ecobee Smart Video Doorbell (Wired) Review: Conditional 7.6
“‘The thing I did not realize was just how subpar the experience is w/ o the monthly subscription’” is the line that keeps echoing across platforms—and it frames the biggest tension around the ecobee Smart Video Doorbell Camera (Wired). Verdict: Conditional buy, 7.6/10.
Quick Verdict
For people already living in the ecobee ecosystem, the ecobee Smart Video Doorbell Camera (Wired) can feel like a natural extension—especially if you want that “video on the thermostat” lifestyle. But for buyers who refuse monthly fees or expect full Apple HomeKit Secure Video recording, the deal can sour fast.
| Verdict | Best for | Why | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Yes | Ecobee thermostat owners | Thermostat viewing is repeatedly praised | Delays and connectivity complaints |
| Conditional Yes | People wanting head-to-toe view | Porch/doorstep coverage praised | Some report missed notifications |
| Conditional | HomeKit users (live view) | “Paired right away with homekit” reports | “Does not record to Apple HomeKit” complaints |
| Often No | Subscription-averse buyers | Many dislike recordings “behind a paywall” | Limited review options without plan |
| Often No | People with tricky wiring/chimes | Some installs work easily | Others report dead units or chime issues |
Claims vs Reality
Ecobee markets the ecobee Smart Video Doorbell Camera (Wired) as “hardwired for a reliable view” with smarter alerts and fewer false notifications. Digging deeper into user reports, reliability seems to split into two camps: people who say it’s rock-solid, and people who hit frustrating setup/notification issues that undermine the “always-on” promise. On Best Buy, one reviewer wrote: “Works with my current two chime system without any tweaks,” while another complained: “Does not work properly with existing doorbell chime.”
The company also leans hard on “only get alerts that matter,” but multiple real-world accounts describe late or missing notifications. A Best Buy reviewer (kaya 1) said: “notifications are either not sent or sent but not received until i’ve arrived back home…” Staples feedback goes further, describing an app experience that “barely functions,” including live feed delays and missed people. While these may be edge cases, they are recurring themes.
Finally, ecobee highlights HomeKit compatibility, and users do confirm solid HomeKit integration—but not HomeKit Secure Video recording. That gap triggers some of the harshest reactions. A Best Buy reviewer stated plainly: “dislike that video does not record to apple homekit.” Another went further: “it forces you to pay for their cloud. i don’t recommend it.” While the official materials repeatedly note “Apple Home Secure Video is not supported,” many buyers still seem surprised when they discover what that means day-to-day.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
The most consistent compliment is the viewing angle and porch coverage. A recurring pattern emerged around the “head-to-toe” framing: Reddit user (username not provided) said: “I think the aspect ratio is perfect as the field of view doesn’t have the fish eye effect but still shows nearly every inch of my porch.” For homeowners who care less about cinematic wide-angle and more about seeing packages “pushed up against your door,” this portrait-style framing is a practical win, not just a spec.
Video quality—especially compared to older or disliked doorbells—also draws steady praise. A verified buyer on Best Buy wrote: “this is a fantastic doorbell camera from ecobee… The video from the camera is high quality even at night.” Staples reviewers echo that tone in simpler terms: “the camera quality is excellent,” and “it is working great!” For shoppers replacing a “crappy” older model (as one Reddit commenter put it), the upgrade narrative is clear: clearer image, better coverage, and a more modern ecosystem feel.
Another big crowd-pleaser is integration—particularly with ecobee thermostats. This isn’t a niche feature in the feedback; it’s a main reason people buy it. A verified buyer on Best Buy said: “I also love the fact that it works with homekit and the ecobee thermostadt as a viewing screen.” On Reddit, one user summed up the appeal: “have it and love it, especially with how it integrates into the thermostat.” For multi-floor homes or families who want a “check the door without running to it” workflow, these stories describe real lifestyle impact, not a gimmick.
