Aqara entry-level Matter controller M100 is available in China
Aqara’s new M100 hub won’t bankrupt you for all the essentials you need for Matter.
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Aqara has officially launched its entry-level Matter controller, the M100, in the Chinese market, as announced on Friday via a local social media post on WeChat. First unveiled at CES 2025 in January, the M100 is designed to provide a user-friendly introduction to the Matter ecosystem, boasting both affordability and functionality.
What is special about the M100?
The M100 serves as a compact gateway that integrates Wi-Fi, Thread, and Zigbee radio, enabling seamless management of Aqara devices and a wide range of third-party Matter-compatible products. It functions effectively as a Thread Border Router, a key aspect in ensuring connectivity between different smart home devices, including Aqara’s new Thread devices. And the Aqarar M100 acts as a Matter bridge that links Zigbee devices to popular platforms such as Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant.
The hub’s design emphasizes flexibility and installation convenience. It features a dongle-like form factor which allows users to adjust its position, optimizing antenna performance for better connectivity within a home. The M100’s minimalist white design is also intended to complement various home aesthetics, contributing to its appeal among consumers.
Additionally, the M100 is equipped with upgraded hardware, including enhanced antenna efficiency and a doubling of DDR memory from 64 MB in its predecessor, the E1, to 128 MB. It also incorporates Wi-Fi 6, further facilitating efficient data transfer and device connectivity.
Aqara Hub M100
The Aqara Hub M100 is a compact, entry-level Matter Controller with Wi-Fi, Thread, Zigbee, and USB-A power, serving as a Thread Border Router and Matter bridge for Aqara and third-party devices.
Currently, the Aqara Home supports various types of Matter devices including bridged devices, lights, thermostats, sockets, switches, buttons, and sensors like human motion detectors, light sensors, and temperature meters. The company keeps expanding the list of compatible devices with updates, highlighting its commitment to developing a robust smart home platform enhanced by the bi-directional capabilities of Matter.
Availability
Priced at 159 yuan ($21.94) in Chinese mainland, the M100 stands as one of the most competitively priced Thread border routers on the market, especially when compared to premium devices from brands like Eero and mid to high-end smart home hubs. Its affordability positions it as an attractive entry point for users aiming to enhance their home automation systems without substantial financial investment.
Aqara told MatterAlpha that “The M100 hub is expected to hit the global market in the coming Q2.”
(Source: Aqara, in foreign language)
About the Author
Ward Zhou
Products Editor and Writer
Ward Zhou has been immersed in the smart home and industrial tech space throughout his career. Based in Shenzhen, the industrial hub of smart home, he began his journey with local media outlets and a prominent smart home solution provider, eWeLink, cultivating his expertise in smart home devices and industrial dynamics. Ward has contributed hundreds of review and news pieces to respected publications such as TechNode, PingWest, and Caixin Global. When he’s not covering the latest in tech, Ward enjoys coding, design, street photography, and video games.
Aqara Hub M100
The Aqara Hub M100 is a compact, entry-level Matter Controller with Wi-Fi, Thread, Zigbee, and USB-A power, serving as a Thread Border Router and Matter bridge for Aqara and third-party devices.