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Apple TV 4K (3rd generation, Wi-Fi + Ethernet)vs Aqara Hub M3
Both are hubs. Rows that do not match are marked Differs. The feature paragraphs under each name are AI-generated.
Apple
TV 4K (3rd generation, Wi-Fi + Ethernet)
Confirm the current Apple price. Buy the Wi-Fi + Ethernet model, not the cheaper Wi-Fi-only model, if you need Thread.
Pros
- • Thread and Gigabit Ethernet are in the model that should be the Apple home hub.
- • It is a TV box you would own anyway, so the hub is not an extra gadget on a shelf.
- • Apple’s spec page draws a hard line: Thread is on the Ethernet model only.
Cons
- • The cheaper Wi-Fi-only SKU looks similar and does not do the smart-home job.
- • No Zigbee. A Hue bridge or an Aqara hub is still a separate purchase.
- • The Home app is the controller. It is a poor fit if nobody in the house uses Apple devices.
Aqara
Hub M3
Confirm the current Aqara price for your region. PoE and USB power are both on the spec sheet.
Pros
- • PoE or USB power, plus Ethernet-class reliability if you use the PoE input.
- • One box is a Zigbee hub, Thread border router, and Matter controller.
- • Listed for Apple, Alexa, Google, and SmartThings, so it is not locked to one phone brand.
Cons
- • You still set it up in the Aqara app.
- • Advanced Aqara features are not the same thing as the Matter entities other apps see.
- • It is a hub only. It does not route the home’s Wi-Fi.
Hardware
| Spec | Apple TV 4K (3rd generation, Wi-Fi + Ethernet) | Aqara Hub M3 |
|---|---|---|
| StorageDiffers | 128GB on the Wi-Fi + Ethernet model. The Wi-Fi-only model is 64GB. | — |
| VideoDiffers | HDMI 2.1 | — |
| RadiosDiffers | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2x2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0, Thread. Thread is listed only on the Wi-Fi + Ethernet model. | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz), Zigbee and Thread (802.15.4), Bluetooth 5.1 |
| EthernetDiffers | Gigabit Ethernet on the Wi-Fi + Ethernet model only | — |
| SizeDiffers | 1.2 × 3.66 × 3.66 in. Wi-Fi + Ethernet model weighs 7.5 oz (214 g). | 105 × 105 × 36.5 mm (4.13 × 4.13 × 1.44 in), about 200 g |
| ModelDiffers | — | HM-G01D / HM-G01E |
| PowerDiffers | — | USB-C 5V 2A, or PoE 48V 0.27A |
| Operating rangeDiffers | — | −10°C to 50°C, 0–95% RH non-condensing |
Software
| Spec | Apple TV 4K (3rd generation, Wi-Fi + Ethernet) | Aqara Hub M3 |
|---|---|---|
| RoleDiffers | Apple Home hub. Thread accessories need a Thread-enabled home hub such as this model, a HomePod, or another border router. | Matter controller and Thread border router. Zigbee devices paired to it can be bridged onward. |
| AppDiffers | Set up with an Apple device. tvOS and the Home app. | — |
| Not includedDiffers | No Zigbee radio. Hue, Aqara, and other Zigbee devices still need their own bridge or hub. | — |
| PlatformsDiffers | — | Aqara Home, Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings |
| Home AssistantDiffers | — | Matter bridging can expose supported devices on the local network. Aqara-cloud features are separate from that path. |
What you buy with it
| Spec | Apple TV 4K (3rd generation, Wi-Fi + Ethernet) | Aqara Hub M3 |
|---|---|---|
| SKU trapDiffers | The 64GB Wi-Fi-only Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) does not include Thread or Ethernet. | — |
| What else you buyDiffers | A TV with HDMI, and a HomePod only if you also want a speaker in another room. | Ethernet if you use PoE. Zigbee or Thread accessories are separate. |
| AccountDiffers | Apple Account | Aqara Home account for setup, even if you later share devices over Matter. |
| In the boxDiffers | — | Hub, USB-A to USB-C cable, mounting bracket, screws, manual. A PoE switch is not included. |