After those themes, “easy installation” shows up often—but with a caveat: it’s easy when the wiring and chime are straightforward. A verified buyer on Best Buy wrote: “easy to install and setup,” while a Staples reviewer said: “they say it takes 45 minutes, but being slow and careful it took me about 70 minutes.” The installation praise is strongest among users who had compatible wiring and weren’t troubleshooting a legacy chime system.
Common Complaints
The subscription model is the most emotionally charged complaint, especially around recordings and review history. Reddit user (username not provided) said: “only thing i don’t like is the recording’s are behind a paywall.” Another Reddit commenter drew a hard line: “i refuse to purchase any doorbell that requires a subscription and can't record to local storage or a cloud location that i designate.” This isn’t just about saving money—it’s about control: users want local storage or the freedom to choose their cloud platform.
Several reviewers describe the “no subscription” experience as hollowed out—fine for live snapshots, weaker for actual security review. Reddit user (username not provided) explained: “without the subscription, i can see the captured still… but more often than not, the only pic available is no good for identifying a stranger by face.” That complaint is especially important for buyers treating the doorbell like evidence collection, not just a “who’s there” checker.
Latency and slow live view is another recurring issue. Reddit user (username not provided) reported: “having a ~ 5 + sec delay between pressing " talk " and having the video feed go live is not.” Staples feedback matches the pattern: “The live feed can take 5+ seconds to open and occasionally just opens to a black screen with sound… the app crashes…” Even among otherwise-positive reviews, the idea that someone can ring and leave before you connect shows up as a real frustration, particularly for people expecting quick two-way talk with delivery drivers.
Chime compatibility and wiring support also generate complaints that feel “project-ending” for some households. Reddit includes a blunt story: “could not get the existing bell to ring whenever ecobee doorbell is rung.” Another Reddit commenter described support as unhelpful: “they… just kept reading a script… just kept saying i was wiring it wrong and get an electrician.” On Best Buy, one buyer liked the product but hated compatibility reality: “i hated that it wasn’t compatible with my built-in chime!”
Divisive Features
HomeKit support is praised and criticized depending on what the buyer expects. Some users celebrate quick pairing and Apple ecosystem behavior. A verified buyer on Best Buy wrote: “paired right away with homekit no issues at all,” and another said: “like that when doorbell rings all homepods make a doorbell noise.” For Apple households wanting simple doorbell chime distribution and live viewing, that’s a tangible win.
But for HomeKit users who define “support” as HomeKit Secure Video recording and iCloud storage, the tone flips sharply. A verified buyer on Best Buy complained: “it does not allow recording at apple homekit… it forces you to pay for their cloud.” Staples reviewers similarly call out “no homekit secure video and no video history.” While ecobee’s official materials explicitly say HomeKit Secure Video isn’t supported, buyer expectations still collide with that limitation.
Smart detection also splits opinions. Some people credit the doorbell for reducing noise—Staples reviewers praise “detects motion and people separately so that i am not getting 1 thousand notifications.” Yet other reports describe missed people or unreliable notifications. The net takeaway: detection can feel excellent in a stable setup, but inconsistent for users who already struggle with app responsiveness or network/device quirks.
Trust & Reliability
Retail review platforms show a wide spread—Best Buy sits around the low-to-mid 4-star range (examples show 4.1–4.2 with 120–151 reviews), while Staples shows 3.4 with a notable 25% 1-star share. That pattern suggests polarization: plenty of happy buyers, but a meaningful minority who feel burned by performance, compatibility, or the software experience.
Digging deeper into longer-horizon stories, Staples includes users describing months to a year of frustration. One reviewer (xtine) wrote: “have had the device for a year now… this device sucks and their customer support sucks… refuse to send a warranty replacement…” Others frame the hardware as promising but the app as the breaking point: “Half baked product… the app is extremely buggy…” Reddit threads add the “support script” complaint, where a user felt dismissed rather than diagnosed.
Alternatives
Only competitors mentioned in the provided data are included here, and user feedback gives clues about why people switch.
