Aqara Security Camera Hub G5 Pro Review

Testing Aqara’s new Security Camera Hub G5 Pro went so much smoother than I expected. There are only a few points of friction that present as more inconvenient than significant, making this a great camera to buy if you are also looking to expand on the intensity of your already existing smart home network. It presents decent value for money if you already have the smart home tech to take advantage of all the extra features. As a stand-alone camera it performed really well; but might not be the most accessible entry point into home security unless you’re planning to invest in more tech over time.

First things first, I’m going to need some time to unpeel the layers of the ‘Security Camera Hub G5 Pro’. This is the kind of name that literally describes the product whilst telling you nothing of its detailed features. I tested the Wifi model, which is retailing for $349 AUD at time of writing. There is a PoE model that is to be priced at $399 per Aqara – I’m sceptical that the average person installing this camera in their home is going to be able to manage installation of a PoE device without help from a tradie. I imagine the PoE model might be more suitable for people who manage their business or studios from home, whereas the Wifi model of the G5 Pro seems purpose-made for DIY installers like myself.

The camera is compact and feels dense in the best possible way, with a reassuringly sturdy hinged mounting bracket. Screws and anchors are included, but you’re not limited to the Aqara-included kit making it easy to DIY install. There is a removable metal rear panel hiding the reset button and two QR codes that allow for connection to the Aqara app and Apple ‘HomeKit’. The app worked well this time! Once I plugged in the camera and scanned the correct QR code it was simple to connect to my wifi. Less than 5 minutes later it was testable (much better than the 3 days I took last time for the smart lock). The app’s features are within my expectations and worked as advertised – screenshots, a gallery for recordings, notifications for alerts and detection – and overall, I was content to use the Aqara Home app in order to avoid paying extra for Aqara, Apple, Google or Amazon subscription features.

The included USB-C power cable is an issue – the cable is way too short for any practical outdoor use, and it does not come with a power adapter either. Maybe it makes it easier to ship internationally when you don’t have to worry about outlets? Maybe I’m the luddite who still has power outlets instead of USBs in my walls? Either way, it was annoying – easy to solve if you have a few metres of spare USB-C cable and you’re content to spend an hour or two in your roof with some artful drilling into eaves… or better yet, you use the same short-cut I did and point it out your sunroom window! I know this seems like a cop-out, but I think it was a sly given; also saved me having to buy a longer cable.

The camera picture is excellent. I was surprised by how superior the image quality of the G5 Pro was compared to anything else I’ve used before (baby monitors, video doorbells, etc), and the quality was consistent. Whilst there was a difference in crisp image between daytime footage and night vision, it was insignificant in my experience – I presume Aqara would put this down to the advertised ‘True Colour Night Vision’ tech with reference to its advertised wider than usual lens. To support the camera at night the G5 Pro includes a spotlight that was bright enough to assist the image clarity and startle the neighbours cat the first couple of nights when I elected to use it – although I didn’t find it necessary given the quality of night vision.

The detection technology supports the G5 Pro’s clear images surprisingly well. I’m not used to receiving both a timely and accurate notification that someone is at the door. Aqara describe including ‘local AI’ into the G5 Pro –it almost worked better than I expected when identifying people and cars coming up the drive way. Curiously, if someone walked alongside the driveway fence hiding behind the old VW, the G5 Pro would not notify me or alert to their presence despite how clear they were on the camera.

That could be a quirk related to my placing the camera so close to the window rather than installing it outside. I’ll treat that as a work-in-progress, because the detection technology worked accurately and instantly in all other circumstances I used it. I tested this using the Aqara app (and no paid subscription services – more on this later), keep this in mind if you intend to use Apple’s HomeKit, Google’s Home, or Amazon’s Alexa. I didn’t feel I was missing out on anything for my day-to-day home use – but if you are running a business or you get a lot of foot traffic some of the subscription features might be of more relevance to you for the increased recording storage.

Speaking of the additional services and the G5 Pro ability to connect, let’s get to the ‘hub’ part of the “Security Camera Hub G5 Pro” title. I’ll do my best to cover the features simply… so – the G5 pro can connect to ‘smart home’ platforms (Apple HomeKit, etc). Doing so lets you integrate all your systems, gives you access to some nifty automations if you have smart lights or smart locks and such – and if you already have a subscription to the ‘smart home’ platform, then you definitely don’t need to pay the additional fee for Aqara’s HomeGuardian service too. The G5 Pro supports real-time streaming (RTSP) too, which means you can link it with compatible recorders and players. I’m skeptical that the average homebody has any of these, but if you do then the compatibility would be a handy relief. Again, referencing the ‘hub’ in the title, the G5 Pro is Zigbee, Thread and Matter compatible – which for most people (myself included) can be simplified as “it is great for a smart home” because it is able to both anchor the communication for your smart devices, as well as being compatible with all your smart devices. Apologies if anyone tech-minded feels I’ve over-simplified – pragmatically I’ll stand by my summary of all the detailed features listed by Aqara as ‘great for a smart home’ if you already have (or plan to have) many devices that you want to link and automate with ease.

Final Thoughts?

Overall I was impressed by Aqara’s new Security Camera Hub G5 Pro – the more involved your smart home is, the more tech you already have, the more I imagine the G5 Pro to be a great value-for-money decision on further integrating and consolidating your home security and automation. If you are new to the market and planning on investing, this would be a decent place to start if you are already clear on what you plan on automating. It would be an expensive security camera if that is all you used it for, albeit providing a high quality service – but for the average consumer who just wants to see people come up their drive-way it will certainly do the job, but might present a high price entry point. 4/5 stars.