Guide to Xiaomi Smart Home | $100 Xiaomi Home Automation Setup
Xiaomi has positioned itself as a key player in the industry with its comprehensive ecosystem of connected devices.
From lighting and security to entertainment and wellness, Xiaomi's smart home solutions promise to enhance the convenience and efficiency of your living space.
In this detailed guide, we will navigate through the expansive world of Xiaomi Smart Home, exploring how each device integrates seamlessly to create a harmonious and intelligent home environment.
Whether you're a tech-savvy homeowner looking to upgrade your abode or new to the concept of a connected home, this article will provide you with all the insights you need to build your very own Xiaomi Smart Home system.
Related: Xiaomi Mijia Gateway 3 vs Aquara M1S Hub, The Best Smart Home Hubs?
Guide to Xiaomi Smart Home
Buying Xiaomi Smart Home tech directly from China
The good news is that you can order items directly from China using specialized retailers like Gearbest if you can't find what you're looking for in your neighborhood Xiaomi storefront. Gearbest makes it simple to import goods by clearly stating local currencies, international shipping costs, and delivery times.
There are a few restrictions in this, though. You'll frequently find Chinese instruction manuals in the box, and setting up the device may require some fiddling with the Mi app.
Saving a tonne of cash is the flip side of that. Products from Xiaomi are getting better and better, and they frequently cost less than half as much as smartphones from more well-known brands while offering superior performance.
Smart home standards: Bluetooth, Zigbee, and WiFi
I should forewarn you of possibly perplexing and deceptive technologies and standards when you go shopping for smart home technology. Bluetooth, Zigbee, and WiFi are among the technologies and protocols on the platter. As a general rule of thumb, stay with one vendor, like Xiaomi, Wyze, or Philips. Each vendor supports one or a combination of these.
In general, choose WiFi-enabled models of gadgets that can also handle voice commands using either Apple's Homekit, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant. If that's not the case, then for a better and more seamless experience, be ready to totally commit to only one provider.
Xiaomi Smart Home App
For anybody who wants to build a Xiaomi Smart Home, the first thing you need to do is get the Xiaomi Mi Home App. This Xiaomi Smart Home App is your central hub and the brain from where you can control all your devices. All your Xiaomi devices sync with the Mi Home App. So, it absolutely important to download a Xiaomi Mi Home App on your mobile platform. Check out our Guide to Xiaomi Smart Home 2021 for all the details.
So download that first!
Apple - HERE
Top Xiaomi Smart Home Gadgets 2024
#1 -- Xiaomi Mi Smart Home Gateway 3
If you want to create a smart home hub, the first thing you will need is a Smart Home Gateway. A Smart Home Gateway is a device that lets you control all the other smart home sensors in the house. It can also be used as a radio, an alarm, a doorbell ringer, and a night light. Check out our Guide to Xiaomi Smart Home 2021 for all the details.
Amazingly, this device is capable of supporting three communication protocols: WiFi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, and Bluetooth Mesh. So, all Xiaomi smart home devices including the ones in the Xiaomi ecosystem like Aqara are compatible with the device.
The most useful aspect of the gateway other than its function being the nexus is the voice command feature. You can control all the devices through a voice assistant. In fact, you can basically talk to the house in a sense. Of course, the voice control feature is extremely broad. You can also set automation commands as well. For example, you can command the smart home ecosystem to shut the blinds and window, and turn on the air conditioner the moment you come back from a workout.
It works with Wifi and needs to be connected to a plug point at all times.
#2 -- Xiaomi Smart Bluetooth Switch
The other tool that you will need to give you overall control of your Xiaomi products is the Smart Bluetooth Switch. This is a small circular button that helps you control plugs, switches, and lamps. So if you don’t want to use your app, and want a physical button to control all your devices, then this smart Bluetooth switch can help!
Basically, you can use this one switch to control all household appliances. If you don't want to get a gateway and prepare a little bit of a "manual" touch to your smart home, this device is perfect. You can sync it to various household appliances. Of course, you need one switch for each. But you can keep it wherever you want as it's highly portable.
