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Aqara

Hands on with Aqara’s new Matter-compatible camera: what works, and what doesn’t

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Aqara’s Camera Hub G350 is a genuine Matter-certified indoor camera, but it is not yet a universal one-app replacement for established security cameras. Its 4K wide-angle camera, 2.5K telephoto lens, pan-and-tilt movement, local storage and built-in smart-home hubs make the hardware compelling. The catch is that Matter camera support still depends heavily on the platform, hub and firmware you use.

For SmartThings users and Aqara owners, the G350 is an important first step toward cross-platform camera control. For buyers expecting every feature to work equally in Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, Home Assistant and Aqara Home, it is better understood as promising technology that is still developing.

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What is the Aqara Camera Hub G350?

Launched in the United States on March 17, 2026, at $139.99, the Aqara Camera Hub G350 combines three devices:

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  • An indoor pan-and-tilt security camera.
  • An Aqara Zigbee hub.
  • A Matter controller and bridge, with support for Thread-related smart-home functions.

That combination is the G350’s main distinction. It is not simply a camera with Matter branding. It can also act as a central point for Aqara Zigbee devices and compatible Matter products. However, the presence of a Matter controller does not make every Aqara camera feature universally available in every smart-home app.

#1 Best Overall
Aqara Indoor Security Camera G350, 4K UHD Dual-Lens Matter Camera Hub
  • 4K Ultra HD Dual-Lens Camera & 9X Hybrid Zoom:The G350 indoor camera features a dual-camera system that captures every detail. A 133° wide-angle 4K lens and 2.5K HD telephoto lens combines to deliver sweeping panoramic views and zoomed details. With 9X hybrid zoom, you can magnify specific areas without losing clarity using fixed tap shortcut, zoom dial, dragbox or finger spread. The f/1.6 large aperture and 940nm invisible infrared LEDs ensure clear night vision with no conspicuous red glow.
  • AI Auto & Close-Up Tracking: The AI auto-tracking feature intelligently identifies and follows the movement of people or pets, keeping them framed at the center of the view. With close-up tracking, our indoor security camera goes beyong simply follow a subject but tracks with close-up capture in an appropriate zoom level. Its pan/tilt speed automatically slows down when zooming in, ensuring stable and precise framing of distant close-ups while completely eliminating motion blur. Note: This feature is only configurable in the Aqara Home app.
  • Smarter Image & Sound Local AI Detections: Face, Pet, Gesture & Sound Recognition. Smart and private by design—all AI processing happens locally on the device, with no cloud upload. Faster response, better privacy. G350 wifi camera detects faces, pets, and 6 specific sounds (baby crying, coughing, dog barking, etc.). Its exclusive static & dynamic gesture recognition lets you trigger scenes with a "OK" sign or a simple wave. Real-time alerts for baby crying and more keep you informed, right when it matters.
  • Matter Bridge & Zigbee Hub : As a hub, it supports both the Aqara Zigbee (third-party Zigbee devices are not supported) and Thread dual protocols, and can connect up to 80 Aqara Zigbee sub-devices, or 40 Aqara Zigbee sub-devices plus 40 Thread sub-devices. This Wi-Fi security camera can integrate third-party Matter devices into the Aqara Home app and bridge existing Aqara devices to Matter-compatible platforms such as Apple Home, SmartThings, Alexa, and Google Home. *Matter camera device type support has been introduced at the specification level. Platform-level adoption remains limited and may vary by ecosystem.
  • 360° Pan-Tilt, with Cruise & Preset Angles: See it. Tap it. See it closer. Get a full panoramic view of your room and instantly zoom in on any detail with a single tap. Want the home camera to watch specific areas automatically? Schedule cruises. Have go-to angles? Save them as presets for one-tap viewing. Total control, zero hassle. *Please use the Aqara home app to unlock full PTZ functionality.

What Matter is supposed to add

Matter is intended to reduce dependence on a manufacturer’s proprietary integration. In the best-case scenario, a Matter camera can be added to a compatible smart-home platform and controlled alongside lights, sensors and automations from other brands. Matter’s multi-admin system can also allow a device to be shared with more than one supported ecosystem.

For cameras, that promise may include live video, two-way talk, motion events, clips, event history, privacy zones and camera settings. Matter 1.5 added camera support at the standard level, and SmartThings has documented support for live streaming, clip storage, two-way talk, motion detection, event history and motion or privacy zones.

Those are three separate questions, though:

  1. Is the device Matter-certified?
  2. Does the smart-home platform support Matter cameras?
  3. Does that platform expose the particular feature you want?

The G350 passes the first test. The other two depend on the platform, its controller, the app version and the camera’s firmware.

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What the hands-on setup was like

In a March 17, 2026 hands-on report, the camera was first added to Aqara Home and then updated several times. Directly scanning the Matter code into SmartThings initially caused the device to be identified incorrectly as a generic hub. After the firmware updates, the camera could be added to SmartThings using Matter multi-admin.

That is a point-in-time launch experience, not proof that every current unit will behave identically. Firmware and app behaviour may have changed. Nevertheless, it illustrates an important practical rule: set the G350 up in Aqara Home first, update it completely, and only then share it with another Matter ecosystem.

A sensible setup sequence

  1. Add the G350 to Aqara Home.
  2. Install every available camera and app firmware update.
  3. Confirm that the camera works normally in Aqara Home.
  4. Use the app’s Matter-sharing or multi-admin function to add it to a compatible platform.
  5. If the target platform sees it as a hub or generic device, remove the failed pairing and retry after updating both the camera and Matter controller.
  6. Keep Aqara Home installed for firmware, storage and advanced camera settings.

Current menu names can vary by app version, so the exact labels should not be treated as universal.

Rank #2
Sale
Aqara 2K Indoor/Outdoor Security Camera G100, HomeKit Secure Video, White | 2-Way Audio, Spotlight Color/IR Night Vision, AI Detection, 140° FOV, Wi-Fi 6, Supports HomeKit, Alexa, Google and IFTTT
  • 2K Clarity Day and Night: The G100 Wi-Fi Camera films in 2304×1296 (3MP) resolution with a 140°FOV and a wide-angle f/1.8 lens for superior image quality. It features two night vision modes: Spotlight Color Night Vision and IR Detection Mode. The spotlight provides illumination in dark, great for color recording outdoors at night. The G100 also includes 940 nm infrared lighting, ensuring covert illumination without alerting potential intruders. (Note: Both Spotlight and IR night vision modes must be manually enabled in the app and do not turn on automatically.)
  • Indoor/Outdoor Ready IP65 Protection: With durable, weather-resistant IP65-rated housing, the G100 surveillance camera is both an indoor camera and outdoor security camera, offering reliable home surveillance for flexible indoor or outdoor mounting. Withstands rain, dust, and rugged environments.
  • Local and Cloud AI Detection: The G100 surveillance cameras supports local motion and person detection, and the HomeGuardian Plan unlocks cloud-based recognition for pets, vehicles, packages, and faces, with AI event tagging. Integrated Events automatically can be triggered when paired with other Aqara devices (subscription required). It also supports Lens Obstruction Detection, custom audio files, and 2-way audio (Notes: Only in Aqara Home App).
  • HomeKit Support & Wide Compatibility: The Aqara G100 Camera provides full support for HomeKit Secure Video (Note:Requires an active iCloud subscription and an Apple Home hub. HomeKit limits resolution to 1080p. When connected to both Apple and Aqara Home, the G100’s resolution in Aqara Home will also be limited to 1080p, but will return to 1296p if HomeKit is disconnected.) The G100 has some of the best third-party ecosystem support on the market, it can stream to Google, Alexa compatible smart displays, and even Home Assistant via the RTSP protocol, making it easier to interact with visitors or check in on loved ones.
  • Flexible Storage Methods: Record 24/7 with a microSD (up to 512GB, not included) or NAS. Time-lapse mode compresses 24-hours of footage to 15-second clips (wired connection and microSD card required). Automatically store detected events with end-to-end encryption in the cloud with a HomeGuardian subscription, ensuring protection against data theft and guaranteeing your privacy at home.

What worked in the early Matter experience

The reported SmartThings experience demonstrated basic interoperability rather than full feature parity with Aqara Home. The hands-on test found:

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  • Responsive live video.
  • Snapshots.
  • Two-way talk.
  • Low-buffering livestream performance.
  • Clear two-way audio.

The reviewer could see controls for pan, tilt and zoom, but those controls were not fully functional through Matter at that time. Video history was also unavailable in the observed SmartThings experience, even though a microSD card was installed and recording was enabled.

That distinction matters. A platform may advertise support for a broad Matter camera feature set while a particular camera, firmware release or app currently exposes only a subset of it.

What the camera can do in Aqara Home

Aqara’s native app provides the fullest feature set. The G350 has a 4K wide-angle lens for the broad room view and a 2.5K telephoto lens for detail at a distance. Aqara claims up to 9× hybrid zoom, combining the two lenses rather than providing 9× optical zoom.

