ecobee4 Smart Thermostat Ecobee is a Canadian company, and when they introduced the ecobee3 a few years ago, their primary selling point and advantage over Nest was the support for remote sensors. Its app is intuitive, and the process for setting up the app is identical to that for setting up the thermostat. Nest has released sensors of their own. The standard SmartThermostat and the older. The integrated Alexa speaker on the ecobee is a minor advantage. It’s not difficult, but it did take me about an hour to get everything set up. Nest also sends out a monthly home report via email. The Nest Thermostat is an Alexa- and Google-Assistant-enabled smart thermostat from Google -- and it's only $130, or even less. Ever since the release of the ecobee3 several years ago, the ecobee remote sensors have been wooing would-be Nest customers over to the ecobee side. Nest supports Google assistant and Alexa but not Apple HomeKit. ecobee’s remote sensors can be placed wherever they are needed in your home. The ecobee data reports blow the competition (Nest) away. It won the country over and done with its power to learn and program itself to decrease energy costs. It’s a little weird talking to a machine at first, but once you get used to it, it’s pretty nice. With Alexa’s technology, this thermostat’s capabilities are limitless. And learn how to buy the right smart thermostat for your HVAC system. On the other hand, if you have always wanted a voice assistant device like Alexa or have a strangely-located thermostat that needs improved sensors, you may benefit most from the Ecobee SmartThermostat. Bottom line:​​ If you’re looking for energy reports and analysis, ecobee with Home IQ is the way to go. "One big difference between the Nest and Ecobee is their different approaches to determining when to adjust the temperature," says Peter Anzalone, CR's test engineer for smart thermostats. To make it work with multiple phones requires extra work and third-party apps. In homes with dehumidifiers, the SmartThermostat can regulate indoor humidity to prevent frost buildup in colder weather coupled with high-humidity indoor environments. When you first install the Nest, it makes a few assumptions about you based on typical humans. I know what your thinking. The other obvious difference is the look. Unlike the Nest thermostat, ecobee’s comes with an external sensor that detects both temperature and occupancy. This can be a huge advantage if your thermostat is located next to a door (cold drafts) or in direct sunlight. Nest doesn’t require a c-wire. Does your home get too hot in the summer, even as your utility bill continues to climb each year? The Nest Learning Thermostat has a modernized look of the classic Honeywell Round. ecobee keeps 18 months of detailed charts for temperature, motion, and weather. You choose your desired times and temperatures for when you are home, away, and sleeping. The fact that I have to “hack” together a geofencing solution (for multiple phones) with ecobee is disappointing. Power Moves After two years of testing Nest and Ecobee products, I’ve determined Ecobee SmartThermostat (Ecobee5) is the best smart thermostat because you’ll get the most control, flexibility and smart home compatibility. Both of them are known for their useful smart features and energy saving perks. If you want to select the correct product, you need to carefully compare their offerings and purchase the one that’s most suitable for you. Nest vs. ecobee smart thermostats: the bottom line Google and Amazon compete head-to-head in many areas these days, and the smart thermostat category is no different. Copyright ©2021 Designtechnica Corporation. Fortunately, there is a way to set up geofencing with multiple phones on the ecobee. Both devices connect with several energy devices for easier use. The Nest device uses a dial mechanism courtesy of an exterior ring that you turn manually to change the temperature. Convenience is one of the primary advantages of having a smart home, and this smart thermostat certainly delivers it. ecobee supports all 3 major voice assistants and has an Alexa speaker built into it. Nest works without a c-wire and ecobee does not. Put one of these thermostats on your wall and impress your friends. That means Nest’s sensor driven features are at a disadvantage (relative to ecobee) from the start. Unfortunately, it requires the use of a couple third party apps (IFTTT and Life360). Both of them, however, come with their unique sets of advantages and disadvantages. ecobee looks good, but doesn’t have the same “wow” factor as Nest. For more information about c-wires, how to add one, and how power stealing can lead to problems, see my article all about the c wire. Both the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Ecobee SmartThermostat were designed with aesthetics in mind. Voice Control. The differences between ecobee and Nest aren’t huge. If you cross the geofence leaving your home, the thermostat can switch to away mode. Compared to the high-end $250 smart thermostats… Google’s offering has been around for a while and was recently upgraded while Ecobee launched the Smart Thermostat not too long ago. These include a different type of SmartSensor designed for door and window security and a SmartCamera to keep watch over indoor spots in the home. Z Wave Vs ZigBee: Which Is Better For Your Smart Home? The ecobee gives you nearly as much smarts as the Nest and backs that up with superior customization and data feedback. Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. However, if you’re a more hands on person like myself, you might not find Nest’s learning feature very useful. Or, is it just another gimmick that seems to be all too common in the smart home universe? While Google has brought many of its mobile apps to iOS, the chances of Nest products getting HomeKit support are slim to none. You can buy the Nest Thermostat in stainless steel, polished steel, black, mirror black, white, brass, or copper. They support all three major voice assistants. So if you need it, you’ll have it. Is Nest’s schedule learning feature better than a regular schedule like ecobee’s? Some people will be content to just slap it on the wall and let it do its thing. If you’re working with a tight budget, be sure to take a look at the best Nest thermostat deals available now. Although both models mentioned here can help you reach your energy goals, the Nest approach is a little more user-friendly. First Sold. Using the Nest Thermostat for heating and setting it to 62 degrees or below will always get you the leaf, as will using the gadget to cool your home and setting the thermostat to 84 degrees or warmer. These devices look quite different. Nest was one of the first thermostats to market with smart technology built-in. A look at the specifics of each device reveals that although they look similar, there are slight differences in how to make temperature adjustments. I’ve written detailed instructions on how to do it here so you should be able to do it in about 15 minutes. However, compared to ecobee’s reports, Nest data reports are child’s play. Ecobee Vs Nest is now the two most popular and innovative smart thermostats in the marketplace. ecobee decided to take the rectangular look from the programmable thermostats of the past 30 years and round the corners. He enjoys technology, sports, outdoors, and dabbles in the dark realm of politics. and adjust it manually. Therefore, even if I had the Nest, I would recommend installing a c-wire anyway. This also works with any related smart devices that can hear voice commands, like Echo and Nest Hub devices. Nonetheless, the Ecobee SmartThermostat features a built-in Alexa, which lets you speak directly to your thermostat instead of using other devices. Does your home get too hot in the summer, even as your utility bill continues to climb each year? We reviewed two of the top-selling smart thermostats on the market. I want to see some details. Also, the ecobee has an Alexa speaker built into it. The unit boasts nearly all the same features as the Ecobee 3 and Ecobee 4, has an extremely stylish, modern design, and is compatible with all major Virtual Home-Assistants. Home IQ gives you features such as System Monitor, Weather Impact, and Home Efficiency. Ecobee’s SmartThermostat is very similar, using eco+ software and a scheduling assistant to learn when the house is active and adjust the temperature likewise. The Alexa compatibility also allows for more complex smart home setups. Ecobee and Nest are currently the two most popular and advanced smart thermostats on the market. An independent study showed that Nest Learning thermostat alone can save up … If a person lives in an area characterized by severe weather that often causes power outages, the choice of two power sources in the Nest product could be advantageous. Therefore, the thermostat goes into away mode. There’s no occupancy sensing. It’s a simple, elegant design. All temperature and motion data from both the thermostat and the remote sensors is recorded. Both the Nest and Ecobee models fared well in terms of cost, energy efficiency, appearance, connectivity, voice assistance, and more. The shiny outer ring is replaced with plastic and the screen has a matte finish that’s designed to blend in rather than stand out. When people invest in a SmartThermostat, they can also purchase wireless room sensors. