Ecobee’s Smart Doorbell Camera just got a whole lot smarter. The company recently rolled out an update that brings its video doorbell into the Google Home ecosystem, a feature that’s been on the wish list since the device hit the market in late 2023. For those who’ve been patiently waiting to integrate their Ecobee gear with Google’s smart home platform, this is big news. It’s not just about convenience—it’s about making your smart home feel a little more cohesive, whether you’re Team Google, Apple, or Amazon.

When Ecobee launched its $160 Smart Doorbell Camera, it came out swinging with support for Apple Home and Amazon Alexa. Google Home integration, however, was teased as a “coming soon” feature slated for 2024. Well, 2024 came and went, and now, in early 2025, Ecobee has finally delivered. The delay might raise an eyebrow, but the update itself adds some serious value to an already compelling device. So, let’s unpack what this means for users, how it stacks up against the competition, and why Ecobee’s doorbell is worth a second look.

The update is straightforward but impactful. With the new integration, Ecobee’s Smart Doorbell Camera now works seamlessly with the Google Home app, Google Nest Hub, and other Google Assistant-enabled devices. Here’s what you can do:

• Live video feeds: Check your doorbell’s live video stream right from the Google Home app on your phone or on a smart display like the Nest Hub. Whether you’re at home or halfway across town, you’ve got eyes on your front door.
• Two-way talk: Spot a delivery driver or an unexpected visitor? Use the Google Home app or a smart display to have a quick chat through the doorbell’s built-in speaker and microphone.
• Doorbell alerts: When someone rings the bell, you’ll get notifications pushed to your Google Home devices. If you’ve got a Nest Hub in the kitchen, for example, you’ll see and hear the alert without needing to grab your phone.
• Voice commands: Google Assistant is now at your service. Say, “Hey Google, show me the front door,” and your doorbell’s live feed will pop up on your smart display or TV (if you’ve got a Chromecast or Google TV setup).

This integration brings Ecobee’s doorbell in line with the kind of functionality you’d expect from a modern smart home device. It’s not reinventing the wheel, but it’s closing a gap that made the doorbell feel incomplete for Google Home users.

What sets Ecobee’s Smart Doorbell Camera apart isn’t just its new Google Home compatibility—it’s the way it plays with other Ecobee devices, particularly the company’s smart thermostats. If you’ve got an Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium or Enhanced model, your thermostat can double as a video intercom. When someone rings the doorbell, the thermostat’s screen shows a live feed from the camera, and you can talk to the visitor right from your wall-mounted thermostat. It’s a quirky, almost futuristic feature that makes you wonder why other brands haven’t thought of it.

This thermostat-as-intercom trick is unique to Ecobee and gives the doorbell an edge in homes already invested in the Ecobee ecosystem. Imagine you’re cooking dinner, the doorbell rings, and instead of fumbling for your phone or running to a smart display, you just tap your thermostat to see who’s there. It’s a small touch, but it’s the kind of thoughtful integration that makes a smart home feel, well, smart.

The obvious competitor here is Google’s own Nest Doorbell, which comes in wired ($180) and battery-powered ($180) versions. On paper, Ecobee’s Smart Doorbell Camera is a bit cheaper, but the real question is whether it’s a better value.

Ecobee’s doorbell clocks in at $160, a $20 savings over the Nest Doorbell. Both offer 1080p video, night vision, two-way audio, and motion detection. Ecobee’s field of view is slightly wider at 175 degrees (diagonal) compared to Nest’s 145 degrees, which could mean better coverage of your porch. Ecobee also boasts a taller 4:3 aspect ratio, ideal for seeing packages left on the ground, while Nest sticks with a 3:2 ratio.

Where things get tricky is video recording. The Nest Doorbell includes three hours of free event-based video history, stored in the cloud, which is great for checking who stopped by earlier in the day. Ecobee, on the other hand, offers no free recording—zero, zilch, nada. If you want to save motion-activated video clips, you’ll need to pony up for Ecobee’s Home Monitoring plan, which costs $5 per month or $50 per year for 30 days of cloud storage. Nest’s equivalent Nest Aware plan starts at $8 per month or $80 per year for 30 days of event video history, so Ecobee’s subscription is cheaper, but you’re still paying for something Google gives you for free (at least for a few hours).

Ecobee’s doorbell is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. With this update, it now supports Google Home, Apple Home, and Amazon Alexa, making it one of the most platform-agnostic video doorbells out there. The Nest Doorbell, by contrast, is firmly entrenched in Google’s ecosystem. If you’re all-in on Google Home, Nest might feel more polished since it’s designed to work natively with Google’s app and devices. But if your smart home is a mix of platforms—maybe you’ve got HomeKit lights and an Alexa speaker—Ecobee’s flexibility is a major plus.

Both doorbells offer wired and battery-powered options, but Ecobee’s is wired-only for now. If your home doesn’t have existing doorbell wiring, you’ll need to factor in installation costs or stick with Nest’s battery model. Ecobee has hinted at a battery-powered version in the works, but there’s no timeline yet.

Ecobee’s Google Home integration isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about staying competitive in a crowded smart home market. Video doorbells are no longer niche gadgets; they’re as common as smart speakers or Wi-Fi routers. Brands like Ring, Arlo, Blink, and Eufy are all vying for a spot on your front door, and ecosystem compatibility is a make-or-break factor for many buyers. By adding Google Home support, Ecobee ensures its doorbell appeals to a broader audience, especially those who’ve built their smart homes around Google’s platform.

This move also signals Ecobee’s commitment to evolving its products post-launch. The company could’ve left Google Home users hanging, but delivering on a promised update (even if it’s a bit late) shows they’re listening. It’s a refreshing contrast to brands that release hardware and then abandon it to focus on the next shiny thing.

If you’re in the market for a video doorbell and you’re a Google Home user, Ecobee’s Smart Doorbell Camera is now a solid contender. Its $160 price tag undercuts Google’s Nest Doorbell, and its wide platform support makes it a safe bet for mixed smart home setups. The thermostat-intercom feature is a unique perk, especially if you already own an Ecobee thermostat.

That said, the lack of free video recording is a bummer. If you don’t want to deal with a subscription, the Nest Doorbell’s three hours of free event history might tip the scales. And if you need a battery-powered option, you’ll have to look elsewhere for now.

Ultimately, Ecobee’s doorbell is a great pick for anyone who values flexibility and wants a device that works across multiple smart home platforms. With Google Home now in the mix, it’s closer to being the Swiss Army knife of video doorbells—just don’t forget to budget for that cloud storage if you want to keep tabs on your porch’s comings and goings.