Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 Review

I reviewed the Aqara Sensible Video Doorbell G4 over two years in the past and thought it was a superb video doorbell digicam ultimate for anybody invested in Aqara or Apple HomeKit.

The brand new Aqara Doorbell Digital camera Hub G410 is an evolution of the G4.  The G410 is provided with a 2K sensor for high-definition video output and a millimetre wave (mmWave) sensor to enhance the precision of presence detection. Each dwell feeds and recorded content material are secured with end-to-end encryption to guard person privateness. The machine helps RTSP streaming, permitting compatibility with third-party techniques like Residence Assistant on a neighborhood community.

 With dual-band Wi-Fi, Thread, and Zigbee connectivity, the G410 acts as a central hub for good house setups, supporting each Aqara merchandise and a variety of third-party Matter-compatible units. It gives clean compatibility with main platforms equivalent to Apple Residence, Alexa, Google Residence, and SmartThings.

The G410 stands out as one of many restricted HomeKit Safe Video doorbells accessible with battery operation.

Different notable features embrace on-device facial recognition, adaptable set up strategies (battery or wired), and a collection of storage options for each cloud and native use.

Associated Opinions

Specification

Options

2K Readability for Each Element
The G410 boasts a 2K sensor alongside an f/1.8 aperture and a 175° wide-angle lens, delivering sharp video with a large perspective. It captures intricate particulars at the doorstep, sustaining high quality even in dim lighting. A built-in microphone and speaker allow direct interplay with guests via cell functions or Aqara’s Panel Hub S1 Plus. The accompanying 95dB chime speaker ensures audibility throughout bigger properties, whereas additionally offering alerts if an unfamiliar individual lingers close to your entrance, including a layer of safety.

A Sensible Residence Centre at Your Doorstep
Outfitted with dual-band Wi-Fi, Thread, Zigbee, and Bluetooth, the G410 capabilities as a sturdy hub supporting a number of protocols for good house administration. Working as each a Matter Controller and Zigbee hub, it handles Aqara equipment and over 50 sorts of Matter units, from robotic vacuums and EV chargers to curtains and shades. This setup permits customers to construct a cohesive good house community that extends throughout indoor and out of doors areas.

Seamless Integration with Sensible Residence Platforms
The G410 connects effortlessly with Apple Residence, supporting HomeKit Safe Video, which makes it a sensible alternative for iOS customers, significantly these preferring a battery-powered doorbell. It additionally helps streaming to good shows suitable with Alexa, Google Residence, or SmartThings. RTSP performance permits native streaming to third-party techniques like Residence Assistant. By means of its Superior Matter Bridging functionality, the G410 extends options equivalent to on-device facial recognition to different Matter-supported platforms.

Versatile Wi-fi & Wired Set up
The G410 supplies choices for each wi-fi and wired energy sources. For ease of positioning, it will possibly run on six AA batteries, providing as much as 5 months of operation. Alternatively, it will possibly hook up with present AC/DC low voltage wiring (12-24V) for fixed energy. When wired, the machine helps steady 24/7 recording, supplied a microSD card is put in for storage.

mmWave Presence Detection & Native Facial Recognition
That includes an built-in mmWave sensor, the G410 enhances the accuracy of human presence detection over its predecessor, reducing down on pointless alerts from non-relevant movement. Its AI-driven, on-device facial recognition swiftly identifies guests, sending immediate notifications and permitting tailor-made automations based mostly on acquainted faces. Tamper alerts are additionally included to bolster house safety.

Native and Cloud Storage
The G410 presents a variety of storage potentialities, masking each cloud and native strategies. Customers can entry subscription-free storage of important 24-hour occasions on the Aqara cloud for six months, or go for 90-day storage with a HomeGuardian subscription. All footage on the Aqara cloud is safeguarded with end-to-end encryption, accessible solely by authorised people. iCloud storage is another choice with a related subscription. For native storage, a microSD card (as much as 512GB) can be utilized, securely housed inside the chime to stop exterior interference, with the added capacity to sync footage to a neighborhood NAS system for higher management and security.

Unique Options in Aqara Residence App

• Privateness Masking: Customers can obscure particular zones inside the digicam’s view, making certain these areas are excluded from any recordings or dwell streams.
• Voice Altering: The app permits modification of pre-recorded audio to one among 4 distinct voice settings, providing an extra measure of privateness or safety.

Design / Construct

The design of the Aqara Doorbell Digital camera Hub G410 carefully mirrors that of the G4, sustaining a well-known aesthetic and type issue. The primary unit measures 141.5 x 65 x 30.4 mm, whereas the accompanying chime/hub is a compact 65.2 x 65 x 28.4 mm. Accessible in black, shadow gray, and white, the doorbell gives some flexibility in matching house exteriors, although the general look stays understated.

