Homey Pro (2026)
Buy Homey if you want one premium brain for messy multi-brand homes, not if a £10 plug solves your only problem.
£426.07 Checked yesterday, 21:34
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Homey Pro vs Aqara Hub M3
Which Local Smart Home Hub Wins?
Eight protocols versus four. 50K devices versus 128. We determine which local-first hub earns your money.
9.2Winner
versus 8.1Runner-up
Aqara Hub M3
Buy when you're ready to commit to Zigbee/Thread gear and want a serious hub, overkill if you only need two smart plugs.
£129.99 Checked yesterday, 21:34
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.
Hub purchase price349 / 109 pounds
Monthly subscriptionNone required
Z-Wave bridge (to match Homey)0 / 70+ pounds
Five-year total349 / 328+ pounds
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)
349 pounds
Strengths
- 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
Weaknesses
- 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
109 pounds
Strengths
- 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.
Weaknesses
- 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.
Homey Pro (2026)8.2/10Our pick
Why buy this one
Buy Homey if you want one premium brain for messy multi-brand homes — not if a £10 plug solves your only problem. Score reflects capability minus cost/complexity.
Review synthesis
Power users love flows and local-ish control. Themes: price shock, occasional app polish gaps, and whether you truly need it vs Home Assistant Green. Excellent when you hate maintaining a Pi; expensive when you don't.
- flow automation powerstrong
- pricepain
- vs Home Assistantmixed
Stats
| role | premium hub |
| hub_required | is the hub |
Buy if…
- Multi-brand smart home that outgrew phone-vendor apps
- You want less DIY than Home Assistant
Skip if…
- Expensive vs Green + dongle path
- Still a learning project
Concrete usage ideas
- Man cave + house lights on one flow (movie mode)
- Presence-based heating when UK energy prices hurt
Aqara Hub M38.5/10Runner-up
Why buy this one
Buy when you're ready to commit to Zigbee/Thread gear and want a serious hub — overkill if you only need two smart plugs.
Review synthesis
Praise for Matter Controllers / multi-protocol ambitions. Themes: app learning curve, ecosystem lock-in feelings, and UK Thread device availability still catching up. Power users happy; casuals bounce.
- multi-protocol hub valuestrong
- app complexitymixed
- Matter / Thread readinessmixed
Stats
| protocols | Zigbee / Thread / Matter (sku-dependent) |
| hub_required | is the hub |
Buy if…
- You are building beyond plugs into sensors and locks
- You want a Matter controller path for mixed brands
Skip if…
- Too much hub for a two-plug renter kit
- Learning curve vs Tapo-only stacks
Concrete usage ideas
- Terrace house: contact sensors on doors + radiator schedules
- Bridge Chinese Zigbee sensors into Apple/Google via Matter paths
Also compared
FAQ
Which is better: Homey Pro (2026) or Aqara Hub M3?
Homey Pro (2026) is our pick (9.2/10) vs Aqara Hub M3 at 8.1/10. Eight protocols versus four. 50K devices versus 128. We determine which local-first hub earns your money.
How much does the Homey Pro (2026) cost in the UK?
Around £426.07 on Amazon UK at last check (13 July 2026). Confirm on the retailer — prices move.
Who should buy the Aqara Hub M3 instead?
Choose Aqara Hub M3 if you prioritise value over the overall winner (about £129.99 UK). See the score breakdown and drawbacks in the article.
How does Gear Versus Tech score products?
Performance 40%, value 25%, build 20%, ease of use 15% — out of 10. Rankings are never sold. Full detail on our methodology page.
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Prices checked via the Amazon Creators API and may since have changed. Affiliate disclosure · How we pick