The choice between a Homey Pro and an Aqara Hub M3 determines whether your smart home speaks every wireless language or just the essentials.
The Big 5: 1 of 5Cost and Price
At retail, the Homey Pro (2026 Edition) costs 349 pounds on Amazon UK. The Aqara Hub M3 costs 109 pounds. That is a 240-pound difference.
Problems and Drawbacks
Homey Pro: The Risks
The most common complaint is the learning curve. The Flow-based automation builder is powerful but not intuitive. Building a multi-condition routine requires understanding boolean logic. If your previous smart home experience is asking Alexa to turn on a light, expect several hours of familiarisation.
The second risk is ecosystem overcommitment. At 349 pounds, the Homey Pro only makes financial sense with 15 or more devices from three or more brands.
Aqara Hub M3: The Risks
The M3 has a hard device ceiling of approximately 128 connected devices. For a flat this is theoretical. For a three-bedroom house with sensors in every room, it is a genuine constraint.
More critically, the M3 does not support Z-Wave. Z-Wave is used by most high-end door locks (Yale, Ultion), smoke detectors (Fibaro), and leak sensors (Aeotec) sold in the UK.
The Big 5: 3 of 5Head-to-Head Comparison
| Specification | Homey Pro (2026) | Aqara Hub M3 |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Protocols | 8: Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave Plus, BLE, 433MHz, IR, Matter, Thread | 4: Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Matter, Thread, IR |
| Local Processing | 100% on-device | 100% local |
| Device Capacity | 50,000+ | Approximately 128 |
| Z-Wave Support | Full Z-Wave Plus (700/800 series) | Not supported |
| Apple HomeKit | Via HomeKit Bridge | Native |
| UK Retail Price | 349 pounds | 109 pounds |
| Our Rating | 9.2 / 10 | 8.1 / 10 |
Who Each Hub Is For
Homey Pro (2026 Edition)
- Eight wireless protocols cover every smart device manufactured in the last decade
- 50,000+ device capacity with 100% local execution. No cloud, no subscription.
- Advanced Flow automation builder with 1,000+ community app integrations
- 349 pounds is three times the price of the Aqara Hub M3
- Flow builder has a significant learning curve
Best for: Power users with 15+ devices across multiple brands. Homes with Z-Wave locks or legacy 433MHz sensors.
Aqara Hub M3
- Exceptional value at 109 pounds. The most affordable local Matter and Thread hub available.
- Native Apple HomeKit with zero configuration required.
- Built-in 360-degree IR blaster controls TVs, air conditioners, and soundbars.
- 128-device ceiling is fine for flats but restrictive for whole-home automation.
- No Z-Wave or 433MHz support. Cannot connect to most smart door locks.
Best for: Apple HomeKit households with fewer than 30 Aqara sensors and Matter bulbs.
Best in Class: Our Verdict
Buy the Homey Pro (349 pounds) if: You manage 15 or more devices from multiple brands, need Z-Wave for door locks or sensors, or are building a whole-home system across multiple floors.
Buy the Aqara Hub M3 (109 pounds) if: You use Apple HomeKit as your primary platform, have fewer than 30 devices, and neither Z-Wave nor 433MHz compatibility is required.
The Homey Pro costs more today. It also eliminates the need to ever replace your hub. For most homes with ambitions beyond a single room, the long-term value is clear.
Sources: Homey Pro specifications, Aqara Hub M3 specifications, r/homeautomation community feedback, Amazon UK verified purchase reviews. Prices checked via Amazon Product Advertising API July 2026.