Updated September 30, 2026 · SmartHomeCue Editorial Team
Aqara vs SONOFF
Where Aqara and SONOFF differ
| Compare |  Aqara |  SONOFF |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Camera, Video doorbell, Smart lock, Smoke alarm | Camera, Alarm |
| Free features | 7 days free cloud event clips | 1080P live view, free motion detection push alerts, local microSD (TF) recording up to 128GB, two-way audio, sleep mode, privacy zones and RTSP; CAM-C44HE adds local AI detection and security modes with no monthly fee |
| Top resolution | 2k | 4k |
| Recording retention | 7 days | 90 daysHigher |
| Price | Not confirmed | €20.47 |
| Monitoring per month | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Cloud plan per month | $0 | Not confirmed |
| End-to-end encryption | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Installation required | No | Not confirmed |
| Security update period | 2 years | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Minimum contract (0 months), Professional monitoring (No), Local storage (Yes), Money-back period (30 days).
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Key differences
- SONOFF scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.1.
- Products: only Aqara offers Video doorbell, Smart lock, Smoke alarm.
- Products: only SONOFF offers Alarm.
- Recording retention is higher at SONOFF: 90 days vs 7 days.
- Support channels: only Aqara offers Community.
- Support channels: only SONOFF offers Email.
- Power source: only Aqara offers Battery, Poe.
Our verdict on each
Aqara
Aqara suits households that want cameras, doorbells, locks and home sensors in the same system without a recurring bill. Monitoring costs $0, local storage keeps footage on your own hardware, and nothing is locked into a minimum term, which makes it a strong pick for self installers put off by subscriptions.
SONOFF
SONOFF suits people building a wired or Zigbee home on a tight budget who want cameras and climate gear that keep working without a subscription. Entry costs start at €6.16, the range is Matter certified, and local storage holds recordings for 90 days. The catch is support, which runs on email and help centre only.
Score breakdown
| Area | Aqara | SONOFF |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.4$0 on automation subscriptions and 0 months on contract length keep the recurring cost at nothing. | 9.9HigherEntry price runs €6.16 and a camera sits at €20.47, with monitoring and contracts at 0 months, well under the €61.38 typical band. |
| Offer | 8.97 days free cloud event clips come with entry hardware at $17.99, so a small kit starts cheap. | 9.0HigherFree features cover local AI detection, privacy zones and RTSP, and energy reporting is included. |
| Trust | 8.8End to end encryption is in place, with security support running 2 years and warranty cover of 1 year. | 9.1Higher2 years of cover, local storage as standard, and support limited to email and help centre, which is thinner than most rivals. |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Aqara | SONOFF |
|---|---|---|
| Home security cameras | 12 of 79 | 30 of 79 |
| Security cameras without a subscription | 11 of 53 | 16 of 53 |
| Smart thermostats | 4 of 24 | 9 of 24 |
| Matter smart home devices | 6 of 33 | 16 of 33 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Aqara | SONOFF |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | China |
What we checked
Aqara
- aqara.com: 16 facts, checked September 30, 2026
- us.aqara.com: 3 facts, checked September 30, 2026
SONOFF
- sonoff.tech: 15 facts, checked September 30, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Aqara | SONOFF |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Diy | Diy |
| Power source | Battery, Wired, PoeCovers more | Wired |
| Ecosystems | Alexa, Google, Homekit, Matter, Smartthings | Alexa, Google, Homekit, Matter, Smartthings |
| Legal entity | Lumi United Technology Co., Ltd. | Shenzhen Sonoff Technologies Co.,Ltd |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | China |
| Founded | 2009 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Help centre, Community | Email, Help centre |
Smart home devices
| Fact | Aqara | SONOFF |
|---|---|---|
| Device types | Thermostat, Trv, Lighting, Plug, Hub, Sensor, Blinds | Thermostat, Trv, Lighting, Plug, Hub, Sensor, Blinds |
| Price from | $17.99 | €6.16 |
| Protocols | Matter, Thread, Zigbee, Wi fi | Matter, Thread, Zigbee, Wi fi |
| Matter certified | Yes | Yes |
| Hub required | Yes | Yes |
| Local control | Yes | Yes |
| Energy reporting | Yes | Yes |
| Subscription per month | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 yearsHigher |
| Markets | AE, IL, TR, EU, GB, MY, LK, JP, IN, NP, ID, PH, SG, KH, BN, MV, MM, VN, US, CA, UY, AR, CL, BR, GT, DO, MX, CR, TT | AT, BE, BG, HR, CY, CZ, DK, EE, FI, FR, DE, GR, HU, IE, IT, LV, LT, LU, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK, SI, ES, SE, GB, US |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Aqara | SONOFF | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Not confirmed | €20.47lowest quarter | €69.99 |
| Monitoring per month | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Minimum contract | 0 monthsat the median | 0 monthsat the median | 0 months |
| Money-back period | 30 daysat the median | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
| Cloud plan per month | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $3 |
| Recording retention | 7 dayslowest quarter | 90 dayshighest quarter | 30 days |
Median across 65 listed brands.
