Aqara G4 Doorbell

Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4: A Comprehensive Review

When it comes to smart home technology, Aqara has made a name for itself with innovative and practical devices, often catering to Apple HomeKit users. The Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 is no exception, delivering a range of features designed to enhance security, convenience, and connectivity. In this review, we’ll take a deep dive into the G4, exploring its design, functionality, performance, and integration capabilities, as well as its strengths and potential drawbacks.

Design and Build Quality

The Aqara G4 boasts a sleek, modern design that seamlessly blends with most home exteriors. It features a compact form factor, with dimensions that won’t make it overly conspicuous yet remain prominent enough for visitors to notice. The unit comes in a matte black finish or grey with a touch of gloss around the camera lens, giving it a polished, professional look.

The build quality feels robust, as you’d expect from Aqara, with an IP65 rating for weather resistance. Whether it’s a scorching summer day or a torrential downpour, the G4 is built to withstand the elements. It’s also worth mentioning that the doorbell offers both wired and battery-powered options, catering to different installation preferences.

Installation and Setup

Setting up the Aqara G4 is refreshingly straightforward. The device supports dual power modes, so you can choose between connecting it to your existing doorbell wiring or relying on the built-in battery. The battery-powered option is ideal for renters or those who want a less invasive setup. The package includes all the necessary mounting hardware, making the process hassle-free.

For setup, the Aqara Home app guides you through the process step-by-step. It takes only a few minutes to connect the G4 to your Wi-Fi network and pair it with your smart home ecosystem. The app is intuitive and user-friendly, ensuring even beginners can get the doorbell up and running without any hiccups.

Video Quality and Field of View

The G4 delivers 1080p Full HD video quality, which is more than sufficient for most households. The footage is crisp and clear, with excellent colour accuracy and detail, even during bright daylight conditions. At night, the doorbell leverages infrared night vision to ensure visibility remains uncompromised. The transition between day and night modes is smooth, with no noticeable delay.

With a 162° diagonal field of view, the G4 offers broad coverage, allowing you to see visitors head-to-toe and capture a wide area of your front porch. This is particularly handy for spotting parcels left on the ground or identifying multiple visitors at once.

Two-Way Audio

One standout feature of the Aqara G4 is its two-way audio. The microphone and speaker are of commendable quality, enabling clear communication with visitors. Whether you’re instructing a delivery driver to leave a package or greeting a guest while you’re out, the interaction feels seamless. There’s minimal lag during conversations, which is a testament to Aqara’s focus on performance.

Smart Detection and AI Features

The Aqara G4 doesn’t just show you who’s at the door; it also uses AI to provide smarter insights. The doorbell can differentiate between people, pets, and objects, reducing false notifications. This AI-driven approach ensures you’re only alerted to genuine activity at your door.

One feature that deserves praise is the face recognition capability. The G4 can identify familiar faces and notify you accordingly. For instance, it might inform you that a family member has arrived home, adding a layer of personalisation to the experience. While the accuracy of face recognition depends on lighting conditions and angles, it works reliably in most scenarios.

Integration with HomeKit.

Aqara has positioned itself as a champion for Apple HomeKit enthusiasts, and the G4 reinforces this reputation. The doorbell supports HomeKit Secure Video (HSV), allowing you to store footage securely in iCloud and leverage advanced features like activity zones and rich notifications.

Beyond HomeKit, the G4 also integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, making it a versatile choice for households with mixed ecosystems. Aqara’s dedication to compatibility ensures that no matter your preferred smart home platform, the G4 can seamlessly fit into your setup.

Storage Options

The Aqara G4 provides flexible storage solutions to suit various needs. You can choose from:

1. Cloud Storage: Aqara offers a free seven-day cloud storage plan, which is generous compared to competitors that often require a subscription.

2. MicroSD Card: The doorbell has a built-in slot for a MicroSD card (up to 512GB), allowing for local storage of recordings.

3. NAS Compatibility: If you have a Network Attached Storage (NAS) setup, the G4 supports SMB protocol for direct video saving.

This variety ensures you have control over how your footage is stored and accessed.

