Eve
Eve Aqua (3rd generation)
- Native integration
- Local control
- Thread
- Bluetooth
Prices verified November 2026
Our verdict
A single-valve hose-end timer that is HomeKit first and Home Assistant second, so it only makes sense if you already live in Apple Home or are happy to pair it to Home Assistant instead. Schedules (up to seven watering periods a day) live on the device, so watering keeps running if Home Assistant or the internet is down. The catch is the pairing model: a HomeKit device belongs to one controller at a time, so you either remove it from Apple Home and pair it to Home Assistant. It also needs a Thread border router, which the Aqua itself does not provide. Eve's own page lists Thread and Bluetooth and does not list Matter.
What can Home Assistant control on the Eve Aqua (3rd generation)?
Not a dedicated integration: it is picked up by Home Assistant's built-in HomeKit Device (homekit_controller) integration, which is local push. The docs say valves appear as switches with duration controls as number entities, but they do not name the Eve Aqua, so the exact entity set on this unit is unverified. You pair with the HomeKit code over Bluetooth first; for Thread you need a border router on the same LAN (a Home Assistant Yellow/Connect ZBT-1/ZBT-2 running OpenThread, or an Apple border router such as a HomePod mini after removing the Aqua from Apple Home without resetting it). A lost HomeKit PIN cannot be recovered.
Specs
| power | 2x AA, replaceable |
|---|---|
| ecosystem | HomeKit; Matter not listed on Eve's page |
| schedules | up to seven watering periods per day, stored on the device |
| dimensions | 77 x 95 x 128 mm |
| hose thread | 26.5 mm / G 3/4 |
| connectivity | Thread and Bluetooth LE (Eve product page) |
| water pressure | 1 bar to 5 bar |
| water protection | IPX4, UV protection |
| operating temperature | 4 to 50 C |
How does the Eve Aqua (3rd generation) compare?
| Product | From | Protocol | Local control | Integration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eve Aqua (3rd generation) (this product) | — | Thread, Bluetooth | Yes | Native |
| Aqara Valve Controller T1 | £69.99 | Zigbee | Yes | Zigbee2MQTT / ZHA |
| FrankEver Smart Water Valve (powered by Shelly) | £107.8 | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Yes | Native |
| Gardena Smart Irrigation Control (19032-20) | £251.69 | Bluetooth | Yes | Works with HA |
Frequently asked questions
- Does the Eve Aqua (3rd generation) work with Home Assistant locally?
- Yes. The Eve Aqua (3rd generation) is controlled locally in Home Assistant through a built-in Home Assistant core integration (homekit_controller), so it keeps working if your internet connection or the Eve cloud goes down. Control and state updates stay on your own network.
- Which protocol does the Eve Aqua (3rd generation) use, and do I need a hub?
- The Eve Aqua (3rd generation) uses Thread and Bluetooth. To pair it with Home Assistant you need a Thread border router (Home Assistant Connect ZBT-1, Apple TV 4K or a HomePod mini all work); or a Bluetooth adapter on your Home Assistant host or an ESPHome Bluetooth proxy. Eve's own hub is not required when you integrate through a built-in Home Assistant core integration (homekit_controller).