The Aqara G100 is a super compatible indoor and outdoor smart home camera priced at just £35. But is it any good? After using it for several weeks, I’ve put together this detailed review for Mark’s Tech Blogs.
Design and Build
The Aqara G100 comes in black or white and can be freestanding or mounted with a screw. Its small, rounded camera body can be twisted on the stand, which can be adjusted to achieve any angle. I have one mounted vertically facing the outdoor cat flap and another upside down over the litter tray.
The only minor design downside is that the Aqara and Apple Home QR codes are on the bottom of the camera base, so pairing should be done before mounting. Taking photos of the QR codes is recommended if placing the camera outdoors.
- One side has a waterproof cover housing a MicroSD card slot and reset button.
- The USB-C port also has a waterproof cover.
- Both color options look sleek and unobtrusive.
Compatibility and Features
The Aqara G100 has built-in 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, pairing easily with networks like Eero. It is IP65 rated, supports up to 2K resolution (though Apple Home limits it to 1080p), and offers a 140-degree diagonal field of view.
- Built-in spotlight and infrared night vision
- Two-way audio support
- Compatible with Matter, Apple Home, Alexa, Google Assistant, Home Assistant, SmartThings, and IFTTT
- AI detection for humans, animals, packages, vehicles, and beta fire detection
- Motion sensor exposed to Apple Home
- Supports microSD cards up to 512GB, enabling 24-hour recording and NAS storage
Subscription options via Aqara Home Guardian are available but optional. Most users will not need one for single-camera use, though unlimited plans are among the best value on the market.
Setup
Setting up the Aqara G100 is straightforward. Simply plug in the camera (power brick not included), open the Aqara app, scan the QR code, name the device, and add it to Apple Home. Mounting is simple and flexible.
Using the Aqara G100
There are two main ways to use the Aqara G100: through the Aqara app and Apple Home.
Aqara App
- Activate digital privacy mode, take snapshots, record, and speak through the camera
- Adjust storage options and update firmware
- Modify camera and detection settings, including sensitivity and notification preferences
- Facial recognition setup available
Apple Home App
- Camera feed loads quickly with scrubbing and saving capabilities
- Settings allow custom notifications based on presence, item detection, and recording preferences
- Apple Home notifications include thumbnails
- Two-way audio support
- Day and night video quality is excellent, with the spotlight and motion sensor usable to trigger other smart home devices
It’s important to note the Apple Home app limits video to 1080p, which is not a fault of the Aqara G100 itself. All HomeKit-compatible cameras have this limitation.
Verdict
For just £35, the Aqara G100 is an outstanding value. The compact design, solid performance, and Apple Home compatibility make it the best budget smart home camera available for indoor or outdoor use. Most users won’t require a subscription or extra hub, making this an absolute bargain.
