There are options for presence and absence, but also ‘presence for’, ‘Absence for’, ‘Moving’, ‘Still’, ‘Moving for’, and ‘Still for’. Additionally, you can even trigger a couple of options with the FP1E, which you don’t normally see. So, you can, for example, use an Aqara smart button to trigger the FP1E to relearn its Spatial Learning, thereby resetting the absence status, or you can even restart the device. That’s impressive.

THE FP1E IN USE

As previously mentioned, I have three FP1s, two of which are in use. Both are used in small spaces, like our en-suite bathroom (not the one used in the tests), and our entrance area. I never reviewed the FP1 for two reasons; I found the device hard to set up to my liking, and found it inaccurate some of the time, especially for larger areas. I also didn’t review it because it was only available in China, and didn’t want overseas readers buying one off the back of my review, despite it being a largely negative review if I’d written it. With the FP1E, things have changed considerably, and I’m glad that Aqara saw fit to release this internationally, as it does the job well. Yes, it’s not as comprehensive as the FP2, but for use in a bathroom or kitchen, where you may not require the zones feature offered by the FP2, this does a great job. It’s way more easy to set up than either the FP2 or the FP1, and on that basis it works as well as I could have hoped for. I’m also glad they stuck with Zigbee for this device as opposed to WiFi as is found in the FP2, or Matter over Thread for some of the company’s newer devices. Not that I don’t like Matter or Thread, but I know where I stand with Zigbee, and it rarely lets me down, which is of paramount importance to me, and I should imagine to other users too.

If I were to find any negatives, it would be the fact the power cable is permanently fixed into the sensor, but I guess Aqara decided to stick with the design they already had in the FP1 and just upgrade the internals, which definitely seems to be the case in my experience. Other than that, its highly recommended.

The post Aqara Presence Sensor FP1E (review) appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

PACKAGING | CONTENTS

The front of the box features both the lock and keypad, and depending on the option you purchased, you’ll see either the silver or space grey model. I’m told there’s a white model, but have yet to see anyone with it. When it comes to the front, they really pushed the boat out when it comes to letting you know just how compatible this lock is;

• support for Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Google Home
• Offers Matter and Thread support (Matter over Thread, essentially)
• It doesn’t mention Apple HomeKey on the front, but then only Apple Home users get to use this, so…

The back of the box has the standard blurb, but it also outlines the type of locks the U200 works with. Bear in mind this is a retrofit lock, so for both deadbolts and eurocylinder locks, you get to keep your original lock. If you have locks other than these two basic types, the U200 is not guaranteed to work with it, but to be sure you can visit the company’s website to do a compatibility check to be certain. I’ve fitted the U200 to a deadbolt lock on one of our internal locks, so I guess this is probably the easiest of all the installations (that makes a change…).

The box lists some of the features;

• Matter over Thread support, which will no doubt please the more keen early adopters
• NFC support by using either Aqara’s own NFC fobs, or certain types of NFC cards
• Apple HomeKey support
• Quiet unlock mode
• The option to power the keypad with batteries or ‘wire-powerd’ [sic]
• Other unlock methods, including your own key of course
• And the fact that it works with your existing lock

The other side features the specs, which I’ll also list;

• Model: EL-D02E
• Wireless Protocols: Thread, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC
• Door Lock Dimensions: 62.3 x 60.6 x 152.5 mm (2.4 x 2.4 x 6 in.)
• Keypad Dimensions: 42.7 x 33 x 146 mm (1.7 x 1.3 x 5.7 in.)
• Powering Modes:
  • Door Lock: Aqara Rechargeable Li-ion Battery 7.4V
  • Keypad: 4 x LR3 AAA 1.5V Batteries
  • 12V-24V AC 0.5A 50/60Hz or 12V-24V DC 0.5A wired input
• Operating Temperature: -15 °C ~ 66 °C (5 °F ~ 150.8 °F)
• Operating Humidity: 0 ~ 93% RH, no condensation
• IP Rating (Keypad): IPX5

As you can see, you still get Bluetooth as an option, which means you can create a direct connection between your phone and the lock (actually the keypad), which is still something we’re unable to do via Thread, even with Thread built into the later iPhones.

