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Aqara is not owned by Amazon, despite the two companies’ collaboration on Alexa-compatible devices. Aqara remains an independent smart home brand, though its doorbells integrate seamlessly with Amazon’s ecosystem for voice control and notifications. This partnership fuels confusion, but the ownership and innovation stay firmly with Aqara.
Is Aqara Doorbell Owned by Amazon? Find Out the Truth Here
No, the Aqara doorbell is not owned by Amazon. Aqara is an independent smart home brand originally founded in China as a Xiaomi ecosystem partner and later spun off into its own company, Aqara Technology Co., Ltd. While Aqara products—including its popular doorbells—are available on Amazon and integrate with Amazon Alexa, the brand remains a separate entity with no ownership ties to Amazon. This distinction is important for consumers who want to understand data privacy, product development, and long-term support when choosing a smart doorbell. The confusion often arises because Aqara devices are sold through Amazon’s marketplace and work seamlessly with Alexa, leading some to assume a corporate relationship that doesn’t exist.
Understanding the relationship between Aqara and Amazon helps users make informed decisions about compatibility, privacy, and ecosystem integration. In this detailed Q&A, we’ll dive into the ownership structure, how Aqara doorbells work with Amazon services, and what this means for your smart home setup.
Is Aqara Doorbell Owned by Amazon? A Detailed Answer
The short answer is no—Aqara is not owned by Amazon. However, the long answer reveals a more nuanced and valuable picture. Aqara is a standalone company that designs, manufactures, and sells smart home devices, including the Aqara doorbell, under its own brand. These products are distributed globally through various channels, including Amazon.com, which acts as a third-party retailer, not a parent company. Think of it like buying a Sony TV on Amazon: Sony isn’t owned by Amazon, but its products are sold there for convenience and reach.
Aqara doorbells are part of a broader ecosystem that supports multiple smart home platforms, including Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. This cross-compatibility is a key selling point. For example, if you have an Echo Show, you can use voice commands like “Alexa, show me the front door” to view your Aqara doorbell’s live feed—no Amazon ownership required. The integration is achieved through open APIs and Aqara’s own hub (such as the Aqara Hub M2), which bridges the doorbell to your Wi-Fi network and connected services.
One practical tip for users is to verify the seller on Amazon before purchasing. Since Aqara is not owned by Amazon, counterfeit or unauthorized resellers may list fake products. Always look for “Ships from Amazon.com” and “Sold by Amazon.com” to ensure authenticity. Additionally, check that the listing mentions official Aqara support and includes the model number (e.g., Aqara Video Doorbell G4).
Another key consideration is data privacy. Because Aqara is not owned by Amazon, your video and audio data from the doorbell are processed through Aqara’s servers or locally via HomeKit (if using Apple devices), not Amazon’s. This means your interactions aren’t stored in Amazon’s ecosystem unless you explicitly enable Alexa features. For privacy-focused users, this is a major advantage. You can use the Aqara doorbell with Alexa for voice control and live viewing without surrendering all your data to Amazon.
When setting up your Aqara doorbell, use the Aqara Home app (not the Alexa app) for initial configuration. This ensures you get full access to features like motion zones, AI-powered person detection, and end-to-end encryption. Once set up, you can enable Alexa integration through the Aqara skill in the Alexa app. This two-step process keeps control in your hands and highlights that Aqara maintains its own software and security protocols.
Finally, long-term support is another reason the ownership distinction matters. Aqara regularly releases firmware updates and new features for its doorbells, independent of Amazon. This means improvements are driven by Aqara’s innovation, not Amazon’s roadmap.
In summary, while the Aqara doorbell works effortlessly with Amazon’s ecosystem, it is proudly independent. This independence ensures greater flexibility, better privacy options, and continued innovation for smart homeowners who value choice and control.