Looks fabulous. £149 is a lot but I suppose a fair price for the functionality. I’d buy one in a shot but I think it’s a bit big for my en-suite, which needs a decent smart light like this. Hopefully Aqara will make a “mini” version. Thanks for making this vid. 😊
Yeah it's not cheap, but when I was shopping the other day, I was surprised how expensive "non-smart" versions are that are smaller and don't even allow you to change the colour. And yes, it is also bigger than I was expecting, although when it's actually on the ceiling it looks good and not too big. Thanks for the comment!
Yes, you can use a sonoff dongle and connect it with zigbee! (not thread) Then you won't need the Aqara hub. I actually swapped mine over to my sonoff dongle yesterday so that it can act as a router for the zigbee mesh.
Yes, you can control the colour of the outer ring light in Home Assistant. If you're using an Aqara Hub then you can link it to Home Assistant with the Homekit add-on and this gives it access to the colours of the ring light. If you link the light to HA using a zigbee dongle then you can also control the ring light colour in HA. I actually managed to change the colour of the ring light with my voice, using the BOX 3. (The Home Assistant Voice Assistant, "Assist") You just can't trigger the ring light "effects" from Home Assistant.
Ooh, that's a tough one to answer! For a normal 20m² room I would say it will be bright enough because it is a bright light. But in a kitchen you need it particularly bright, with cupboards blocking some of the light onto the worktops etc it might be a stretch. We have under cupboard lighting shining onto the worktops in our kitchen because even with 3 bulbs in the ceiling they can't get everywhere when prepping food. I hope this helps you make a decision...somewhat!
It is not cheap for sure, but I've been using it for a month in my studio and I like it. My neighbour likes it too and is considering getting one. You could make one yourself, but it would actually take quite a bit of effort and good LED strips with pure whites etc are not really that cheap either. If I get sent something, then it is with the intention of doing a review on it, be it good or bad. In this case, I mentioned some bad points, but many good ones too.
Excellent! Very thorough review especially HA integration.
Looks fabulous. £149 is a lot but I suppose a fair price for the functionality. I’d buy one in a shot but I think it’s a bit big for my en-suite, which needs a decent smart light like this. Hopefully Aqara will make a “mini” version.
Thanks for making this vid. 😊
Yeah it's not cheap, but when I was shopping the other day, I was surprised how expensive "non-smart" versions are that are smaller and don't even allow you to change the colour.
And yes, it is also bigger than I was expecting, although when it's actually on the ceiling it looks good and not too big.
Thanks for the comment!
super cool thx! i don't get why aqara hub is neede? can't we just use a sonoff dongle with matther and thread on it?
Yes, you can use a sonoff dongle and connect it with zigbee! (not thread) Then you won't need the Aqara hub.
I actually swapped mine over to my sonoff dongle yesterday so that it can act as a router for the zigbee mesh.
@@lets-automate thx u very much for your fast reply! I will consider doing the same then )
Great vid - is there a way for home assistant to trigger the outer ring light colour so can link it into some routines etc?
Yes, you can control the colour of the outer ring light in Home Assistant.
If you're using an Aqara Hub then you can link it to Home Assistant with the Homekit add-on and this gives it access to the colours of the ring light.
If you link the light to HA using a zigbee dongle then you can also control the ring light colour in HA.
I actually managed to change the colour of the ring light with my voice, using the BOX 3. (The Home Assistant Voice Assistant, "Assist")
You just can't trigger the ring light "effects" from Home Assistant.
Great good to know
Will it be enough for 20 m2 kitchen ?
Ooh, that's a tough one to answer!
For a normal 20m² room I would say it will be bright enough because it is a bright light. But in a kitchen you need it particularly bright, with cupboards blocking some of the light onto the worktops etc it might be a stretch.
We have under cupboard lighting shining onto the worktops in our kitchen because even with 3 bulbs in the ceiling they can't get everywhere when prepping food.
I hope this helps you make a decision...somewhat!
Ridiculously overpriced chinese garbage. Just because they send you crap does not mean you need to review it.
It is not cheap for sure, but I've been using it for a month in my studio and I like it. My neighbour likes it too and is considering getting one.
You could make one yourself, but it would actually take quite a bit of effort and good LED strips with pure whites etc are not really that cheap either.
If I get sent something, then it is with the intention of doing a review on it, be it good or bad. In this case, I mentioned some bad points, but many good ones too.