So, there’s a ton of contents in the U200 box, to say the least.

• Smart Lock U200 × 1 (incl. keypad)
• User Manual × 1
• Aqara Rechargeable Battery × 1
• Cylinder Adaptor Kit × 1
• Hexagon Screwdriver × 1
• USB-C Cable × 1
• AAA Battery × 4
• 3M Sticker × 1
• EVA Pad Kit × 1
• Screw Kit × 1
• Power Bank Pouch × 1

If like me you’re adding this to a US style deadbolt lock, you won’t be needing the 3M sticky pads.

THE LOCK | KEYPAD

Unlike many locks with keypads, the U200 comes with its own keypad as standard, and isn’t an optional extra. The two are pre-paired at the factory, so if for any reason one of the two parts gets damaged, you can’t just replace it, so the lock and keypad would have to be replaced in total. That would normally make you understandably think twice about the purchase, given that an optional keypad would be preferable, but as it stands, none of the keypads you can buy as an optional extra come with Apple HomeKey included. Some have a fingerprint reader, which is probably just as good in most cases, but once again Aqara tops most other options with an included NFC reader too. The SwitchBot Lock Pro also offers both a fingerprint reader and NFC, but no Apple HomeKey support, but it does require their own hub due to it using Bluetooth, whereas with the U200, it’ll connect to an existing Thread network via Matter, so no hub required unless you plan on using it in the Aqara ecosystem, in which case the Aqara Hub M3 will be the device to provide Matter and Thread support. You don’t actually need the Aqara M3 to use the U200, as it’ll connect to the Aqara app via you phone using Bluetooth. If you want to make use of automations within the Aqara app, you will need the M3.

I can only speak from the perspective of fitting it to a deadbolt door, but it was very easy to install. I have had experience in fitting other retrofit locks though – having installed the Nuki Lock 2.0, August Pro, and the previously mentioned SwitchBot Lock Pro, so maybe I’ve had a bit more practice, but it is actually pretty straightforward. Deciding where to place the keypad is probably more tricky, but only because you need to ensure that the location you place it is going to be easily accessible for NFC, hands (with the keypad), but especially iPhone and Apple Watch. Having it in a location that makes you contort your wrist to use HomeKey on your watch or your phone is not going to be much fun.

Focussing briefly on the lock portion, removing the cover plate reveals a few things; first of all this is home to a rechargeable battery, so you don’t have the option to use standard disposable or rechargeable batteries. That’s ok, as long as the cost of a replacement battery is reasonable, and possibly more importantly, is readily available. So far, I’ve not seen any mention of replacements, but I’m sure that’ll come in due course. The battery clicks into place quite easily, and comes with a little tab to pull it out, so no complaints there. As it’s rechargeable, there’s a USB-C port at the top (or bottom, depending on how you’ve installed it), so in essence, you don’t even need to remove the battery to recharge it, as long as you’re a bit creative. There’s also an LED indicator that briefly flashes when the lock is activated in any way.

As this is a full-on Matter device, you don’t get a QR code for HomeKit, only a Matter QR code. This is going to be something we’re already seeing more of, but to HomeKit users it generally makes little difference – you scan the Matter code to add the device to Apple Home in the same way you’ve always done. There’s also a QR code for the Aqara ecosystem, which you may or may not need to scan, as once powered up, the lock should be sending out a Bluetooth signal allowing it to be discovered. If not, you can use the QR code. Below (or above) these codes are two buttons – Reset and Set – both of which are pretty self explanatory, although maybe less so for the set button. With the lock set up, you tend to need the Set button to add it to other ecosystems.