For example, you can sync these Bluetooth switches to the nightlight and keep the switch next to your bed. This will make your midnight trips to the bathroom much easier.
#3 -- Xiaomi Window Sensor and Door Sensor
To truly make your home smart, you need to automate various facets of your home experience. This involves attaching door and window sensors. These sensors are programmed to activate an action when a door or window is opened. One of the most common actions is to use a door sensor to automatically switch on a Xiaomi light inside your room.
The window sensors can be used to automatically turn off air conditioning if you open the window and so on.
#4 -- Xiaomi Wireless Keywall Switch
If you have gone smart across all your devices and lighting in your home, then it makes sense to hae a physical switch to make your life easy. Not always, it’s prudent to use the app and the Wireless Keywall Switch is the perfect replacement of the normal switch.
This switch can be stuck on the wall and this can control the Xiaomi Smart Bulb and Yeelight. This can also double up as a doorbell switch that works with your alarm gadget from Xiaomi.
#5 -- Xiaomi Smart Camera
One of the top safety requirements in your home is to set-up a camera. But most cameras are pretty basic. But the Xiaomi Smart Camera is different. Very different!
The smart camera shoots high-quality 1080p videos and has a viewing angle of 156 degrees. It has a humanoid detection feature that recognizes humans in the video, when you are not at home and sends you a 12-second video.
This is not just a camera and you can use it as a communication device and you can talk to your friends and family through the Mijia app.
It can be attached to walls or kept on tables. It’s small and compact!
Read our intensive review on Xiaomi Security Smart Camera
#6 -- Xiaomi Yeelight Dimmer
The Yeelight Dimmer is a nifty tool that helps in controlling your Xiaomi light at your home. Just like you reduce the speed of your fan, you can also control the brightness of your Xiaomi lights. It can be easily stuck to the wall or can be connected to the wiring system as well.
Apart from the dimming features, it can switch on and off the lights, you can change the color of the lighting, and you can switch between daylight and moonlight.
This is a simple gadget to control the lighting effects of your house.
#7 -- Xiaomi Light Intensity Sensors
This is a human or animal detection sensor that informs you about any movement or can also be used in tandem with other smart Xiaomi devices. For example, you can set up the Xiaomi sensor near your bedside table and connect it to a smart Yeelight near your bedside table, that automatically gets turned on when you cross the table.
There are numerous possibilities such as this. This can also be helpful in keeping track of any movement in your home.
#9 -- Xiaomi Smart Light Strip
Want to beautify your home and make it look premium within a budget? Then your best option is the Xiaomi Smart Light Strip. It’s 3 metres long and can be placed anywhere you like. There is a single button controller that you can use to control the entire strip.
This LED strip is extremely flexible and can be personalized to your tastes. For example, you can stick it to the stairs, couch, TV, Computer, ceiling and much more. This is made possible primarily die to a mercury-free soft PU gel for fexibility and an adhesive tape on the back for simple installation.
You can sync this LED light with majority of the smart home ecosystems and control it through either the proprietary app or through various voice assistants like Xiaomi AI, Google Assistant, Siri, etc. Of course, you can manually control it button pushing the button on the remote.
Other than timers, this light strip comes with a variety of colors and brightness. You can also sync it to music or games and watch the colors change to the beat.
If you aren’t using it, it can be organized with a storage organizer.
#10 -- Xiaomi Temperature Sensor
Not a lot of people think, a temperature sensor is important, but it is very important. If you have a small toddler at home or you live in a humid area, you need to have a temperature sensor. Toddlers often start crying if the temperature increases and you will know if the reason if the weather or not with the help of the Xiaomi Temperature Sensor.
If you have indoor plants that need to be at a certain temperature, then the temperature sensor can let you know. The temperature sensor automatically syncs with the app.
#11 -- Xiaomi Fire Alarm
There are fire alarm’s and there are Xiaomi Fire Alarms. What Xiaomi does really well is, collaborate with other top manufacturers to give you the best products. For the fire alarm, they have collaborated with Honeywell.
