Aqara Smoke Detector Review and Setup, M3 Hub, Apple Home, Alexa and Home Assistant

In this video, I take a real world look at the Aqara Smoke Detector, including setup, testing, automations, and how it integrates across multiple smart home ecosystems. This isn’t just a standard smoke alarm. It’s a smart, connected safety device that can alert you instantly wherever you are, trigger automations, and even activate other devices across your home when smoke is detected. I’ll show you how to set it up in the Aqara app using the M3 hub, then bridge it into Apple Home, Home Assistant, and Alexa, as well as demonstrate a real automation where all lights turn on if the alarm is triggered. ⸻ What makes this different from a normal smoke alarm? The Aqara Smoke Detector uses photoelectric detection, meaning it can identify smoke quickly and reliably. Once triggered, it activates: • A built-in 85dB siren • A flashing LED warning • Instant app notifications • Smart home automations Unlike traditional smoke alarms, this one also alerts you when you’re away from home, giving you the chance to act quickly if something goes wrong. Key features covered in this video • Zigbee 3.0 connectivity (requires Aqara hub like the M3) • Up to 10 year battery life (CR17450 battery included) • 85dB siren – extremely loud and impossible to ignore • Multi-device grouping (all alarms trigger together) • Real-time smoke detection alerts • Works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home & more via Aqara • Full smart automation support What I show in this video • What’s in the box • Setting it up in the Aqara app • Adding it to Apple Home • Adding it to Home Assistant • Adding it to Alexa • Installing it on the ceiling • Real smoke test (and yes… it’s loud) • Creating a safety automation (all lights turn on during alarm) • My honest final thoughts Why this is actually useful This is where smart smoke detectors really stand out. Instead of relying on someone nearby hearing an alarm, you get a critical alert instantly on your phone, wherever you are. You can also create automations like: • Turning on all lights for visibility • Triggering sirens across other devices • Activating cameras to monitor the area • Sending alerts to family members It turns a basic safety device into a full home safety system. Important installation tips • Indoor use only • Avoid kitchens, bathrooms, or steamy areas • Keep distance from vents and air conditioning • Install at least 0.5m from walls • Use screws where possible for best reliability Product link Aqara Smoke Detector (Amazon) https://amzn.to/4cS55pY https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DHZ7LK2M?maas=maas_adg_42FC2EC7D3B2523FA689F138CA567121_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas This is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through it, at no extra cost to you. It helps support the channel and allows me to keep making content like this. Other creators I recommend • Shane Whatley @ShaneCreates • Stuart @StusReviewsUK • Simon @homekitnews • Eric Welander @EricWelander • John @AppleHomeAuthority • Paul Hibbert @paulhibbert • Craig @CraigsTechTalk Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:10 What’s In The Box 03:17 Setup In Aqara 06:47 Apple HomeKit 07:35 Home Assistant 08:19 Alexa 09:40 Installing The Smoke Alarm 10:27 Testing The Smoke Alarm 11:11 Automation Setup 12:57 Final Thoughts 17:01 Outro If you found this helpful, please like and subscribe — it genuinely helps the channel grow. If you’ve got any questions about Aqara, Home Assistant, Apple Home, or automations, drop them in the comments and I’ll help where I can. For longer questions, you can email me at Andy@andysreviews.co.uk