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. The ecobee uses a more conventional schedule. Geofencing is one way I save money with my smart thermostat. Every time the thermostat takes any kind of smart action, it gets recorded. What is the best thermostat out there Ecobee VS Nest or is it something else? ecobee vs. Nest: Design ecobee. When the Ecobee debuted, I thought its design was a nice departure from Nest Learning Thermostat's circular design. Once the times and temperatures are set, they don’t change unless you change them. Nest has improved its data feedback but lacks the charts and detail of ecobee. They have motion sensors on them. It just doesn’t have the same “cool” factor as the Nest. Nest’s power stealing is capable of causing certain systems to behave erratically. One of the big marketing hooks for Nest is that it “automatically learns your schedule”. It’s a solid product from a solid company that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Nest sensors sense temperature only (lacks motion). In order to avoid needing a c-wire, Nest powers the thermostat using an electrical trick often referred to as power stealing. The SmartThermostat utilizes a touchscreen. The ecobee SmartThermostat is the better all-around thermostat option for most people, with built-in Alexa support, HomeKit support, and better external room sensors. Well, it’s not like a few years ago where Nest completely owned the game. Generally speaking, both the ecobee3 lite and the Nest Thermostat E sacrificed accessory support but kept almost everything else. However, the interface and operation aren’t quite as intuitive as the Nest Thermostat. Once you decide which advantages offset the disadvantages, you’ll be well-equipped to purchase the right system to maintain a comfortable home temperature throughout every season. Moving on…. If I happen to leave the house for a few hours, my phone always goes with me. Why is there a picture of a Geo Metro in a championship fencing bout? Conversely, Nest offers a feature that’s beneficial in homes with heat pumps and auxiliary heat. Was this article helpful? Best Smart Vent: Room by room climate control…sort of, How To Make The Most Of Your ecobee Remote Sensors. But, if you already have a smart speaker nearby, the extra one might end up causing problems. The face lights up with blue light when your system is cooling and orange light when it’s heating. But, if your wires don’t include a c wire, you may have to jump through a few extra hoops to get your smart thermostat working correctly. vs. Honeywell Smart Thermostats Now let’s get into the details. Do you want a  thermostat that looks great and just works with barely any thought from you? I mostly use Alexa for my smart home, but Google Assistant and HomeKit can work just as well. Quickly compare the Ecobee vs Nest and see which models (Ecobee 4 or Nest 3) is right for you and your home. However, one product had the edge in the critical areas of voice assistance and sensor technology. That means you won’t be able to connect the thermostat to an accessory (e.g. Nest Learning is close to a decade old now and with the all-new Google Nest Learning now into its third iteration, Google still has this space on lock. However, both brands also have budget options to consider, and they’ve made some important updates for these options in 2020. With ecobee, everything is recorded and visible in chart form. Glas and Nest Learning are amongst the pioneers in smart thermostats in the industry. Both have high-quality screens that can display a variety of information. If you prefer your thermostat to be something that doesn’t say “look at me”, you may prefer the look of ecobee. They're virtually par feature wise. It depends. Both the Nest and the Ecobee can do this, but there are limitations. In terms of smart … No matter which device you buy, remember that smart home thermostats usually have benefits and drawbacks to examine prior to making a purchase. You can go back 18 months and see minute-by-minute data from the sensors (motion and temperature), home temperature and outdoor temperature, set points, hold events, and smart events. Both thermostats have rounded shapes. All rights reserved. Using that, you can compare total usage between certain times of the day and different days. I consider Nest’s geofencing the biggest advantage it has over ecobee. Then, if something turns on when its supposed to be off (or vice versa), I know something is wrong. Nest records your changes and learns your preferences over time. Social. Extra sensors are available for purchase in packs of two. Then, ecobee is your match. Uses “power stealing” instead. Every time you manually change the setpoint, it gets recorded. However, when choosing between Nest and Nest Thermostat E, I think more than a few people pay the extra money to get the looks of Nest even if they don’t need the accessory terminal. You may want to consider a “. The Nest thermostat also fits in very well with all the Nest family of smart products (including security cams, smoke detectors, and more), allowing you to control everyone easily from the Google Home and creating smart home scenes that include temperature changes. Let’s say for example that you also have some Nest Protects (that’s the Nest smoke detector) at home. Well, it’s because I have a super lame sense of humor. Both thermostats have rounded shapes. We reviewed two of the top-selling smart thermostats on the market. Setting