Aqara Hub M2 vs Arlo Pro SmartHub comparison

Updated August 2026

Data from Amazon and official Aqara and Arlo sites.

2026 verdict

Two boxes with the word hub in the name that do completely different jobs, and the Aqara Hub M2 wins on every count that matters for a smart home: it is the cheaper of the two, it runs a Zigbee coordinator with Bluetooth and a 360-degree IR blaster, and it works with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home and Home Assistant while handling up to 128 subdevices. The Arlo Pro SmartHub has no Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread, Matter or IR support whatsoever, because it is a base station for Arlo cameras, where it earns its keep by speeding up camera response, extending range, enabling 2K live streaming on Essential and Ultra models and recording to a USB drive. Both connect over 2.4GHz Wi-Fi or Ethernet and both include a built-in speaker, and owners rate them similarly. Pick the Aqara Hub M2 to run Aqara sensors, switches and blinds or to add IR control of a TV or air conditioner, and the Arlo Pro SmartHub strictly as an accessory for Arlo cameras.

Feature	Aqara Hub M2	Arlo Pro SmartHub	Winner
Price	$59.97	$99.99	Aqara Hub M2
Rating	4.1	4.0	Aqara Hub M2
Protocols	Bluetooth, Zigbee Coordinator, IR	None	Aqara Hub M2
Integrations	Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Home Assistant	None	Aqara Hub M2
Connectivity	2.4 GHz WiFi, Ethernet	2.4 GHz WiFi, Ethernet	Tie

Winner

Aqara

Aqara Hub M2

$59.97

Buy on Amazon USA

+ Price: $59.97
+ Rating: 4.1
+ Protocols: Bluetooth, Zigbee Coordinator, IR

Arlo

Arlo Pro SmartHub

$99.99

Buy on Amazon USA

- Price: $99.99 vs $59.97
- Rating: 4.0 vs 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Aqara Hub M2 or Arlo Pro SmartHub?

The Aqara Hub M2 is the better buy and the cheaper one. It is a genuine smart home hub with a Zigbee coordinator, Bluetooth, an IR blaster and support for Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home and Home Assistant. The Arlo Pro SmartHub supports none of those protocols and only benefits Arlo camera owners.

What is the biggest difference between the Aqara Hub M2 and the Arlo Pro SmartHub?

What they connect. The Aqara Hub M2 pairs Zigbee sensors, switches and blinds and blasts infrared at a TV or air conditioner, exposing everything to HomeKit, Alexa and Google. The Arlo Pro SmartHub connects only Arlo cameras, over a dedicated wireless link, and offers no smart home protocols.

Does the Aqara Hub M2 support Matter or Thread?

No. The Aqara Hub M2 is Zigbee, Bluetooth and IR only, with no Thread border router and no Matter bridge, and no Z-Wave either. It still reaches Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home and Home Assistant through Aqara's own integrations, but if Matter or Thread matters to you, the Aqara Hub M3 is the newer option.

Which one can control an air conditioner or TV?

Only the Aqara Hub M2, thanks to its 360-degree infrared blaster, which can control a TV, an air conditioner or any IR device and can be triggered by Siri, Alexa or Google. The Arlo Pro SmartHub has no IR hardware, so it cannot control anything beyond Arlo cameras.

Who should buy the Aqara Hub M2?

Buy the Aqara Hub M2 if you use Aqara Zigbee sensors, switches or blinds, since they pair far more reliably on their own hub than on a generic Zigbee stick. The Ethernet port keeps it stable, the IR blaster adds TV and AC control, and it supports up to 128 subdevices at a low price.

Who should buy the Arlo Pro SmartHub?

Buy the Arlo Pro SmartHub only if you own Arlo cameras. It gives them a dedicated link with faster response and better range, unlocks 2K live streaming on Essential and Ultra cameras and adds local USB recording, but Arlo's event detection and recorded history still need a subscription.

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