When it comes to construct high quality, the G410 feels considerably underwhelming when in comparison with different fashions available on the market. The supplies used don’t convey a premium end, and the plastic casing lacks the robustness seen in opponents like Eufy or Arlo. This isn’t to say it feels flimsy, however it doesn’t encourage the identical confidence in sturdiness as some alternate options. For a tool positioned on the entry level of a house, usually uncovered to the weather, a extra substantial construct can be reassuring.

One specific concern is the IPX3 ranking of the principle unit. This degree of climate resistance is minimal for an outside machine, particularly within the usually moist and windy UK local weather. Aqara recommends putting in the doorbell in a sheltered space or utilizing an elective silicone waterproof cowl, accessible individually for round £13. Whereas I haven’t encountered points throughout my testing interval, even with the machine mounted in an uncovered location, this ranking suggests it could not stand up to extended harsh climate with out further safety. Potential consumers ought to consider the price and necessity of this accent if their set up spot isn’t naturally shielded.

The doorbell then has a small retaining screw which holds the backplate in place. With this unscrewed, you may slide the backplate off and entry the battery compartment.

This then accepts six AA batteries. With every thing being rechargeable these days, it’s a considerably uncommon function. You possibly can, after all, purchase rechargeable AA batteries, and also you may argue that is helpful as you have got extra flexibility on what to purchase. For instance, Ansmann has a 4 pack of 2850mAh AA batteries for £15, whereas most rechargeable AA batteries are both 2000mAh or 2500mAh. You’ll then possible need to pay one other £30 or so for a charger that may accommodate 6 batteries.

Set Up

The preliminary set-up is easy. Because the Digital camera Hub G410 is already a hub, and the hub is pre-paired to the doorbell, you don’t have to fret about any problems of pairing it with an present Thread Border Router.

All I wanted to do was go into the Aqara app, add a brand new machine, and it recognized the G410 robotically, then I scanned the QR code on the facet of the hub.

Set up

I cheated a bit with putting in this doorbell. It comes with adhesive pre-applied to the backplate, so I simply cleaned the glass on my door window and mounted it there. It has remained safe all through my time reviewing it.

The one concern is that this solely has an IPX3 ranking, and the advice is to put in it in a sheltered space or use the official Aqara silicone waterproof cowl. My set up location is certainly not sheltered, and I don’t have the Aqara silicone waterproof cowl.

Thus far, I’ve had no points, however I might want to handle that is I plan to make use of it long run.

Automations

As a multi-protocol hub, the G410 excels in connecting and managing a various array of good house units. Utilizing it as a Matter Controller and Zigbee hub, I efficiently linked varied Aqara equipment and third-party Matter units, making a cohesive community. The flexibility to bridge superior options like facial recognition to different platforms by way of Matter is a technical benefit, although sensible implementation is dependent upon the receiving system’s capabilities.

Automations inside the Aqara ecosystem are a spotlight. The app permits for detailed customisation, enabling eventualities like triggering lights or unlocking doorways based mostly on particular occasions or recognised people. This degree of integration surpasses many competing doorbells, which frequently lack such depth in automation choices. For customers already invested in Aqara merchandise, this makes the G410 a pure match.

Pairing with Residence Assistant by way of Matter

As that is paired with the Matter-enabled chime, then integrating it with different good house ecosystems equivalent to Residence Assistant and Matter is simple.

For Residence Assistant, you go into the settings, then expose to Matter, generate the code, copy the code and paste that into the Residence Assistant app by way of the Matter setting.

Sadly, the performance in Residence Assistant isn’t a lot use so far as I can inform. There is only one set off for determine and nothing else.

I assumed that determine may be a doorbell press, however from testing, this doesn’t seem like the case.

That is largely a Matter drawback. Particularly, so far as I’m conscious, streaming footage from a surveillance digicam will not be supported by Matter (but). 

Notifications / Facial Detection / Movement and Object Detection

The mmWave sensor marks a big enchancment in detection accuracy. Throughout testing, it reliably recognized human presence whereas ignoring non-relevant movement, equivalent to passing autos or small animals. This decreased the frequency of pointless alerts in comparison with older PIR-based techniques, although it wasn’t totally resistant to false positives in busy environments.

Facial recognition, processed on-device, carried out nicely in figuring out acquainted faces after preliminary setup. Notifications had been immediate, and I might set customized automations, equivalent to unlocking a paired Aqara good lock when a identified individual was detected. This function units the G410 aside from many opponents, with only some manufacturers like Eufy providing comparable capabilities. Nonetheless, accuracy dipped barely in poor lighting or with partially obscured faces, which is a standard limitation in such expertise.

Video High quality and Audio

The 2K sensor within the G410 delivers a transparent and detailed picture, a noticeable step up from the G4. Daytime footage captures high-quality particulars like facial options and clothes textures, even at a distance, because of the wide-angle lens and improved side ratio. Low-light efficiency is aided by ten 940nm infrared lights, offering respectable evening imaginative and prescient, although it doesn’t match the readability of some opponents with color evening imaginative and prescient capabilities, equivalent to sure Eufy fashions.

