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| Feature | Aqara Hub M3 | BroadLink RM4 Pro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.99 | $44.99 | BroadLink RM4 Pro |
| Rating | 4.1 | 3.9 | Aqara Hub M3 |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Ethernet, Thread Protocol | 2.4 GHz WiFi | Aqara Hub M3 |
| Protocols | Bluetooth, Zigbee Coordinator, Thread Border Router, Matter Bridge, IR | IR, RF | Aqara Hub M3 |
| Integrations | Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant | Google Home, Alexa, Home Assistant | Aqara Hub M3 |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Tie |
| Univeral Remote Control | YES | YES | Tie |
| Smart Learning | YES | YES | Tie |
What the differences mean
RF support
The BroadLink RM4 Pro sends RF as well as infrared, which covers blinds, curtains, fans and outlets with fixed-code 433MHz remotes. The Aqara Hub M3 has no RF, so a radio remote stays a radio remote unless the device also speaks Zigbee, Thread or Matter.
Zigbee, Thread and Matter
The Aqara Hub M3 is a Zigbee coordinator, a Thread border router and a Matter bridge, so it can run a whole network of sensors, locks and switches. The BroadLink RM4 Pro is a Wi-Fi blaster only and cannot pair any of those devices.
Network connection
The Aqara Hub M3 connects over Ethernet or dual-band Wi-Fi, which keeps it on a stable link. The BroadLink RM4 Pro joins 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only, and some owners report it dropping offline until the app is opened.
Apple Home and SmartThings
The Aqara Hub M3 works with Apple Home and SmartThings alongside Alexa, Google Home and Home Assistant. The BroadLink RM4 Pro skips both, so Apple users would have to route it through Home Assistant.
Which one to buy if
- you have blinds, fans or outlets with fixed-code RF remotes
Only the BroadLink RM4 Pro can learn and send RF signals.
- you are building a Zigbee or Thread smart home
The Aqara Hub M3 is a Zigbee coordinator and Thread border router with local automations.
- your home runs on Apple Home
The Aqara Hub M3 works with Apple Home directly; the BroadLink RM4 Pro needs Home Assistant in between.
- you want local IR and RF control inside Home Assistant
BroadLink RM4 Pro owners describe a Home Assistant integration that sends IR and RF commands locally.
- + Rating: 4.1
- + Connectivity: 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Ethernet, Thread Protocol
- + Protocols: Bluetooth, Zigbee Coordinator, Thread Border Router, Matter Bridge, IR
- - Price: $139.99 vs $44.99
- + Price: $44.99
- - Rating: 3.9 vs 4.1
- - Connectivity: 2.4 GHz WiFi vs 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Ethernet, Thread Protocol
What owners say
Owners of both devices like how quickly Alexa and Google Home act on their commands. Aqara Hub M3 owners single out how many radios one box replaces, the Matter bridge that feeds Aqara locks and sensors into Home Assistant and HomeKit, the alarm speaker and helpful support, while they complain that Zigbee pairing is limited to Aqara devices, that range in a large home needs extra hubs and that the app is busy and phone-only; a few mention IR not configuring every AC remote. BroadLink RM4 Pro owners praise handling IR and RF in one tiny box, fully local control through Home Assistant and choosing it over a Logitech Harmony, but report RF failures with rolling-code fans and garage openers, awkward app English and devices that drop offline until the app is reopened.
Price history compared
Every price change of both, in the same store, so the gap between the two lines is what one costs more than the other.
- Aqara Hub M3
- BroadLink RM4 Pro
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Aqara Hub M3 or BroadLink RM4 Pro?
The Aqara Hub M3, as a smart home hub. It adds Zigbee, Thread, Matter bridging, Ethernet, Apple Home and SmartThings to an IR blaster. The BroadLink RM4 Pro is the better pick only if you need to control RF remotes, which the Aqara cannot do.
What is the biggest difference between the Aqara Hub M3 and the BroadLink RM4 Pro?
The Aqara Hub M3 is a multi-protocol hub that runs Zigbee and Thread devices, while the BroadLink RM4 Pro is a Wi-Fi blaster that sends both infrared and RF signals from your existing remotes.
Can the Aqara Hub M3 control RF devices?
No. The Aqara Hub M3 has an IR blaster but no RF. The BroadLink RM4 Pro handles both IR and fixed-code 433MHz RF remotes, though owners warn that rolling-code and proprietary RF devices often do not work.
Do the Aqara Hub M3 and the BroadLink RM4 Pro work with Home Assistant?
Yes, both do. The Aqara Hub M3 can bridge Aqara devices into Home Assistant over Matter, and the BroadLink RM4 Pro has a Home Assistant integration that sends IR and RF commands locally.
Who should buy the Aqara Hub M3?
Anyone building a Zigbee or Thread smart home around Aqara sensors, locks and switches who wants local automations, Ethernet and support for Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant.
Who should buy the BroadLink RM4 Pro?
People with TVs and ACs on infrared plus blinds, fans or outlets on fixed-code RF remotes who want them all on the phone and on Alexa or Google Home, at a lower cost than a full hub.
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