TheBadPlaceqwant news | The Aqara Camera Hub G350 looks like a toy, but it's a serious indoor security camera
The Aqara Camera Hub G350 looks more like a cute toy than a serious security device, but beneath the removable bunny‑ear “costume” it packs a 360‑degree pan‑and‑tilt motor, a dual‑lens system (4K wide‑angle and 2.5K telephoto) and up to 9× hybrid zoom. It is the world’s first Matter 1.5‑certified camera, so it works with Apple HomeKit Secure Video, Google Home, Alexa and Samsung SmartThings, and can act as a smart‑home hub supporting Zigbee 3.0 and Thread. Setup is done via the Aqara Home app (three QR codes are provided) and the camera can record to a micro‑SD card (up to 512 GB) or to the cloud with a HomeGuardian subscription.
The G350’s AI is especially strong: on‑device detection can differentiate humans, pets, vehicles and even recognize hand gestures, while sound‑detection can alert you to a baby crying or a dog barking. Most of these features are free, but more advanced AI tools such as video‑summary and keyword video search require a paid HomeGuardian plan (£3.99 / mo for a single camera). When used with Apple HomeKit Secure Video the video quality drops to 1080p and pan‑tilt control is lost, so full performance is only available through the Aqara app.
Overall the camera is well built, with a playful yet solid design, a privacy mode that physically covers the lenses, and quiet 360° rotation. At $139.99 it is pricier than many indoor cams, and you’ll need to buy a separate USB‑C plug and mounting brackets, but you get a versatile hub that tracks motion across a room, offers high‑resolution 4K video, and integrates tightly into a multi‑ecosystem smart home. It’s an excellent choice for users who want a feature‑rich, AI‑enabled camera and are comfortable paying extra for optional subscription‑based enhancements.
Read more: https://www.techradar.com/home/home-security/aqara-camera-hub-g350-review
