Final evening, I had forgotten to take my upstairs Nest off Eco mode, and I used to be shocked to see the distinction in certainly one of my son’s rooms based mostly on my Nest Temperature Sensor. In my dream world, I’d have a variable system that would warmth and funky rooms independently, however however, I didn’t purchase bitcoin when it was $1, so I can not afford that. With that being mentioned, I do like having the information of what’s taking place in particular person rooms and having that information in HomeKit. The brand new Aqara W100 Local weather Sensor is a brand new method to do this with a built-in display.
HomeKit Weekly is a collection centered on good residence equipment, automation suggestions and methods, and all the pieces to do with Apple’s good residence framework.
What are you able to monitor with it?
The Aqara W100 does extra than simply let you know the temperature and humidity. That half is sweet and correct with a transparent LCD display (I might have most popular e-ink) that’s straightforward to look at, even from throughout the room, but it surely’s what it provides to your HomeKit setup that makes it attention-grabbing. Right here’s what it could monitor:
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Battery stage
- Sign power
- Exterior sensor information (if paired)
- Native climate information (if no sensor is paired)
What you are able to do with it
There are additionally three bodily buttons on the gadget, and every one could be assigned single, double, and lengthy press actions. That opens up loads of prospects for automations inside the Aqara ecosystem. You possibly can flip off the lights, shut the shades, and even set off a “film evening” scene with a number of equipment. I’ve mentioned for years that I really like having bodily buttons on gadgets so I can management my good residence setting with no need an iPhone round.
On the again, there’s a little bit reset button and a spot to hold it on a wall with a screw or nail. Should you pop the again off, you’ll discover two CR2450 batteries. Aqara says you’ll get round two and a half years out of them, however I haven’t owned it lengthy sufficient to confirm.
Organising in HomeKit
The Aqara W100 instruction guide features a Matter code for fundamental sensor monitoring. I want it was printed on the again of the gadget immediately, however you will discover it beneath the rear cowl. I like to recommend storing the code in both an Apple Be aware or an app like HomePass.
Upon getting it in HomeKit, you may set off automation based mostly on the temperature within the room it reads. For instance, you can simply have a fan come on if the temperature rises above a sure level or have your AC activate if it will get too sizzling in a baby’s room.
Wrap up
The Aqara W100 is a strong addition to any HomeKit residence. It affords correct temperature and humidity readings, a transparent LCD show, and three programmable buttons that may set off varied scenes or automations. The twin assist for Zigbee and Thread means you’ve got some flexibility in integrating with varied ecosystems, and the battery life claims, if correct, are strong.
Nonetheless, it’s not with out its quirks. The selection of an LCD over an E-Ink show is likely to be a draw back for some, and the button performance could be restricted relying in your particular platform. I want extra of the performance was explosed immediately in HomeKit. Total, should you’re searching for a dependable local weather sensor that integrates nicely with HomeKit and affords some further management choices, the Aqara W100 is price looking at. I want it had been extra of a HomeKit sensor than an Aqara sensor, however I perceive the product decisions.
You should purchase it from Amazon or from Aqara.
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