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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Aqara vs Crestron

Aqara logo

Aqara

IoT & Smart Home

Smart home sensors and automation ecosystem

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Crestron logo

Crestron

IoT & Smart Home

Enterprise-grade control and automation technology

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Aqara a hub is required for full functionality, and Matter accessories need a Matter controller such as the Hub M3 configured in Aqara Home first; Crestron crestron does not sell direct or publish prices; its own site's How-To-Buy navigation routes buyers only to a dealer/partner search (Elite Platinum Commercial Dealers) or an authorized representative, with no online pricing or purchase path.
  • They diverge on capability: Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Crestron covers Enterprise Control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aqara and Crestron actually diverge.

Attributes where Aqara and Crestron differ
AttributeAqaraCrestron
Pricing modelone-timequote
PlatformsIOS, AndroidControl systems, Mobile apps, Web interfaces, Touch screens
Founded20161971

Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Aqara

  • Zigbee protocol
  • Sensor ecosystem
  • Automation scenes
  • Long battery life
  • Local processing
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Google Assistant

Only in Crestron

  • Enterprise Control
  • Powerful Programming
  • Extensive Integration
  • Reliability
  • 5000+ devices
  • Custom protocols
  • Web/Mobile apps
  • Touch panels

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Aqara

  • Smart home sensors, switches and cameras on Zigbeenot Crestron
  • Automations across HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThingsnot Crestron
  • Matter-based smart home setupsnot Crestron
  • Door locks and curtain controllers tied to routinesnot Crestron

Crestron

  • Conference room automationnot Aqara
  • Building managementnot Aqara
  • Campus-wide controlnot Aqara
  • Corporate AVnot Aqara

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Aqara

  • A hub is required for full functionality, and Matter accessories need a Matter controller such as the Hub M3 configured in Aqara Home first
  • Primarily a hardware company, so the app exists to run devices you have bought
  • Zigbee devices depend on the hub remaining supported

Crestron

  • Crestron does not sell direct or publish prices; its own site's How-To-Buy navigation routes buyers only to a dealer/partner search (Elite Platinum Commercial Dealers) or an authorized representative, with no online pricing or purchase path.

Pricing, plan by plan

Aqara

On request
  • Door Sensor$15/month
    • Zigbee
    • Long battery
    • Instant alerts
  • Motion Sensor$20/month
    • Light sensor
    • Adjustable sensitivity
    • Pet immune
  • Hub M2$60/month
    • Zigbee hub
    • IR control
    • HomeKit support

Crestron

On request
  • Professional$1000/month
    • Programming tools
    • Device control
    • Advanced features
  • Enterprise$10000/month
    • Large deployments
    • Custom solutions
    • Enterprise support

Which should you pick?

Choose Aqara if

  • You need zigbee protocol.
  • You work on IOS, Android.
  • You also want sensor ecosystem.
Aqara review

Choose Crestron if

  • You need enterprise control.
  • You work on Control systems, Mobile apps, Web interfaces, Touch screens.
  • You also want powerful programming.
Crestron review

Questions people ask

Is Aqara or Crestron better?
Neither clearly leads. Aqara starts at On request and Crestron at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aqara or Crestron?
Aqara starts at On request and Crestron at On request.
Does Aqara or Crestron run on more platforms?
Aqara runs on IOS, Android. Crestron runs on Control systems, Mobile apps, Web interfaces, Touch screens.
What is Aqara best used for?
Aqara is most often used for smart home sensors, switches and cameras on zigbee, automations across homekit, google home, alexa and smartthings, matter-based smart home setups, door locks and curtain controllers tied to routines. Of those, smart home sensors, switches and cameras on zigbee and automations across homekit, google home, alexa and smartthings are not what Crestron is typically brought in for.
What can Aqara do that Crestron cannot?
Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Sensor ecosystem, Automation scenes, Long battery life. Crestron covers Enterprise Control, Powerful Programming, Extensive Integration, Reliability.
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