Aqara G4 Smart Doorbell Review: A Frustrating Experience on Battery Power
The Aqara G4 Smart Video Doorbell has been hyped as one of the best HomeKit-compatible wireless doorbells, but after extensive real-world use, I’ve found it to be a massive disappointment—especially when running on batteries. While many YouTube reviewers have sung its praises, they often overlook the frustrating performance issues that make this device unreliable as a true smart home solution.
Major Issues When Running on Battery Power
- Painfully Slow Connection
One of the biggest letdowns of the Aqara G4 is its slow connection speed when someone rings the doorbell. Instead of instantly pulling up a video feed, it often takes 5–10 seconds (or more) before the live view appears on my phone. In many cases, the person at the door is already gone by the time I can see who it is. This delay completely defeats the purpose of having a “smart” doorbell. - Unreliable HomeKit Integration
If you’re buying this for Apple HomeKit, prepare for frustration. The G4 frequently fails to load video in the Home app, showing a spinning wheel or “No Response” error. The doorbell notifications through HomeKit are delayed or sometimes never arrive, which means you could easily miss a visitor. Despite Aqara’s claim of seamless HomeKit Secure Video (HSV) support, the reality is far from smooth. - Battery Drain & Power Issues
The G4 drains batteries at an alarming rate, even with moderate use. Aqara claims it can last several months, but real-world usage suggests a much shorter lifespan. If you live in a colder climate, battery performance degrades even faster. The worst part? The slow wake-up time when running on battery power, making it feel like an outdated product rather than a modern smart device. - Limited Features on Battery Power
To make things worse, many features—like pre-buffered video recording and instant motion alerts—are severely limited when running on batteries. It’s clear that this device is designed with wired power in mind, making its “wireless” functionality feel more like an afterthought.
Final Verdict: Not Worth It on Battery Power
If you’re considering the Aqara G4 Smart Doorbell and plan to run it on battery power, don’t waste your money. The slow response time, poor HomeKit integration, and rapid battery drain make it unreliable as a smart home doorbell. While it might be decent when hardwired, the wireless experience is simply too frustrating to recommend.
⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5) – Fails as a battery-powered smart doorbell
If you’re looking for a wireless video doorbell that actually performs well, here are some solid alternatives that don’t suffer from the Aqara G4’s slow connection and HomeKit issues:
Best Wireless Smart Doorbells
1. Logitech Circle View Doorbell (Best for HomeKit Users – Requires Wired Power)
✅ Pros:
- Native HomeKit Secure Video (HSV) support with fast and reliable integration.
- Great video quality with HDR and face recognition.
- Instant notifications with minimal delay.
❌ Cons:
- Wired-only (not battery-powered).
- Expensive compared to other options.
🛠 Best for: Those who want the best HomeKit experience and are willing to wire the doorbell.
2. Google Nest Doorbell (Battery) (Best for Google Ecosystem)
✅ Pros:
- Fast response time and reliable connectivity.
- Works well with Google Home and Nest Aware for smart alerts.
- Good battery life (around 2–4 months per charge).
❌ Cons:
- No HomeKit support (requires a Homebridge setup for Apple users).
- Some features (like continuous recording) are locked behind a subscription.
🛠 Best for: Users who prefer Google Home or just want a reliable wireless doorbell with solid battery life.
3. Eufy Video Doorbell Dual (Battery-Powered) (Best Subscription-Free Option)
✅ Pros:
- No subscription required – local storage via HomeBase.
- Dual cameras (front and package detection) for better security.
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Good battery life (3–6 months per charge).
❌ Cons:
- No direct HomeKit support (only works via Homebridge).
- Bigger size than most doorbells.
🛠 Best for: People who don’t want to pay a monthly fee and want a battery-powered doorbell with great AI detection.
4. Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell (Best All-Around Wireless Doorbell)
✅ Pros:
- Fast response time – no major delay issues.
- Wide 180-degree field of view (sees packages and people clearly).
- Works with HomeKit (with Arlo Hub), Alexa, and Google Assistant.
❌ Cons:
- Requires an Arlo Secure subscription for cloud storage and smart features.
- More expensive than some alternatives.
🛠 Best for: Those looking for a versatile, wireless smart doorbell that works well across multiple ecosystems.
Final Recommendation
- If you need HomeKit, go for Logitech Circle View (wired) or Arlo (with Hub).
- If you want the best battery-powered option, the Eufy Video Doorbell Dual or Nest Doorbell (Battery) are the best choices.
- If you need quick response times and don’t mind a subscription, Arlo Essential Wireless is a strong all-around choice.