Aqara introduces affordable Camera E1 with Apple HomeKit compatibility and 2K sensor at $59.99

Aqara has launched the Camera E1, a smart home camera that comes with a 2K sensor and Apple HomeKit support. Priced at just $59.99, the Camera E1 offers a wide-angle lens, night vision, and compatibility with third-party platforms like Amazon Alexa and Google Home. It is the fifth camera in Aqara’s home surveillance lineup and is now available in stores in Europe and the US. The Camera E1 shares similarities with the Camera Hub G3, including a 2K sensor, 1296p resolution, and f/2.0 wide-angle lenses with infrared backlight. However, unlike the Hub G3, the E1 is not a smart home hub, making it more affordable. The Camera E1 supports multi-platform integration, including Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, and the Aqara app. It is also expected to work with Matter, a cross-platform standard, when camera support is added. The Camera E1 is one of the few cameras that fully support Apple HomeKit Secure Video at a price point of $59.99. However, users will need to set up the camera on the Aqara app before linking it to Apple’s HKSV service. The Aqara app also includes a Privacy Mode feature that allows the camera to rotate towards a wall or preferred area before going to sleep, and users have the option to disable two-way audio for enhanced privacy. Although the Camera E1 cannot connect to Zigbee-based motion sensors in Aqara’s lineup, it has a dedicated NPU for person and motion detection. Sound detection will be added in a future OTA update. The Camera E1 supports WiFi 6, a first for Aqara’s product lineup. It is available for purchase on Amazon for $59.99 and offers 24 hours of free storage on the Aqara cloud service. Additional storage can be accessed through the iCloud platform, and there is an option for up to 512 GB of local storage via a microSD card, which can be backed up to NAS on the Aqara app.