Aqara Camera Hub G350. I Never Wanted a Camera Inside My Home... Until Now

More Than a Camera: 4 Devices in 1

If you see the G350 only as a camera, you are missing out on a large part of its potential. When you buy it, you are actually getting:

1. A high-quality 4K camera.
2. A Zigbee Hub.
3. A Thread Border Router.
4. A Matter Controller.

If you were already planning to buy an Aqara Hub, you are essentially killing two birds with one stone.

The Privacy Problem and Aqara's Brilliant Solution

I do not usually recommend indoor cameras because of a matter of trust. How do you really know it is not watching you even after you disable it in the app?

This is where the G350 shines: when it enters privacy mode, it physically rotates the lens away and displays a pair of closed eyes. You are no longer relying on an icon or software; the lens simply cannot see you. This detail alone makes it one of the most interesting products on the market in my opinion.

Image Quality and Hardware

• Lenses: 4K main lens and 2.5K telephoto lens.
• Zoom: Up to 3x optical zoom, after which it becomes hybrid or digital zoom.
• Night Vision: Long-range infrared illumination with a black-and-white image.
• Local AI: Recognition of people, pets, faces, and sounds, all processed locally without relying on the cloud.
• Tracking: Motorized movement of almost 360 degrees with smooth and accurate tracking.

Integration with Home Assistant and Frigate

Despite being an Aqara ecosystem device, we can take it beyond that ecosystem to make the most of its capabilities.

Video Streaming via RTSP

The G350 includes RTSP, allowing you to send its video feed to Home Assistant, Frigate, a NAS, or any compatible software. Setup is straightforward: enable it in the Aqara app and add the URL to your preferred system.

True Privacy Automation

One of the best experiences is automating privacy mode:

1. Away from home: Home Assistant detects that nobody is home, runs the "Surveillance" scene, the camera exposes the lens, and Frigate starts analyzing the footage.
2. When you arrive: The system detects your arrival, runs the "Privacy" scene, and the camera automatically hides the lens.

Limitations to Consider

Not everything is perfect. Although it supports RTSP, it does not support ONVIF. This means you can view the video from Home Assistant or Frigate, but you cannot manually move the camera or control its zoom and PTZ functions. For that, you must use the official Aqara app.

The Mystery of Matter 1.5

It is the first camera certified for Matter 1.5, but expectations need to be kept in check. Although the protocol now supports video, platforms such as Home Assistant do not yet take full advantage of these capabilities in their current integrations. However, the camera is already prepared for what is coming next.

Who Is This Camera For?

1. Aqara users: It is the logical evolution of the G3, with better lenses and hardware.
2. Home Assistant users: A good option if you want straightforward RTSP access and reliable operation with Frigate.
3. New users: It is the perfect entry point into the Aqara ecosystem if you do not already own a Hub.

Recommended gear

Device used in this project: Aqara Camera Hub G350. If you need it, here is where to find it:

• Aqara Camera Hub G350 — Reviewed in the video: Amazon

Conclusion

If all you want is to record video, there are cheaper options. But if you are looking for a central device for your smart home that protects your privacy physically and is ready for the future of Matter, the Aqara G350 is possibly the best indoor camera I have tested.