Is Ecobee The BEST Security System for Your Smart Home? (Ecobee Smart Security Review)

Ecobee offers a full suite of security products and services. Today we're taking a deep look into these products and services to determine if Ecobee would be a good security solution for your smart home.

In this video we'll cover the products, the service plans, features and the Apple Home smart home integration.

Smart Thermostat Premium with SmartSensor

Smart Video Doorbell Camera

SmartSensor 2 Pack

SmartSensor for Doors & Windows 2 Pack

NOTE: This description contains affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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SOCIAL
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📌 CHAPTERS
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0:00 Chapters
1:25 Ecobee Security Overview
2:55 Smart Thermostat Premium
5:25 Smart Sensors
7:11 Smart Doorbell
8:55 Smart Camera
9:40 Smart Security Plans
11:36 Security System Features
14:10 Apple Home Support
16:40 Pros & Cons

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#HomeKit #SmartHome #security

[Dr_Cole]

This was a fantastic, balanced, and exhaustive review. Thank you! When they first announced the alarm capabilities, I looked into it and had the same reaction on their business model: don’t charge me for accessory functions but charge me for monitoring services and exhaustive video storage (give me X cameras for free for Y days for free, and charge for larger storage needs). I checked again after the video doorbell was added and continued used to rule this out given the same issues.

As a last note, the room sensors are great and we use several of them every day. They are not, however, anything close to a good occupancy sensor. They can take upwards of 30 minutes not note that a room is unoccupied or say a room is unoccupied when someone is still there. I have Aqara FP2 sensors in most of my rooms now and those are the way to go for occupancy sensors, IMO. they take some patience to get working well, but when they do get set up well they are true occupancy sensors vs. the room sensors from Ecobee.

[MFortiZay]

Thanks for the review. Nobody really has covered ecobee because it has a subscription.

[philcoffi]

I have the whole package (thermostat doorbell and sensor). My thing is, I wish the doorbell use thread or matter. This would really help. I had to send my doorbell back to Ecobee for a replacement. The one I had wouldn’t connect to the network WiFi at some point. So when someone rings it, I would not hear it. Granted Ecobee customer service is excellent and helped me through the process. The one I have now so far works well

[marcalvarado]

Placing key features behind a paywall sucks! With that said, if professional monitoring is a requirement for your security system and you are ok without a cellular backup this could be a good option. Professional monitoring requires a subscription no matter who you use and this one is priced well. Great review as always!

[morells]

Thank you for not accepting a sponsorship for this review! Much appreciated 🙏

[ByrdNick]

I was a fan of my Ecobee thermostat until this video revealed how many additional features are locked behind subscription fees. Now I regret not choosing another company for our thermostat. 11:08

[JamesGreen-gvyn]

Agree with the paywall limitations. I avoid products that force this type of thing. I also avoid any product that requires cloud and sends videos up to their servers. When that is the case, the company employees almost always have a way to watch them. Even if they have policies against it. It could happen and is not acceptable to me.

[Sah-ddzh]

100% agree - I tried the doorbell when it came out and returned quickly. The security system not being exposed to HomeKit was the final deal breaker for me. I don’t mind the price bc I like the professional monitoring and it’s a competitive price. I wanted this to be good so so much…but it just isn’t.

One other Con that I think you could’ve mentioned was the volume of the siren. If your thermostat is a decent distance from your bedroom, and you use a sound machine or anything at night…it’s possible you may not hear it going off. I felt it was extremely quite compared to normal security system sirens. It needs a volume boost or they need to offer additional sirens.

[JoshsSmartHome]

You did a great job of having a fast paced video with lots of info about all the products and features! I need to upgrade to an Ecobee thermostat

[derekm.]

I returned most my system after having the thermostat, three sensors and the doorbell. First, it doesn’t support HomeKit Secure Video, which basically means videos aren’t stored with HomeKit and getting the video means you have to pay for the subscription. Second, the “smart” sensors, do detect the temperature where they are placed but if you’re using them for motion sensors, mine would not set or reset to once I left the house, (showing motion even when there was no motion) which basically made them useless. Good news is I still use the thermostat, which is the best one out there, but I returned the sensors, and the doorbell and went back to the Aqara G4, which does support HomeKit Secure Video. It was a nice try by Ecobee, but it was a fail in my situation.

[hapaboy]

I had no idea Ecobee offered a security system and even a doorbell camera. Building a new home, I told my HVAC guy that I wanted Ecobee smart thermostats. I had no idea he was going to install the premium model. My HVAC is multi-zoned into three areas, so I've got three premium thermostats throughout the house. Because of this I'm tempted to just go with the Ecobee ecosystem since I'm already halfway there.

[carlwelsh]

Thanks Shane! As always, you have provided a great rundown of the pros and cons. We appreciate you!

[TheSlowpC]

Just started switching over my home from ring/nest to ecobee as the old ring grandfathered plans get forced off in January.

Been really happy so far with the doorbell cam quality and the general functions of the ecosystem.

[chaskinsnc]

I have been using the premium ECOBee for about a year. I have lost SIRI abilities twice and and takes a total reset of Ecobee and reconnecting Siri. Works sometimes and other times multiple resets. I get false alarms occasionally on both remote sensor or sensor built in to thermostat. I pay the $5/month just for listening of smoke alarms when I am gone. Not sure I trust it yet.

[shubhamdhingra]

This is exactly what I was looking for, thanks Shane, you are the OG! <3

[Miiike]

Absolutely brilliant and detailed review. Much appreciated.

[bobk]

Was hoping to hear that Ecobee has outdoor security cameras that can be added to their security system features. Other than the doorbell they do not. But, I will probably purchase their Ultimate thermostats to automate hvac functions in our home.

[emanuelesteves]

One of my favourite feature that u mentioned was the ability to call 911 for your home area if you are outside of the jurisdiction

[GoFastGator]

Love the smart thermostat premium - but not sure I want to upgrade from my ST3s.

Your “rant” is spot on. I probably won’t be considering EcoBee or MyQ products until they revise their stance towards smart home device interoperability.

[hungsiu]

👍🏼 Thanks for the video and honesty (unlike a couple other YouTubers)
👎🏼 Ecobee