🔹 Aqara Hub M1S Gen 2

Ideal for: Beginners and smaller smart home setups
- Connectivity: Zigbee 3.0, Wi-Fi
- Special features: Integrated speaker and RGB LED for visual and acoustic notifications
- Device support: Up to 128 devices

Recommendation: If you're looking for a cost-effective gateway and don't need advanced functions such as infrared control or Matter support, the M1S Gen 2 is a solid choice.

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🔸 Aqara Hub M2

Ideal for: Advanced users with a wide range of devices 
- Connectivity: Zigbee 3.0, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.0, infrared
- Special features: 360° infrared control for devices such as televisions or air conditioning systems
- Device support: Up to 128 devices

Recommendation: If you want to integrate a greater variety of devices and value extended control options, the M2 offers more flexibility.

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🟣 Aqara Hub M3

Ideal for: Future-proof and comprehensive smart home installations
- Connectivity: Zigbee 3.0, Thread, Matter, dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.1, Power over Ethernet (PoE)
- Special features: Support for Matter and Thread, local automation without cloud dependency
- Device support: Up to 128 devices

Recommendation: If you are looking for a future-proof system with support for the latest smart home standards and are prepared to invest more, the M3 is the best choice.

it depends on what you want to attach. for the new smart lock you need the m3 which is also compatible with matter. i think if you buy new anyway i would take the m3 then you are prepared for everything

for just temperature sensors or so there are also the E3 hubs which are significantly cheaper (the ones with the usb connection)