The Aqara Camera Hub G350 stands out as a groundbreaking device in the world of smart home technology. This Matter-certified smart home camera combines advanced surveillance with hub capabilities, making it an essential centerpiece for modern homes. As Aqara's first camera to achieve Matter certification with support for the latest Matter 1.5 specification, it ensures broad compatibility across ecosystems. The indoor pan-and-tilt design features a dual-lens system-a 4K wide-angle camera paired with a 2.5K telephoto lens-delivering up to 9x hybrid zoom for comprehensive coverage and sharp details. Beyond video, it acts as a central controller with Wi-Fi, Thread, and Zigbee connectivity, managing up to 128 Aqara devices and third-party Matter accessories effortlessly.
What sets this model apart is its local AI processing for person detection, pet detection, facial recognition, and sound alerts, all without cloud dependency for privacy-focused users. Automatic subject tracking keeps moving subjects in frame, enhancing monitoring reliability. Whether securing your living room or integrating with other smart devices, the Aqara Camera Hub G350 - Matter-Certified Smart Home Camera elevates everyday home automation to new heights of convenience and security.
Product Overview and Key Innovations
The Aqara Camera Hub G350 represents the pinnacle of home security evolution. Unveiled at CES 2026, this revolutionary indoor pan-tilt camera hub with dual-lens system integrates seamlessly into Aqara’s ecosystem while embracing open standards like Matter. Its pan-and-tilt motors provide 360-degree horizontal and 90-degree vertical coverage, ensuring no blind spots in any room. The built-in microphone and speaker enable two-way audio communication, perfect for checking on family members or pets remotely.
Local AI features shine here: AI-powered facial recognition distinguishes between known faces, reducing false alerts, while sound alerts detect cries, barks, or breaking glass. Infrared night vision maintains clarity in low light without emitting visible glows. As a Zigbee 3.0 hub, it controls lights, sensors, and more, creating unified automations like turning on lights when motion detection triggers the camera. This blend of camera and hub functionality makes it indispensable for users building comprehensive smart home setups.
Technical Specifications
Delving into the hardware, the Aqara Camera Hub G350 boasts impressive specs tailored for reliability. Its video resolution reaches 4K on the wide-angle lens and 2.5K telephoto, far surpassing older models like the G3's 2K 1296p. Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac supports dual-band 2.4/5GHz with WPA3 security, ensuring stable connections. Power supply via USB-C (5V 2A) keeps consumption under 10W max, promoting energy efficiency.
Physical dimensions measure 123.4 × 85.1 × 67.8 mm, weighing about 350g, with a compact desktop mounting style ideal for shelves or tables. Storage options include microSD up to 128GB for local footage, plus a USB-C port for data. IR night vision and H.264 encoding optimize performance. Certifications like FCC and CE confirm compliance, while the 1-Year Limited Warranty offers peace of mind. These specs position it as a future-proof choice for discerning smart home enthusiasts.
Connectivity and Smart Home Integration
Seamless integration defines the Aqara Camera Hub G350's strength in home automation. Matter 1.5 certification unlocks interoperability with Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and SmartThings, allowing control via any supported voice assistant. Thread and Zigbee protocols extend its reach as a hub, connecting Aqara sensors, Philips Hue lights, and more without additional bridges.
For example, pair it with motion sensors to trigger recordings or automations. HomeKit Secure Video support (in compatible modes) ensures end-to-end encryption. Bluetooth enables quick setup, while Wi-Fi handles high-bandwidth streaming. This multi-protocol approach-Wi-Fi, Thread, ZigBee-eliminates silos, fostering a unified IoT devices network. Users report effortless scenes like "If pet detected, notify and activate smart lighting." It's a true smart solutions powerhouse.
Real-World Use Cases
The Aqara Camera Hub G350 excels in diverse scenarios, transforming ordinary spaces into intelligent environments. Here are some practical applications:
- Family Monitoring: Use pet detection and facial recognition to track kids or pets, with automatic tracking and two-way audio for instant check-ins.
- Home Security Enhancement: Person detection combined with 9x hybrid zoom spots intruders clearly; integrate with video doorbell for full perimeter coverage.
- Automation Hub Control: Manage Zigbee lights and sensors-e.g., pan to door on motion detection and alert via voice assistant.
- Elderly Care: Sound alerts for falls or unusual noises, paired with spatial sensors for comprehensive activity monitoring.
These use cases highlight its versatility in green living setups, saving energy by automating based on occupancy.
Setup and Getting Started Guide
Getting started with the Aqara Camera Hub G350 is straightforward, taking under 15 minutes. Plug in via USB-C (5V 2A), download the Aqara Home app, and scan the QR code for pairing. Connect to dual-band Wi-Fi, then add Zigbee or Thread devices directly through the app's hub interface.
Position on a stable surface for optimal pan-tilt range. Enable local AI features like facial recognition by uploading known faces. For Matter integration, ensure your hub (like HomeKit) supports cameras, then add via standard Matter QR. Test automations: Link to smart plug for porch lights on detection. Troubleshooting is app-guided-common fixes include firmware updates or network resets. Beginners appreciate the intuitive interface, while pros leverage advanced scripting. Regular updates keep machine learning models sharp.
Advanced Features for Power Users
Power users will appreciate the G350's depth. On-device processing handles AI tasks locally, minimizing latency and enhancing privacy-no constant cloud pings. 9x hybrid zoom via dual lenses offers telephoto precision for distant details, ideal for large rooms. Automatic subject tracking uses machine learning to follow movements smoothly.
Integrate with Raspberry Pi for custom automations or Home Assistant via Matter/Thread bridges. IR control mimics remotes for TVs/AVRs. Custom zones reduce false positives from busy areas. With energy saving modes, it idles efficiently, aligning with climate control routines.
Maintenance and Longevity Tips
To maximize lifespan, keep firmware updated via the app for new Matter features and AI improvements. Clean lenses gently with microfiber. Position away from direct heat/humidity for indoor use. Monitor storage usage and offload footage periodically. Aqara's ecosystem ensures ongoing support, with warranty covering defects.
Final Thoughts
The Aqara Camera Hub G350 truly redefines what a smart camera can do in a modern home. Its combination of high-end imaging, robust hub functionality, and open-standard support makes it a smart investment for anyone serious about home automation. Think about the peace of mind from knowing your space is watched over by intelligent eyes that not only record but also act-turning lights on, sending alerts, or even chatting back through the speaker.
In daily life, this device fades into the background while working tirelessly. Families love the pet cams aspect, security buffs appreciate the zoom and detection accuracy, and tinkerers geek out over the protocol stack. Sure, initial setup requires app familiarity, but the payoff is a more connected, responsive home. Compared to siloed cameras, its Matter future-proofing means no obsolescence worries.
If you're piecing together a smart home puzzle, this hub-camera hybrid slots in perfectly, bridging devices old and new. The local AI keeps things private and snappy, while energy use stays low-perfect for eco-conscious setups. Over time, as Matter ecosystems mature, it'll only get better. For under $150 street price (estimated), the value is unbeatable. Whether starting fresh or expanding, the Aqara Camera Hub G350 delivers reliability wrapped in innovation. It's not just a camera; it's the intelligent core your home deserves.