Aqara · Commercial local hubs
Aqara Hub E1
Zigbee 3.0 · Wi-Fi · proprietary API · about $30
cloud optionalcloud optional
Protocols
Zigbee 3.0Wi-Fi
1.5 W
Idle power
$30
List price
~400
Devices (est.)
Specifications
| Category | Commercial local hubs |
|---|---|
| Protocols | Zigbee 3.0, Wi-Fi |
| Cloud dependency | cloud optional |
| Local API | proprietary API |
| Voice assistants | Alexa, Google, Siri (HomeKit) |
| Open source | closed-source |
| Directly supported devices (est.) | ~400 |
| Idle power draw | ~1.5 W |
| Update outlook | actively maintained |
| List price (Amazon.com, Q2/2026) | about $30 |
Best for: Budget under $80Best for: Family / casual
Setup & gotchas
🔌 Best used as a secondary Zigbee repeater; power it from a wall adapter, not a PC that sleeps.
Editorial take
Our hands-on read — the specs above are the sourced facts.
Strengths
- + USB-powered Zigbee 3.0 hub that is cheap and portable
- + Easy way to extend an existing Aqara setup into another room
Trade-offs
- − Modest child-device limit makes it a satellite rather than a main hub
- − Cloud and remote features tie back to Aqara China servers
Related hubs
Frequently asked questions
Does the Aqara Hub E1 require the cloud?
Not for core control. The Aqara Hub E1 works locally (proprietary API); the cloud is optional and mainly adds remote access and extra features.
Which protocols and voice assistants does the Aqara Hub E1 support?
Protocols: Zigbee 3.0, Wi-Fi. Voice: Alexa, Google, Siri (HomeKit). It directly supports an estimated 400 devices/brands.
How much does the Aqara Hub E1 cost and how much power does it use?
List price is about $30 (Amazon.com market observation, Q2/2026 — actual prices fluctuate). Idle power draw is roughly 1.5 W. The hardware and firmware are closed-source.
Source & last checked
- Aqara official site: aqara.com/ ↗
- Sources last checked: 2026-07-20 · Prices: Amazon.com market observation, Q2/2026
- Idle-power and device-count figures are vendor-claimed or community-measured estimates. Prices fluctuate. Details without warranty — check the current manufacturer spec sheet before buying.