Aqara introduces affordable Camera E1 with 2K sensor and Apple HomeKit compatibility for only US$59.99

Aqara has launched the Camera E1, a smart home camera with a 2K sensor and support for Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home. The camera is priced at US$59.99 and offers features such as a wide-angle lens, night vision, and compatibility with third-party platforms. The Camera E1 is the fifth in Aqara’s home surveillance lineup and is now available in stores in Europe and the US. It is similar in specs to the Camera Hub G3 but is more affordable and does not function as a smart home hub. It supports multi-platform integration and will also work with Matter, the cross-platform standard. The Aqara Camera E1 is one of the few cameras that fully support Apple HomeKit Secure Video at its price point. However, users need to set up the camera on the Aqara app before linking it to Apple’s HKSV service. The camera includes a Privacy Mode feature that rotates the camera towards a wall or preferred area when not in use, and users can disable two-way audio for enhanced privacy. The Camera E1 has a dedicated NPU for person and motion detection, and sound detection will be added in a future OTA update. It can function without an internet connection and is equipped with WiFi 6, a first for Aqara’s products. The camera is priced at US$59.99 on Amazon and offers 24 hours of free critical storage on the Aqara cloud service, with additional storage available through iCloud or a microSD card.