Ecobee Expands from Smart Thermostats to Smart Security

Known mostly for its smart thermostats, startup Ecobee is now expanding its portfolio to home security as well.

Right after both Ring and Anker introduced new smart security cameras, Ecobee followed suit with its first lineup.

It comprises the Ecobee SmartCamera, the Ecobee SmartSensors for doors and windows and a cloud storage service dubbed “Haven”.

The SmartCamera itself is attractive for more than its basic security features (1080p HD streaming with an 180-degree field of view), as it also offers an integrated Alexa speaker.

So, not only do you get a smart camera with geofencing that turns monitoring off when you’re home, you also get an Alexa device as well.

The Haven service also works on geolocation, turning itself on when everyone leaves the house and disarming when you return.

The basic $5 per month plan has this feature, called Autopilot, and offers cloud storage for one device.

If you extend it to $10 a month, you get cloud storage for unlimited devices, so it’s an attractive deal for those with larger residences. Both options store a 14-day video history.

It’s also worth noting that the Ecobee SmartCamera processes video onboard, encrypts it and supports two-factor authentication for extra security.

It’s now available for $179, while a 2-pack of SmartSensors for doors and windows will set you back another $79. You can find them on Ecobee’s website.