Scouting the Frontier: Is the Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 the Ultimate 3-in-1?

If you’ve been tracking the smart home world for long, you know that the "holy grail" is a device that does more than one job. We want fewer hubs, fewer apps, and more reliability. Enter the Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410.

Aqara took their fan-favorite G4 doorbell, went back to the lab, and added almost every "pro" feature requested by the community. But at its roughly $120 / £130 price point, does it actually replace your other gear, or is it trying to do too much?

I’ve spent some time "scouting" this unit, and here is the breakdown.

The Big Upgrade: 2K Video and a 175° View

The first thing you’ll notice is the visual jump. We’ve moved from 1080p to a crisp 2K resolution (2048 x 1536).

• The Aspect Ratio: It uses a 4:3 format. While some modern doorbells have gone to a 1:1 "square" view, this 4:3 ratio combined with a massive 175° field of view is a winner. You can finally see the Amazon package sitting right against your door frame and the visitor’s face at the same time.
• The Caveat: If you’re a HomeKit Secure Video (HSV) user, Apple limits the resolution to 1200p. You’ll still get the benefits of the wider lens, but the 2K sharpness is reserved for the Aqara app.

No More "Ghost" Alerts: The Power of mmWave

Standard video doorbells use PIR (Passive Infrared) to detect heat. That’s why your phone blows up when a warm breeze hits your rose bushes. The G410 fixes this by embedding mmWave radar.

This is the same tech found in high-end presence sensors. It doesn't just see "motion"; it detects distance and presence. In my testing, this virtually eliminated false alerts from cars driving by or leaves blowing in the wind. You can even set a "lingering" alert—so you only get a notification if someone stays at your door for more than 15 seconds.

It’s a Doorbell... and a Brain

The "Hub" in the name isn't just marketing fluff. The indoor chime unit (which plugs in via USB-C) acts as:

1. A Matter Controller: Allowing you to bridge third-party devices into your setup.
2. A Thread Border Router: Future-proofing your home for the next generation of smart devices.
3. A Zigbee 3.0 Hub: Managing up to 40 of Aqara’s own sensors and switches locally.

For someone just starting their smart home journey, this is a massive win. You buy a doorbell and you get the "brain" for your entire house for free.

The "Scout’s" Take: Pros & Cons

The Good:

• Privacy First: Local facial recognition and local storage (microSD up to 512GB) mean your data stays in your house, not a corporate cloud.
• Dual-Band Wi-Fi: Support for 5GHz makes a huge difference in connection speed and video lag.
• Flexible Power: Use 6 AA batteries (lasting ~5 months) or hardwire it for 24/7 continuous recording.

The Not-So-Good:

• Weather Resistance: It still carries an IPX3 rating. This means it’s fine for a covered porch, but I wouldn't mount it on a gate exposed to direct, heavy rain.
• Size: It’s a "chunky" unit. If you have a very narrow door frame, you’ll definitely need the included 20° wedge.
• Night Vision: While clear, the infrared range is shorter than some competitors; it’s optimized for seeing who is at the door, not who is across the street.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

If you are currently using the older G4 and it’s working well, the upgrade to the G410 is a luxury, not a necessity.

However, if you are looking for your first smart doorbell and you want something that integrates with Apple Home, Google, or Alexa while doubling as a powerful hub for your future sensors—the G410 is currently the best value on the market. It’s a "scout-verified" powerhouse.