Aqara’s Third Matter Controller, The M100 Launches in China

Aqara has just released its latest smart home product in China, namely the Aqara Hub M100. This is the company’s third device to simultaneously fulfil the roles of a Zigbee Hub/Matter Bridge, Matter Controller, and Thread Border Router.

The two models preceding this with the same functionality are the Aqara Hub M3 (video Here, review HERE) and the company’s recently released Camera Hub G5 Pro (video HERE, Review HERE). It’s also physically identical to the Aqara Hub E1 that came out in 2021, although of course the E1 is only a Zigbee Hub/Matter Bridge.

The M100 is possibly the smallest Matter/Zigbee/Thread combo device to hit the market, given that it’s almost akin in size to the old WiFi dongles. Surprisingly, the Aqara website doesn’t seem to mention anything about it acting as a WiFi extender, which the E1 offered. What it does give you is double the memory of the previous iteration, as well as WiFi 6 compatibility.

Because it’s a Matter Controller and Thread Border Router, you’ll be able to pair not only Aqara Matter or Zigbee devices to it, but third-party Matter devices too, whether they’re Matter over Thread, Matter over WiFi, or Matter over Bridge.

The M100 is being sold through the usual channels in China, priced at RMB159, which roughly equates to US$22, UK£17, or EU€21. As this was announced at CES2025, we’re sure to see it released internationally soon, although the price will no doubt differ to some degree.