Can I use a HAC ZBT-1 alongside an Aqara Hub M3?

[river bridge]

I already have the Aqara Hub M3 (https://aqara.com/en/product/hub-m3) and want to set up a Zigbee/Z-Wave network to also add other branded switches/sensors to.
I ordered the Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1 (https://www.home-assistant.io/connectzbt1/) because it seems like an affordable solution and generally has good reviews.

Can I plug the ZBT-1 directly into the Raspberry Pi running Home Assistant to power the Zigbee network, and then place the Aqara hub somewhere else in the house to act as an additional hub for devices to connect to?

[wild kindle]

If I’m reading your question correctly, AIUI you’d just end up with 2 separate zigbee networks.

[river bridge]

Oh, hubs can't extend other networks?

So I can only use either the Aqara M3 or the ZBT-1?

[wild kindle]

So in zigbee there are routers (basically any mains powered device, in theory) and coordinators.

You can only have 1 coordinator on a network

When you combine the ZBT-1 with something like zigbee2mqtt or zha you are setting up a coordinator

Off the shelf hubs like the aqara one are sold as controllers

[river bridge]

Can I use or set up a controller as a router?

So at least the device has some function, it feels like I waste to have bought it and not use it at all (I honestly should've thought about it better)

[wild kindle]

Zigbee2mqtt and ZHA are for setting up coordinators, not routers

[river bridge]

no but I mean the device (M3 hub) itself

can I just have it placed somewhere to extend the zigbee/zha network range?

[wild kindle]

So I mean theoretically with custom
Radio firmware. Just like a tv tuner can receive weather satellite data and flight position data

[river bridge]

hm maybe I should just rephrase: what should I do with the aqara hub?

[wild kindle]

Mine is in a box in my wardrobe

[river bridge]

hahaha

too bad, I thought I did a good thing by buying it

alright, thank you for your help!

I mean I'll keep it in case I want to easily add some new aqara products in the future maybe

[wild kindle]

In my experience you have better bindings in Ha with one of the direct zigbee implementations like zigbee2mqtt or zha, can have more types of devices, and you have one less device with a cloud connection.

Zigbee2mqtt in particular even had support for more obscure devices like the aqara pet feeder

[river bridge]

ooh, interesting!

the ZBT-1 has good Zigbee2mqtt support right?

I saw a few threads down someone questioning the support

[wild kindle]

I had a few issues with it when they changed the driver they use but it sorted itself out

Otherwise it’s been solid since before the ZBT-1 was out (contributors got a freebie)

[river bridge]

oh excellent, that's reassuring, thank you!

thanks for the great help and explanations

last couple of quick questions:

- my receipt shows I have about a week left to return my Aqara M3 hub. Should I consider returning it instead?

- I got an Aqara A100 from a friend (it didn't fit on his door and he missed the return window). How can I connect the A100 to my Zigbee network, especially since the ZBT-1's signal may not reach and I don't have any other devices linked yet?

or well I guess I could connect the doorlock in range of the HA/zigbee network before attaching it to the door

also nvm, keeping it