Did Aqara make the best HomeKit doorbell?

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A HomeKit doorbell with HomeKit Secure Video has long seemed like an amazing setup you can only get in Apple's ecosystem. The problem is we haven't had an option that works well as a good choice for most people. Can Aqara's new G4 doorbell live up to this challenge? Or is it still not enough to satisfy our demanding, high standards?
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Aqara G4 Doorbell geni.us/kVAAd [Amazon]
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Installation Manual: prd.aqara.cn/manual/?mid=manu...
To turn off Aqara notifications, go to these switches and turn them off:
- G4 doorbell - … in the right-hand corner - More Settings - Alert Settings - Motion detection - Push
- Profile Tab - Settings - Push Notifications - Device Notifications - G4 Doorbell
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
02:29 Installation
05:27 Software
07:39 The Chime Box
09:56 Hardware
11:25 Continuous Recording
12:21 Video Quality
13:11 Buy this doorbell?
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25 июн 2024

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Комментарии : 113

@likhan.ghosh. Год назад

Installed mine yesterday. Works like a charm 👍🏼

@EricWelander Год назад

Nice! Enjoy

@AF9D2 Год назад

Thank you for the timely and great review Eric! Just purchased😊❤

@EricWelander Год назад

Thanks Don! Enjoy

@howardzhao4685 Год назад

I added this one at my back door yesterday. After firmware update, it has been working without any connectivity issue so far. I am using Logitech for the front door, which vertical view serves the best, and for my back door, the horizontal view actually is better in my application as give a wide angle to cover the backyard. Will keep eye on it to see how it holds up with various weather condition. Thanks again for your informative review.

@EricWelander Год назад

That's a great idea to put this on a back door and it's a great point that widescreen video is more helpful when you don't care about packages.

@MarkLee1 Год назад

10:40 - So true, mate. Finally someone said it. Not only the button doesn’t look like a button and difficult to see at low lighting, the camera section also has the same shape and is more prominent in colour. Mine already has a few fingerprints on the camera lens. 😮

@CameronMulder 10 месяцев назад

The button totally looks like a button and have not had any issues with visitors not knowing it is a button.

@542chicken Год назад

Thank you for your video. It was very helpful. I just received the doorbell but could not figure out how to open up the back on your video you showed how you had to push down on the back panel to open it up. Thank you.

@JaredAkers 11 месяцев назад

Love your video's, thanks for taking the time to create great content! In the slow processes of moving from an Alexa/Ech/Blink Camera home to HomeKit. Figuring on Aqara for door/security sensors, possibly indoor video, Eufy for exterior video, but just need to pick a video door bell.. So many mixed reviews on them all. I tried Homebridge for the Blink stuff, not a big fan. Considering for doorbells Aqara G4, Wemmo, or Circleview.. which I guess is obvious since they're the main HK ones. lol Having a hard time to decide.

@Blandalorian Год назад

Great video as ever, Eric. I’m definitely picking this up when it’s available in the UK - I’m currently using a Ring doorbell 2nd gen which I’ve got running HSV on via Scrypted and it’s okay-to-fine, this seems much better.

@EricWelander Год назад

Thanks Alex!

@jamesrussell974 8 месяцев назад

Hi! Did you get this doorbell? How does it compare to the ring doorbell 2 - I have that too and looking to get something for HomeKit too

@grizzlypaws461 Год назад

Ugh why can’t anyone make a better HomeKit doorbell.

@CameronMulder 10 месяцев назад

I have the Aqara doorbell and it works great

@AnythingFitz 9 месяцев назад

⁠@@CameronMulderIt's awesome, but it gets annoying that it's not chargeable, have to change double aa batteries every few months. And also cant detect packages when it cant see the ground

@chubbyBunny94 7 месяцев назад

So that tells me this video is not worth watching

@joshuahaney1135 Год назад

I’m using reolink doorbell 2k and I’m using homebridge to put it into HomeKit

@PhilJohnston 11 месяцев назад

Starling hub + Nest Doorbell -> HomeKit is what you are seeking. Works like a charm and has solid hardware. 🎉🎉🎉

@tommygraham1990 Год назад

Haha I’m just using a $15 Aqara smart switch as my doorbell. It triggers the doorbell sound on the hub and notifies my phone. A double press turns on my porch light and a hold press turns on my string lights in my yard. Just don’t have a built in camera.

