Aqara or Shelly: Which Smart Home System is Right for You?

If you've started researching smart homes, you've certainly come across two names that keep coming up: Aqara and Shelly. Both brands are extremely popular, both offer quality products at reasonable prices — but they're not the same. The choice between them depends on your needs, your home, and your lifestyle.

In this detailed guide we'll compare Aqara and Shelly across every important category, so you can make an informed decision.

A Quick Brand Overview

Aqara

Aqara is a Chinese brand founded in 2016, specialised exclusively in smart home products. Their range includes sensors, cameras, hubs, smart locks, thermostats, switches and much more. Aqara is known for its wide ecosystem support — especially Apple HomeKit — and for the excellent quality of its Zigbee devices.

Shelly

Shelly is a brand by the Bulgarian company Allterco Robotics, founded in 2003. Unlike Aqara, Shelly focuses on relay modules, dimmers, plugs and energy meters — devices that integrate into your existing electrical installation. Shelly is a European product, designed for the European market and European electrical standards.

1. Protocols and Connectivity

Aqara

Aqara primarily runs on the Zigbee protocol — a wireless standard known for its stability, low battery consumption, and ability to build a mesh network. Newer Aqara devices also support Matter and Thread, the universal smart home standards that work with all ecosystems.

For Zigbee devices you need an Aqara Hub (e.g. Aqara Hub M3) which acts as the central point and connects all devices to your app.

Shelly

Shelly runs primarily on Wi-Fi — it connects directly to your home network without the need for a hub. Newer generations (GEN4) also support Zigbee, Bluetooth, and Matter, aiming to offer maximum flexibility.

Winner: Depends on your needs. For battery-powered sensors — Aqara (Zigbee saves battery). For simple hub-free connectivity — Shelly (Wi-Fi).

2. Ecosystem Compatibility

Aqara

Aqara is one of the best choices for Apple HomeKit users. Their devices are natively compatible with HomeKit, without any additional configuration. They also support Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Matter.

Shelly

Shelly supports Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Home Assistant, and Matter. Apple HomeKit support is available through Home Assistant or third-party apps, but is not native on all models.

Winner: Aqara for iPhone users. Shelly for Android users and Home Assistant enthusiasts.

3. Product Range

Aqara — A Wide Range for a Complete Smart Home

Aqara offers products for literally every aspect of the smart home:

• Sensors — motion, door/window, temperature, humidity, presence, water leak, vibration

• Cameras — indoor, outdoor, video doorbells

• Smart locks — U200, U300, and compatibility with Tedee

• Switches and relay modules — H1, H2 series

• Thermostats — for radiators and underfloor heating

• Hubs — M2, M3, E1

  
  

Shelly — Specialist in Electrical Installation

Shelly is unrivalled in the category of devices that fit inside walls and electrical boxes:

• Relay modules — 1, 1PM, 1 Mini, 1PM Mini (Gen3, Gen4)

• Dimmers — Dimmer GEN4 for smart lighting

• Energy meters — EM Mini, 3EM for monitoring consumption

• Plugs — Plug S with power metering

• Blind controllers — 2PM for smart curtains and blinds

• Sensors — temperature, humidity, motion (BLU series)

• Display — Wall Display, a unique product with a touchscreen

  
  

Winner: Aqara for a complete smart home with sensors and cameras. Shelly for smart electrical installation and lighting.

4. Installation and Ease of Setup

Aqara

Most Aqara devices are plug-and-play — you place them, connect them in the app, and they work. Sensors stick on without drilling. For switches and relay modules, basic electrical installation is required.

An Aqara Hub is needed for Zigbee devices — this is an extra step, but offers greater stability and control.

Shelly

Shelly devices fit behind existing switches and sockets — your home looks the same from the outside, but works smart. Installation requires basic electrical knowledge or the help of an electrician for more complex models.

The advantage is that no hub is needed — direct Wi-Fi connection, simple app.

Winner: Aqara for beginners who want plug-and-play. Shelly for those who want invisible integration into existing installations.

5. Price and Value for Money

Aqara

Aqara devices sit in the mid to slightly higher price range. A basic sensor starts from around 1,200 MKD, while hubs and cameras are more expensive. However, the quality and functionality justify the price.

Shelly

Shelly is known for its excellent value for money. A basic relay module (Shelly 1 Mini GEN4) is available for just ~1,490 MKD. For a European product with Matter support, that is outstanding value.

Winner: Shelly for budget-conscious buyers. Aqara for those looking for a wider range and HomeKit integration.

6. Privacy and Security

Aqara

Aqara with HomeKit Secure Video encrypts all camera recordings and stores them locally or in iCloud — Apple has no access to the content. For users who value privacy, this is a significant advantage.

Shelly

Shelly devices can operate entirely locally — without an internet connection, without the cloud, without sending data anywhere. This is the maximum level of privacy for smart home devices.

Winner: A draw — both brands offer excellent privacy, just in different ways. Aqara through the Apple ecosystem, Shelly through local control.

7. Integration with Home Assistant

Aqara

Aqara devices work excellently with Home Assistant via Zigbee2MQTT or the native Aqara integration. For advanced users, this offers unlimited flexibility.

Shelly

Shelly is the favourite brand of the Home Assistant community. The native Shelly integration in Home Assistant is one of the best available — everything works without complications.

Winner: Shelly for Home Assistant enthusiasts.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Aqara if:

• You use an iPhone and want native Apple HomeKit integration

• You want a wide selection of sensors, cameras and smart locks

• You want plug-and-play setup without electrical work

• Privacy and security are a priority

  
  

Choose Shelly if:

• You want smart lighting and control without changing your switches

• You have an Android phone or use Home Assistant

• Budget is an important factor

• You want devices that work locally without the cloud

  
  

Choose Both if:

In fact, Aqara and Shelly complement each other perfectly. Many users combine them — Shelly for controlling lighting and electrical systems, Aqara for sensors, cameras and locks. Through Matter or Home Assistant, both systems can work together in one cohesive automation.

Availability in Macedonia

Both Aqara and Shelly are available in Macedonia at Domotika. Domotika is the official authorised distributor of both brands — all products are original, for the European market, with a warranty and local support.

Not sure which is the right choice for your home? Contact us for a free consultation — we'll be happy to help you build a smart home tailored to your needs and budget.

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Domotika is the official authorised distributor of Aqara, Shelly, Tedee, Meross, Sonos, Home Assistant and Homey in Macedonia.