Aqara Video Doorbell G4: One Minute Review

The Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 is an intelligent doorbell that enables remote monitoring of visitors outside your property and allows for two-way communication through your phone or desktop via Wi-Fi. A notable advantage for Apple ecosystem users is its compatibility with HomeKit, in addition to the more frequently seen Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility. Its competitive price makes it a compelling choice, especially since it does not pressure you into purchasing a subscription service by restricting features, a common practice among other video doorbells.

This doorbell boasts a standard range of features typical of top video doorbells, including customizable zones for precise motion detection and facial recognition, capabilities not usually expected at this price point. It can differentiate between a car, a person, or an animal, rather than providing a generic alert that motion has been detected. Accompanying the doorbell, the G4 also includes a ringer booster, which is incredibly useful for those who aren’t always near their phones. Initially, I was skeptical about the recording quality, but I stand corrected. Additionally, a microSD card can be inserted to locally store video footage securely at home, rather than relying on the cloud as some video doorbells require. This setup also helps conserve battery life by offering a separate mains-powered unit with Wi-Fi connectivity and additional features.

In summary, the Aqara G4 provides a subscription-free alternative to popular models like the Ring Doorbell. However, there are areas that need enhancement; the modest IPX3 rating limits protection from the elements, and the field of view felt uncomfortably high for my preferences. Continue reading for a comprehensive overview.

Aqara Video Doorbell G4: Price and Availability

List Price: $119.99 / £119.99 (approximately AU$180)

The Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 was launched in the US in February 2023 and in the UK in December 2023. It's available on the Aqara website and Amazon for $119.99 / £119.99 (approximately AU$180). As of this writing, there is a limited-time price reduction of 20%, bringing it down to $95.99/£95.99 (approximately AU$140), which appears to be a recurring bi-monthly deal worth monitoring.

If you’re not keen on the fairly standard accessories, there are three available for the G4. The power supply features a 1.5-meter cable, which is rather short considering the recommended mounting height of 1.4 to 1.5 meters from the ground.

Accessory Prices in the UK

• Video Doorbell G4 Power Transformer (12V 1A DC): £14.99
• Kioxia Exceria U1 Class 10 Micro SD Card 64GB: £9.98
• Kioxia Exceria U1 Class 10 Micro SD Card 128GB: £17.99
• Advanced Accessories CHARGE-IT PREMIUM Single USB Charger Plug 2.1 Amp: £5.99

At its retail price, the Aqara G4 is competitively positioned against products like the Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro, which incurs additional subscription costs, even when factoring in the cost of a power adapter and MicroSD card.

Aqara Video Doorbell G4: Specifications

Aqara Video Doorbell G4: Design

With its sleek, dark design, the G4 is reminiscent of a mini monolith. It's easy to identify the button and camera, although the location of the securing screw seems awkward. This doorbell has an appealing look, coated in slate gray with glossy black accents. Upon unboxing, I found it intriguing for reasons I couldn't immediately pinpoint.

It was only when I measured the G4 after discovering an error in its listed dimensions that I noticed the proportions are close to 1:4:9. It struck me that these match the proportions of the monolith from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the camera even resembles HAL 9000. If you’re not familiar with the film, I recommend watching it—it's a classic.

Installing the doorbell is straightforward; simply attach the base plate, connect the bell unit to a power source (you’ll need your own USB power supply), and pair it through the app to complete any necessary updates. After that, you can insert the doorbell batteries before sliding the unit into the base plate and securing it. Adding the device to HomeKit allowed me to use my Apple One subscription to save video output to the cloud—an unexpected bonus.

However, the video quality isn't great; moving objects can appear quite grainy. While I appreciate 8-bit video games, I need to be able to differentiate between my mailman and Super Mario. A word of caution: when you insert the batteries, both the doorbell and ringer booster will activate, causing them to flash and emit sound. The doorbell silences when plugged into the base plate, but the ringer will continue until turned off. While this serves as a deterrent against tampering, a snooze option in the app would be a welcome addition.

Another design flaw is the location of the mounting screw on the device's side, making it challenging to tighten once in place. This screw allows for either wired electricity from an existing doorbell circuit or through a transformer plugged into a standard UK socket. Additionally, there’s no slot in the base plate for the cable to pass through, which means the power cable must be routed straight through the wall into the device—it was far from ideal for my setup. Creating an opening in the bracket is doable, but it’s an unnecessary complication.

Aqara Video Doorbell G4: Performance

After two years with Ring doorbells, it became immediately clear that the video quality and field of view of the Aqara G4 fell short. Truthfully, for a lower price, you often get what you pay for. Interestingly, the saved video footage appears to be clearer when using the local MicroSD compared to iCloud storage.

I mounted a Ring Battery Pro next to the Aqara for comparison and realized what you're paying for with the Ring. For my personal needs, the Aqara is sufficient, but it may not meet the expectations of everyone, depending on their entryway's requirements. Object recognition is consistent, although it has yet to identify a pet I could assess. This feature would be more useful if the app allowed filtering videos by object type.

The app itself is user-friendly and intuitive, providing automation options for those who prefer not to connect the doorbell to a smart home hub. However, there are peculiarities; for instance, it baffles me why automating sound play on the remote doorbell when its button is pressed isn’t a built-in feature. It’s even more confusing that default ringtones aren’t available—you need to import a sound file manually. I frequently receive error messages stating that the network connection is poor; it begs the question of what exactly is meant to be automatic. After reviewing setting options, the only feature listed with an automatic setting is “Infrared Night Vision,” which is preset to active.

Facial recognition performance was surprisingly strong given that it only featured one image of me. It opens the door to numerous automation possibilities—who wouldn’t want their home to greet you with "Hello Les" as you approach the front door? It feels almost too close to HAL for comfort.

Should You Buy the Aqara Video Doorbell G4?

Aqara Video Doorbell G4: Also Consider

If you’re not entirely convinced by the Aqara Video Doorbell G4, here are two additional options to consider. We also include numerous tips for selecting a video doorbell.

How I Tested the Aqara Video Doorbell G4

• I tested both battery and mains-powered configurations.
• I examined video storage options, saving footage to both iCloud and locally.
• I reviewed all video footage to evaluate accuracy.
• I compared video output with a competitor's product.

As my home lacks an existing doorbell circuit or an electrical outlet in the hall, I connected the transformer to an electrical outlet in the living room. Luckily for you (not for me), I am undergoing renovations where accessing cables is relatively easy. I explored automation options within the phone application and experimented with various in-app features. With over 30 years of tech enthusiasm and experience, I’ve been engaging with smart home devices for several years. This review first published in September 2024.