Audio high quality via the built-in microphone and speaker is sufficient for two-way communication. Conversations with guests by way of the Aqara Residence app or Panel Hub S1 Plus had been clear sufficient, although there’s a slight delay in transmission, which is typical for such units. The 95dB chime is loud and efficient, making certain notifications are heard even in bigger properties, and it doubles as a variety extender for connectivity.

Storage and Privateness

The vary of storage choices is a powerful level. I examined each native storage by way of a microSD card and cloud storage via Aqara’s platform. Native storage, with the cardboard housed within the chime for safety, was dependable and supported syncing to a NAS for added redundancy. The cloud possibility, with end-to-end encryption, supplied peace of thoughts for distant entry, although the free tier is now restricted to 24-hour occasion storage for six months, a downgrade from the G4’s seven-day free cloud storage.

Privateness options like masking particular areas within the digicam’s view and voice-changing for pre-recorded messages are helpful additions. These instruments enable customers to tailor the machine’s operation to their consolation degree, blocking out delicate areas or disguising their voice throughout interactions.

Battery Life

Battery life, rated at as much as 5 months with ten activations per day, held up fairly throughout my testing. In a moderate-traffic space, I didn’t want to interchange the AAs over a number of weeks, although high-traffic environments or frequent dwell view entry will drain energy sooner. The facility-saving mode, which limits activations to doorbell presses or app-initiated views, helps lengthen life in such eventualities, although it reduces performance.

Worth and Different Choices

On the time of writing, I’ve not been knowledgeable of the value of the Aqara Doorbell Digital camera Hub G410.

The Aqara Sensible Video Doorbell G4 has a really helpful retail value (RRP) of £120 and is obtainable for £95.

Different choices embrace:

Eufy:

• Video Doorbell E340 for £110, which has twin cameras, 2K video and color evening imaginative and prescient – wants a chime or Homebase
• Video Doorbell E340 + HomeBase S380 for £270 – The Homebase supplies 16GB storage and AI face detection
• Video Doorbell S220 for £109, which is a single-lens 2K digicam
• Video Doorbell S330 for £139, which is a twin lens 2K digicam with homebase

Arlo has the 2K Wi-fi Video Doorbell with Chime for £109, however this incurs a month-to-month charge.

The Reolink Video Doorbell (Battery) is a 2K digicam for simply £95. it doesn’t include a chime and lacks face detection.

All of the above have superior IP rankings, however none of them have the automation options that Aqara gives.

Total

The Aqara Doorbell Digital camera Hub G410 is just like the Aqara Sensible Video Doorbell G4 in most respects, however it now contains a fully-fledged multi-protocol hub with Zigbee, Thread, and Matter assist, plus improved decision.

On the time of writing, I’m not sure of the value, so my last opinion will largely rely upon how rather more costly that is compared to the Doorbell G4. The Aqara Hub M100 is simply £20, so I might hope the G410 doesn’t command a big premium.

Having a hub inbuilt makes this a lot simpler to arrange than the Doorbell G4 and it provides anybody wanting a wise video doorbell a straightforward entry level to the Aqara ecosystem.

For present customers, relying on the value, it’s nonetheless nicely value contemplating. With its built-in thread border router, it should assist enhance the sign inside your house and the reliability of the Thread community.

With this being largely the identical because the Doorbell G4, my criticisms nonetheless apply:

• The construct high quality and look are not so good as these of opponents.
• I actually dislike utilizing AA batteries. Battery life has been good to this point, however possible not so good as my Eufy doorbell.
• Video high quality is healthier than the G4, however nonetheless not so good as some alternate options and types like Eufy now use twin lens setups.

Equally, the positives maintain true:

• 7-days free cloud occasions
• Native storage possibility and the choice for twenty-four/7 recording
• Apple HomeKit assist, together with HomeKit Safe Video
• NAS / SMB recording (at a later date?)
• Correct facial recognition – Eufy is the one different firm doing this
• Superior house automation triggers/occasions, equivalent to automated door unlocking, one thing that Eufy can’t compete with.

Total, I believe the Aqara Doorbell Digital camera Hub G410 is superb (relying on value) and is a straightforward advice for anybody already invested within the Aqara ecosystem. It is usually nicely value contemplating for different individuals, if in case you have any curiosity in good properties, this is able to make a superb first funding.

I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the Editor and Proprietor of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Keen about all issues expertise, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cell, wearables, and good house units.

As a health fanatic who loves working and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related expertise, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My numerous pursuits enable me to convey a novel perspective to tech running a blog, merging life-style, health, and the most recent tech traits.

In my educational pursuits, I earned a BSc in Info Methods Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior examine additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the expertise curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has persistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many high expertise blogs within the UK. With my dedication to expertise and drive to share my insights, I purpose to proceed offering my readers with participating and informative content material.