The best aspect of this fire alarm is battery life. It can run for 5 years without any worry. There is also a smart feature in the Smart Home App that you can set up. To make sure your fire alarm is working perfectly, you can set-up a self-detection test every month. Every month, your fire alarm detects if it's working well and sends you a message.
It’ made of fireproof material in case there is a fire. It can work independently or it can work seamlessly with other devices with the help of the smart gateway!
#12 -- Xiaomi Smart Lamp
The Xiaomi Smart Lamp is a beautifully crafted lamp that gives out warm ambient light. It’s well suited for night work and amply lights the room. It has two lights, one direct light and the other is an ambient light, which reduces the strain on the eyes.
This lamp is designed to provide optimal light and protect your eyes during those long reading or work sessions. It relieves the stress of your retina by adjusting the intensity of the light accordingly. It also provides reminders when you been working beyond the required time.
It offers a much more pleasant light than compared to the majority of the lamps. It uses a 90cm diameter wide-angle lighting to provide the perfect light. It also uses a patented light calibration algorithm and Gamma light curve to offer light that is easy on the retinas.
The design of this lamp is also exceptional. It can fold up to 180 degrees and can provide amazing coverage. You can also sync it to the Mi Home App and control it through your smartphone. Additionally, it automatically turns on when it gets dark and it can even enter smart night light mode.
#13 -- Xiaomi Smart Socket
The Xiaomi Smart Socket is a plus point that you can use with your smart devices. One of the premier features is, you can control the functions of the plug and remotely switch off devices that are connected to the plug.
This smart socket can be controlled through the Mijia App. You don't have to head to the actually switch to turn it off. Most importantly, this can allow you to do so much more like set timer on your device to control the viewing time. You can also hook it up to a toaster or similar kitchen appliance and automate your breakfast.
Not only can you turn it on/off but you also map your electricity consumption. You get your monthly power consumption and other important statistics on your App. In addition to the overwhelming amount of convenience, this smart socket can also save electricity and keep you safe from accidents.
For example, this device comes with multiple safety features to prevent you from being electrocuted and to prevent your home from burning down. The outer shell is made from a flame retardant material that can withstand temperatures of up to 750-degrees. You can monitor the internal temperature of the socket through the App. And it will automatically shut off when it heats up beyond the threshold.
Our full review on Power Strip can be found HERE.
#14 -- Xiaomi Aqara Curtain Controller
If you want a cost effective electric curtain, the Xiaomi Aqara Curtain Controller is your best bet. Once you set it up you can remotely control your curtains without having to set up and expensive machine. You can of course, remotely control it via your smartphone, gateway or a wireless switch. This system will require an Aqara hub.
With this brilliant device you can set the percentage of curtain opening and even set timers as to when you want it. For example, you can set it to automatically open when the sun's out. You can even set it to open when you enter your home. this of course, needs to be done in tandem with the Xiaomi motion sensors.
You can also command this curtain controller to interact with the ambient light and change accordingly. Most importantly, this curtain controller can also sense if you're manually handling it and help your movements. These are the little supportive feature that makes this amazing product a must-have.
#15 -- Xiaomi Aqara Air Conditioning Controller
The Xiaomi Aqara Air Conditioning Controller is one of the most useful smart home products in the Xiaomi smart home ecosystem. You can use this Hub to control all your air conditioning devices intelligently and remotely using wireless transmission technology.
Using this technology, you can easily save energy, get comfortable sleep and utilize other high-end functions using the rest of the smart home sensors. For example, you can automate the air conditioner to automatically turn on when you get back from your intense workouts. or when you arrive home from a hot summer day.
Other than remotely controlling your air conditioning through your mobile or through voice, you can also use this hub in tandem with the Xiaomi door/window sensors and Xiaomi motion sensors. You can set automation settings and command the air conditioner to shut off when the window or doors are open or to turn on when the sensors register movement.
#16 -- Xiaomi Aqara Water Leak Sensor
The Xiaomi Aqara Water Leak Sensor is a unique smart home device that is designed to protect your home from being flooded or to prevent any water damage due to faulty pipes. It also comes with an alarm t notify you in the event of water leakage or overflow. Although it's one of the more underrated smart home devices, it's one of the most useful. Check out our guide to Guide to Xiaomi Smart Home for all the details.
