Hi, thank you for the review! I recently purchased this hub but I was wondering if I can connect products outside Aqara - for example Switchbot Curtain 3?
Great question. As far as I know: The SwitchBot Curtain 3 operates primarily via Bluetooth and can integrate with other systems through the SwitchBot Hub 2, which enables Matter support. In contrast, the Aqara Hub M3 functions as a multi-protocol hub supporting Zigbee, Thread, and Matter, but it does not natively support Bluetooth devices like the SwitchBot Curtain 3.  To connect your SwitchBot Curtain 3 to the Aqara Hub M3, you would need to utilize Matter, a universal smart home standard that facilitates interoperability between devices from different manufacturers. However, this integration requires that both devices support Matter over a common protocol, such as Thread or Wi-Fi. The SwitchBot Curtain 3, when paired with the SwitchBot Hub 2, can support Matter over Wi-Fi. The Aqara Hub M3 also supports Matter and can act as a Matter controller.  Despite this, direct integration between the SwitchBot Curtain 3 and the Aqara Hub M3 via Matter may not be straightforward due to potential compatibility issues and the need for both devices to be on the same Matter network. Additionally, certain features may not be fully supported across different ecosystems. Therefore, to control your SwitchBot Curtain 3, it’s recommended to use the SwitchBot Hub 2, which facilitates integration with various smart home platforms, including those compatible with Matter. This setup will provide more reliable control and access to the full range of features offered by SwitchBot devices.  In summary, while both the SwitchBot Curtain 3 (with SwitchBot Hub 2) and the Aqara Hub M3 support Matter, direct integration between them is not guaranteed and may not provide full functionality. Utilizing the SwitchBot Hub 2 is the most effective way to control your SwitchBot Curtain 3 within your smart home setup.
If you want/need/love that feature as much as I do…. And want that benefit in each room…. Yes. For me, most of my IR devices are home theater centred and therefore I only need one device in my living room. But I. Ant ignore the reality, I could benefit in other rooms too… perhaps I might… thanks for the great idea!
@ is there a way to connect IR repeaters to this? I would need multiple as media devices are in a media closet with cat 6 and hdmi running through walls to the tv destinations
Full disclosures: YES AQARA did send me the M3 Hub for review but did NOT pay me for my opinion, or for the video. I thank them for their support of the channel and I am happy to promote products I’m passionate about. Yes, that includes the M3… it’s very powerful!
Great question. Yes, you most likely can add a Sonoff Zigbee device to the Aqara M3 Hub. If your Sonoff device supports Zigbee and is compatible with the Matter standard, it should work seamlessly with the hub. Just make sure to follow the setup instructions in the Aqara app to add it. With that said: I do not have a Sonoff device and haven't tested that... yet.
Hi, thank you for the review! I recently purchased this hub but I was wondering if I can connect products outside Aqara - for example Switchbot Curtain 3?
Great question.
As far as I know:
The SwitchBot Curtain 3 operates primarily via Bluetooth and can integrate with other systems through the SwitchBot Hub 2, which enables Matter support. In contrast, the Aqara Hub M3 functions as a multi-protocol hub supporting Zigbee, Thread, and Matter, but it does not natively support Bluetooth devices like the SwitchBot Curtain 3. 
To connect your SwitchBot Curtain 3 to the Aqara Hub M3, you would need to utilize Matter, a universal smart home standard that facilitates interoperability between devices from different manufacturers. However, this integration requires that both devices support Matter over a common protocol, such as Thread or Wi-Fi. The SwitchBot Curtain 3, when paired with the SwitchBot Hub 2, can support Matter over Wi-Fi. The Aqara Hub M3 also supports Matter and can act as a Matter controller. 
Despite this, direct integration between the SwitchBot Curtain 3 and the Aqara Hub M3 via Matter may not be straightforward due to potential compatibility issues and the need for both devices to be on the same Matter network. Additionally, certain features may not be fully supported across different ecosystems.
Therefore, to control your SwitchBot Curtain 3, it’s recommended to use the SwitchBot Hub 2, which facilitates integration with various smart home platforms, including those compatible with Matter. This setup will provide more reliable control and access to the full range of features offered by SwitchBot devices. 
In summary, while both the SwitchBot Curtain 3 (with SwitchBot Hub 2) and the Aqara Hub M3 support Matter, direct integration between them is not guaranteed and may not provide full functionality. Utilizing the SwitchBot Hub 2 is the most effective way to control your SwitchBot Curtain 3 within your smart home setup.
Since it has an IR blaster I would have to have one for each room??? Really?
If you want/need/love that feature as much as I do…. And want that benefit in each room…. Yes. For me, most of my IR devices are home theater centred and therefore I only need one device in my living room.
But I. Ant ignore the reality, I could benefit in other rooms too… perhaps I might… thanks for the great idea!
@ is there a way to connect IR repeaters to this? I would need multiple as media devices are in a media closet with cat 6 and hdmi running through walls to the tv destinations
I don’t know man but I think you got that M3 Hub for free and you didn’t disclose it or you got paid from the company
Full disclosures: YES AQARA did send me the M3 Hub for review but did NOT pay me for my opinion, or for the video. I thank them for their support of the channel and I am happy to promote products I’m passionate about. Yes, that includes the M3… it’s very powerful!
Can we add other manufacturers (Sonoff) zigbee to this hub?
Great question. Yes, you most likely can add a Sonoff Zigbee device to the Aqara M3 Hub. If your Sonoff device supports Zigbee and is compatible with the Matter standard, it should work seamlessly with the hub. Just make sure to follow the setup instructions in the Aqara app to add it. With that said: I do not have a Sonoff device and haven't tested that... yet.
So far I've tried to add the Sonoff MINIR4M and it works fine with the M3 hub.
Awesome..! Thanks for the feedback…
We need comparison to wink hub 2 and smartthings hub , and last to switchbot hub
That would be worth looking closer at..!