up the Ecobee takes only about 15-20 minutes. This is a bit of a problem for my wife and I. Ecobee Vs Nest: About smart thermostats, there are a couple of names that tend into the future up higher than the other: Nest and Ecobee. phone. ecobee’s sensors have motion sensing and Nest’s do not. The Nest includes data feedback, too. Voice control is the number one way I interact with my smart thermostat. It’s extra work and it just seems like a hack job. A smart thermostat like the Nest or ecobee will cost you approximately 200 dollars more than a normal or programmable thermostat, whose basic models cost anywhere from 20 to 50 dollars. ecobee requires a c-wire, but comes with a c-wire adapter called the Power Extender Kit (PEK). Need more help? Is it a magic, mind-reading thermostat? Ecobee is cheaper. But, that’s not me. Most of the time, the wires that connect to the thermostat can provide that power. So rather than keeping a fixed schedule, it will continually evolve. It’s really not that difficult and you’ll avoid a potential source of major headaches in the future. Then, when you cross the geofence on your way back home, the thermostat will resume heating/cooling. Nest can be programmed to run on a conventional schedule if you shut off the learning feature. However, it doesn’t directly support Apple HomeKit and it’s unlikely that it ever will. The Nest Learning Thermostat is one of the most popular smart-thermostats on the market today. It can also connect with humidifiers, HRVs, and other accessories to make sure they are used properly as well. These all function on the same platform and make it easy to combine your thermostat with a basic security system via the same app. The Nest Thermostat E has by Janardhan. Unless you need the extra accessory terminal, most people prefer saving some money with the ecobee3 Lite over the ecobee SmartThermostat. Personally, I prefer knowing the heat/AC is set to come on at a specific time. You could also consider the lower-cost Google Nest E, which I mention below. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ecobee supports geofencing too, but only for one phone. Both of these, however, include their exclusive sets of benefits and pitfalls. ecobee natively supports geofencing for 1 phone. If you take your phone and travel outside your geofence, the thermostat will go into away mode. Setting up the schedule is not difficult and can be done from the thermostat, the mobile app, or the web console. There's a reason why, at full price, the Ecobee SmartThermostat is nearly double that of the Nest Thermostat: It's a smart thermostat and an Alexa smart speaker bundled into one four-inch … HomeKit support helps fill in some of the automation gaps between the ecobee SmartThermostat and the Nest and gives you more options when setting up your smart home. While Google has owned Nest for a few years, it recently fully integrated the thermostat with its other smart home products, meaning the products will learn from each other and continue to be developed together. Google Nest Smart Thermostats. Nest Thermostat E has all the same features of Nest but it lacks support for an accessory. In that case, Nest is a better fit. If it does cause problems, you can disable it. The ecobee smart thermostats come in a black plastic body with a glass screen. How do you know if your smart thermostat is working the way it should? Their update on the design leaves the ecobee smart thermostats looking like large rectangular smartwatches with rounded edges. These smart bulbs work with Philips Hue (but cost way less), 4 Smart Switches that work with your smart bulbs, 3 Smart Switches That Work With No Neutral Wire, 9 Amazon Echo Tips To Supercharge Your Smart Home Experience, 41 Actionable Tips To Help You Build A Smart Home, How To Make Any Alexa Enabled Device Work With SmartThings. Both the Nest and Ecobee models fared well in terms of cost, The best Google Assistant-compatible devices for 2021, Google Nest Thermostat (2020) review: A little less, yet still the best, The best Apple HomeKit-compatible devices for 2021, Best cheap Nest Thermostat deals for Presidents Day 2021, Best cheap space heater deals for February 2021, Why you shouldn’t mount your TV above your fireplace, How to hear and delete Alexa conversations, How to use Amazon’s Alexa app on your smartphone, The best time to buy appliances (and the worst time to buy), Best cheap coffee maker deals for February 2021: Keurig, Ninja, Breville, and more, Best cheap Keurig deals for February 2021, Best cheap Dyson vaccum and fan deals for February 2021, First, while the standard Nest thermostat is still for sale, Google has also, Ecobee, meanwhile, has reduced its available thermostat models to just two. Source: Ecobee. Other than that, they function basically the same as the more expensive models. It has a stainless steel outer ring that reflects your wall color and allows it to blend in with any décor. If you prefer