Other advertised capabilities include:

  • 360-degree pan coverage and pan-and-tilt control.
  • Person and pet tracking.
  • Close-up tracking.
  • Local face, pet, gesture and sound detection.
  • Two-way audio.
  • A physical privacy mode that retracts or shutters the lens.
  • Recording to a microSD card of up to 512GB.
  • Transfer of SD-card recordings to a NAS.
  • Optional end-to-end encrypted cloud storage.
  • Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and WPA3.

Aqara lists a 133-degree wide-angle lens, an f/1.6 aperture, 940nm infrared illumination and 30 preset angles. Full PTZ configuration and close-up tracking require Aqara Home according to the product information.

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A 360-degree pan mechanism can cover a room, but it cannot see through walls, behind objects or every angle simultaneously. Tracking can also lose a fast-moving subject when it leaves the frame.

Rank #3
Sale
Aqara 2K Indoor/Outdoor Security Camera G100, HomeKit Secure Video, Black | 2-Way Audio, Spotlight Color/IR Night Vision, AI Detection, 140° FOV, Wi-Fi 6, Supports HomeKit, Alexa, Google and IFTTT
  • 2K Clarity Day and Night: The G100 Wi-Fi Camera films in 2304×1296 (3MP) resolution with a 140°FOV and a wide-angle f/1.8 lens for superior image quality. It features two night vision modes: Spotlight Color Night Vision and IR Detection Mode. The spotlight provides illumination in dark, great for color recording outdoors at night. The G100 also includes 940 nm infrared lighting, ensuring covert illumination without alerting potential intruders.
  • Indoor/Outdoor Ready IP65 Protection: With durable, weather-resistant IP65-rated housing, the G100 surveillance camera is both an indoor camera and outdoor security camera, offering reliable home surveillance for flexible indoor or outdoor mounting. Withstands rain, dust, and rugged environments.
  • Local and Cloud AI Detection: The G100 surveillance cameras supports local motion and person detection, and the HomeGuardian Plan unlocks cloud-based recognition for pets, vehicles, packages, and faces, with AI event tagging. Integrated Events automatically can be triggered when paired with other Aqara devices (subscription required). It also supports Lens Obstruction Detection, custom audio files, and 2-way audio (Notes: Only in Aqara Home App).
  • HomeKit Support & Wide Compatibility: The Aqara G100 Camera provides full support for HomeKit Secure Video (Note:Requires an active iCloud subscription and an Apple Home hub. HomeKit limits resolution to 1080p. When connected to both Apple and Aqara Home, the G100’s resolution in Aqara Home will also be limited to 1080p, but will return to 1296p if HomeKit is disconnected.) The G100 has some of the best third-party ecosystem support on the market, it can stream to Google, Alexa compatible smart displays, and even Home Assistant via the RTSP protocol, making it easier to interact with visitors or check in on loved ones.
  • Flexible Storage Methods: Record 24/7 with a microSD (up to 512GB, not included) or NAS. Time-lapse mode compresses 24-hours of footage to 15-second clips (wired connection and microSD card required). Automatically store detected events with end-to-end encryption in the cloud with a HomeGuardian subscription, ensuring protection against data theft and guaranteeing your privacy at home. The Aqara Camera G100 requires a power adapter with DC 5V/1A output which is not included in the box. Zigbee2MQTT and comparable third-party USB dongles are not officially supported by Aqara. Full product functionality may be limited or unavailable.

Feature matrix: Aqara Home versus Matter platforms

Function Aqara Home Matter or third-party availability
Live view Yes Platform-dependent
Two-way talk Yes Platform-dependent
Pan, tilt and zoom Yes May be limited
Local AI alerts Yes Platform-dependent
Event history Available with supported storage or service Platform-dependent
microSD recording Yes Not necessarily visible through Matter
RTSP streaming Available for supported integrations Separate from Matter
Aqara Zigbee hub Yes Bridge and controller behaviour varies

Platform compatibility is the real issue

SmartThings

SmartThings is the clearest documented early destination for Matter camera functionality. SmartThings has announced Matter 1.5 camera support, but a compatible Matter controller is required. Its announcement names the Aeotec Smart Home Hub 2, Aeotec Smart Home Hub, SmartThings Hub 2018 and ThingsOne Smart Home Hub. Support for the SmartThings Hub 2015 was stated as planned for later in 2026, so current compatibility should be checked before purchase.

The early hands-on result suggests that SmartThings can provide a useful live camera connection, but users should not assume that every Aqara Home function will appear immediately.

Apple Home

Aqara advertises Apple Home and HomeKit Secure Video compatibility. That is not automatically the same as Apple Home receiving the camera through Matter. Aqara states that HomeKit Secure Video requires an iCloud+ plan and an Apple Home hub, and that video resolution in Apple Home is limited to 1080p. The G350 should therefore not be described as a 4K HomeKit Secure Video camera.

