Cameras · Head to head

Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE vs Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery)

Full Smart Cameras comparison in 2026

Updated November 2026
Data from the official Aqara and Google sites.
2026 verdict
For a homeowner willing to run one Ethernet cable to the eaves, the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE is the stronger outdoor camera, and it doubles as a smart home hub.
Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE
Winner
Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE
$199.99$229.9913% OFFPrime exclusive deal
Buy on Amazon USA
Power over Ethernet removes Wi-Fi drops and charging, a spotlight gives color night vision, it records 24/7 to microSD or a NAS over RTSP, and it acts as a Zigbee coordinator, Thread border router and Matter bridge with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant support. The Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery) is the easier install: magnetic, wire-free, a rated seven months per charge, dual-band Wi-Fi and HDR, with three hours of free event history. Choose the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE for a permanent, wired setup, and the Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery) where drilling for cable is not an option.
Works with
Connectivity
vs
Works with
Connectivity
  • Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz
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FeatureAqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoEGoogle Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery)Winner
Price$199.99$199.00Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery)
Rating4.54.1Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE
PoEYESNOAqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE
ConnectivityEthernet2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFiGoogle Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery)
2K VideoYESNOAqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE
HDRNOYESGoogle Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery)
Color Night VisionYESNOAqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE
RTSPYESNOAqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE
HubZigbee Coordinator, Thread Border Router, Matter BridgeNoneAqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE
LightYESNOAqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE
Privacy ZoneYESNOAqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE
Local ControlYESNOAqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE

What the differences mean

Power and connection

The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE takes power and data over one Ethernet cable, so it never drops Wi-Fi or needs charging, but it needs a PoE switch and a cable run. The Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery) is wire-free on dual-band Wi-Fi.

Local recording

The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE records 24/7 to microSD or a NAS over RTSP. The Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery) has no card slot or RTSP and keeps three hours of events free, more with Nest Aware.

Night vision

The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE has a spotlight and color night vision that owners rank among the best they have used. The Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery) records black and white at night.

Smart home hub

The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE is also a Zigbee coordinator, a Thread border router and a Matter bridge, so it can run other sensors. The Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery) is a camera only.

Platforms

The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE works with Apple Home as well as Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant. The Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery) supports all of those except Apple Home.

Which one to buy if

What owners say

Owners of both cameras rate the install of their own kind as part of the appeal and both groups mention paying for continuous recording as the catch. Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE owners single out true-color night vision that turns darkness into near-daylight, the lag-free PoE connection, native HomeKit Secure Video and using the camera to extend Zigbee and Thread outdoors; their complaints are a mount that flips but does not swivel, a clunky Aqara app, incomplete Home Assistant support and the extra work of routing cable to a PoE switch. Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery) owners praise the magnetic mount, long battery life, accurate person, animal and vehicle alerts and tight Google Home integration, and a minority report Wi-Fi drops or slow charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE or the Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery)?

The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE for a wired, permanent install: PoE power, color night vision, free local 24/7 recording and a built-in smart home hub. The Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery) is better when you need a wire-free camera in a Google Home household.

What is the biggest difference between the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE and the Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery)?

Power. The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE runs on one Ethernet cable from a PoE switch, while the Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery) runs on a rechargeable battery over Wi-Fi.

Which has better night vision?

The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE, which pairs a spotlight with color night vision that owners describe as near-daylight. The Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery) records black and white at night, although owners find its HDR image sharp after dark.

Do they need a subscription?

The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE records 24/7 for free to microSD or a NAS over RTSP, with cloud optional. The Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery) keeps three hours of events free, and continuous recording or longer history need Nest Aware.

Who should buy the Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery)?

Google Home households that want a flexible, wire-free camera to move between indoor and outdoor spots, with long battery life and accurate smart alerts.

Who should buy the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE?

Apple Home users, Home Assistant tinkerers and anyone with Ethernet to the outside who wants a rock-solid wired camera with color night vision that also hosts Zigbee and Thread devices.

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