@EricWelander Год назад

Those Aqara buttons and switches are super handy for all kinds of use cases. I'm glad it has lasted well for you outside.

@R1chardH Год назад

Great arnt they, I have no interest in talking to anyone, I'm in or I'm not, talking about it just takes up time.

@albertorangel7776 11 месяцев назад

This is exactly what i want to do and know if it is possible, you do it thru HomeKit or Alexa?

@technicavivunt Год назад

I’m slowly starting to become an Aqara only household. Such good bang for the buck when it comes to a lot of HomeKit accessories. Just got my doorbell in yesterday and it’s night and day compared to the cruddy Blink one.

@Travis2L Год назад

That’s not a good thing. Aqara truly isn’t a quality company. Aqara works differently with thread/matter than any other manufacturer and it’s not a good thing. Do your research bc I can tell you haven’t.

@technicavivunt Год назад

@@Travis2L I’m not super invested yet, and to be honest most of the stuff I’ve got budget wise has been more than worth it thus far. We will see how it’s 2023 lineup is later in the year. I’m not super invested yet; I’m holding out for the thread and matter stuff. But the door/window sensors are pretty nice in my place. Only big gripe right now I have is the lack of actual sirens in their lineup

@EricWelander Год назад

I agree that Aqara's Zigbee hub isn't necessarily as future proof as Thread, but some of their hubs have started to add Matter support. I also think Zigbee hubs like Aqara and Hue can be really reliable and fast in lots of cases. For the cost of Aqara I think using their stuff now is a great option, while not buying all the things until we know more how things will Matter-ize.

@Raptors0524 7 месяцев назад

@@Travis2LAqara is a decent company. Who are you to chastise?

@Travis2L 7 месяцев назад

@@Raptors0524 your mother. AND NO THEY ARE NOT

@pbear06 Год назад

Can you review the Netatmo doorbell ? I already have their outdoor camera "Presence" and I'm pretty happy. It works with HomeKit natively. In Europe, we cannot buy the logitech one.

@abhilashdasari6501 Год назад

Hey Eric, what do you think of the netatmo smart video doorbell? Also, can you add more than one chimes for larger homes with multiple floor levels in the Aqara G4??

@daledesilva 3 месяца назад

Thank you for the info about reading the SDcard directly! Do you know what happens if the Wifi cuts out? I know recordings can't be uploaded or synced with phone because that needs wifi and internet, but are the recordings still recorded to the SD card when wifi is down?

@Fawke85 Год назад

Quick question, the chime that comes with this, can you access it through automation? Like for example play a sound when my door opens?

@freddyleon3699 7 месяцев назад

Loved the video but I can’t figure out how to get the Aqara app notifications to stop. I prefer to use HomeKit and although I set range in HomeKit cars passing constantly cause the Aqara app to send me notifications it’s driving my crazy and I wonder if it’s killing the battery.

@542chicken Год назад

How do you get the HomePod minis to have a different doorbell like what you have on yours? When is your voice on the HomePod?

@CameronMulder 10 месяцев назад

After having a ring doorbell and a eufy doorbell, the Aqara is by far the best I have used. They had some bugs with early firmware but it has now been rock solid for months and I have no complaints.

@hasdthah9707 9 месяцев назад

What’s wrong with ring ?

@MrLazyasss 5 месяцев назад

how is the battery life ? and also the 7days cloud is it effective?

@tomaszswietlikowski7804 3 месяца назад

Is it supporting homepod chimes? also - is local wifi enough to display the live view on local wifi ios devices or internet has to be working all the time?

@Scan_Speak 9 месяцев назад

I’m all Apple for everything…except my doorbell. HomeKit doorbells seem to be one big compromise one way or another. I ended up buying the Ring Pro 2 with a one camera Ring yearly service. 2 years now and the doorbell has been flawless.

@christianhotter Год назад

I may be replacing my Ring doorbell and getting rid of the subscription. I’m worried about the field of view, but I do have another camera in the front that can detect packages.

@EricWelander Год назад

With the additional camera then you are probably good. Yes it's nice to have one less subscription to pay.

