Welcome to the Pleasure Cube!

Is this the best non-vibrating fun gadget ever?

In the ever-expanding universe of smart home gadgets, some devices are mere remote controls, while others aim to be more, shall we say, interactive. Enter the Aqara Cube T1 Pro, a device that boldly asks: what if your smart home commands were less about tapping a screen and more about a satisfying, tactile roll of the dice?

The Game Begins: What is the Aqara Cube T1 Pro?

Imagine a D6 from a particularly elegant board game, infused with the soul of a miniature smart home maestro. That, in essence, is the Aqara Cube T1 Pro. It’s a Zigbee-powered motion controller that translates physical gestures – like a shake, flip, twist, or tap – into smart home commands. Instead of fumbling through apps, or pressing multiple buttons on a remote control, you’re performing a series of magical incantations, each tied to a specific side or motion of this enigmatic cube. Think of it as the ultimate cheat sheet for your smart home, cleverly disguised as a prop from a high-stakes tabletop roll (geddit?) playing game.

The Good Rolls: Where the Cube Pro Excels

From the moment you pick it up, the Cube Pro feels satisfyingly weighty, like a perfectly balanced casino die. It’s got that delightful ‘thunk‘ when it hits the table that hints at precision engineering, not flimsy plastic.

1. A D27 (and then some!): This isn’t just a six-sided die; it’s more like a polyhedral powerhouse. With nine distinct gestures for each of its six sides (plus general actions like shake, push, and rotate), the possibilities are genuinely expansive. You can assign ‘Side 1 up’ to turn on your reading light, ‘Side 2 up’ to dim it, a ‘Shake’ to play your party playlist, and a ‘Twist’ to adjust volume (this one is truly like magic!). It’s like having a dedicated macro pad for your home, but infinitely more fun to use.
2. Critical Hits (Reliability & Responsiveness): In the perilous world of smart home tech, responsiveness can be a fickle beast. The Cube Pro, connected via a Zigbee 3.0 ecosystem, generally performs like a well-oiled roulette wheel. Actions are registered quickly, and commands execute without noticeable lag. You’ll rarely feel like you’ve rolled a “1” on the perception check, waiting for your lights to respond.
3. Low Barrier to Entry (Setup): Getting this little gem integrated into your smart home setup is as straightforward as rolling a pair of snake eyes (minus the bad luck, hopefully). Pair it with your hub (in my case a Hubitat Elevation C-7), assign actions in the app, and you’re off to the races.
4. Aesthetically Pleasing: Unlike some utilitarian smart devices, the Cube Pro could easily pass as a minimalist desk toy or a premium paperweight. It looks good enough to leave out, inviting interaction rather than being hidden away like a forgotten dusty remote.

The Fumbles: Where the Cube Pro Stumbles

No hero is without their flaws, and even the most elegant die can sometimes land on the wrong side.

1. The Memory Game (Learning Curve): Here’s where the cube’s very versatility becomes its Achilles’ heel: With so many potential commands, remembering which side does what, especially across different rooms or contexts, can feel like trying to recall every intricate rule of Monopoly without the instruction manual. You’ll find yourself rotating it inquisitively, muttering, “Was this the side for the bedroom lights, or the TV?” It’s less intuitive than a simple (labelled) button press for the uninitiated. My solution here was to stick little hand-made labels on each face; ‘TV light’, ‘Stereo on’, etc. Hardly an elegant solution and one that detracts from the simplistic beauty of this slick gadget, but effective nonetheless.
2. The Hub as the Dungeon Master: The Cube Pro isn’t a standalone gadget; it requires an Aqara hub (or equivalent) to function. This isn’t necessarily a con if you’re already invested in the Aqara or some other compatible ecosystem, but for newcomers, it means an additional upfront “ante.” You can’t just pick up this die and roll; you need the full game board.
3. Niche Play: While undeniably cool, the Cube Pro is not for everyone. If your smart home needs are basic (e.g., “turn on lights,” “turn off lights”), a simpler smart button or voice assistant might suffice. This one is for the smart home enthusiast who enjoys tinkering, customizing, and perhaps a touch of theatrical flair.

The Final Roll: Is it a Winner?

The Aqara Cube T1 Pro is a charming, innovative, and genuinely fun piece of smart home tech. It transforms mundane actions into engaging, tactile experiences, adding a playful element to your daily routines. While it might not be the most practical solution for every smart home need, and it certainly asks you to remember a few extra “spells” to cast, it offers a unique and satisfying way to interact with your connected devices.

If you enjoy the tactile satisfaction of rolling dice, the challenge of a good memory game, or simply want to inject a bit more play into your home automation, then for just £20 the Aqara Cube T1 Pro is a smart gamble that’s likely to pay off. Just don’t blame me if you start instinctively shaking your house keys before unlocking your front door.