verdict
Aqara Camera G100 proves that cheap smart cameras no longer have to feel like a compromise. It’s compact, flexible, and unusually well-connected for the price, with HomeKit Secure Video support, local storage, and full compatibility with major (and minor) ecosystems all built into a budget package. You lose the full 2K resolution with the Apple Home, and the audio is forgettable, but judging by value alone, this is one of the easiest budget cameras to recommend right now.
introduction
Compared to hub-like top-tier offerings like the Hub G5 Pro, Aqara has taken a different approach with the Camera G100, aiming squarely at the lower end of the market while meeting the criteria usually reserved for more expensive models.
With support for Apple HomeKit Secure Video, no monthly fees for local storage, and compatibility across most major smart home platforms, the G100 seeks to prove that cheap doesn’t have to mean compromise.
Read our Aqara Camera G300 review to learn more.
Design and installation
The G100 is surprisingly small when compared to most outdoor cameras such as the Reolink Altas and EufyCam S3 Pro.
It feels like an indoor camera that can withstand inclement weather and is much easier to install discreetly around your home. Indoor or outdoor use makes sense here, and the IP65 rating makes it reliable enough for exposed mounting.
The mounting system is simple but effective. You can also screw it to the wall or ceiling, or place it on a shelf. Probably most people use it like this.
The camera body rotates freely within the mount, giving you the freedom to fine-tune the angle and cover a wide area with a 140-degree field of view.
The front has a lens, an incredibly bright spotlight for color night vision, a status light, and a microphone. This camera is unobtrusive and uncluttered, and despite its low price, it never looks like a toy.
Power is handled via USB-C, but Aqara only supplies the cable. There’s no plug in the box, so you’ll need to plan where you’ll get power from, especially outdoors.
The camera itself is weatherproof, and Aqara includes a rubber sleeve to protect the cable connections from moisture, but this should be considered before installation.
Setup and apps
Getting the G100 up and running is easy. When you power it on, the Aqara Home app immediately detects it and guides you through the setup with clear steps and voice prompts from the camera itself.
Aqara offers flexibility from the start. You can add your camera directly to Apple Home without using the Aqara app at all, or you can set up your camera in Aqara first to access the full feature set and deeper automation.
Both QR codes are present side by side on the base, so it’s worth covering one while scanning to avoid pairing issues.
HomeKit Secure Video is supported, a rarity at this price point, making the G100 one of the best (if not supported). of – The cheapest HKSV camera currently available.
In addition to Apple, the camera also works with Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, and Home Assistant via RTSP, making it platform agnostic, which is unusual for a budget model.
The Aqara app itself will be familiar if you have used this brand of cameras before. Live view loads quickly, snapshots are crisp, and controls are logically laid out. Practical and practical, suitable for camera position.
Features
For such an inexpensive camera, the G100 covers a lot of ground. Outside of Apple’s ecosystem, the maximum video resolution is 2304 x 1296, but once added to Apple Home, the feed is limited to 1080p. This resolution limit also applies within the Aqara app while HomeKit is connected. This is a HomeKit limitation rather than an Aqara limitation, but it’s still worth knowing.
Storage is one of this camera’s biggest strengths. It has a microSD slot that supports cards up to 512 GB and allows for continuous or event-based recording without paying a subscription. Basic AI detection, including motion and human detection, is performed locally at no additional charge.
If you need more advanced detection such as pet, luggage, facial recognition, etc., look no further than Aqara’s HomeGuardian subscription. In addition to optional cloud storage, Aqara also offers support for SMB-compatible NAS systems, giving you more options for where to store your footage.
This is not a hub, so it does not connect directly to other Aqara devices. While some Aqara cameras can also function as Zigbee hubs or Matter controllers, the G100 remains focused on being a camera.
performance
Daytime video quality is solid for the price. Although not class-leading, details are sharp enough, colors look natural, and motion is handled reliably. For general home surveillance and security, it works effortlessly.
The evening performance was a pleasant surprise. You can choose between standard infrared night vision or full color with a built-in spotlight.
Both modes are effective, and as long as you’re used to switching on the lights, color night vision is truly usable, not just a box-ticking feature.
Two-way audio works, but you should keep your expectations in check. The microphone is acceptable, but the speaker sounds thin and lacks volume. It’s fine for quick warnings and greetings, but not for long conversations.
While there aren’t any advanced additions like custom motion zones, you have plenty of control over alerts and detection sensitivity to adjust the camera to your space and avoid notification overload.
final thoughts
The Aqara Camera G100 succeeds by keeping things simple and getting the basics right.
It’s affordable, easy to set up, flexible in where and how you store footage, and compatible with nearly all major smart home platforms.
You’ll be giving up premium performance and powerful audio, and Apple users won’t be able to watch full 2K video, but at this price these compromises are easy to accept.
If you want a small, hassle-free camera that avoids subscriptions and works well with the rest of your smart home, the G100 is for you.
Test method
When we publish a review, you can rest assured that it is the result of long-term testing.
Smart security cameras typically exist within an ecosystem, or set of products that all work together in harmony. Therefore, it is impossible to use surveillance cameras for a week to reach a verdict.
We test smart home kits all day every day, so we know what’s important and how a particular camera compares to the alternatives you’re considering.
Our reviews are comprehensive, objective and unbiased, and of course we don’t receive direct compensation to review devices.
To learn more, read our guide to the smart security camera vetting process.