IN AQARA HOME

The main screen isn’t dissimilar to the screens for Aqara’s other locks, with user management, passcode and log options. Even though the lock uses Thread, Bluetooth is still available, which – as I’ve previously stated – means you don’t actually need the M3, or any other Aqara hub, to use the U200. As you can see from the second screenshot, I’m not connected to the M3, and I’m still able to access functions and settings for the lock, as long as I’m within Bluetooth range. For some reason, however, even if you’re connected to the lock via the M3, accessing most functions for the lock does require you to activate the keypad first, which would be achieved by pressing any button on the keypad. This means accessing most features can’t be done remotely.

When it comes to users, just as with the other Aqara locks, it’s broken down into three basic categories (not including users of one-time passcodes);

• Admin – this gives the user access to all lock settings, as well as locking or unlocking using all the available methods
• General – much like the Admin option, this allows the user to use all the available lock/unlock methods.
• Temporary user – This allows the user to access the lock only using a passcode. Additionally, you can limit access between specific dates, or certain days of the week and between certain times.

The one-time passcode option can generate a one-off passcode that can only be used one, and will expire after a set date. This also doesn’t require you to activate the lock, unlike the other options.

Both Admin and general users can access the lock using a registered fingerprint, passcode, with an NFC card, or with Apple HomeKey (Via Apple Home), if they have a suitable iPhone. There are no restrictions to the user in terms of dates, days, or times. Periodic/temporary users can be restricted by date – so you can allow access between specific dates, but you can also customise this access to only work on specific days of the week, and even between certain times of the day. If you’re worried you’re going to come up with an easily guessed passcode, the Aqara app can generate one randomly for you.

As with all Aqara locks I’ve reviewed so far – A100 Zigbee, U100, U500, the U200 has so many options I’m just not going to go into detail on each one. A possibly useful one for people who rent out their properties on a regular basis, the Door Lock Log is quite useful for keeping track of all comings and goings, as well as alerting you to other issues.

As for the long list of features, there are options for controlling the audio that comes from the lock, there’s auto lock, although in my testing I couldn’t get it to work consistently. There’s an option to lock the keypad if repeated failed passcodes have been attempted to be used. Night latch mode allows you to only allow for certain types of access to be used between specified times, and Auto-Turn is a good option for people with potential disabilities or issues with the strength in their hands. This allows the thumb turn on the lock to be turned just a little way, with the U200 completing the rest of the locking/unlocking action for you. If you turn the lock a little way, slowly, the deadbolt will lock/unlock slowly in kind. Turn it a little way more briskly, and it’ll respond with a fast lock/unlock. It may seem a bit strange to offer this, but it does work. I just wonder if a small button might have been better though.

The lock also has Quiet mode, which allows the U200 to lock much quieter and slower. In fact there are three speeds available, quiet, normal, and fast, with the latter being the default. To achieve this mode, you simply need to press the Confirm button (the one with a ‘tick’ icon) followed by the lock or unlock method you choose, and it’ll duly open in the slowest mode. You can also set the lock to perform and any of the three speeds on a schedule, which is great if you have a family member that regularly arrives home late, which means they’re less likely to wake other members of the family.

The lock also offers the following modes – Do Not Disturb and Passage, with the latter ensuring that the U200 stays unlocked for those times when you need the lock to be accessible for when people are constantly going in or out of the house.

IN APPLE HOME

You’ll not be surprised to see the U200 offers much the same level of detail as most locks. You get the one tile, and a toggle control beyond that. For the settings panel, you get to see the battery levels, but only for the lock itself, not the keypad. This is because it’s the lock that connects to your Apple Home via Thread, with the keypad connecting to the lock using Bluetooth.

