✓HomeKit users who want direct HKSV pairing without the Aqara app
✓Buyers who plan to hard-wire it instead of running on batteries
✓Owners who want local SD card storage on the chime instead of cloud
✓Homes with mild sun exposure where overheating and disconnects are less likely
Skip it if
Anyone relying on batteries alone, since owners report them draining in days
Buyers in hot, sun-facing installs prone to overheating and dropped connections
Get the Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen) if
✓Existing Google/Nest ecosystem owners wanting a wired doorbell
✓DIY installers able to upgrade a weak doorbell transformer
✓HomeKit users pairing it with a Starling hub
✓Homeowners wanting an always-wired, no-battery camera
Skip it if
Buyers unwilling to pay for a Nest Aware subscription
People upgrading from Nest Hello who expect equal video
What Aqara Video Doorbell G4 owners think
Most owners who stick with the G4 describe it as dependable once it is dialed in, praising clear video, a snappy live feed, easy HomeKit pairing, and a housing that shrugs off rain, heat, and cold over years of use outdoors. A sizable minority runs into a very different experience: the doorbell drops its link to the chime and cycles offline and online, often needing a hard power cycle or firmware update to recover, and for some it never fully resolves. Battery life is another sore spot, with some owners burning through AA batteries in days rather than months. A smaller group reports units dying outright within weeks, overheating in direct sun, or complaining about the narrow, horizontal field of view compared to rivals like Ring.
What Aqara Video Doorbell G4 owners say
“I use XTAR 4150mWh batteries and have recharged them once since installing in November 2024, and they are still showing >90% now.”
“My biggest issue with G4 is distance connection with the chime and in HomeKit, anytime some one rings the door, I can’t see the camera feed for a few seconds on HomeKit.”
Aqara Video Doorbell G4 vs Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen): frequently asked questions
Is the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 or the Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen) better?
Real owners lean toward the Aqara Video Doorbell G4: 39% of 97 owners recommend it, vs 15% of 26 for the Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen).
Who should get the Aqara Video Doorbell G4?
Owners point the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 at homeKit users who want direct HKSV pairing without the Aqara app, and buyers who plan to hard-wire it instead of running on batteries.
Who should get the Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen)?
Owners point the Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen) at existing Google/Nest ecosystem owners wanting a wired doorbell, and dIY installers able to upgrade a weak doorbell transformer.
What do owners complain about?
The most-cited downside of the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 is random disconnects between the doorbell and chime that go offline and online on their own and often need a full power cycle to fix. For the Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen), it's indoor chime won't ring after install; owners only fix it with transformer swaps, puck rewiring, or pulling the chime connector.