The Aqara Doorbell Camera G400 is slightly thinner and has a smaller footprint than the G410, but it’s still not necessarily the sleekest doorbell on the market. I actually expected it to be a little thinner and smaller, considering it doesn’t need to house the six AA batteries that the G410 has a compartment for.
The G400 has a footprint of 141 x 53 x 32mm and has a separate chime that plugs inside your home. But don’t expect it to be as thin as a door frame, for example. Fortunately, the included base plate means you can install it on a door frame without too much trouble, which is very useful. But it will still be a little wider than most door frames, which is not ideal.
The device is constructed primarily of plastic, and while it can feel a little cheap at times, it’s not poorly constructed. There is a combination of matte and glossy plastic, and it fits the frame perfectly in a way that makes it look virtually transparent. On the face of the doorbell, you’ll find the camera lens at the top with a button at the bottom, which is illuminated at night to make it easier to find.
Weather resistance is rated IP65, with an operating range of -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit) to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). This is a significant upgrade for Aqara, which has always been a little light on weather protection for outdoor gear. On the back, there’s also a microSD card slot, which has been moved from the chime of other Aqara doorbells. It’s a double-edged sword. This simplifies the chime and makes it optional, but it also means that swapping cards requires removing the doorbell from the wall.
Although the G400 doesn’t support battery power, you have two power options. You can use the existing doorbell wiring at 8-24V AC/DC, or you can power it with Power over Ethernet. It’s worth noting that if your home has an older 8V/1A transformer – and many do – the G400 will not receive enough current to power itself properly. This isn’t a problem for most, and even if you have this older wiring, an electrician should be able to replace the transformer relatively easily. But it’s something you need to keep in mind.
In the box you receive a 15 degree corner bracket for corner mounting, wall screws and anchors, mounting plate, sealing plugs, release pin, extension kit and mounting hole template. Installation is quite simple and involves screwing the base plate into the wall, wiring the doorbell for power, and then attaching it to the base plate. Keep in mind that the smart home QR codes are on the back of the doorbell, which is frustrating in terms of placement, especially since I couldn’t find a card in the box with these codes. In other words, if you forget to scan the QR code before installing the camera on the base plate, you will need to remove it during the installation process.