Pros and cons
Aqara
Pros
- Nothing recurs: monitoring is $0 and the cloud plan is $0, so the kit costs what it costs on the shelf.
- Footage can stay at home, since local storage is supported, with the cloud holding event clips for 7 days as a backstop.
- The range spans camera, video doorbell and smart lock, which reaches further than Annke's camera and video doorbell for anyone building out a whole home.
Cons
- Professional monitoring is not offered, so alerts land on the household rather than a response desk.
- Support runs on help centre and community only, with no staffed channel listed for a hub that will not pair.
- A hub is required, so the entry outlay is more than the sticker price of the cheapest device in the range.
SONOFF
Pros
- Matter certified gear across thermostat, trv and lighting, covering matter, thread and zigbee so it fits most existing setups
- Entry prices from €6.16 and cameras from €20.47
- Free features include local AI detection, security modes, privacy zones and RTSP with no monthly fee
Cons
- Professional monitoring is not offered, so alarms stay self-served
- A hub is required for the Zigbee thermostat, adding cost to a heating setup
- Support runs on email and help centre only, with no phone or live chat line
Who each suits
Aqara
Who it suits
- Households covering cameras, doorbells, locks and alarms without a monthly monitoring fee, since monitoring is $0.
- Self installers, because installation is not required and the model is diy.
- Automation builders working across matter, thread and zigbee who want local control and a hub they own.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for shoppers who want an alarm panel or personal alarm in the same basket: The Home Security Superstore lists alarm, camera and smart lock.
- Not for buyers whose list is only cameras and doorbells, since Annke's camera and video doorbell is a shorter, more focused range to browse.
SONOFF
Who it suits
- Renters and homeowners who already run a Matter or Zigbee home
- People who want camera recording on a card rather than a cloud subscription
- Builders covering lighting, plugs, sensors, blinds and climate from one maker
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants professional alarm monitoring, which Sonoff does not sell
- Households on Z-Wave, a protocol outside the matter, thread and zigbee list
- Buyers who want phone or chat support, since email and help centre is the limit
Current offers
SONOFF
Current offer
Discount code
10% OFF your first order for newsletter subscribers: 10% off first order
Email newsletter signup; valid for 30 days; one-time use per customer; cannot be combined with other offers
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Aqara | SONOFF |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | No | Yes |
| Belgium | No | Yes |
| Bulgaria | No | Yes |
| Croatia | No | Yes |
| Cyprus | No | Yes |
| Czechia | No | Yes |
| Denmark | No | Yes |
| Estonia | No | Yes |
8 of 29 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Aqara
How much does Aqara charge for monitoring each month?+
Nothing. Monitoring is $0 and the cloud plan is $0, so the only cost is the hardware itself. 7 days free cloud event clips are included at no charge, which is enough to check recent activity on a doorbell or camera. Renewal is not a concern either, because contracts run 0 months.
Is there a contract or minimum term to sign up for?+
No. Contracts run 0 months, so there is no minimum term and nothing that renews on its own. Aqara ranks 1 on contract length among 60 brands, which puts it at the front of the field for anyone who wants to walk away without notice.
SONOFF
What does SONOFF hardware cost to get started?+
Entry prices run €6.16 across the range, and a security camera starts at €20.47. There is no separate hardware bundle to buy, so the outlay is the device itself plus a hub if the product needs one.
Is there a monthly subscription or contract?+
No. Contract length is 0 months, and local card recording, AI detection, privacy zones and RTSP are listed as free features. The dual-lens hub camera adds local AI detection and security modes with no monthly fee attached.