@steventiggemann7222 9 месяцев назад

Eric, I’m in Northern Minnesota gets down to -20°F to -30°F any issues for you?

@smirnart2006 Год назад

Hello ! tell me please , if I can use this doorbell without included chime ? I just want to receive notifications to my Apple devices Thank you in advance 😊

@renaes5262 5 месяцев назад

Im confused about hard wiring the door bell..... if I connect it do I still need the chime block? wont it trigger my chime doorbell?

@MorbidGod391 4 месяца назад

7:44 so FYI on the Google Home integration. It has the ability when the doorbell is rang to talk and tell you someone is at the doorbell. Or if it’s someone known I believe it says that person’s name.

@roberttouro Год назад

Can you answer the doorbell from your Apple Watch? Thanks

@brb408wpb 8 месяцев назад

New doorbell. Have yet been able to activate steam & record to HKSV. I've tried batteries only, hard wire power only, and both. Firmware is current at 4.04. MacOS, iOS, AppleTVOS and homepod mini OS are all current. I've removed and reset the device a few times. I've added it with the app that launches HomeKit and just the Aqara app first and then HomeKit. I've tinkered with different detection settings. I do know HKSV works for me as I have an iCloud 2TB plan and can stream a Wyze camera with RSTP through Scrypted. But I'd rather drop the server running Scrypted, so I am hoping to get this setup working. Any other suggestions for troubleshooting beyond what I have have tried? Any setting I may have missed? I also sent a support request to Aqara.

@nicolinden Год назад

Does anyone know how this doorbell holds in direct sunlight in the sense of overheating? I now have a Logitech Circle View and although I love it from a quality perspective it is just crap in direct sunlight. In the summer if always turns itself off because of overheating around 15.00 - 17.00 and (rain?) water also made it inside the device, it still works but the device enclosure looks terrible now. I am thinking of buying this device as a replacement but I need to know if this one doesn't overheat so quickly in direct sunlight...

@user-dk7hc5bf5u 4 месяца назад

I added the Aqara G4 doorbell to HomeKit and it does Not show an entry for Activity Zones (see 4:13 of video). Do have any idea why?

@brunotoselli Год назад

How do you have face recognition living in Illinois? Isn’t that restricted by state law? Thanks!

@mtlreiner 3 месяца назад

I’m confused. Do you only need to use a 2.4 GHz network for setup, then you can switch to 5 GHz later?

@YoungBlaze Год назад

Eufy has the beset camera ive ever seen on a doorbell kit, but the software is delayed with notifications

@mavirek Год назад

1. Will the camera hold up against direct sunlight in the morning? 2. Will it stand up to that sun in the summer in Florida!?! 3. I'm afraid all my video will be of shadows--has anyone found a setting or way to light up faces (maybe a mirror placed to reflect sunlight)? 4. Has anyone had to extend their doorbell wires to reach a better location for the placement of the camera, and what did you use?

@simhawk3986 Год назад

My circle view seem to have killed my doorbell transformer or something.... one morning the wired connection just stopped working.. lol I might just pick this up and give it a whirl. That's a lot cheaper than calling someone out to come and fix the wiring on my doorbell.

@callmeyang Год назад

What is the privacy policy? Can you connect to your own nextcloud?

@tommacdougall Год назад

Great video, is there anything you need to do to the old original chime?

@EricWelander Год назад

It's just not an option with this doorbell

@tommacdougall Год назад

@@EricWelander Thanks, so you just connect the Aqara doorbell?

@jackolantern7342 Год назад

What transformer do you need for this one?

@pita1963 Год назад

The AA battery is not a bad idea. It's a "double cost control". To recharge with lithium battery, users have to either charge the only battery and live without the camera for a little bit or buy a backup one. So not only it reduced the product cost(no need to ship battery for hardwire users, no need to make a new battery module, etc) , also reduced the operation cost for the owners. Of course, it's all about trade offs, no plan is perfect. As long as they pass down the cost saving to the consumers, I am personally fine with it.