If you prefer not to use the Aqara app for user management, you can still use both Apple HomeKey and passcodes, with the latter option using the ‘Manage Access’ feature, which allows you to create or generate passcodes directly within Apple Home. Manage Access doesn’t give you the range of customisation options you find in the Aqara app, so you can’t restrict the user to a start and end date, certain days or times. You can only give them access, turn access off, or remove it totally. What you do get is the option to allow the same passcode to be used with other locks in Apple Home, as long as those locks also support the Manage Access feature. If you look in the second screenshot, you can see both the U200 and U50 are present as options, but my now ageing August Lock is not present, as is the case with Aqara A100 Zigbee, neither of which has this option. You can then share the passcode in a variety of ways – AirDrop, Email, Messages, Notes, and much more.

IN DAY-TO-DAY USE

This is a tricky one to conclusively talk about, as I only have one front door, which is already being taken care of by the Aqara A100 Zigbee (review HERE, video HERE), so I’ve had to confine my testing to a bedroom door – hey we live in an apartment! This also means I’ve been unable to test the keypad with the outdoor elements. That said, in all the testing, which so far covered maybe just a tad under two months, I’ve been impressed by a few things. First of all, the response time between a fingerprint being pressed onto the sensor and the lock opening, is exceptionally  fast. This had been my experience with the A100 and U100 locks, but the keypad is hardwired into these locks, so you should expect nothing less. With the keypad not physically connected to the lock, only utilising Bluetooth, you’d rightly expect there to be a delay, at least initially. This simply isn’t the case, with response times being astonishingly fast.

All of the lock options – fingerprint, NFC, and Apple HomeKey – are as fast to respond, with only the keypad being slower due to having to tap in a passcode. I think aside from being able to offer HomeKey via wireless keypad, which I honestly had my doubts would actually come to pass, the reaction times really do put many other locks to shame when you compare like with like.

One downside is the fact you currently need to be with the keypad and have it activated in order to access nearly all the settings. Hopefully Aqara can address this. The other more minor downside is regarding issues I had with connecting it to the M3. When I first set it up, everything worked well in both Aqara and Apple Home. As I’m meant to be actually testing the device, I did remove and reinstall the U200 a few times, and this is where I encountered issues. The second installation went through, but on this occasion Apple HomeKey was added, but wouldn’t actually work. A third installation fixed this, but then I couldn’t bind it to the M3, which is the state we’re at currently. I did have separate issues with the M3, which I detailed in my review, so as it stands, the U200 is mostly used in Apple Home, with Aqara Home only used to change settings.

Build quality is of the usual Aqara standard, which can vary depending on some devices. For example, the Aqara A100 I have here is built like a tank, due to the two parts being mostly made of heavy, durable metal and glass. The U200 isn’t as ‘tank-like’ as this due to the keypad and lock bodies being made of plastic. They still feel well made and put together though, and don’t creak at the seams, or offer gaps where there shouldn’t be any.

I think the one thing that makes this lock stand out from other retrofit locks is that it can work with both European and North American style locks. The SwitchBot Lock Pro can too, but you have to have a separate model for this, whereas the U200 does everything with the one model. The Nuki only works with European locks, and the likes of August, as one example, are only meant for deadbolts, so the U200 is truly on its own in this respect.

If I were to offer a suggestion, it would be that if you want to replace a dumb deadbolt lock, you may want to consider the U100 or U100, as they have it all in one package. If, on the other hand, you’re renting, and aren’t allowed to simply replace the whole lock, then the U200 is best for the least intrusive option of the two. It goes without saying that for European users, this is probably the best option right now, and I say that having used locks by Nuki and SwitchBot.

The post Aqara Smart Lock U200 (review) appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

The Smart Lock U200 can be unlocked using:

• Fingerprint reader – fingerprint recognition built into the keypad.
• passcodes – enter personalised codes on the pre-paired wireless keypad. Aqara Home users can manage guest access with periodic or one-time passwords, even if the lock is disconnected.
• Mobile apps and voice assistants – Control via Aqara Home, Alexa, Apple Home/Siri, Google Home/Google Assistant, SmartThings, and Home Assistant.
• Aqara NFC cards – Unlock using Aqara’s NFC key fobs.
• Traditional keys – Emergency access with the existing keys.

