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These Aqara products solved my problems with taping over my switches!

Hi! More devices supporting Matter have been released recently. Aqara sent me their Smart Light Switch and LED Bulb to test. They feature both Zigbee and Matter and fixed my issues with taping over my switches! Will they work in Home Assistant? Let’s dive in!


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Ed

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Buy the LED Bulb T2 and Light Switch H2 EU here:

LED Bulb T2 E27 (CCT):
LED Bulb T2 E27 (RGB CCT):
  • Currently Out of stock
Light Switch H2 EU:

Introduction

Aqara sent me these two boxes. The first box contains the Smart Light Switch T2, and the second box holds the Smart LED Bulb H2 EU.

When I first started making my home smart, like many others, I installed some Philips Hue lights. However, I quickly ran into the issue of having to tape over my switches to prevent my housemates from cutting power to the lights.

If I could start over, I would do things differently and use Smart Switches that work physically while supporting Zigbee or Matter. With the Smart Switch and Smart LED Bulb Iโ€™m showing in this video, thatโ€™s exactly whatโ€™s possible.

The Aqara LEB Bulb T2

The Aqara LED Bulb T2 E27 CCT is a smart bulb that brings solid features like tunable white light, dual connectivity, and seamless smart home integration. Itโ€™s designed for those who want a balance between automation, convenience, and energy efficiency.

Design & Build

At first glance, the Aqara LED Bulb T2 looks like your standard light bulbโ€”E27 base, a simple white finish, and a decent size (60 ร— 110 mm). Itโ€™s lightweight but well-built, made from a mix of aluminum and plastic. If youโ€™ve used other smart bulbs, this one will feel familiar in terms of design. Nothing flashy, but it does the job.

Connectivity

One of this bulb’s standout features is its dual connectivity. It supports both Zigbee and Thread, meaning you can use it with an Aqara hub or Zigbee Dongle for Zigbee features or connect it directly to Matter-supported platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, and Home Assistant. If you already have an Aqara setup, Zigbee is the way to go for exclusive features. Otherwise, Thread makes it easy to use without an extra hub.

Lighting Performance

The bulb offers tunable white light, meaning you can adjust the color temperature from a warm 2700K to a cool 6500 K. Thus, you can use it for cozy movie night lighting or bright work lighting. It can reach up to 1100 lumens, which is enough for most rooms. Plus, colors appear natural and vibrant, with a high Color Rendering Index of over 90.

Smart Features & Automation

One of the best things about this bulb is its automation options. If youโ€™re an Apple HomeKit user, it supports adaptive lighting, automatically adjusting its warmth throughout the day. No manual tweaking is needed. If you use Matter, you will need iOS 18 for adaptive lighting. You can also use adaptive lighting in Home Assistant, which I use. Watch this video, in which I explain how to set this up.

The Aqara Home app also allows you to customize dimming curves and transitions, giving you more control over how the light changes. It even has a power-off memory, so if thereโ€™s a power outage, you can set it to remember its last state instead of turning it on at full brightness in the middle of the night.

Energy Efficiency & Lifespan

This bulb runs at 10.5 watts, which is way more energy-efficient than a 75-watt traditional bulb. Itโ€™s rated for about 25,000 hours of use, meaning you wonโ€™t need to replace it anytime soon.

Compatibility

Aqara made sure this bulb plays well with multiple smart home ecosystems. It works with Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, Homey, and Home Assistant. Whether youโ€™re deep into one system or mix-and-match devices, this bulb should fit right in.

Setup & Installation

Setting up the bulb is straightforward. Just screw it into an E27 socket, turn it on, and pair it using the Aqara Home app (or whatever smart home platform youโ€™re using). The dual connectivity means you can choose the best protocol for your setupโ€”Zigbee for more advanced features or Thread for direct Matter integration. I chose Matter, and it was set up in no time.

Pros & Cons

Then, the Pros and Cons of this LED bulb.

The Pros are:

โœ… Dual Connectivity โ€“ Works with Zigbee and Thread, giving you flexibility.
โœ… Tunable White Light โ€“ Adjust the warmth from 2700K to 6500K.
โœ… High Brightness & CRI โ€“ Up to 1100 lumens and a CRI of 90+ for natural colors.
โœ… Smart Automation โ€“ Adaptive lighting, power-off memory, and custom dimming curves.
โœ… Energy Efficient โ€“ Low power consumption with a long lifespan (25,000 hours).

In my opinion, the Cons are:

โŒ Zigbee Requires a Hub โ€“ If you want Zigbee features, youโ€™ll need an Aqara hub or a Zigbee dongle.
โŒ This bulb has no RGB colors, but an RGB variant is also available.

Price

The Aqara LED BULB T2 is โ‚ฌ19,99, making it an affordable option for anyone looking to upgrade to smart lighting without breaking the bank. The price is reasonable considering its performance and feature set, though the optional additional cost of an Aqara Hub (if needed) should be considered. You will find links to purchasing this LED bulb in the video’s description.

Final Verdict

The Aqara LED Bulb T2 E27 CCT is a solid smart bulb if youโ€™re looking for adjustable white lighting, reliable connectivity, and deep smart home integration. Itโ€™s bright, energy-efficient, and works with all major platforms, making it a great addition to your smart home setup.