Several users explicitly compare it to Wemo, Nest, and Ring. Reddit user (username not provided) said they “replaced a crappy wemo” and loved the ecobee view—but still added a second camera because of recording paywalls. On Best Buy, a verified buyer wrote: “bought this to replace a nest doorbell,” praising build quality and the included wire extenders. Another Best Buy reviewer claimed: “much better than the ring, skybell, and google nest doorbells i’ve tried in the past.”
At the same time, the subscription debate pushes some buyers toward other ecosystems. Reddit includes people who refuse any doorbell that “requires a subscription” without local storage or user-chosen cloud storage. In that mindset, alternatives like Ring/Nest can feel like “more of the same” on fees, while a Wemo HomeKit-focused option might appeal depending on what recording features the buyer expects (notably, users in this data repeatedly fixate on HomeKit Secure Video).
Price & Value
Pricing appears volatile across sources: the official positioning commonly sits around $159.99, with bundles and discounts mentioned (including ecobee.com bundle pricing and third-party listings). Value perception in reviews hinges less on the sticker price and more on subscription expectations.
Reddit user (username not provided) framed it as worth it at an early price point: “i paid $106 for it as an early adopter, so for that price it’s worth it… given that they now charge $200+, however, i wouldn’t recommend it.” That’s a clear value story: as the price rises, the subscription-gated recording becomes harder to swallow.
Resale and secondary market listings in the data show units around the ~$100–$120 range on eBay, suggesting some buyers can hunt for deals. For bargain hunters, that matters because it reduces the pain of “keeping it even if it’s not perfect,” which is exactly how one Reddit user rationalized staying with it despite subscription frustration.
Buying tips embedded in user feedback are practical: verify chime compatibility, expect wiring complexity if your setup is old, and decide up front whether you’re willing to pay for video history. Staples and Reddit stories imply that buyers who align expectations early are much less likely to feel tricked.
FAQ
Q: Does the ecobee Smart Video Doorbell Camera (Wired) require a subscription to record video?
A: Yes, for video history/recordings. Reddit user (username not provided) said: “the recording’s are behind a paywall,” and another noted the “subpar… experience… w/ o the monthly subscription.” Without it, users describe getting snapshots that may not identify faces well.
Q: Does it support Apple HomeKit Secure Video recording?
A: No. Multiple Best Buy reviewers complained: “video does not record to apple homekit,” and “it does not allow recording at apple homekit.” Buyers who mainly want iCloud/HomeKit Secure Video storage tend to see this as a deal-breaker.
Q: Is the thermostat integration actually useful?
A: For many, yes. Best Buy reviewers praised using the thermostat as a viewing screen, and Reddit user (username not provided) said they “love it, especially with how it integrates into the thermostat.” But Staples reviews also include claims that the thermostat viewing “does not work. at all.” in some setups.
Q: How fast is the live view and two-way talk?
A: It varies. Reddit user (username not provided) reported a “~ 5 + sec delay” before video goes live after pressing talk. Staples reviewers also mention live feed delays and occasional black screens, while some Best Buy reviewers describe it as responsive and reliable.
Q: Is installation easy with existing wiring and chimes?
A: Often, but not always. Best Buy reviewers repeatedly call it “easy to install and setup,” and one praised included wire extenders. Others report chime issues like “could not get the existing bell to ring” or incompatibility with certain built-in chimes, so compatibility checks matter.
Final Verdict
Buy the ecobee Smart Video Doorbell Camera (Wired) if you already own an ecobee thermostat (especially Premium) and want a head-to-toe porch view with strong ecosystem integration—and you’re comfortable paying for video history.
Avoid it if you’re subscription-averse or if “HomeKit support” means HomeKit Secure Video recording to you; multiple buyers explicitly disliked being “forced” into ecobee’s cloud.
Pro tip from the community: Reddit user (username not provided) who liked the doorbell still worked around subscription limits by adding another camera for recordings—“use the doorbell for everything else”—a sign that expectation-setting (and maybe a backup plan) is key.
