Do I need a subscription to record video?

Yes. The 30-day video history comes with an Ecobee Smart Security subscription, and a two-month trial is included. Without the plan the doorbell still shows live video and sends person and package alerts, but it does not store clips.

Does it work without existing doorbell wiring?

No. It is a wired doorbell that uses your existing doorbell wiring and transformer for power. Check that your chime wiring and transformer are compatible before buying.

How is it different from a Ring or Nest doorbell?

Its main draw is the tight Ecobee integration and on-device person and package detection. Ring and Nest have larger accessory ecosystems and more third-party integrations, but they also lean on their own subscriptions for recording.

Will it alert me about cars and leaves?

It is built to alert only on people and packages, so passing cars and blowing leaves should not trigger notifications. Expect far fewer false alerts than a motion-only doorbell.