@MarkCruz-fw7qj Год назад

Hard wired which is the correct polarity

@Flytrendaviation 8 месяцев назад

mine seems buggy... the battery life is terrible a few weeks at best. it shows offline frequently, overheats in sunlight, with IOS 17 I cannot find activity zones anymore. ...love the idea of it but it doesnt have the same quality as other devices. I use a home kit compliant mesh home router

@richardgarno6591 10 месяцев назад

Anyone else have problems with the doorbell speaker in the Aqara app? As of today, Aug. 29, 2023 I am running the latest version of the app and of the Aqara firmware. The speaker and microphone work fine in the Apple Home app, but they cannot be heard when using the Aqara app. I assume this is an app issue and not a problem with the doorbell itself, but I'm still within the return window and don't think I want a $120 doorbell that doesn't function properly. I've reached out to Aqara twice but haven't even gotten an acknowledgement that they have received my ticket.

@billligon4005 9 месяцев назад

Well, WHY can't I use Aquara smart door lock with my home wifi network, and not use the HomeKit?

@khalidabulfath7418 Год назад

I can’t find the transformer in my country :(( .. AC or DC

@amigajoe Месяц назад

Will the face recognition on the doorbell open, and Akira smart lock automatically?

@EricWelander 29 дней назад

I don't think so. Clever idea though. Lockly has locks with face recognition but I haven't tried them yet.

@debbiebridygham9230 Год назад

I love the shallower design, but it’s too wide for my porch, the Logitech one barely fits, perhaps they could have made it shallow and tall instead. I agree that AA batteries are an odd choice, common camera batteries would be more compact

@EricWelander Год назад

That's a great point about camera batteries Debbie. There are standard sizes out there that could have worked. I use a few of them for video equipment like lights.

@debbiebridygham9230 Год назад

@@EricWelander I have some devices that use half height AAs, those would be better as well, though I have to order them online, they aren’t common in local stores as yet

@islandsnow Год назад

Seriously why didn’t they build in the electrical prongs into the chime like how Eufy does

@8Arachne8 11 месяцев назад

If it was thread it would be nearly perfect; would be able to place the chime anywhere you wanted…

@dylanmullenix Год назад

4:43 So the doorbell only works with the included chime box, and can't use an already existing mechanical door chime?

@feeesta Год назад

Unfortunately yes

@D8099. Год назад

Wait? Only Acara video has time stamps ? Wtf? I’m definitely ordering this doorbell. That’s bullshit the others don’t have time stamps. What good is a security device if you don’t know what time of night an event happened?

@maximedube2813 Год назад

I can't find anywhere what size of micro ssd is needed to save at least 7 days of continuous recording. Do you have this info?

@TheUnofficialMaker Год назад

128gb

@bydesign868 6 месяцев назад

I too love Apple and have everything HomeKit! However, this horizontal view seems silly for a doorbell. If someone is close enough to ring the bell, their head is completely chopped off. I would think someone on the design team would have noticed. Can anyone tell me of an alternative BATTERY powered doorbell that will indeed show peoples heads and delivery boxes below that will work with HomeKit? I'm just so tired of waiting for the right "HomeKit Doorbell" to finally come along.

@BMar1andonly Год назад

Does it load up fast? My problem with logictech is the extremely slow open time at home and especially away

@EricWelander Год назад

I haven't noticed a difference and I agree it is slow, but lots of cameras are in my experience. Some of this is because actual upload speeds on even fast home cable internet are not great.

@BMar1andonly Год назад

@@EricWelander I understand, but it is frustrating when I have a Ring doorbell at my side door that opens within 3 seconds, but my front door, my main door, has logictech and takes 10 seconds at home and more times than not, never opens while I’m away. If Ring gets Matter support I may go back I kind of drew the line at homebridge I don’t want to tinker too much. All my Homekit cameras seem much slower over opening in their native app though so perhaps I’m doing it wrong.

@xfb8137 Год назад

Can someone recommend me the best HomeKit doorbell for an apartment without temperature problem.

@EricWelander Год назад

I would say this Aqara one give it's the only battery option.

@utubevdeo09 8 месяцев назад

Apple should make a doorbell.

@ericlung5086 Год назад

This is my first smart door bell in HomeKit. Works great so far, but the face recognition seems to be a bit slow… the door bell needs to be pressed twice every time before my homepods are able to call out the name of the person pressing the door bell. I checked the Wi-Fi connection doorbell-chime-router, the connection strength is strong and I already upgraded to the latest 4.0.1 firmware. Is it just me or this is a common problem with this G4 doorbell thx.

