Aqara Hub M2 vs Google Nest Hub (2nd generation)
These hubs anchor different ecosystems: the Aqara Hub M2 runs Aqara, the Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) runs Google Home. The Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) pairs more of this database directly — 1,824 devices against 232 for the Aqara Hub M2 — because of its radio coverage. Radio hardware differs: only the Aqara Hub M2 has a Zigbee radio; only the Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) is a Thread border router.
| Aqara Hub M2 | Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (MSRP) | — | $99.99 |
| Ecosystem | Aqara | Google Home |
| Matter controller | No | Yes |
| Thread border router | No | Yes |
| Zigbee radio | built-in (same brand only) | none |
| Z-Wave radio | none | none |
| Bridges its devices into Matter | Yes | No |
| Local (no-cloud) control | No | No |
| Subscription required for core features | No | No |
| Built-in voice assistant | — | Google Assistant |
| Ethernet port | Yes | No |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Natively paired brands | Aqara | — |
| Release year | 2021 | 2021 |
What each hub actually pairs
- Devices that work with the Aqara Hub M2 — 232 direct, 0 via bridge/add-on
- Devices that work with the Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) — 1,824 direct, 5,397 via bridge/add-on
Frequently asked questions
Which pairs more devices, the Aqara Hub M2 or the Google Nest Hub (2nd generation)?
The Google Nest Hub (2nd generation): 1,824 devices in this database pair directly, versus 232 for the Aqara Hub M2.
Can I run the Aqara Hub M2 and Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) together?
Usually yes. Matter's multi-admin lets the same Matter device join several controllers at once, and Thread border routers from different vendors share one mesh. Zigbee and Z-Wave devices, though, pair to exactly one hub at a time.