Aqara launched a new smart plug today: the Aqara Power Plug H2. This new smart plug is smaller and more powerful than Aqara’s previous smart plug while also supporting Matter over Thread. Zigbee is still supported as well, just like many of Aqara’s latest products. The plug is available for 32.99. In addition to the standard Power Plug H2 EU, Aqara also offers a version with a built-in RGB light ring.
Aqara Power Plug features
The Aqara Power Plug H2 stands out thanks to its ability to connect to your smart home using either Zigbee or Thread. Through the Aqara app, you can switch the firmware and choose whether to connect the smart plug via Zigbee to an Aqara Hub or via Matter over Thread directly to a smart home platform such as Apple Home, Google Home, Homey, or Home Assistant. This means you are not dependent on an Aqara Hub, while still having the option to use one if you want access to specific features that are not available in Thread mode.
While Philips Hue has announced that some of its upcoming smart lights will be able to operate simultaneously over Matter over Thread and Zigbee, allowing them to connect to both a Philips Hue Bridge and another Thread border router at the same time, the Aqara Power Plug H2 requires you to choose one protocol or the other. However, you can switch between Zigbee and Thread at any time by installing a firmware update. In both Zigbee and Thread mode, the Aqara Power Plug H2 EU functions as a router, helping to strengthen your Zigbee or Thread network.
With a 16A rating and a maximum load of 3,680W, this smart plug is also suitable for high-power appliances. In the event of overheating, power is automatically cut off for added safety. In Zigbee mode, you can also configure the maximum power limit. The built-in child lock prevents the physical button on the Aqara Power Plug H2 from being used to switch the plug on or off. Measuring 51.6mm in diameter and 83.2mm in length, the smart plug is slightly smaller than Aqara’s existing smart plug, making it less likely to block an adjacent wall outlet. When idle, the plug consumes just 0.4W.
Turn your existing devices into smart devices
A smart plug like the Aqara Power Plug H2 allows you to make your existing appliances smart. For example, you can remotely control a non-smart lamp or monitor your washing machine’s power consumption to determine when a cycle has finished. Using automations, virtually any plugged-in device can become part of your smart home and be switched on or off based on a schedule, your location, or sensors such as motion detectors.
In addition to smart plugs, Aqara has also been offering the Aqara Wall Outlet H2 for some time. While this smart wall outlet does not take up any additional space, it is less flexible than a portable smart plug. It also supports Zigbee only and does not offer Thread support like the other products in Aqara’s H2 lineup.
Availability and pricing
The Aqara Power Plug H2 is currently available on Amazon for 32.99. There is also a version with an RGB light ring available from other retailers. The RGB ring can display the amount of power being consumed by the connected appliance, and through Matter it can even be controlled separately as a smart light.
With the Power Plug H2, Aqara offers a more affordable Thread-enabled smart plug than the Eve Energy. However, it is still considerably more expensive than the smart plug launched by IKEA earlier this year. What makes the Aqara Power Plug H2 unique is its ability to switch between Zigbee and Thread, giving users the flexibility to adapt their setup and stay prepared for the future of smart homes, which is increasingly moving towards Matter over Thread.