@hungsiu2859 Год назад

Are we sure that Belkin one not having overheat issue? I reached out to them and they didn’t give me a definite yes or no answer…. My Logitech one went completely dead in 18 months… Thanks

@EricWelander Год назад

I have not seen any overheating issues. Support is usually wary to say anything definitive like that. It's definitely a larger and thicker case than the Logitech so it can probably disipate heat better.

@Max86421 Год назад

Go with Matter Supported Smart doorbell 😏

@richardgarno6591 Год назад

It sure looks like if someone rings the doorbell and remains standing close to it, you won't be able to see the person's face. From what I can tell in several video reviews (including this one), it cuts off all or part of a person's head. For any of you who have this doorbell installed, do you find this to be true? Even on the Aqara website, the pictures show the doorbell placed quite high in relation to the models who are pretending to press the button.

@keco185 10 месяцев назад

I wish PoE doorbells were more common

@dancostache1582 3 месяца назад

While I initially had high hopes for the Aqara Doorbell G4, I've unfortunately experienced significant connectivity issues. Despite troubleshooting and support assistance, the problem persisted, leading me to switch to a more reliable alternative. Regrettably, I cannot recommend this product based on my experience.

@victuringan1429 3 месяца назад

Its huuuuuuuuuge

@brianswails7276 Год назад

Waiting for support for 2k and better video for HSV before I update again

@EricWelander Год назад

I hope they add portrait video with 2K as well in the next version. We'll see...

@djalil_YT 10 месяцев назад

I don’t run 2.4ghz WiFi in my home. Product is already outdated at launch! If you said it used micro USB I wouldn’t have been surprised 😂

@gabs0r Год назад

No onvif so see yah!

@james.a Год назад

AA batteries?! 🤦🏻‍♂️

@mikebedford4362 Год назад

This doorbell is so disappointing a mate of mine took it back 3 days later. It captures video from yr waist up or it cuts your head off! No package detection either and the picture quality is average at best. I’d expected better than this from Aqara and was waiting for it. There’s No way I’d buy it now!

@TheUnofficialMaker Год назад

my aqara bluetooth wall switch with hub 15 feet away won't stay connected. gonna replace it with Lutron

@clunkdunwad4714 5 месяцев назад

*only HomeKit doorbell

@CityLifeinAmerica 3 месяца назад

My favorite doorbell so far. I hardwired mine and didn’t bother using the batteries. Put the batteries it came with in my battery drawer. Works way more reliably than my Ring.

@zc7396 Год назад

Short answer. No, many flaws in this products. Biggest is the aspect ratio and field of view

@TheUnofficialMaker Год назад

too $$$

@PickUps Год назад

seems really poor

@cedric9288 Год назад

You completely missed the point with the review. People want a review because it’s the only camera battery operated that works with HomeKit. Doing a test and wiring the door bells make the review only use fell to another crowd

@SmartHomeHASHTAGS Год назад

I care about Alexa, so I'll skip right over your channel and won't subscribe.

@callum7169 10 месяцев назад

100% this 👏👏 Just because you’re not interested in it, doesn’t mean potential buyers (and your audience) are not interested either. Super weird take to have as a reviewer…

@einmalehrlich8101 5 месяцев назад

The best doorbell?!? Absolute crap, it can't even do the basic things like reliable person recognition, good video images or even a bell that works further than 5m! Lots of good ideas behind it, but if even the basic things don't work, it's an absolute no-go. A lot of gimmicks that no one needs, even if they would work perfectly, which of course they don't, e.g. the voice distortion is more likely to be described as ridiculous than as making any sense. One year after its market launch, this product is still in the absolute beta phase (Date: january oft 2024)

@KarlPilkington89 Год назад

I thought your face was created by AI on the thumbnail.

@EricWelander Год назад

Haha no that is actually me from a photo from my camera via Lightroom. There is a light off to the side which might make the lighting look less natural and in turn AI driven

@Tylerbb8122 Год назад

This doorbell has low quality video, and the orientation is completely messed up. You can’t get someone’s face and packages dropped off. Don’t buy this doorbell they tested it in a midget community were doors are 4 feet tall