Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential
Best Value Mid-RangeEcobee Smart Thermostat Premium
Best OverallPrice
$100-$130
$200-$250
Summary
All the core Ecobee reliability at roughly half the price of the Premium. Works flawlessly with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit for users who don't need the built-in speaker or air quality monitor.
The most full-featured smart thermostat available, doubling as a voice assistant, air quality monitor, and home security device. Supports five smart home platforms — more than any competitor.
Pros
- Works with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit
- Flawless performance in testing via app, touchscreen, and voice
- Helpful energy-saving scheduling and geofencing features
- About half the price of the Ecobee Premium
- Supports 5 platforms: Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings
- Built-in mic and speaker for hands-free Alexa control without a separate smart speaker
- Monitors indoor air quality and can function as a home security device
- Compatible with remote sensors to balance temps across multiple rooms
Cons
- No built-in Alexa speaker or microphone like the Premium model
- No indoor air quality monitoring
- No smoke alarm detection or home security features
- Most expensive option in the smart thermostat category
- Feature set may be overkill for users who just want basic temperature control
- Subscription required for some advanced features
Our take
This is the sweet spot for most people — you get Ecobee's rock-solid app, broad platform support, and energy-saving smarts without paying for features you'll rarely use.
If you want one device that does everything, this is it. The built-in Alexa speaker, air quality monitoring, and remote sensor support make every other thermostat feel half-baked.
Buy
