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Head-to-head · Best Smart Doorbells

Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 vs Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about Apple-first households that want HomeKit Secure Video, on-device face recognition, and battery-powered install at the lowest price point in the category. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4
Higher ratedRanked #5 in Best Smart Doorbells
Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4
$119

The Aqara G4 is the only meaningful pick for Apple HomeKit households that want a battery-powered video doorbell with HomeKit Secure Video. It is not the highest-resolution option here and the IPX3 rating is the weak point, but at 119 dollars with full HomeKit integration and on-device face recognition it is unbeatable for its target buyer. Matter support is on the roadmap pending the camera spec.

Strengths
  • — Only battery-powered doorbell with full HomeKit Secure Video support
  • — 162 degree wide-angle lens with 1080p HDR video at a 119 dollar price point
  • — Local face recognition runs on-device for HomeKit automations
Watch-outs
  • — Only 1080p resolution, behind the 2K class on most 2026 competitors
  • — 16:9 framing can cut off ground-level packages on shallow porches
  • — Six AA batteries deliver only about 4 months and need replacement rather than recharge
$119 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)
Ranked #4 in Best Smart Doorbells
Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)
$129

The Arlo Essential Video Doorbell 2nd Gen is the pick for buyers who want the widest field of view and the squarest 1:1 framing in the category. The 180 degree lens and HDR handling are genuinely best-in-class for capturing wide porches, and the on-device AI is mature. The Arlo Secure subscription is required to unlock the recording features most people expect, which puts it in the same boat as Ring on subscription cost.

Strengths
  • — 180 degree field of view captures the widest porch coverage in the category, with 1:1 aspect ratio for full head-to-toe framing
  • — 1536 by 1536 resolution with HDR holds up in high-contrast doorways
  • — AI-powered detection differentiates people, vehicles, animals, and packages with low false-positive rates
Watch-outs
  • — Arlo Secure subscription at 7.99 a month required for video recording, smart alerts, and activity zones
  • — Battery life drops noticeably under heavy event load per reviewer testing
  • — Two-way audio can sound thin compared to Ring or Eufy
$129 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4

The only product in this roundup that ships with HomeKit Secure Video out of the box. Trades resolution to the Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340 and the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, and the IPX3 rating is meaningfully weaker than the IP65 on the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell and the E340. Beats the Google Nest Doorbell Wired 2nd Gen on price, install flexibility, and HomeKit fit.

Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)

Out-frames every other model in this roundup with a true 180 degree 1:1 lens that the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus and Google Nest Doorbell Wired 2nd Gen cannot match. Falls behind the Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340 on subscription cost and night-vision color, and behind the Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 on HomeKit integration.

Specs side-by-side

SpecAqara Smart Video Doorbell G4Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)
Resolution1080p Full HD1536 by 1536 (1:1 square)
Field of View162 degrees diagonal180 degrees diagonal
Power Source6 AA batteries or hardwired 12-24 VAC / 8-24 VDCBattery or hardwired (model dependent)
Battery LifeApproximately 4 months on 6 AA alkalineUp to 6 months per charge
Cloud Storage Subscription RequiredNo (HomeKit Secure Video included with iCloud+)Yes, Arlo Secure from 7.99/mo for video history
Local StoragemicroSD up to 512 GBNone (cloud only)
EcosystemApple HomeKit, HomeKit Secure Video, Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT; Matter plannedAlexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, SmartThings
Field of View Aspect Ratio16:91:1 square
Night VisionInfraredColor and IR
Two-Way AudioYesYes
Weather RatingIPX3IP65
Smart NotificationsPerson, package, motion, on-device face recognitionPerson, vehicle, animal, package (with Arlo Secure)
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