There are various versions of the Mi and Aqara gateway, but what is the difference?
To begin, all the hubs are made by Lumi, but are released with different brand names, but the difference is not just the brand name.
The gateways
The very first version features a night ligt, has a speaker, nut no internet radio.
DGNWG01LM - Mijia - first version - Discontinued in 2016
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| The gateway DGNWG01LM has the letters Mi written on it |
Second version 2016-now, in webshops often refered to as the "upgraded version". The number indicates its region (02 through 05), with each region their corresponding plugs.
The 02 model is only meant for China, but supports the most devices.
DGNWG02LM - Mijia - second version - China
DGNWG03LM - Mijia - second version - Taiwan
DGNWG04LM - Mijia - second version - Hong Kong
DGNWG05LM - Mijia - second version - Europe
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| The second version looks very similar, but has the Mijia logo written on it. |
The
third model (2020) is a whole new Mijia version and has many differences. It supports Apple Homekit, and has a bunch on certifications: certified Zigbee 3.0, certified Bluetooth (5 and mesh) and certified Wifi (2.4 GHz 2 x 2 MIMO). It does not have a speaker or night light, and has a separate USB power supply.
ZNDMWG03LM
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| The third version looks very different and has other features than the first and second version |
Aqara has a model, released in 2016, with almost the same features as the V2 model, but has also Apple Homekit support. The device is not a successor of any of the other Mijia hubs, but is launched as a product under a different brand by a separate company with their own team for development and support. It has their own Aqara app, but due to GDPR issues the app is no longer available in Europe for download. The hub does work with the Mi home app.
ZHWG11LM - Aqara version - Standard Apple Homekit support
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| Looks similar like the first and second Mijia version, but has Aqara written on it |
Other gateway types
There are more hubs like the two versions of smart ac companion, these meant to control you air conditioner by IR and/or by mains. The round version is from Mijia (KTBL02LM) and there is a square Aqara version (KTBL01LM and KTBL11LM for an advanced version). The KTBL02LM and the KTBL01LM are the same only in a different housing, the KTBL11LM (advanced) version has some extra security additions, like temperature protection, overcurrent protection and can cut the power to the socket.
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| Mijia KTBL02LM |
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| Aqara KTBL01LM |
Camera gateways
There are also IP cameras which can function as a gateway. There is the Aqara Smart 1080p IP camera (ZNSXJ11LM) and the newer Aqara Smart camera G2 (ZNSXJ12LM). Both cameras can communicate with Zigbee devices.
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| ZNSXJ11LM |
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| ZNSXJ12LM |
Which model is right for you?
It depends, if you have some special requirements like infrared or want to have a camera then check go for the specific gateways. If you just want a hub, or are not sure if you want all the extra features, you can save some money and go for the normal hub. If you want a speaker and night light, you can go for the Mijia DGNWG models, or if you want Homekit too then go for the Aqara ZHWG11LM version. Keep in mind that you might need a socket converter if you can't find the one for your country (see my remarks about that below). If you do not need the speaker and night light, then go for the 03 model: ZNDMWG03LM it also features Bluetooth 5 and mesh, Zigbee 3.0, has better Wifi connection and supports Homekit.
Which country should I use?
The DGNWG02LM is by far the unit that is sold the most and used throughout the world, but it has a few downsides: It uses a Chinese style plug, and it only works well if you set it to the Chinese mainland server. If you connect it for example to the Europe server and go to the "add device" page in the Mi home app you will see far less supported devices. This is because a lot of devices are designed for the Chinese market only and lack certain certifications that may be required for your country (like CE). The downside of using the Chinese servers is that the connection can be a bit unstable and even unpredictable. It happens from time to time that the hub and all its connected devices are not available in the Mi home app or that you cannot use the app because you are suddenly logged out, so from time to time the notifications or automations will not work because they are not controlled on the hub but on the (Chinese) cloud. If you do not use the cloud and just connect your hub to another system like
Home Assistant or use Homekit then it doesn't really matter, you can even block the Chinese server through a firewall.
The Mi ecosystem keeps growing and so is its market. More and more Mi devices are getting available in different countries outside of Asia. Soon you can buy Mi branded devices or sub-brands at your local electronics shop. But be aware that your local bought vacuum robot will not work set to the Chinese servers, so you will not be able to control it with your Chinese Mijia gateway. Sooner or later you will have to choose.
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