The short answer: If your home runs on Apple — iPhone, iPad, Apple TV — the Aqara Doorbell Camera G400 is the best HomeKit video doorbell you can buy in the UK in 2026. If you don't have existing wiring, the battery-powered Aqara G4 gives you the same HomeKit Secure Video protection without a single cable.
Why HomeKit Matters — and Why Most Doorbells Don't Support It
Most video doorbells work with Alexa and Google Home. Apple HomeKit is a much shorter list.
HomeKit isn't just another voice assistant integration. Done properly, it means your doorbell works natively inside the Apple Home app, streams live video to your Apple TV, and sends rich notifications straight to your iPhone — without opening a third-party app.
HomeKit Secure Video goes further still. Video analysis happens locally on your Apple devices — not on a manufacturer's server. Footage is end-to-end encrypted before it reaches iCloud. Nobody sees your recordings. Not the doorbell brand. Not Apple. Not the police — unless you choose to share them.
After 20 years working in UK security, that level of control is rare. Most doorbell brands store your footage on their own servers, accessible to law enforcement on request. With HomeKit Secure Video, you own your footage entirely.
The catch: very few doorbells support it. This guide covers the ones that do.
What is HomeKit Secure Video?
There are two levels of Apple integration worth understanding:
Standard HomeKit — the doorbell appears in the Apple Home app. Live view, motion notifications, Siri control. Your footage is still stored on the manufacturer's servers.
HomeKit Secure Video (HKSV) — video is processed on your Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K), encrypted end-to-end, and stored in your iCloud account. Included with iCloud+ plans of 200GB or above — which most iPhone users already pay for.
| Feature | Standard HomeKit | HomeKit Secure Video |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Home app | ✅ | ✅ |
| Siri control | ✅ | ✅ |
| Apple TV live view | ✅ | ✅ |
| Video processed locally | ❌ | ✅ |
| End-to-end encrypted | ❌ | ✅ |
| Included with iCloud+ 200GB | ❌ | ✅ |
| Extra subscription needed | Varies | No |
Bottom line: If you pay £2.99/month for iCloud+ 200GB (most iPhone users do), HKSV is already included. You're paying for it — you might as well use it.
Best Video Doorbells for Apple HomeKit UK 2026
🥇 1. Aqara Doorbell Camera G400 — Best Overall
Price: ~£100 | Monthly fee: None
The G400 launched in March 2026 and immediately became the most capable HomeKit doorbell available at any price. 2K resolution, 165° head-to-toe field of view, IP65 weatherproofing, Wi-Fi 6, and HomeKit Secure Video — all for around £100 with no subscription.
Power options are genuinely flexible for UK homes: PoE (a single Ethernet cable delivers both power and data, enabling 24/7 recording) or existing 8–24V AC/DC doorbell wiring. If you have either, the G400 is the answer.
What's in the Box: Doorbell unit, Chime, Screws & fixings, Wedge bracket, Cable for chime
Specs (official — aqara.com):
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Price | ~£100 |
| Resolution | 2K (limited to 1200p in HomeKit mode) |
| Field of view | 165° diagonal, 3:4 aspect ratio |
| Power | PoE or 8–24V AC/DC wiring |
| Battery | No — wired only |
| Local storage | microSD (in chime) |
| IP rating | IP65 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (2.4GHz + 5GHz) |
| HomeKit | HomeKit Secure Video ✅ |
| Night vision | Infrared (940nm) |
| Works with | Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings |
Video Quality
Day footage is sharp and detailed in 2K. The 3:4 aspect ratio shows visitors head to toe and packages at the doorstep — exactly what you need for a UK front door. Night vision uses 940nm infrared LEDs (nearly invisible to the human eye), so footage is black and white but clear without alerting intruders.
Note: in HomeKit mode, resolution drops to 1200p. This is an Apple HKSV limitation, not an Aqara one — and 1200p is still more than adequate for identification.
App & Setup
Two setup paths: Aqara Home app (full 2K features, local AI detection, face recognition) or directly via Apple Home QR code (HKSV, 1200p). Most UK buyers will want both — start in Aqara Home, then link to Apple Home.
PoE installation is straightforward if you have an Ethernet cable at your door. For existing UK doorbell wiring, connect to the 8–24V terminals. Setup takes around 30 minutes.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Best HomeKit Secure Video doorbell available in UK 2026
- 2K resolution, 165° FOV, IP65
- PoE option enables 24/7 recording
- Wi-Fi 6 — fastest and most stable connection
- No subscription required
- Local AI detection — works without internet
Cons:
- Wired only — not suitable for renters or homes without cabling
- Resolution drops to 1200p in HomeKit mode
- Infrared night vision only (no colour)
- Less known brand than Ring or Eufy in UK
5-year total cost: ~£100
Bottom line: The most capable HomeKit doorbell in the UK, at a price that makes Ring look embarrassing. If you have existing wiring or can run an Ethernet cable, buy this.
🥈 2. Aqara Video Doorbell G4 — Best for Renters and No-Wiring Homes
Price: ~£120 | Monthly fee: None
The Aqara G4 is the only battery-powered video doorbell in the world with HomeKit Secure Video support. That single fact makes it essential for iPhone users in rented properties, flats, or any UK home without existing doorbell wiring.
It runs on 6 AA batteries (up to 4 months per set) or can be wired to an existing transformer — you choose at installation. For UK renters, battery mode means no drilling beyond the mounting screws.
Specs (official — aqara.com):
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Price | ~£120 |
| Resolution | 1080p |
| Field of view | 162° |
| Battery | 6× AA 1.5V (up to 4 months) |
| Wired option | Yes (12–24V AC or 8–24V DC) |
| Local storage | microSD up to 512GB (in chime) |
| Cloud storage | 7 days free |
| IP rating | not stated |
| HomeKit | HomeKit Secure Video ✅ |
| Night vision | Infrared |
| Works with | Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, Matter |
Video Quality
1080p rather than 2K — the main trade-off versus the G400. For a standard UK doorstep, it's sufficient for identification and package monitoring. Night vision is infrared — black and white, reliable up to 4–5 metres.
