Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera
Verdict
The Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera looks slick and integrates neatly with Ecobee thermostats, but almost every useful feature is locked behind a subscription. With weak value at 1080p, no local storage, and a forced free trial that hides how limited the free tier is, it’s hard to recommend unless you are comfortable paying ongoing fees.
Pros
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Field of view & framing ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0
Cons
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Video resolution & detail ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.0
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Smart-home integration (Alexa, Google, Siri, HomeKit, Matter, Thread) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.5Integrates with Ecobee thermostats for live feeds but lacks HomeKit Secure Video, limiting smart-home appeal without paid service.
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Delivery package monitoring ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.0Package detection exists but works inconsistently and is locked behind the paid plan, so it adds little real protection unless you subscribe.
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Notifications ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.0Phone notifications and other alerts are tied to the paid plan, reducing usefulness on the free tier.
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Price & value ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.0Subscription reliance and modest specs undermine overall value.
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Recording ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.0
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Storage ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.0No SD or onboard storage options, pushing users toward cloud service.
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Ongoing ownership costs ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 1.5Ongoing ownership costs stay high because core functions like notifications, recordings, and package detection all require a recurring subscription.
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Subscription ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 1.0Core features are locked behind a subscription and buyers are auto-enrolled in a 60-day trial, after which functionality drops off.
