This year's hottest trend in the tech world has to be artificial intelligence. From autopilot systems, AlphaGo, to the NPU in Huawei Mate 10, everything points to the arrival of a more intelligent era. Smart home devices and various hardware are all jumping on the AI bandwagon. As a young tech enthusiast who loves both technology and playing drums, I've also dabbled in creating simple smart home solutions and would like to share my experience with you.
Background: Tech enthusiasts like me aren't necessarily experts or programmers. We're budget-conscious and often can't afford premium products like Apple Home. Instead, we rely mostly on Xiaomi's affordable smart home ecosystem, shopping through platforms like JD.com and Xiaomi's official store.
First, the central hub – Xiaomi Router Pro
Wi-Fi is now essential for every smart home. Choosing the right router is the first step. My small apartment uses 200M broadband, so I went with a combination of the Xiaomi Router Pro and the Xiaomi WiFi Amplifier Pro. The Router Pro is placed in the living room, while the Amplifier Pro is in the second bedroom to ensure full coverage. Overall, the network is stable, though the signal in the second bedroom and adjacent bathroom is a bit weak.
The Router Pro doesn’t have a built-in hard drive, but it does have a USB port. I tried connecting a Western Digital My Passport 4TB portable hard drive, but it didn’t show up. After contacting customer service, they said the issue might be power-related—requiring 5V 1A. It makes sense since most external drives use this standard, but mine still wouldn’t work. I considered returning it, but the return process was cumbersome, and the shipping fee was just 15 yuan. It felt a bit frustrating, especially compared to the better after-sales service on JD.com.
Second, a collection of smart hardware – sensors and controllers
This is what I installed and configured. I started by mapping out the layout, then added each device one by one.
Let’s start with the app. The Mi Home app has both good and bad reviews. It focuses on adding new devices, while Smart provides some basic automation rules. Mine is pretty minimal with only settings and basic functions.
1. Multi-function Gateway – This is the central control unit that connects to the router and acts as the brain of the system. It supports ZigBee protocols and comes with three basic functions: alert, radio, and lantern.
2. Door and Window Sensors – For security, these are very sensitive. They run on batteries and are easy to install. I recommend placing them vertically on the door and frame for maximum effectiveness.
3. Human Sensor – I used this to automatically turn on the lights when entering a room at night.
4. Camera – It has a wide-angle lens, infrared night vision, and high sensitivity. It can send alerts and push videos to your phone.
5. Smoke Alarm – A dry battery-powered device placed in the living room for early fire detection.
6. Smart Socket – Supports up to 10A, great for controlling non-smart appliances like fans or heaters.
7. Temperature and Humidity Sensors – These help monitor the indoor environment and can link with air conditioners and humidifiers for automatic adjustments.
8. Ceiling Light – Originally bought as a regular light, but I found out it works with the Mi Home app, allowing remote control via phone without a physical remote.
9. Rice Cooker – A 3L model that can be controlled via the app, allowing different cooking modes. However, it’s not suitable for soups or porridge.
10. Xiaomi TV – Big screen, good sound, but limited content. Some users report a curved screen effect, which seems to be normal according to customer service, though I’m still skeptical.
11. Air Conditioner Partner – Supports 16A sockets and has a gateway function. It pairs via Wi-Fi and then via infrared from the remote. However, it’s not always responsive and misses some functions from the original remote.
12. Wireless Switch – A button that can be programmed for single or double clicks, but I haven’t used it much yet.
13. Smart Devices I Chose Not to Use –
- Type 86 Sockets and Switches: No renovation planned, so sticking with traditional Schneider switches.
- Electric Curtains: Too complicated to install during renovation.
- Natural Gas Alarm: Forgot to leave a socket near the kitchen, so not installed yet.
Interlude: Right now, I'm still living in the apartment, and I don't have many electrical appliances. Some outlets are unused for now.
In summary, after using these smart devices for a while, the most useful ones were the security sensors. Other devices felt a bit redundant, especially since many appliances now come with their own Wi-Fi and smart features. For example, my air conditioner has its own network and even supports WeChat control, making the Air Conditioner Partner feel unnecessary. While Xiaomi's products are generally functional, sometimes they require reconnections or have limitations in performance.
This article currently doesn’t have a physical map, so I’ll update it in a few days. Thank you for reading!
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