This tiny tablet like device looks extremely simple and minimalistic in both color scheme and design. Barring an illustration of a water droplet there's nothing outstanding about the device. It is usually installed on the ground in various rooms like the bathroom, kitchen and pretty much anywhere there's potential water leakage.
When the water level reaches up to 0.5 mm and submerges this Xiaomi water leak sensor, it will automatically, trigger the Hib to sound an alarm and send a notification to the primary smartphone.
If you have the Aqara water valve and an Aqara smart socket. It will automatically, turn off the valve to prevent water leakage and close the socket shutter to prevent electrical damage.
Xiaomi Aqara
Aqara is a part Xiaomi ecological chain that specializes in smart home products. So what is Xiaomi Aqara? Xiaomi Aqara is the gateway hub mentioned above. This is the central piece for the whole Xiaomi smart home. Without the Aqara, none of the automation and sensors will work. So make sure to purchase the home gateway 2 or the Aqara before you embark on your smart home journey! Check out our Guide to Xiaomi Smart Home 2021 for all the details.
Guide to Xiaomi Smart Home - How to Setup a Xiaomi Smart Home
Say you have the products, but how do you set them all up together? That's the bigger question. So here is a simple guide to setup the Xiaomi smart home!
Firstly, you will need to purchase a Xiaomi Gateway. As the name suggests, this is the hub that connects with all of the other smart home electronics. This device needs to be plugged to a power socket at all times.
Once you’ve plugged it in, you need to download the Mi Home App. Connect the Mi Home app to your Wifi and then press the power button on the Gateway for about three seconds and then you will see the device popup on your app.
Press, ‘Connect’ and once it's connected, you will see a Blue light, shine through on your Gateway hub. Once the Gateway Hub is connected, you can connect all your other Smart devices using the Mi Home app. Check out our Guide to Xiaomi Smart Home 2021 for all the details.
Connecting other smart home devices to Xiaomi Gateway
It’s pretty straightforward to connect any other device to the Gateway hub and that is by resetting the device. Every device comes with a pinhole that you can press for 3 seconds straight and they will get reset. So when you reset the device, the gateway automatically picks it up and connects to the device. Check out our Guide to Xiaomi Smart Home 2021 for all the details.
Connecting the devices
Each of the devices is super useful and can be connected in myriad ways. You need to connect each of the sensors, and trackers to the Mi Home App. Post that you can attach the devices in the place you want them. Most of them have glue in the back that can be stuck. Check out our Guide to Xiaomi Smart Home 2023 for all the details.
Which smart home system is best?
Xiaomi's home automation products are pretty amazing. They are fundamentally cheaper compared to a lot of other products. If you compare Nest to Xiaomi, Xiaomi is way cheaper. Also, Xiaomi has a whole portfolio of products under their smart home umbrella such as sensors, temperature machines, and lighting. All of them fit into the smart home space.
Xiaomi’s smart home is also easy to set up, as most devices are plug and play and doesn’t require too much effort.
Based on all these factors, it’s safe to say that Xiaomi’s smart home system is the best.
What is Xiaomi Gateway?
Xiaomi gateway is the hub around which all of Xiaomi’s home automation products synchronize with each other. The Xiaomi gateway is a device that doubles up as an alarm, but its main function is to sync all devices with each other. This hub can be controlled from the Mi Home app directly.
The Xiaomi gateway is a MUST buy if you want to set up a Xiaomi home or you want to do home automation of any kind.
Does Xiaomi work with Google home?
Xiaomi does work with Google Home pretty seamlessly. Google Home works with Android and iOS devices and there is no problem with Google Home and Xiaomi. If you are wondering if Mi Home works with Google Home, the answer is yes. There was a temporary disablement of features of Mi Home from the Google Home app because of security concerns. But after Xiaomi fixed the problem, Google reinstated it. So this means Mi Home and Google Home (Nest) work seamlessly together.
Read our intensive review on