Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 vs Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell

The Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 is better overall. It records locally for free (microSD plus 7 days of cloud) and works with Apple HomeKit, while the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell is cheaper and better rated but locks recording, live view and its smart alerts behind an Arlo Secure subscription.

Storage and subscription. The G4 stores video locally on microSD with no fee, while the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell has no local storage at all and requires an Arlo Secure plan to view or record anything after the trial.

The Arlo, on paper. The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell adds person, package, vehicle and animal detection plus motion zones, which is why it wins those categories, but all require the Arlo Secure subscription. The G4 offers people and familiar-face detection with no fee.

Only the Aqara. The Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 supports Apple HomeKit, including HomeKit Secure Video, while the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell has no HomeKit and no Matter.

Apple households that want a subscription-free doorbell with HomeKit Secure Video, free local recording and extras like custom ringtones, voice changing and automatic replies. It is the pick if you want to avoid ongoing fees.

People already committed to paying for Arlo Secure who want its person, package, vehicle and animal recognition and a simple wire-free install. Without that subscription you cannot view or record video, so it only suits Arlo-ecosystem users.