Aqara smart plug is on sale! It measures consumption and has a ton of features

The Aqara Power Plug H2 can be integrated into a smart home in two ways. Which path you choose depends on the equipment you already have at home. In Thread mode, it connects to third-party ecosystems via the Matter standard without an Aqara hub. In Zigbee mode, on the other hand, it unlocks advanced features of the Aqara platform.

With code ALZADNY20, you can now get it on Alza for 671 CZK; without the code, it costs 839 CZK. In addition to consumption measurement, it also has an RGB diode that can be used as a small smart light. Alza lists it as in stock with more than five pieces.

Quick summary:
✅ Makes sense for: households with a Matter controller supporting Thread or an Aqara Zigbee hub, who want to monitor the consumption of a washing machine or coffee maker and trigger automations based on it.
⚠️ Consider: you won’t get the plug running without a central unit. Additionally, the colored display of consumption on the diode requires Zigbee mode with an Aqara hub.
💡 Code ALZADNY20 deducts a total of 168 CZK from the current public price of 839 CZK, making the plug cost 671 CZK.

Thread for Google Home, Zigbee for Aqara app

Switching modes is the main reason to be interested in this plug. In Thread, it communicates via Matter and does not require its own Aqara hub. The prerequisite is a Matter controller with Thread support in the ecosystem you are using. Alza lists Google Home and Apple Home among compatible applications. The seller’s description adds Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings to these.

Zigbee mode requires an Aqara Zigbee hub. In this mode, the plug remains compatible with older hubs of this brand, so an owner of Aqara sensors can add it to their existing network. Control is then handled by the Aqara Home app.

Consumption measurement can be used to monitor a washing machine

The plug continuously monitors the consumption of the connected appliance and offers daily and monthly overviews. These can be used to identify where energy is being wasted at home.

More useful than graphs are automations linked to power consumption. The seller gives a washing machine as an example: if its power consumption drops below a set value for five minutes and presence is detected in the bedroom or living room, a notification about the end of washing will be sent to the phone.

Another practical feature is turning off appliances in standby mode. With overcharge protection enabled, the plug will disconnect power if consumption remains below 3 W for 30 minutes. The seller also recommends it for stopping charging after the battery is full.

RGB diode serves as a light and a consumption indicator

The built-in RGB LED diode can be controlled independently of the plug itself via Matter and set up as a small smart light. The diode can also signal current consumption with its color, but you won’t be able to use this function without an Aqara hub in Zigbee mode.

Up to 3,680 W, but for indoor use only

The maximum load is 3,680 W at 16 A, and Alza lists the plug’s parameters as suitable for heating and cooling. The plug has overvoltage, overload, and overheating protection, which, according to the seller, automatically disconnects power in a risky situation. With IP20 rating, it is intended for indoor use only.

The child lock is designed to prevent accidental manipulation. However, even with the lock enabled, pressing the button will initiate a network or factory reset. It can only be fully blocked by the device removal protection, which can only be activated in Zigbee mode.

Who benefits from it for 671 CZK with the code

For 671 CZK with code ALZADNY20, the H2 makes the most sense for someone who already has a Thread-enabled controller in Google Home or Apple Home and doesn’t want to buy another hub just for one plug with consumption measurement. An owner of an Aqara Zigbee hub will get even more out of it.

Would you connect the smart plug via Thread to Google Home, or rather via an Aqara hub?