the same temperature-adjustment technique used for conventional thermostats, the Nest Learning Thermostat is a good choice. ecobee3 Lite has the same features as the ecobee but doesn’t come with a sensor, Alexa speaker, or support for an accessory. Both apps are very well done, but they operate in different ways. If you’re not a fan of voice assistants or already own an Echo device, the Nest Thermostat may be the better option with its exceptional design. Their analysis tool is called Home IQ. Both the primary Nest Learning Thermostat and the Ecobee SmartThermostat cost $249 retail. If your system doesn’t have a c-wire, you’ll be instructed to install the PEK. When you adjust the temperature in a way that will result in energy savings, a leaf icon appears on the thermostat. Over time it will continue to respond to your adjustments. The Nest is a small device, measuring 3.3 inches wide, 3.3 inches high and 1.2 inches deep. ecobee seems like they’re really dedicated to voice control. The ecobee design is inspired by the rectangular programmable thermostats of the past decades. Using that data, the thermostat can keep the areas you use the most at the temperature you prefer. General Thermostat Questions; What are the differences between ecobee SmartThermostat with voice control, ecobee4, ecobee3 lite, and ecobee3? It automatically makes small adjustments to try to save energy. Many smart home products can use your phone’s GPS as a means of determining whether you are home or not. I’ve found … Who would have thought that a thermostat could be a topic of conversation? The Nest thermostat also figures the heat pump’s efficiency, the current weather, and weather forecast into the mix with the Heat Pump Balance feature activated, relying on data to determine the best auxiliary heat usage. It has sold a ton of units and was the one thermostat that really put smart thermostats in the public eye. The ecobee looks good, too. Known as Heat Pump Balance, it allows you to choose how much auxiliary heat to use, which is handy since such heating options can be expensive. The result is something that looks a bit like an oversized smartwatch. Nest make a few different types of smart products (such as cameras and smoke alarms) whereas Ecobee only make smart thermostats. In order to power their big screens and maintain their WiFi connections, smart thermostats need a constant source of power. It has the most comprehensive home/away system and is the original thermostat that can “learn” your schedule. That additional option, combined with its smart energy-saving feature, makes Nest the winner here. The good news is that the Ecobee4 and the Lyric Round both have HomeKit support, so if you absolutely want HomeKit in … You’ll have to build your own custom schedule in each device’s app. In addition to the SmartSensor, Ecobee has also released additional smart security devices for its platform. The installation requires attaching a few wires to your HVAC control board. Right out of the box, Nest looks great and feels like a quality product. Advantage Nest, right? If you would like to choose the appropriate product, you have to thoroughly compare their offerings and buy the most acceptable ones for you. Nest has a beautiful, modern design and sturdy metal construction. The thermostat itself has no button controls, but you can turn its ring … 4 weeks ago 4 weeks ago. For people that are really hands off, I can see a definite benefit to Nest’s way of doing things. It comes in black plastic with a glass screen and sports a significantly larger screen than the Nest. Nest Learning Thermostat. Both devices are a similar age and are less than 2 years old. Unlike the Nest Learning Thermostat, neither the new Nest Thermostat nor the Ecobee SmartThermostat can automatically generate a heating and cooling schedule based on your habits. Get in touch with our support team. The Nest thermostat can be installed without a c-wire. Ecobee vs Nest. Okay, but what if the kids are still at home? The ecobee and Nest are widely considered the best two smart thermostats available. Users can prioritize different rooms as needed. So read on and I’ll fill you in on what I’ve learned. Nest Thermostat vs Ecobee Smart Thermostat: Smart features and smart sensors. What is a C Wire? On the other hand, ecobee includes their add-a-wire kit (PEK) with your purchase. ecobee has the ecobee3 Lite and Nest has the Nest Thermostat E. The ecobee3 Lite looks almost exactly the same as the ecobee SmartThermostat and it functions nearly the same, too. Are you a hands-on tinkerer with a love of customization and endless data? Ecobee Vs Nest: The Best Smart Thermostats Go Head To Head. The easiest way to add a c-wire is to use an add-a-wire kit, which you will have to buy separately. The Nest Protect motion sensors will detect motion in the house. Either way, Nest’s learning feature is an extra option that ecobee doesn’t have. The same is true of Google Assistant. You