Lutron
Depends
Confidence: Medium
Buy Caséta if you want the most reliable DIY smart switches and dimmers money can buy.
Comparison
Lutron vs Aqara
Lutron and Aqara both land on Depends.
Aqara
Depends
Confidence: Medium
Buy Aqara if you're a HomeKit household or DIY tinkerer comfortable managing hubs and firmware updates.
| Compare | Lutron | Aqara |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Depends | Depends |
| Best for | Homeowners doing DIY smart switch upgrades | Apple HomeKit households |
| Who it's not for | Renters who can't replace in-wall switches | Set-and-forget buyers who hate firmware fuss |
| Privacy | Three 2018 CVEs on legacy Quantum/RadioRA 2 systems with hard-coded or default credentials; a 2025 Lutron data breach is reported by BreachSense.⁶ | 5+ CVEs/advisories in 2025-26 hit Aqara hubs (auth bypass, command injection, info disclosure); a U200 lock breach is reported on Aqara's own forum. |
| Support quality | No usable support evidence found | Complaint threads and full-kit returns reported |
| Public sentiment | Users overwhelmingly praise Lutron reliability while grumbling about price and dealer-driven costs on higher-end systems.³ | Users praise the HomeKit integration and ecosystem breadth but report hit-or-miss reliability, pricing gripes, and support frustration.11 |
| Biggest gotcha | RA3 whole-home builds are discussed at $25k+ on forums; budget accordingly⁵ | Hub CVEs mean you must keep firmware updated or stay exposed |
Pick Lutron when
- Homeowners doing DIY smart switch upgrades
- HomeKit, Alexa, or Google smart homes
- New construction whole-home lighting
- Luxury builds wanting Ketra color tuning
When Lutron is not a fit
- Renters who can't replace in-wall switches
- Budget buyers happy with basic Wi-Fi switches
- Whole-home projects without dealer budget
- Anyone avoiding a proprietary hub
Pick Aqara when
- Apple HomeKit households
- DIY smart-home tinkerers
- Zigbee sensor-heavy automations
- Camera-hub plus video doorbell setups
When Aqara is not a fit
- Set-and-forget buyers who hate firmware fuss
- Security-first users choosing locks or cameras
- Privacy-wary buyers avoiding cloud ties
- Tight budgets . cheaper Zigbee rivals exist
Sources
review
- Consumer Reports: Lutron Caséta Smart Switch Reviewconsumerreports.orgreview
review
- SmartThings forum: $25k on Lutron RA3?community.smartthings.comreview
security
security
- Lutron Minimum Advertised Price Policyassets.lutron.comofficial
- Lutron system comparison: Caséta to HomeWorksassets.lutron.comofficial
official
- Aqara Real World Opinion . r/smarthomereddit.comreview
- Aqara G5 Pro Outdoor Camera Hub review . MacStoriesmacstories.netreview
- Aqara Camera Hub G2H Pro reviews . Home Depothomedepot.comreview
- Customer service reviews of aqara.com . Trustpilottrustpilot.comreview
- Aqara smart home starter kit review . The Ambientthe-ambient.comreview
- Aqara W200 thermostat review . AppleInsiderappleinsider.comreview