The U200’s retrofit design allows for easy upgrading of existing locks, such as Euro mortise and US deadbolt locks, without changing keys or modifying the door structure. It is suitable for DIY installation, requiring only a screwdriver. Security features include advanced encryption, a tamper alarm on the wireless keypad, and an auto-lock function. Real-time notifications keep users informed about their home’s security.

The U200 is compatible with Euro mortise locks with Emergency Function and supports various cylinders, including EU profile, select Scandi profile, and UK oval cylinders. Adjustable cylinders are sold separately by Aqara. The U200 is also compatible with single-cylinder deadbolt locks.

The U200 retains features of previous Aqara locks, such as local and encrypted storage of fingerprints and passwords, anti-peep passcode protection, Do-Not-Disturb mode, Passage mode, and Night Latch mode. It also includes Quiet Unlock mode, a pull spring feature for handle-less or inward-opening doors, and turn-to-lock and turn-to-unlock functions.

Built on the energy-efficient Thread protocol, the U200 lock uses rechargeable Li-Ion batteries with a battery life of up to 6 months. The IPX5-rated wireless keypad operates with AAA batteries or existing doorbell wiring.

The Smart Lock U200 is available at Aqara’s Amazon brand stores in the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and other additional regions.

Make sure to use the following limited time discount codes for your region;

• 20% off (July 9-13) 20LFY6XT
• 20% off Code (July 9-13) U200EU20

You can check out our video review below;

The post Aqara’s U200 Retrofit Smart Lock w/Matter over Thread Now Available appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

The big difference from the aforementioned V1 switches from these newly announced models is clearly down to the round display, and rotary dial. It would appear based on the previous promo video for the dial that came out around a year ago, there have been some minor design changes, mostly to the dial itself.

The main controller is described as an ‘infinite dial’, meaning it doesn’t have any start or end point, and just turns continuously turns 360º and beyond (is that possible…?). This is useful in a few ways, as whilst the V1 is at its core replacing two standard light switches, it also offers 6 wireless buttons, much like the Aqara Magic Switch S1E (review HERE, video HERE). Beyond that, it can also control other Aqara devices in your home, like light strips, ceiling lights, AC controllers, and more.

Due to this expansive level of control, the screen – which measures 1.32 in wide and high – can display all manner of icons to represent whatever it has been programmed to control, with up to 17 separate screens available. This also includes specific themes of skins for these controls. There’s a screensaver which can also be customised to show things like weather, the time, or both, in a variety of ways.

When it comes to the special features, like the other V1 switches, the Control Knob V1 has a built-in mmWave sensor to detect when someone comes towards or walks away from the switch, with the possibility to detect if someone is even in the room the switch is located in, although that would depend on its location of course.

Interestingly, the switch also contains both temperature and humidity sensors, as well as an optical angle sensor that can adjust its display depending on the angle of the person is at, in relation to the switch.

One option that may appeal to some is that this switch doesn’t require a hub, instead opting for WiFi. It can connect on either a 2.4 or 5.0GHz band, and also includes Bluetooth, which we suspect is for use with Matter at a later date. Regardless of whether Matter arrives for this device, they do work with Apple Home directly.

As this is only going to be available in China – currently listed at around the equivalent of US$138 – it may be of little interest to our international readers, but it does show that Aqara is continuously working on products – at a staggering pace, no less. Let’s hope products like these eventually come to Europe and the US, but don’t hold your breath…

Thanks to Eric Yao for the tipoff.

The post New Aqara Rotary Display Controllers Released in China appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

Visually, it follows the same design cues as the original FP1, so it’s larger and bulkier than the FP2, which enjoyed international sales. It differs from the FP1 only in as much as response times and accuracy are concerned, with the FP1 suffering in both areas for many people. The detection range is larger, along with faster 200ms response times, however, and thanks to some AI input, the FP1E is better at correctly differentiating from false presence and motion triggers. So triggers from things like curtains, standing fans, pets, and robot vacuums, should be a thing of the past.

