Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro (Black)
By Aqara · Indoor Security Cameras · Cleaning & Smart Home
- 4MP Quad HD 2688x1520 resolution
- 133-degree diagonal field of view
- IP65 water and dust resistance
- Built-in Zigbee/Thread hub
- Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac dual-band
Lowest price seen
~$179.99 (approx.)
from $179.99 at Amazon
- Amazon ~$179.99 (approx.)View at Amazon
- AqaraView at Aqara
- eBay (used) eBay: used, open-box, refurbishedView at eBay (used)
- eBayView at eBay
Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.
Summary
A 4MP outdoor security camera that doubles as a Zigbee hub, Thread border router and Matter controller, so one device covers both jobs. Before you buy, check the storage figure: PCMag measured 8GB of built-in memory, not the 32GB some listings claim, and there is no infrared night vision.
Strengths
- Sharp daytime video and better-than-average color at night, thanks to the bright spotlight.
- On-device AI detection for people, vehicles, faces, animals and packages, with alerts PCMag found accurate and instant.
- One device is a Zigbee hub, Thread border router and Matter controller at once, which is rare in a security camera.
- Works across Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, SmartThings and IFTTT at the same time.
- Local recording needs no subscription, and the free cloud trial gives you time to decide.
- The IP65 rating and wide operating range suit most outdoor installs.
Weaknesses
- Storage is 8GB per PCMag’s testing, not the 32GB some listings advertise, so local recording is limited.
- No infrared LEDs: night vision is color only via the spotlight, and its quality still trails daytime footage.
- No power adapter in the box, and the bundled 6.6-foot USB-C cable is short for most outdoor installs.
- Firmware updates are the most common owner complaint; some cameras went unresponsive or lost child devices after an update.
- No mechanical pan or tilt, so the camera stays where you aim it.
- Owners on the Aqara forum also report condensation in the lens, weak microphone quality and false motion alarms.
Verified specifications
| Model | CH-C03E/CH-C03D (PoE) and CH-C07E/CH-C07D (Wi-Fi). |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 2688 × 1520 (4MP), Quad HD. |
| Field of view | 133° diagonal. |
| Aperture | f/1.0. |
| Image sensor | 1/1.8". |
| Focal length | 4.2 mm. |
| Night vision | color only, via a 3W spotlight at 3000K and a 120° beam; no infrared LEDs. |
| PIR detection | 100° horizontal, 65° vertical. |
| Weatherproofing | IP65 dust and water resistant. |
| Operating temperature | -30°C to +50°C (-22°F to 122°F). |
| Wi-Fi model | dual-band 2.4–5 GHz, plus Zigbee, Thread and Bluetooth. |
| Integrations | Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, SmartThings and IFTTT; acts as a Thread border router and Matter controller. |
| Local storage | 8GB built-in flash, as measured by PCMag; Aqara publishes no figure. |
| Cloud | 30-day free trial on first connection, HomeGuardian subscription optional. |
| Two-way audio | yes. |
| Dimensions | 70.5 × 70.5 × 89 mm (2.78 × 2.78 × 3.50 in), stand not included. |
Full research notes and sources
Storage and local recording
PCMag’s testing found 8GB of built-in flash memory. Some listings advertise 32GB, four times as much, and Aqara’s own specifications page and user manual publish no storage figure at all. Until Aqara states a capacity, treat 8GB as the only confirmed number, and budget for the optional cloud plan if you need more than a short loop of local clips. The camera can also stream to a NAS over RTSP, which keeps recordings on your own hardware.
Night vision and the spotlight
There are no infrared LEDs. Night vision is color only, lit by a 3W spotlight rated at 3000K with a 120° beam. PCMag found the nighttime color better than average for the class, though still below daytime quality. If you expected the black-and-white glow of a traditional IR camera, this is a different design.
Owners, firmware and reliability
The Aqara forum is where problems surface, and firmware updates are the most recurring theme: owners report cameras going unresponsive or losing all connected child devices after an update. Other threads describe condensation inside the lens, a single report of a melting unit, a weak microphone, and recording bitrates that vary between units, from 20fps at 2500kbps down to 10fps at 480kbps. Motion detection runs hot for some owners, with false alarms in HomeKit, and brackets have sagged over time. None of these are defect rates, just individual reports.
Setup and running costs
The box holds the camera, a 6.6-foot USB-C to USB-C cable, screws, an RJ45 waterproof kit and a hinged bracket that doubles as a desktop stand. A power adapter is not included, and PCMag called the cable too short for most outdoor installs. Local recording is free; cloud storage is not. HomeGuardian costs $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year for one camera, or $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year for unlimited cameras, and unlocks 90 days of cloud history. Every camera also gets a 30-day cloud trial on first connection. The manual suggests mounting 2–3 m up, aimed where the spotlight can reach.
Is it worth it?
At the $179.99 list price (PCMag, May 2025), the G5 Pro earns its keep only if you need the hub as much as the camera. PCMag rates the video highly and calls the combined Zigbee, Thread and Matter hub something no other tested camera offers. If you just want an outdoor camera, the hub is dead weight; PCMag lists the TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free MagCam at $119.99 and the Eufy SoloCam S340 at $199.99, neither with a built-in hub. Above $200 it stops making sense unless Matter and Thread support are hard requirements.
Which model this is
This page covers the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro, model CH-C03E/CH-C03D (PoE) and CH-C07E/CH-C07D (Wi-Fi). PCMag’s May 2025 review saw it in gray and white; the black colorway shown here may have arrived later or be a retailer exclusive. The black listing’s ASIN is B0DPX6H1FY.
Do not confuse it with the G2H Pro, G3 or other Aqara camera-hub models.
Sources
Manufacturer:
Independent reviews:
Owner reports: