Is the Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera Worth the Investment?
Doorbell cameras are a great way to keep a watchful eye on your front door. Along with providing 24/7 surveillance, the Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera sports unique integrations with the company’s other smart home products. The Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera provides a perfect way for you to keep a watchful eye on your front door. Along with 1080p video, the camera features a 175-degree vertical field of view so you can see what’s on your porch from top to bottom with no fisheye effect. To cut out unwanted notifications, you can create an Activity Zone and customize the radar’s detection range. Smart Focus will pan and zoom to give a closer look at visitors. A subscription is required to view recorded video, but it’s inexpensive and also unlocks several security features with other Ecobee devices.
Installing the Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera can be done by following the instructions provided through the Ecobee app. It uses your existing home wiring from a traditional doorbell, which provides continuous power and eliminates the need for battery charging or replacement. However, if your power goes out, the camera won’t work. The compatibility checker on Ecobee’s website can help determine if your home is suitable for the doorbell camera. Professional installation is also available for an additional fee.
The Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera is compatible with Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa. With HomeKit, you can view live footage and receive notifications when someone rings the doorbell. Alexa allows you to see a live view of the doorbell camera or communicate with visitors through an Echo device. Access to recorded video requires a subscription, starting at $5 per month, and unlocks additional features such as package detection and rich push notifications. Without a subscription, you can still receive notifications for motion or person events and communicate with people at the door.
The Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera offers sharp and clear 1080p video quality with a 175-degree vertical field of view. It provides a comprehensive view of your porch without a fisheye effect. The night vision feature works well, and there are customizable options to reduce unwanted notifications. The Smart Focus feature can pan and zoom to keep important areas in view. However, there may be a delay in accessing the live view through the app.
The Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera can be integrated into a home security system using other Ecobee devices. If you have the Ecobee Premium Thermostat, you can view the doorbell camera’s live view directly on the thermostat’s screen and communicate with visitors. Adding the doorbell camera to the system allows for an inexpensive security solution. Subscription plans include smart alarm detection, reminders to arm the system, and professional monitoring.
Overall, the Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera provides a great way to monitor your front door and enhance home security. While a subscription is required for accessing recorded video, the camera’s integration with other Ecobee devices makes it a valuable addition to a smart home ecosystem.