The verdict
The Aqara G4 is the HomeKit-first pick — best-in-class Apple ecosystem integration with local recording to an Aqara hub and no mandatory subscription. But reviewers land at 3-3.5/5 because the 1080p video quality, missed motion events, and required hub bring compromises the Ring Pro 2 and Nest Doorbell don't have. Best only if you're committed to HomeKit Secure Video and don't mind the video-quality tradeoff.
Strengths
- +HomeKit Secure Video support with local recording to Aqara hubs — the most HomeKit-native option on this list
- +Battery-powered with 6+ months life from 6 AA cells
- +No subscription required for local recording or basic notifications
- +Compact, low-key exterior design that blends into most door surrounds
- +Supports facial recognition locally without cloud upload
Watch-outs
- −1080p resolution trails every other product on this list; The Verge flagged noticeably soft video
- −Chime hub unit is required for setup — adds to cost and plug location constraint
- −Reviewers consistently report inconsistent motion sensing and missed visitors
Rating sources
Our 3.3 score is the average of these published ratings. More about methodology.
