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Aqara vs Yeelight

Aqara logo

Aqara

Software

Smart home sensors and automation ecosystem

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Yeelight logo

Yeelight

Software

Smart lighting for modern homes

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; Yeelight requires owning Yeelight-branded smart lighting hardware; the app itself is a controller with no standalone function
  • They diverge on capability: Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Yeelight covers Color control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aqara and Yeelight actually diverge.

Attributes where Aqara and Yeelight differ
AttributeAqaraYeelight
Founded20162012

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (one-time), free tier (No), platforms (IOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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
  • IFTTT

Only in Yeelight

  • Color control
  • Brightness dimming
  • Schedules
  • Music sync
  • Sunrise/sunset
  • Scenes
  • SmartThings

Both cover

  • Apple HomeKit
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Google Assistant
  • Amazon Alexa
  • Home Assistant
  • IOS support
  • Android support

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 Yeelight
  • Automations across HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThingsnot Yeelight
  • Matter-based smart home setupsnot Yeelight
  • Door locks and curtain controllers tied to routinesnot Yeelight

Yeelight

  • Ambient lightingnot Aqara
  • Entertainment syncnot Aqara
  • Automated schedulesnot Aqara
  • Energy savingnot 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

Yeelight

  • Requires owning Yeelight-branded smart lighting hardware; the app itself is a controller with no standalone function
  • Requires iOS 16.2 or later, per the App Store listing

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

Yeelight

On request
  • Smart Bulb$15/month
    • WiFi
    • 16M colors
    • Voice control
  • Light Strip$30/month
    • Music sync
    • Extendable
    • Scene modes

Which should you pick?

Choose Aqara if

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

Choose Yeelight if

  • You need color control.
  • You work on IOS, Android.
  • You also want brightness dimming.
Yeelight review

Questions people ask

Is Aqara or Yeelight better?
Neither clearly leads. Aqara starts at On request and Yeelight at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aqara or Yeelight?
Aqara starts at On request and Yeelight at On request.
Does Aqara or Yeelight run on more platforms?
Both run on IOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
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 Yeelight is typically brought in for.
What can Aqara do that Yeelight cannot?
Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Sensor ecosystem, Automation scenes, Long battery life. Yeelight covers Color control, Brightness dimming, Schedules, Music sync. Both handle Apple HomeKit, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa.
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