Performance and Reliability

The G4 performs admirably across the board. Notifications are prompt, ensuring you’re alerted to activity without delay. Video streaming is smooth, with minimal buffering even on moderate internet connections. During testing, the doorbell maintained a stable connection to the Wi-Fi network, which is crucial for any smart home device.

Battery life is another strong point. In battery mode, the G4 can last up to four months on a single charge, depending on usage and environmental factors. The app provides detailed battery status, so you’re never caught off guard.

Privacy and Security

In an era where privacy concerns dominate discussions around smart devices, Aqara has taken commendable steps to ensure the G4 is secure. HomeKit Secure Video adds a layer of encryption to your footage, and Aqara’s own cloud storage adheres to stringent security standards. The ability to store footage locally on a MicroSD card or NAS further enhances privacy, giving you full control over your data.

Customisation and Automation

The Aqara Home app enables a range of customisation options for the G4. You can create activity zones to focus on specific areas, reducing irrelevant notifications. The doorbell also supports automation via Aqara’s ecosystem and third-party platforms. For example, you can set up an automation to turn on your porch lights when motion is detected at the door.

Limitations

While the Aqara G4 excels in many areas, it’s not without its limitations. For starters, the 1080p resolution, while sufficient, may feel slightly dated compared to competitors offering 2K or even 4K video quality. Additionally, the face recognition feature, though impressive, isn’t perfect and can sometimes misidentify individuals in challenging lighting conditions.

Another minor gripe is the lack of a chime in the package. While the G4 supports Aqara’s indoor chime (sold separately), including one in the box would have been a nice touch.

Price and Value

The Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 is competitively priced, offering excellent value for the features it brings to the table. Its combination of flexibility, performance, and integration capabilities makes it a strong contender in the smart doorbell market. The inclusion of free cloud storage and support for local storage further enhances its value proposition. Available here on Amazon

Specifications

Doorbell wireless connection

2.4GHz, IEEE 802.11b/g/n

Video resolution

1080p

FOV

162°(subtended angle)

Battery specification

Six AA 1.5V LR6 batteries

Externally connected to power supply

12V-24V AC 0.2A 50/60Hz 8V-24V DC 0.5A

Repeater Wi-Fi

2.4GHz，IEEE 802.11b/g/n 1T1R

Local storage

Support up to 512 GB microSD card local storage

Repeater power supply

5V/1A USB-A to USB-C supply line

Operating temperature

-18° - +50°

Operating humidity

0%-95%, non-condensing

Doorbell size

141.5×65×30.4mm

Doorbell net weight

163g (no battery)

Repeater size

65.2×65×28.4mm

Repeater net weight

68g

Packing box size

148×96×73mm

Gross weight

550g

What’s in the Box

Smart Video Doorbell G4×1, Chime Repeater×1, AA Battery×6, User Manual×1, Screwdriver×1, Wall Screws & Anchors kit×1, 20° Wedge Bracket×1, Wedge Screws Kit×1, Cable for Chime×1

Color

Black / Shadow Gray

Final Verdict

The Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 is a well-rounded device that strikes an impressive balance between affordability and functionality. It excels in key areas such as video quality, integration, and storage flexibility, making it an excellent choice for smart home enthusiasts and security-conscious homeowners alike. Before getting the Aqara doorbell, I had the Ring Doorbell. Once I couldn’t bear the frustrations it brought me anymore, I moved the Ring doorbell to HomeBridge, but things didn’t really improve. Honestly, the six months I’ve owned the Aqara doorbell have been nothing but joyful. The HomeKit integration is fantastic.

While there’s room for improvement, particularly in video resolution and the face recognition feature, these are minor trade-offs in an otherwise stellar package. Whether you’re deep into the HomeKit ecosystem or exploring smart home technology for the first time, the Aqara G4 deserves serious consideration.

Pros:

• Sleek and durable design

• Flexible power options

• Easy installation and setup

• Excellent video and audio quality

• Smart AI detection and face recognition

• Robust HomeKit integration with HSV support

• Generous storage options, including free cloud storage

Cons:

• 1080p resolution feels slightly dated

• Face recognition accuracy could be improved

• Chime not included in the package

If you’re looking for a smart video doorbell that offers versatility, reliability, and top-notch integration, the Aqara G4 should be high on your list. It’s a smart investment for enhancing home security while maintaining ease of use and flexibility.