The Aqara G100 lands in Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem like a missing puzzle piece, bringing professional-grade security at a price that feels almost cheeky. This compact camera records in 2K and stays fully compatible with HomeKit Secure Video, making it a natural fit for Apple households seeking plug-and-play simplicity, HomeKit Secure Video. With weather resistance and flexible mounting, it fills a gap left as other makers stepped away from HomeKit.
What stands out even before you open the box is Aqara’s commitment to HomeKit without pushing the price skyward. At £34.99, you get features that often sit behind triple-digit tags from brands like Logitech or Netatmo.
What makes the G100 stand out in the HomeKit camera market?
The headline feature is versatility. Thanks to IP65 weather resistance, it works indoors or outside with equal confidence, according to TechRadar. No need to choose between a desk camera and one for the porch. The G100 does both.
It records at 2K with a wide 140-degree field of view, though HomeKit streams at 1080p, as noted by multiple reviewers. That is HomeKit’s bandwidth management at work, not a knock on the hardware. And yes, 1080p is plenty for identifying faces and tracking motion.
Nighttime is where the camera shows range. You get two modes, discreet infrared for low-profile monitoring and color recording with a spotlight when you want detail, based on testing reports. The infrared uses 940 nm light that remains invisible to intruders. Switch to color mode and the built-in spotlight steps in when clarity matters.
Stealth or deterrence. Pick the approach that fits the doorway, alley, or living room at hand.
How does HomeKit Secure Video integration actually work?
HomeKit Secure Video keeps monitoring inside Apple’s encrypted ecosystem. It saves up to ten days of recorded clips and allows unlimited live viewing without any subscription, according to Apple’s specifications.
You will need an iCloud plan, 200 GB for one camera or 2 TB for up to five, yet the camera clips do not count against your storage allotment, camera footage doesn’t count toward storage limits. Existing iCloud users can enable recording without sacrificing space for photos or files.
Control is smooth across Apple devices. Stream the live feed to Apple TV, manage settings from iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, and jump from a motion alert to a live view in seconds, as confirmed by Aqara. No channel switching, no fuss.
Privacy gets top billing. Video analysis happens locally on your devices or inside Apple’s encrypted cloud, so Aqara does not access your footage when you use HomeKit Secure Video. If you are wary of how manufacturers handle data, Apple’s guardrails offer real peace of mind.
Beyond HomeKit: connectivity and smart features
HomeKit might be the main draw, but the G100 plays nicely with others. It supports Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and SmartThings, plus RTSP for deeper home automation tie-ins, based on manufacturer specifications. If you switch ecosystems later, your camera is not stranded.
For storage, there is microSD support up to 512 GB, and the camera connects over Wi‑Fi 6 with WPA3 security. It operates on 2.4 GHz only, according to technical reviews. That choice favors range and reliability, which helps when the router sits on one side of the house and the camera lives on the other.
On-device AI handles human detection without the cloud. For pets, packages, and vehicles, Aqara’s HomeGuardian subscription starts at £3.99 monthly, per testing reports. Core person alerts keep working during internet outages, so monitoring does not flatline if your connection does.
Aqara’s setup feels fair. Essentials stay free, extras sit behind a modest fee for those who want deeper categorization.
Is the G100 worth it for HomeKit users?
At £34.99 ($34.99, AU$89), the G100 is a standout value for HomeKit users seeking dependable monitoring without overspending, based on current pricing. For context, the Logitech Circle View, now discontinued, sold for well over £200. The G100 undercuts that by a wide margin and still offers weather resistance and dual night vision.
Its weather-ready build, flexible mounts, and broad platform support suit renters and homeowners alike, according to user feedback. Renters will appreciate the USB‑C power and magnetic mounting that avoid drilling, yet still cover entryways and hallways.
Setup is refreshingly simple. Plug in USB‑C, scan a QR code in the Aqara app, and you are off, as confirmed by reviewers. Most people finish in minutes, not hours.
For Apple households, the G100 may be the easiest gateway into HomeKit Secure Video at the moment, especially as other manufacturers have scaled back HomeKit support. If you are invested in Apple gear and want monitoring that feels native across your devices, the G100 blends features, compatibility, and price in a way that is hard to argue with.
It succeeds by solving real problems with thoughtful engineering instead of spec-sheet chest beating. Exactly what HomeKit needs right now.
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