Although the FP1E is in many ways a mini update from the FP1, it does differ significantly from the FP2 (FP1 and FP1E are collectively referred to as FP1/E henceforth). The FP2 uses WiFi, whilst the FP1/E use Zigbee 3.0. The FP2 is capable of creating up to 30 separate zones, each individually visible in Apple Home, with the FP1/E only having one zone, although you can split the FP1/E’s area into sections within the Aqara app to some extent. Finally, the FP2 has a detachable USB-C power cord, whilst the cable in the FP1/E is fixed to the sensor itself. The FP1/E doesn’t have an ambient light sensor, which is found in the FP2.

The FP1E can be mounted to a wall, ceiling or corner, although unlike the FP2, there seems to be no dedicated sleep monitoring function. Interestingly, the FP1E is exposed to Matter via a suitable hub, which according to the promotional materials, states that despite this being a China-only product (at least for now), it will work with Google and Alexa, which are both unavailable in China, as well as SmartThings and Apple Home, of course.

You can check out our video for the FP2 below, or read the full review HERE.

Thanks to Eric Yao for the info.

The post Updated Aqara Presence Sensor FP1E Launched in China appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

Physically, there’s little to distinguish the U50 from the U100, aside from one specific feature missing, that being the fingerprint sensor. This is where the lower price point has been achieved. Whether that’s an important omission for some is sort of irrelevant, as the U50 is designed to sit alongside the U100, not replace it. So if you want that extra feature, the U100 is the lock for you.

Aside from that, the lock now comes in a much darker shade of grey (or black if you prefer) than the U100, with a finish closer to an option available for the U100 in other regions, which were offered not only in the standard gun metal grey, but also silver or the aforementioned black/dark grey.

As with the U100, the new lock features a keypad for use with passcodes, as well as for use with Apple HomeKey via a suitable iPhone or Apple Watch. Optional Aqara NFC key fobs will also work with the U50, as well as the two provided keys as a manual backup. You also have access to the lock via both the Aqara app and your smart home platform of choice. In the case of third-party platforms aside from Apple Home, You can connect this lock to any Matter platform by binding the lock to a Matter-enabled Aqara hub using Zigbee. This then exposes the lock to that platform. This can be done via Apple Home too, although exposing the lock to Apple Home via a Matter activated hub will result in the loss of Apple HomeKey, which is a very popular feature for many Apple Home users.

Perhaps the most important change for users is the option to rekey the U50 in order to use your existing keys. This was nigh on impossible to do with the U100, but the U50 now uses a standard 5-pin deadbolt, making rekeying a lot more straightforward.

Aside from that, the U50 is much the same in all other aspects to its ‘older brother’, with a ton of features via the Aqara app, for things like time-sensitive, one-off, and periodic passcodes. Do Not Disturb options, and of course automation options via both Apple Home and Aqara Home, which also includes the option to associate the U50 with the company’s G4 video doorbell, which allows you to control the U50 directly from the same screen you use to view the live stream for the G4.

You can purchase the U50 from Amazon.com for US$149.99, with a special time-limited 20% OFF discount, using the following code – USCAU50P.

The post Aqara Unveils Budget Friendly U50 Deadbolt Smart Lock appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

The H2 is compatible with standard 55mm wall plate designs found from many manufacturers, and is designed so that it can be fitted as part of multi-gang setups in the home. Unlike some more recent offerings from Aqara (Hub M3, Motion Sensor P3) , the H2 is a standard Zigbee 3.0 product, not Thread. However, if it’s connected to an Aqara hub that is set up as a Matter bridge, you can also expose this to platforms via Matter, ensuring it’s totally local, instead of relying on any cloud connection. Whether you opt for Matter, HomeKit, or legacy connections to Amazon and Google via a hub, the H2 can act as a zigbee range extender due to it being permanently connected to mains power.

