HomeKit Secure Video had a less-than-ideal rollout, but has become the gold standard for security cameras in the Apple ecosystem.  .  The first supported camera, the Logitech Circle 2, is still in beta with users still experiencing issues.  The company has even since released the Circle View which ONLY supports HSV.  The spring and summer of 2020 have seen a bevy of announcements and even some releases either on launch day or shortly thereafter.  Chinese smart home giant Aqara is not to be outdone here and have released an HSV version of their popular G2 Gateway Camera.  The affordable Aqara G2H Camera security solution has a lot to offer, but it isn’t perfect.

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Features

• maximum 1080p resolution streaming and recordin
• 140° field of view
• infrared for motion detection and night vision
• two-way audio
• up to 32 GB micro SD local storageZ
• Zigbee 3.0 hub
• HomeKit Secure Video

Need to Knows

• 2.4 gHz WiFi band
• currently needs to connect to the Mainland China server for full functionality
• 5V/1A power requirement (micro-USB)
• 4 color options- White, Blue, Yellow, Red
• Hub supports up to 32 Aqara and select Mijia / Mi Home child devices
• Magnetic base with included mounting plate and double-sided adhesive
• privacy mode
• Abnormal sound monitoring

Pros

First off, let’s address pricing.  In terms of an HSV camera, the Aqara G2H is among the least expensive security cameras currently on the market.  Also depending on when, where, and from whom you are able to get it, it may wind up being around the same price as the standard Aqara Hub available on amazon.com  So if you’re looking to break into the Aqara ecosystem, the G2H offers some fantastic functionality at a VERY reasonable price. 

As a security camera, the G2H is more than adequate for most indoor situations in my opinion.  The 1080p resolution offers sufficient clarity and the 140° field of view, while not the widest in the HSV camp, is perfectly acceptable for the majority of uses.  Night vision provided by the built-in IR blaster is decent though images can be fuzzy at greater distances as to be expected.

Photos can always be a little deceiving, but I appreciate the compact nature of the GH2 even if the design in general is a tad toy-like.  The construction of the camera’s housing is a durable matte-finished plastic giving it a relatively inconspicuous exterior.  The mounting system is fairly flexible with a magnetic base leg that swivels 360° for a wide range of options.

Though we’ll get more into this in the app section below, this camera has a ton of options through the Aqara Home app.  To name a few, through the app we have access to alarm settings, privacy mode, abnormal sound monitoring, image inversion, local storage library, two-way intercom and video messaging, and the list goes on.  The G2H is definitely a feature packed camera.

Cons

First off at the time of writing, the G2H is supposedly intended only for the Chinese market.  While easily imported through resellers like Banggood, it is worth noting that when setting it up for the first time, the voice prompts will be in Mandarin…or it could be Cantonese.  Forgive my ignorance.  However, the HomeKit setup process is the same regardless of language and the instructions through the app are in your preferred language.  As a last minute addition, HomeKit News reports, and I can confirm, that a firmware update has been released providing an English voice prompt option though this would be having initially setup the device in Chinese.

I love seeing local storage on cameras.  Though HSV is great, I’m still a little old-school when it comes to these sorts of things.  However, Aqara officially states that the micro SD local storage option maxes out at 32GB which really isn’t that much depending on how you use it.  It is wort noting that users have gotten larger capacity cards to work, but this seems to be hit or miss.  

If we look at the different HSV options on the market, we start to notice a distinct lack of cameras that are explicitly rated for outdoor use.  Such is the case with the Aqara G2H gateway camera.  Personally, I’m still a bit weary of IP cameras indoors so I appreciate a camera at least being rated for some type of weather resistance.

It’d be nice to say that the G2H is simply an Aqara Hub with an HSV camera stuffed inside, it is not.  While the internal speaker might be able to be used indoors for two-way communication in a relatively silent environment, it doesn’t have the decibel output of the standard Aqara Hub. it is nice that it can work alongside other Aqara gateways you may have to ward off intruders. 

The App

The Aqara G2H is HEAVY with features and options through the Aqara Home app.  That is if you are signed in to the Mainland China server.  If you are using a different server AND are signed in, you actually won’t be able to add the G2H.  You can, however, use “HomeKit Mode” and get the G2H up and running, though functionality will be limited to that which you can do in HomeKit.

Using the Mainland China server though, we have a plethora of features and options to play with.  Some notable points are the ability to adjust the video’s orientation in the event you have the camera suspended, motion detection zones, abnormal sound monitoring with adjustable sensitivity, local storage management, and camera password protection.  This is just a smattering of the different adjustments and options you have with the G2H.

As for Apple’s Home app, we have standard HomeKit Secure Video functionality along with the motion sensor which is exposed to HomeKit.  With HSV, we can control behavior when we are home or away in terms of streaming or recording and whether the recordings are triggered by people, animals, vehicles, or any movement.  We also have the ability to scroll through the past ten days of recordings.  HSV functionality is contingent on you having a paid iCloud storage plan, though.  Otherwise the camera will function as any other HomeKit camera which may be enough for you.

Final Thoughts

I’ve not been shy about my excitement for all things Aqara.  More than just being a fan of their devices and approach, I appreciate what they are doing for HomeKit as a platform.  By providing users with affordable hardware options and a quality software experience, they are driving down the cost across the board thus making the smart home more accessible to more users.  The G2H is a shining example of this.

The gateway camera has so much to offer for its feature set as a security camera matching and in some areas, surpassing the competition.  it also has the added benefit of acting as a Zigbee 3.0 hub exponentially expanding its usability as a smart home device.  I do think it, and the Aqara hub, are a great deterrent against would-be criminals.  However, let us not overlook how easy it is to unplug either of these devices.  

My biggest concern with the G2H is its availability.  When Aqara began its push into the North American and international markets, they began demonstrating their commitment releasing devices to meet the needs of local consumers.  As such, I imagine that they are adapting the G2H to integrate more seamlessly into international markets.  Though admittedly, it’s not like getting the G2H to work was by some stroke of genius.

You may want to wait for the international version if you are averse to experiementation.  You may want to jump in head first if you want to check out a great HomeKit secure Video option with standout features and a full smart home gateway.  And you may even want to check out our other content on Aqara devices like their original hub, door and window sensor, and water leak sensor.

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Our review unit of the Aqara G2H was provided to us by Bangood.com, an online retailer where you can find TONS of HomeKit gear very fair prices. Get the Aqara G2H Gateway Camera here or by clicking the link below.

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