Have been launched Aqara's new E1 series sensors. The well-known home automation brand updates three of its most popular products which, although it is more of an internal update than an external one, is nonetheless interesting. Because now it will support the latest version of the ZigBee communication standard for connected home devices.
Aqara E1 Series, now compatible with ZigBee 3.0
Those of you who have already started with home automation will know that when looking for certain types of devices, such as sensors for detecting open doors or water, there is a well-known brand thanks to Xiaomi and that collaboration between the two when creating many home automation products.
That brand or manufacturer we are talking about is none other than Aqara, which not only offers devices with very attractive prices, clean design and varied options, but also with support for different home automation platforms.
This is undoubtedly one of the main attractions of Aqara. Because thanks to the use of its bridges, these sensors that it offers within its catalog can be combined with other products that make use of the home automation platforms of Google, Amazon and especially Apple with HomeKit. In other words, it is one of the few manufacturers that, with a very interesting price, allows its products to be controlled with Siri and the Home application available to Apple users.
However, leaving aside what you probably already know, the novelty now is the update of three of its sensors. To be exact, the sensor for doors and windows, the sensor for water leaks and the wall push button both in its version with neutral wire and without it have been updated. They are a Update that really affects the interior, because physically they maintain the same aesthetics of the previous version or generation. However, those internal changes are the really interesting ones when offering support for ZigBee version 3.0.
Thanks to this, now these sensors improve their performance, but above all their range. Which is always interesting and what was expected after learning about the renewal of the brand's bridges with the arrival of the Aqara M2 and M1S. So, in the event that you are thinking of updating or expanding your home sensors and you are thinking of Aqara, make sure that since you are going to buy them they are the new version.
This in the case of new users who are introduced to home automation is super important for the future. And if it is to improve what you already have, even if you are now using old products, you do not have to worry, because these new sensors with ZigBee 3.0 offer backward compatibility with the previous version with ZigBee 1.2.
The economical option to grow your HomeKit installation
The Aqara's new E1 series sensors they will still be compatible with Xiaomi's own Mi Home app, but will also have support for HomeKit. So they can be used and controlled through Siri and the Home application available on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
This is interesting, because for price they represent the best option on the market or one of the best. Also, if one day you wanted to change or combine its use with other assistants and platforms such as Amazon and Alexa or Google, you could too. It is true that living with several assistants is not recommended, but in the case of wanting to do so, it would be feasible.