The Aqara Smart Light Switch H2 EU

The Aqara Light Switch H2 EU is a sleek, feature-packed smart switch that aims to blend seamlessly into your home while offering solid automation features. This model, with two buttons and one channel, is designed for people who want a mix of traditional control and smart home functionality. By the way, there’s also a four-button, two-channel version that I did not test.


Design & Installation

The H2 EU looks modern and blends well with most home interiors. Itโ€™s designed to fit into standard 55 mm frames from brands like Gira, Merten, Busch, and Schneider, so installation should be smooth if you already use them.

Speaking of installation, it supports both neutral and no-neutral wiring, which is great for older homes that donโ€™t have a neutral wire running to their switches, like mine. However, you’ll need a neutral wire to access features like energy monitoring and overload protection. I installed the switch without a neutral wire.

Overall, installation is fairly simple if youโ€™re comfortable with electrical work, but if not, getting an electrician might be a good idea.


Connectivity & Compatibility

This switch plays well with various platforms, thanks to its dual support for Zigbee and Thread (Matter). That means you can integrate it with:

  • Aqara Home
  • Apple Home
  • Amazon Alexa
  • Google Home
  • Samsung SmartThings
  • Homey & Home Assistant

If you go the Zigbee route, youโ€™ll unlock extra features like enhanced automation and energy monitoringโ€”but youโ€™ll need an Aqara Hub for that. If you prefer Thread, you can integrate it with Matter-compatible smart home platforms without the extra hub and create automations on the platform of your choice.


Features & Smart Controls

Aqara has packed some handy features into the H2 EU, making it more than just a basic smart switch.

  • It has Customizable Buttons โ€“ The top button can control your wired lights, while the bottom button can act as a wireless switch for other smart devices (like smart plugs or even your security system).
  • Overheat & Overload Protection โ€“ If things get too hot or thereโ€™s an electrical overload, the switch automatically shuts off to prevent damage.
  • Energy MonitoringIf you connect a neutral wire, you can track power usage in real-time. However, you can still manually input load values for rough tracking if you don’t have a neutral wire.
  • MARS Technology (Zigbee Mode Only) โ€“ This keeps your smart lights “online” even if theyโ€™re switched off, so you donโ€™t lose remote control.

Performance & Everyday Use

Once installed, the H2 EU works flawlessly. The buttons feel solid, respond quickly, and can be set up in the Aqara Home app to control other devices. Voice control with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri is a nice bonus, letting you turn lights on and off hands-free. Of course, you can control other devices through Home Assistant, as well as the switch using voice in Home Assistant.

If you run a Zigbee-based smart home, youโ€™ll likely get the best experience, as that unlocks more features. However, Thread (Matter) support is a huge plus if you plan to invest in future-proof smart home tech. I installed it myself using Matter.


Pros & Cons

Then, the Pros and Cons of this Light Switch.

The Pros are:

โœ… Zigbee + Thread (Matter) support โ€“ Works with a wide range of smart home platforms
โœ… Easy installation โ€“ Works with or without a neutral wire
โœ… Customizable buttons โ€“ Set up automations beyond just controlling the lights
โœ… Built-in safety features โ€“ Overheat & overload protection
โœ… Energy monitoring (if connected to a neutral wire)

The Cons are, in my opinion:

โŒ Requires an Aqara Hub for full functionality (if using Zigbee)
โŒ Currently available in white โ€“ It may not match all interiors
โŒ Feature limitations in no-neutral mode โ€“ Some advanced functions require a neutral wire

Price

The Aqara Light Switch H2 EU, 2 Buttons, 1 Channel is priced competitively compared to similar smart switches on the market. Typically, it falls in the mid-range price category for Zigbee-powered smart switches. While it may not be the cheapest option, its integration with popular smart home platforms and solid build quality justify the price point. The price is โ‚ฌ41.99. You will find links to purchase this Light Switch in the video’s description.


Final Thoughts

The Aqara Light Switch H2 EU is a solid choice if you want a versatile, reliable smart switch that integrates smoothly into your existing smart home setup. Its compatibility with both Zigbee and Thread (Matter) makes it future-proof, and the ability to customize buttons for different automations is a nice touch.

This switch is a great addition if you already use Aqara products or are building a Zigbee-based smart home. If you’re mainly looking for a Matter-ready device, it still deliversโ€”just be mindful of the feature differences between Zigbee and Thread modes.

Overall, itโ€™s an excellent buy if youโ€™re serious about smart home automation, but make sure youโ€™re okay with needing an Aqara Hub or Zigbee Dongle for a full experience. This switch solved my issue of taping my manual light switches!

Would you install one in your home? Let me know in the comments what you think!

Alright, that wraps up today’s review! Thank you so much for watching โ€“ I really appreciate your time and support. If you found the video helpful, donโ€™t forget to give it a thumbs up and subscribe to the channel for more honest reviews and tutorials. You can sponsor me through Patreon, Ko-Fi, or become a paid channel member. See the links in the video description for this. Also, please leave any questions or thoughts in the comments below. I would love to hear from you! Thanks again for all your support, and Iโ€™ll catch you in the next video.

Bye Bye!

Buy the LED Bulb T2 and Light Switch H2 EU here:

LED Bulb T2 E27 (CCT):
LED Bulb T2 E27 (RGB CCT):
  • Currently Out of stock
Light Switch H2 EU:


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