Aqara Camera G100 review

Introduction

Aqara is taking a different approach with the Camera G100 compared to its hub-tastic top dogs like the Hub G5 Pro, aiming squarely at the budget end of the market while still ticking boxes that are normally reserved for more expensive models.

With support for Apple HomeKit Secure Video, local storage without a monthly fee, and compatibility across most major smart home platforms, the G100 is trying to prove that cheap does not have to mean compromised.

Have a read of my Aqara Camera G300 review to find out more about it.

Design and installation

The G100 is refreshingly small compared with most outdoor cameras like the Reolink Altas or the EufyCam S3 Pro.

It feels more like an indoor cam that happens to survive bad weather, which makes it far easier to place discreetly around the home. Indoor or outdoor use makes sense here, and the IP65 rating provides sufficient confidence for exposed mounting.

The mounting system is simple but effective. You can screw it into a wall or ceiling, or just sit it on a shelf, which is how most people will probably use it.

The camera body rotates freely within the mount, giving full freedom to fine-tune the angle, while the 140-degree field of view covers plenty of ground.

Around the front you will find the lens, a surprisingly bright spotlight for colour night vision, a status light, and the microphone. This camera is understated, tidy, and avoids looking toy-like despite the low price.

Power is handled via USB-C, but Aqara only supplies the cable. There is no plug in the box, so you will need to plan where power comes from, especially outdoors.

The camera itself is weatherproof, and Aqara includes a rubber sleeve to protect the cable connection from moisture, but it is still something to factor in before installation.

Setup and the app

Getting the G100 up and running is straightforward. Power it on and the Aqara Home app immediately detects it, then talks you through setup with clear steps and voice prompts from the camera itself.

Aqara gives you flexibility right from the start. You can add the camera directly to Apple Home without using the Aqara app at all, or set it up in Aqara first for access to the full feature set and deeper automations.

Both QR codes live side by side on the base, so it is worth covering one while scanning to avoid pairing hiccups.

HomeKit Secure Video is supported, which is rare at this price and makes the G100 one of – if not the – cheapest HKSV cameras currently available.

Beyond Apple, the camera also works with Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, and Home Assistant via RTSP, making it unusually platform-agnostic for a budget model.

The Aqara app itself is familiar if you have used the brand’s cameras before. Live view loads quickly, snapshots are clear, and controls are logically laid out. It is practical and no-nonsense, which suits the camera’s positioning.

Features

For such an inexpensive camera, the G100 covers a lot of ground. Video tops out at 2304 x 1296 outside of Apple’s ecosystem, but once added to Apple Home, the feed is limited to 1080p. That resolution cap also applies inside the Aqara app while HomeKit is connected. This is a HomeKit limitation rather than an Aqara one, but it is still worth knowing.

Storage is one of the camera’s biggest strengths. There is a microSD slot supporting cards up to 512GB, allowing continuous or event-based recording without paying a subscription. Basic AI detection, including motion and human detection, runs locally and does not cost anything extra.

If you want more advanced detection such as pets, packages, or facial recognition, that sits behind Aqara’s HomeGuardian subscription. Aqara also offers optional cloud storage, plus support for SMB-compatible NAS systems, giving you plenty of choice over where your footage lives.

This is not a hub, and it does not connect directly to other Aqara devices. Some Aqara cameras double as Zigbee hubs or Matter controllers, but the G100 stays focused on being a camera first.

Performance

Daytime video quality is solid for the price. It is not class-leading, but details are clear enough, colours look natural, and motion is handled reliably. For general home monitoring and security, it does the job without frustration.

Night performance is a pleasant surprise. You can choose between standard infrared night vision or full color using the built-in spotlight.

Both modes are effective, and color night vision is genuinely usable rather than just a box-ticking feature, as long as you are comfortable with the light switching on.

Two-way audio works, but expectations should be kept in check. The microphone is acceptable, but the speaker sounds thin and lacks volume. It is fine for a quick warning or greeting, not for longer conversations.

There are no advanced extras like custom motion zones, but there is enough control over alerts and detection sensitivity to tune the camera to your space and avoid notification overload.

Final thoughts

The Aqara Camera G100 succeeds by keeping things simple and getting the fundamentals right.

It is affordable, easy to set up, flexible about where and how it stores footage, and compatible with almost every major smart home platform.

You give up premium performance and strong audio, and Apple users will not see full 2K video, but those compromises are easy to accept at this price.

If you want a small, no-fuss camera that avoids subscriptions and plays nicely with the rest of your smart home, the G100 makes a strong case for itself.

How we test

When we publish our reviews, you can rest assured that they are the result of “living with” long term tests.

Smart security cameras usually live within an ecosystem, or a range of products that – supposedly – all work in harmony. Therefore, it’s impossible to use a security camera for a week and deliver a verdict.

Because we’re testing smart home kit all day, everyday, we know what matters and how a particular camera compares to alternatives that you might also be considering.

Our reviews are comprehensive, objective and fair and, of course, we are never paid directly to review a device.

Read our guide on our review process for smart security cameras to learn more.