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Google Home and Alexa

Aqara advertises Google Home and Alexa compatibility, but those integrations should be labelled accurately. Compatibility may use a manufacturer or cloud integration rather than native Matter camera support, and feature availability can differ from both Aqara Home and SmartThings.

Home Assistant

Aqara describes Home Assistant support as streaming-only through RTSP. RTSP is separate from Matter and does not imply full Matter camera controls, event history or Aqara AI integration. The exact stream address and authentication process should be taken from the current manual or support documentation.

Storage and subscriptions

microSD recording

The G350 supports microSD cards up to 512GB, according to Aqara. The card is not included. For continuous recording, a high-endurance surveillance card is a better choice than a generic low-cost card.

Rank #4
Sale
Aqara Smart Doorbell Camera G410 with Chime, HomeKit Secure Video, Black
  • Works with HomeKit Secure Video and All Major Ecosystems: Fully compatible with Apple HomeKit Secure Video (HSV) for encrypted recording, iCloud storage, and relevant notifications directly on Apple devices. Also compatible with Matter, Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, and Home Assistant, integrating into your existing smart home setup.
  • Built-In Aqara Zigbee & Matter Hub for Simple Device Control: No extra hub needed. This doorbell includes a built-in Zigbee and Matter hub, letting you connect and manage other smart devices—such as sensors, lights, and locks—directly through your doorbell camera. Simplify your setup while expanding your smart home possibilities.
  • More Accurate Motion Detection with mmWave Radar: The advanced mmWave radar detects human presence with greater accuracy than traditional PIR sensors. Get smarter alerts without false triggers from pets, wind, or moving shadows, for a more secure and efficient video doorbell. (NOTE: Detection setting is adjustable in the app to increase sensitivity for quicker response.)
  • Secure Cloud & Local Storage: Protect your footage with encrypted cloud storage hosted securely, keeping your data close and compliant. Prefer local storage? Insert a microSD card (up to 512GB, not included) for easy backup. The SD card slot is safely located in the Chime inside your home, preventing theft or unauthorized access.
  • 2K Ultra HD Video, 95dB Built-in Chime, and Dual-Band Wi-Fi: Features a 2K wide-angle lens for crisp, detailed video. The built-in 95dB chime delivers loud and clear alerts. Supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi and meets WPA3 security standards for reliable and secure connections. *Note: When connected to Apple HomeKit, the resolution is limited to 1600×1200. This limitation also applies to Aqara Home when both platforms are used simultaneously.

Local recording can avoid a cloud-storage subscription, but it does not guarantee that recordings will appear as history in a third-party app. A card may contain footage while Matter or SmartThings lacks the ability to index and retrieve it.

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NAS transfer

Aqara describes NAS transfer through recordings stored on the SD card. That should not be interpreted as proof that the camera is an unrestricted, direct-recording NAS camera.

Cloud storage

Aqara offers end-to-end encrypted cloud storage through its HomeGuardian plan and describes a free trial on the product page. Plan terms can change, so the current checkout and account details should be checked. Cloud access, remote viewing, alerts and platform integrations can involve different processing paths even when recordings are also stored locally.

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Privacy: several different questions

The G350 has a physical privacy mechanism that retracts or covers the lens when privacy mode is activated or the camera is powered off. That is stronger visual protection than a software-only setting.

It does not necessarily answer every privacy concern. A lens shutter protects against visual capture, but users seeking audio privacy should check whether the microphone is disabled. Complete electrical shutdown is the clearest option when all camera functions must stop.

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Aqara says that face, pet, gesture and sound detection can be processed locally. Local AI does not mean that every camera function is local. Remote access, notifications, account services, optional cloud storage and third-party platform integrations may use separate processing routes. Readers should also review the privacy policies of Aqara, Apple, SmartThings, Google or Alexa according to the ecosystem they use.

