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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

LIFX vs Aqara

LIFX logo

LIFX

IoT & Smart Home

WiFi-enabled smart lights with no hub required

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Aqara logo

Aqara

IoT & Smart Home

Smart home sensors and automation ecosystem

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: LIFX the Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.; 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
  • They diverge on capability: LIFX covers No Hub Required, Aqara covers Zigbee protocol.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LIFX and Aqara actually diverge.

Attributes where LIFX and Aqara differ
AttributeLIFXAqara
PlatformsIOS, Android, Windows, MacOSIOS, Android
Founded20122016

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (one-time), 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 LIFX

  • No Hub Required
  • 16 Million Colors
  • WiFi Direct
  • High Brightness
  • HomeKit
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings

Only in Aqara

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

Both cover

  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

LIFX

  • Ambient lightingnot Aqara
  • Gaming setupnot Aqara
  • Photography lightingnot Aqara
  • Smart homenot Aqara

Aqara

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

Where each one falls short

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

LIFX

  • The Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.

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

Pricing, plan by plan

LIFX

On request
  • LIFX Bulb$40/month
    • 16M colors
    • WiFi direct
    • No hub required

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

Which should you pick?

Choose LIFX if

  • You need no hub required.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want 16 million colors.
LIFX review

Choose Aqara if

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

Questions people ask

Is LIFX or Aqara better?
Neither clearly leads. LIFX starts at On request and Aqara at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LIFX or Aqara?
LIFX starts at On request and Aqara at On request.
Does LIFX or Aqara run on more platforms?
LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS. Aqara runs on IOS, Android.
What is LIFX best used for?
LIFX is most often used for ambient lighting, gaming setup, photography lighting, smart home. Of those, ambient lighting and gaming setup are not what Aqara is typically brought in for.
What can LIFX do that Aqara cannot?
LIFX covers No Hub Required, 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness. Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Sensor ecosystem, Automation scenes, Long battery life. Both handle IOS support, Android support.
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