can also choose to average the temperatures of selected rooms with sensors regardless of the presence of people with the SmartThermostat. The screen is also a touchscreen which gives you access to many control settings from the base unit if you desire. He dreams of someday living in a castle on an island but for now will settle for smalltown, USA. Both companies have released lower cost versions of their flagship models. It doesn’t give you any fancy analysis either. It just shows a visual of the times your system turned on and off during those 10 days. They send temperature and motion data back to the ecobee (more info). Its heavy and feels sturdy. Shop Now: Google Nest | ecobee SmartThermostat. The Nest and Ecobee are both in their third generation of development. Nest has native geofencing with multiple phones and works seamlessly with other Nest devices (Home/Away Assist). ecobee app vs Nest app Since I have been using the Nest app for so long, it’s taken a little time to get used to the ecobee app. The screen changes color based on the thermostat’s activity: Blue signals that the system is cooling, orange signals heating and black means the thermostat is off. Concerning the Nest Learning Thermostat, you can buy Nest Temperature Sensors separately. Plus, it doesn’t seamlessly integrate with other products like Nest does. The retail ecobee SmartThermostat comes with one remote sensor. Eric Blank blogs about smart homes and other connected technology here at thesmartcave.com. These thermostats can keep homes climate-controlled while promoting energy efficiency. The Nest Learning also has a far-sight feature to detect activity in distant parts of the room, and it lights up so it can act as a night-light of sorts. ecobee sensors record temperature and motion. When using an Amazon Alexa device, individuals can control their Nest thermostats either via the Alexa app or by speaking, meaning that you can ask Alexa to turn the heat up or down. If your current thermostat wiring doesn’t have a c-wire, you could eliminate some wiring by going with the Nest. Nest doesn’t support HomeKit directly, so if you’re a HomeKit user, the ecobee would be a better choice. We believe both thermostats are incredible. Comparing Smart Thermostats: Ecobee vs. Nest. I’ve used both products and I’ve found 8 key differences. The temperature where your thermostat is installed might be different than the temperature where you spend most of your time. Voice control is the number one way I interact with my smart thermostat. While they can sometimes go on sale, there’s no predicting when this will happen. It’s accessible via the web console and it’s provided free of charge by ecobee for as long as you own the thermostat. Both Nest and Ecobee are companies that only make smart products. The SmartThermostat has a black front piece with a blue strip at the top, and it doesn’t have color options available like Nest. Ecobee cannot be installed without a c-wire. Although the third-party app solution works, its less than ideal. As the Nest Learning Thermostat gets smarter and learns the household’s preferences over time, you’ll see the leaf icon show up on the display whenever you choose temperature settings that save energy based on your preferences and habits. If you don’t already have a smart speaker near your thermostat, it could be useful. The ecobee3 lite doesn’t ship with ecobee’s famous room temperature sensors, but you can still purchase them separately and add them later. If you have a Nest and you like the learning feature, you can use it. And Why’s it so Important for Your Smart Thermostat? Therefore, it knows someone is home so it will ignore the geofence trigger to switch to away mode. I’ve found it’s almost always easier to adjust the thermostat with a voice command rather than open the app or get off the couch (gasp!) They require you to specify the desired temperature in a room at a particular time of the day, then the Nest responds to that input, making it a must-have accessory for large smart homes. You may want to consider a “smart thermostat,” which is an evolution in heating and air conditioning technology. And so far, two thermostats stand out above the rest. However, while the Nest Learning Thermostat is perfectly round, the SmartThermostat is a bit more squared. It has a modern look, with a circular design and large LCD color display. Both the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Ecobee SmartThermostat work with Google Assistant or Alexa, albeit in different ways. Next, in this ecobee vs Nest comparison, we'll begin taking a look at Nest's line of thermostats. Instead, ecobee includes an extra set of wires they call the PEK (power extender kit). Nest supports both Google Home and Amazon Alexa. It automatically combines the use of geofencing with cues from other Google Nest devices to determine whether you’re home or not. If you don’t like the way Nest learns, you can always shut the feature off.