App & Setup
Same dual-path setup as the G400: Aqara Home for full features, Apple Home QR code for HKSV. Local face recognition works in the Aqara app — tag family members and get personalised alerts at no extra cost.
Battery installation takes around 20 minutes. No electrician required.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Only battery-powered HomeKit Secure Video doorbell available
- No subscription — 7 days free cloud + local microSD
- Local face recognition included free
- Battery or wired — choose at installation
- Matter compatible — future-proof
- Perfect for renters and flats
Cons:
- 1080p rather than 2K
- Infrared night vision only (no colour)
- Batteries (AA) rather than rechargeable — ongoing cost
- Less well known in UK than Ring or Eufy
5-year total cost: ~£120 + batteries (~£15/year) = ~£195
Bottom line: The right choice for iPhone users who can't or don't want to run cables. No other battery doorbell offers HomeKit Secure Video. Read our installation guide if you're unsure about fitting it yourself.
🥉 3. Arlo Essential 2K Video Doorbell — Standard HomeKit, Widest Field of View
Price: ~£100–£130 | Monthly fee: Optional (Arlo Secure, £2.99/month)
The Arlo Essential 2K added standard HomeKit support in April 2025. It's the only non-Aqara doorbell on this list with any Apple integration — and it offers the widest field of view available: 180°.
Important caveat: Arlo supports standard HomeKit only — not HomeKit Secure Video. Your footage is processed on Arlo's servers. You also need an Arlo SmartHub or Base Station for HomeKit to function.
If privacy is your main concern, Aqara is the better choice. If you want the widest possible coverage and 2K resolution in the Apple Home app, Arlo delivers.
What you get:
- 2K HDR video
- 180° field of view — widest on this list
- Colour night vision
- Works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home
- 3-month Arlo Secure trial included
The honest downside: Requires SmartHub for HomeKit. Without Arlo Secure after the trial, features are limited. No HomeKit Secure Video — footage is not end-to-end encrypted.
5-year total cost: ~£130 (no subscription) or ~£310 (with Arlo Secure)
Bottom line: Best field of view on this list. Good if you want Apple Home integration and 2K — but understand it's not HKSV. See our full doorbells comparison for more context.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Aqara G400 | Aqara G4 | Arlo Essential 2K | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~£100 | ~£120 | ~£100–130 |
| Monthly fee | None | None | Optional £2.99 |
| Resolution | 2K (1200p in HomeKit) | 1080p | 2K HDR |
| Field of view | 165° | 162° | 180° |
| Night vision | Infrared | Infrared | Colour |
| HomeKit level | Secure Video ✅ | Secure Video ✅ | Standard only |
| Battery | ❌ Wired only | ✅ Battery or wired | ✅ Battery |
| IP rating | IP65 | not stated | not stated |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 4 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| No subscription | ✅ | ✅ | Partial |
| 5-year cost | ~£100 | ~£195 | ~£130–310 |
Who Should Buy Which
You have existing wiring or can run an Ethernet cable: Aqara G400. Best HomeKit doorbell available in the UK, full stop.
You rent, or have no wiring: Aqara G4. Only battery doorbell with HomeKit Secure Video. See our guide for renters and our guide for flats.
You want the widest field of view in Apple Home: Arlo Essential 2K. 180° is unmatched — just accept it's standard HomeKit, not HKSV.
You're on Ring or Eufy: Neither the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus nor the Eufy E340 support HomeKit. If Apple integration matters to you, switch to Aqara.
My Verdict
The Aqara G400 is the best HomeKit doorbell available in the UK in 2026, and it's not particularly close. 2K, 165°, IP65, PoE, HomeKit Secure Video, no subscription — at £100. Ring charges more for less and then adds a monthly fee on top.
For renters and anyone without wiring, the Aqara G4 is the only legitimate battery option for Apple households. 1080p and AA batteries are the compromises — HomeKit Secure Video with no subscription is the reward.
One note from 20 years in security: the privacy advantage of HKSV is real, not marketing. Your footage stored in iCloud, encrypted end-to-end, processed on your own Apple devices — that's a fundamentally different security posture than footage sitting on Ring's servers in the US. For UK homeowners who care about who has access to their front door footage, Aqara is the correct choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which video doorbells support Apple HomeKit in the UK? In 2026, the main options are the Aqara G400 and Aqara G4 (both HomeKit Secure Video) and the Arlo Essential 2K (standard HomeKit). Ring, Eufy, and Google Nest do not support HomeKit.
Does Ring work with Apple HomeKit? No. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus works with Alexa and Google Home only. There is no HomeKit support.
Do I need a subscription for HomeKit Secure Video? No extra subscription — but you need an iCloud+ plan of 200GB or above (£2.99/month). Most iPhone users already pay for this. HKSV is included at no added cost.
Does the Eufy E340 work with Apple HomeKit? No. The Eufy E340 works with Alexa and Google Home, but not Apple HomeKit.
Can I install a HomeKit doorbell in a rented property? Yes — the Aqara G4 is battery-powered, requires no permanent wiring, and is the only battery HomeKit Secure Video doorbell available. See our rented property guide for full details.
What is the difference between HomeKit and HomeKit Secure Video? Standard HomeKit means the doorbell shows up in the Apple Home app — but footage is still stored on the manufacturer's servers. HomeKit Secure Video means footage is processed locally on your Apple devices, encrypted end-to-end, and stored in your iCloud account. See the comparison table above.