The H2 also offers something quite relevant in times where energy prices seem to continually rise, with energy monitoring, so you can keep tabs on your electricity usage, whether that’s a fan, a washing machine, or standalone lamps etc. This feature is currently only available via the Aqara app, although with the release of Matter 1.3 including energy management features, it’s hoped that the feature can be exposed to Matter platforms at some point. The socket is capable of handling 16 amps, 250v @ 50/60Hz, but with options to deactivate the electrical outputs at predefined levels up to 3840w. Unlike some standard outlets, it also features an on/off button along with an accompanying status LED.

You’ll be able to pick up the Wall Outlet H2 from Amazon stores in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Poland from May 30th.

The post Aqara’s H2 Smart Outlet Coming to Europe appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

You can purchase the Aqara Hub M3 from Amazon stores in your region using the (affiliate) links below, which cost you nothing extra but help us buy more products for review, to keep you informed on how products perform.

For a limited time, you can get 20% off the list price, using the relevant codes below;

• North American stores: USCAHUB3 (applicable to Amazon US & Canada)
• European stores: HUBM3EU5 (applicable to Amazon France, Germany, Italy, Spain & UK)
• Amazon US
• Amazon CA
• Amazon FR
• Amazon DE
• Amazon IT
• Amazon ES
• Amazon UK

The post Aqara Hub M3 with Matter and Thread (video) appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

You can watch our video review below;

Debuted at CES in January, the M3 stands out as an Edge Hub by enabling not only data privacy through end-to-end encrypted, local storage, but also advanced, local automation capabilities. For Aqara users who already own an Aqara Zigbee hub, deploying a Hub M3 further strengthens the robustness of their smart home networks. Moreover, it enables more local automations between Aqara devices. Once added to the network, the M3 takes a lead over other Aqara Zigbee hubs and Wi-Fi devices, and allows automation between these devices to execute on the Edge instead of over the cloud, ensures continued functionality during internet or cloud service disruptions. The Hub M3 also allows select Aqara Zigbee devices with Repeater functionality to act as a proxy hub and execute automations in the absence of M3. Upcoming Aqara Thread devices with Mesh Extender functionality are expected to support device binding via the M3.

As the latest evolution in Aqara’s lineup of smart home control centres, the M3 supports multiple protocols including Thread, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and infrared (IR), making it a comprehensive hub for smart home management. It connects and manages the lineup of classic Aqara Zigbee devices, serving as a Matter bridge. Thanks to the 360° IR blaster, the new hub optimises control of IR-enabled devices by syncing their status directly with Aqara Home whenever an IR remote is utilised. Moreover, the M3 integrates the latest Aqara Thread devices as well as select Matter-compatible devices from third-party brands to Aqara Home. This means that users can connect and manage devices from different brands and ecosystems within the Aqara Home app to ensure maximum flexibility and compatibility.

• Matter bridge for infrared AC units: It can integrate an infrared-compatible air conditioning unit or air-to-air heat pump to Matter, allowing for AC control and automation via Matter-enabled platforms.
• Seamless group migration: Users can easily migrate bridged device from older Aqara hubs to the M3, ensuring continuity of Aqara Home settings and automations without the need to reconfigure each device.
• Enhanced internet connectivity: The M3 features dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz) with WPA3 security as well as a PoE-enabled port, offering enhanced stability and flexibility.
• Powerful speaker: The 95dB speaker built-in can be used for home security alerts and custom announcements.

The Hub M3 is now available at Aqara’s Amazon brand stores throughout North America (US, Canada), Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, UK) and Asia (Japan), as well as through select Aqara retailers worldwide.

• North American stores: USCAHUB3 (applicable to Amazon US & Canada)
• European stores: HUBM3EU5 (applicable to Amazon France, Germany, Italy, Spain & UK)

The post Aqara’s M3 Matter Controller and Thread Border Router Gets International Release appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.