Plenty of features on this 2K pan and tilt cam
Aqara has taken the covers off of its latest indoor smart security camera: the Aqara Camera E1.
Costing just $59.99 Stateside and £59.99 in the UK, the E1 had a spec sheet well beyond its budget price-tag.
The headline here is Wi-Fi 6, meaning it should provide high speed data transfer and top notch performance, even in a congested home network.
Provided you have a Wi-Fi 6 router or mesh system, such as the Eero 6+, running your home network, that is.
Even if you don’t, it’s a good way to future proof your home security setup.
Compatible with all of the major ecosystems such as Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home; it’s the latter where it excels because it’s HomeKit Secure Video certified, complete with HomeKit Security System features and HomeKit enabled two-way audio.
HomeKit Secure Video lets you to store footage on Apple’s servers with the peace of mind that it won’t be seen by spying eyes – not even Apple’s.
Video footage is encrypted end-to-end and is then saved into iCloud, where it will stay – securely. Only you (and anyone you invite to view) will be able to see it.
The encryption happens locally, before being sent to the cloud. HSV also determines the difference between people, pets, or cars before encrypting and storing it.
To get involved, you’ll need a HomePod or a HomePod Mini, or an Apple TV for the full suite of features as those devices all act as dedicated Apple Home Hubs; and you’ll also need an iCloud plan.
Read this: Apple HomeKit Secure Video explained
As well as the iCloud storage options, the E1 also supports encrypted cloud storage through Aqara directly, or local storage on a microSD card, which can also be backed up to NAS storage.
With Alexa or Google Home synced up, you are able to stream footage from the security camera to your smart display, such as an Echo Show 8 or a Nest Hub.
Unlike some other Aqara examples we’ve seen, such as the Camera Hub G2H, and the flagship Aqara G3, the new E1 doesn’t double up as an Aqara smart home hub; but you also don’t need a hub to get involved as it connects directly to your router over Wi-Fi.
The camera itself has packs some pretty hefty punches for the price, with a 2K sensor, a wide-angle f/2.0 lens, pan and tilt controls, and invisible infrared night vision.
The Aqara Camera E1 is available now from Amazon.
There’s currently a 20% discount until 17 November.
• North American stores: USE1CAMERA (applicable to Amazon US & Canada)
• European stores: CAMERAE1EU (applicable to Amazon France, Germany, Italy, Spain & UK)
