Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera vs Google Nest Doorbell: 5 Key Aspects
By Naila Syifa
Updated January 2024
Ecobee offers a range of reliable smart home products, and its 2023-released Smart Doorbell Camera is a great addition to its lineup. However, how does it compare to the Google Nest Doorbell, which has been a popular choice among smart home enthusiasts for some time now? Let's find out!
Key Takeaways
The Ecobee model has a higher IP rating and a wider FOV, but Google Nest Doorbell has better smart detection and offers more smart features like free 3-hour video storage and local storage backup. The latter is also available as wired and battery-powered options, while the Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera is only available in a wired version.
Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera
Better Value and Convenience
✓ 1080p Video with Night Vision
✓ Free 30 Day Snapshot Storage
✓ Live View on Thermostat
✓ Alexa and Apple HomeKit
Google Nest Doorbell
Better Object Detection
✓ 960 x 1280 with Night Vision
✓ Person Detection with Familiar Faces
✓ 24/7 Live Streaming
✓ Alexa and Google Assistant
#1 Price
Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera
The Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera and Google Nest Doorbell are priced at the higher end of the market, with both devices costing similarly with only around $20 difference. The wired Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera has a price tag of US$159.99, while the Google Nest Doorbell is priced at US$179.99 for both wired and battery-powered options.
#2 Design
Google Nest Doorbell
Both doorbell cameras share a similar elliptical shape with a camera at the top, a button at the bottom, and a status light around the button that will illuminate when the camera is recording. Google Nest Doorbell has a slimmer profile and is available in 4 color options (Ash, Ivy, Linen, and Snow), while the Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera is slightly larger in size and comes in a single black color option with a white accent.
Both models are also weather-resistant, but the Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera has a higher rating of IP65, which gives the highest protection against dust and is protected against jets of water. The Google Nest Doorbell, on the other hand, is IP54-rated, which gives a high protection against dust, though not the highest, and protection against splash of water. This makes the Ecobee model more durable, although both models are designed to handle outdoor conditions.
#3 Video Camera Quality
Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera
Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera and Google Nest Doorbell share a similar video camera quality with useful features like HDR and Night Vision that help to capture clear and vivid images in challenging lighting conditions. While the Ecobee model has a 1920 x 1080 resolution, the Nest Doorbell offers a slightly higher resolution of 960 x 1280.
Both also have a 3:4 portrait aspect ratio that provides a better view of visitors from head to toe. However, the Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera offers a wider diagonal field of view of 187° compared to the Google Nest Doorbell with only a 145° diagonal field of view.
Additionally, the Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera has a unique feature called the Smart Focus, which automatically pans and zooms to focus on a person when they approach the doorbell, making it easier to identify who is at the door.
#4 Smart Features
Google Nest Doorbell
Both video doorbells share some common basic features of a typical smart doorbell, such as two-way audio, motion detection and alerts, 24/7 live view, and setting Activity Zones to get notified only on specific areas. However, they have some different smart features that set them apart.
For example, while the Google Nest Doorbell is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, the Ecobee model is compatible with Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera even supports full-home chime, so you can hear your doorbell rings not only via Alexa or HomeKit-enabled smart home speakers, but also via Ecobee Smart Thermostat or Camera.
Live View on Ecobee Smart Thermostat
While the Ecobee offers free person detection but requires a subscription for package detection, the Google Nest Doorbell offers person, package, animal, and vehicle detection, all for free. If you subscribe to a Nest Aware plan, you can even get additional notifications for familiar faces.
Another difference concerns the storage and recording history. Ecobee offers a 30-day video storage with a subscription, and a 30-day snapshot storage without a subscription. This means, the camera will only capture images at motion/person events if you don't subscribe to the plan.
Google Nest Doorbell
On the other hand, Google Nest Doorbell provides free 3-hour video storage. This is a better option than the still images that the Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera captures, but the short storage duration may not be enough for some users. If you subscribe to Nest Aware, you can get up to 60 days of video history, which is longer than the Ecobee's storage duration.
Google Nest Doorbell also has another advantage with its local storage backup, which stores up to 1 hour of video footage locally, in case of Wi-Fi interruptions or power outages. This provides an added layer of security and peace of mind for users.
#5 Installation
Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera
Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera requires a hardwired installation, which can be more challenging for those who are not familiar with electrical work. However, the instructions are provided and the smart doorbell is compatible with most existing doorbell systems, so you can use your existing wiring and also connect with your existing chime.
Google Nest Doorbell also requires hardwired installation, and it is also compatible with most existing doorbell wires. However, the Battery version of Google Nest Doorbell supports wire-free installation, which can be more convenient for some users who don't want to deal with wiring and electrical work. This gives users more flexibility in choosing the installation method that works best for them.
Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera vs Google Nest Doorbell
Final Thoughts
Google Nest Doorbell
Overall, both the Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera and Google Nest Doorbell are excellent options for anyone looking for a reliable and feature-packed smart doorbell.
In terms of design and video quality, the Ecobee model has some advantages with its higher IP rating, wider field of view, and unique Smart Focus ability.
When it comes to smart features, the Google Nest Doorbell offers better smart detection and free storage options, but the smart features of the Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera, such as live view from the thermostat, are also unique and attractive.
Ultimately, the choice between these two devices will depend on your specific needs and personal preferences.
If you like to read more about Smart Doorbell Cameras, check out our other relevant guides here:
Wyze Video Doorbell v2 vs Pro
Wyze Video Doorbell v2 vs Wyze Video Doorbell
Wyze Video Doorbell v2 vs Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)
The Best Smart Doorbell Cameras of 2024
Best Smart Doorbell Cameras without Subscription & with Local Storage
Best Wireless Smart Doorbell Cameras (without Existing Doorbell)
4 Best Apartment Doorbell Cameras for Renters (No Screws, Drilling, or Wiring)
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