Best Value
Aqara 2K Indoor/Outdoor Security Camera G100 2 Pack, HomeKit Secure Video | 2-Way Audio, Spotlight Color/IR Night Vision, AI Detection, 140° FOV, Wi-Fi 6, Supports HomeKit,Alexa,Google and IFTTT, White
  • 2K Clarity Day and Night: The G100 Wi-Fi Camera films in 2304×1296 (3MP) resolution with a 140°FOV and a wide-angle f/1.8 lens for superior image quality. It features two night vision modes: Spotlight Color Night Vision and IR Detection Mode. The spotlight provides illumination in dark, great for color recording outdoors at night. The G100 also includes 940 nm infrared lighting, ensuring covert illumination without alerting potential intruders. (Note: Both Spotlight and IR night vision modes must be manually enabled in the app and do not turn on automatically.)
  • Indoor/Outdoor Ready IP65 Protection: With durable, weather-resistant IP65-rated housing, the G100 surveillance camera is both an indoor camera and outdoor security camera, offering reliable home surveillance for flexible indoor or outdoor mounting. Withstands rain, dust, and rugged environments.
  • Local and Cloud AI Detection: The G100 surveillance cameras supports local motion and person detection, and the HomeGuardian Plan unlocks cloud-based recognition for pets, vehicles, packages, and faces, with AI event tagging. Integrated Events automatically can be triggered when paired with other Aqara devices (subscription required). It also supports Lens Obstruction Detection, custom audio files, and 2-way audio (Notes: Only in Aqara Home App).
  • HomeKit Support & Wide Compatibility: The Aqara G100 Camera provides full support for HomeKit Secure Video (Note:Requires an active iCloud subscription and an Apple Home hub. HomeKit limits resolution to 1080p. When connected to both Apple and Aqara Home, the G100’s resolution in Aqara Home will also be limited to 1080p, but will return to 1296p if HomeKit is disconnected.) The G100 has some of the best third-party ecosystem support on the market, it can stream to Google, Alexa compatible smart displays, and even Home Assistant via the RTSP protocol, making it easier to interact with visitors or check in on loved ones.
  • Flexible Storage Methods: Record 24/7 with a microSD (up to 512GB, not included) or NAS. Time-lapse mode compresses 24-hours of footage to 15-second clips (wired connection and microSD card required). Automatically store detected events with end-to-end encryption in the cloud with a HomeGuardian subscription, ensuring protection against data theft and guaranteeing your privacy at home.

Common failure modes and recovery

The camera is identified as a generic hub

Possible causes include outdated G350 firmware, an outdated Matter controller, incomplete Aqara Home setup, an unsupported hub or a partially completed previous pairing.

  1. Finish onboarding in Aqara Home.
  2. Install all available firmware updates.
  3. Confirm that the camera is online and functional.
  4. Remove the failed Matter instance from the target platform.
  5. Use Matter multi-admin sharing instead of repeatedly scanning the original code.
  6. If necessary, reset the camera and begin the setup again using the latest manual.

Reset steps and current app labels should be verified against Aqara’s latest documentation because they can change.

The third-party app shows fewer features

This is normally a platform limitation rather than a hardware fault. Matter provides a common device model, but the app still has to implement and expose each camera capability. Keep Aqara Home available for PTZ configuration, tracking, AI settings, firmware and storage management.

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Who should buy the G350?

The G350 makes sense if you:

  • Want a high-resolution indoor pan-and-tilt camera.
  • Already own Aqara devices and can use another Aqara hub.
  • Use SmartThings and accept that Matter camera features are still evolving.
  • Want local microSD recording or RTSP streaming.
  • Value a physical privacy shutter.
  • Want one unit combining a camera, Zigbee hub, Matter controller and bridge.

Who should wait?

Choose another product or wait if you:

  • Expect complete PTZ, recording history, AI alerts and settings in every major smart-home app.
  • Are buying specifically for mature native Matter camera support in Apple Home.
  • Require a fully local, subscription-free security system with no dependence on Aqara Home.
  • Need outdoor, weatherproof or PoE operation.
  • Need a professional NVR-first design.
  • Want a simple camera rather than a camera that also acts as a smart-home hub.

Alternatives within Aqara’s range

The Aqara Camera Hub G3 is an older pan-and-tilt camera and hub option for buyers who do not specifically need the G350’s Matter-certified dual-lens design. The Aqara Camera E1 is a simpler 2K indoor pan-and-tilt camera for buyers who do not need the G350’s extra hub functions and higher-resolution camera system.

For front-door monitoring, the wired Aqara Doorbell Camera G400 addresses a different use case. It should not be treated as a direct replacement for the G350’s indoor pan-and-tilt design.

Verdict

The G350 is significant because it makes Matter cameras tangible rather than theoretical. Its hardware is unusually capable for an indoor camera, and the built-in Zigbee and Matter hub functions add value for Aqara households.

But the early hands-on evidence also shows why buyers should be cautious. Matter certification does not guarantee mature feature parity, and the best camera experience still lives in Aqara Home. Buy the G350 primarily for its camera hardware and Aqara hub capabilities; treat cross-platform Matter support as a valuable, developing bonus rather than the sole reason to purchase.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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