A smart thermostat is a perfect first step on the road to creating a smart home. The best feature is the most obvious:technology will help you save energy along with cold, hard cash on lower heating and cooling bills.
Smart thermostats can even work in conjunction with a host of other products, including lighting, plugs, sensors, and more.
Nest burst onto the scene in 2011 and helped define the category with its Nest Learning Thermostat, which provided easy setup, smartphone control, and a simple interface that anyone could use.
While Nest continues to refine its product, introducing its third-generation learning thermostat in 2015, several competitors have come to market with their own version of smart thermostat technology.
Nest Learning Thermostat (T3007ES), Easy Temperature Control for Every Room in Your Home, Stainless Steel (3rd Generation), Works with Nest Learning Thermostat by Nest (T3007ES), Easy Temperature Control for Every Room in Your Home , stainless steel (3rd generation) , Works with Alexa Buy Now On Amazon $180.50
The most notable so far has been Ecobee. The Canada-based company made waves with the Ecobee3 smart thermostat, which hit the market in 2015. And its follow-up, the aptly named ecobee4, landed in mid-2017 to great acclaim.
ecobee4 Smart Thermostat with Alexa Built-in, Room Sensor Included ecobee4 Smart Thermostat with Alexa Built-in, Room Sensor Included Buy Now On Amazon $185.00
Previously, the Nest and Ecobee models Ecobee3 vs. Nest Thermostat:A Head-to-Head Comparison Ecobee3 vs. Nest Thermostat:A Head-to-Head Comparison Did you know that a smart thermostat can increase the value of your home? It's one of the many reasons why a smart thermostat is worth the initial investment. But which one should you get? Read More But that is no longer the case. Let's take a look at two of the main reasons why the Ecobee4 smart thermostat has risen to the top of the market.
The best feature of the Ecobee4 is its built-in Amazon Alexa capability. Basically think of the device as a wall-mounted echo dot that can also control your home's heating and air conditioning system.
In addition to being able to control the thermostat from across the room, it can also do just about everything an Echo device can do, including interacting with a catalog of over 20,000 skills. And that number grows day by day..
So you can do everything, from ordering a Domino's pizza to listening to the latest hits, on one thermostat. Talk about smart home integration.
Just like any other Alexa-enabled device, just say the Wake word “Alexa” and then your command. An LED light strip at the top of the Ecobee4 will let you know that it is listening to the request. The speaker is at the bottom of the thermostat.
Coupled with full Alexa compatibility, the Ecobee4 integrates well. How to set up and use the Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat How to set up and use the Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat Just bought a new Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat? Here's a step-by-step guide to everything you need to know to get it set up and working perfectly. Read More
Thanks to HomeKit support, users with an iPhone, iPad, and even the Apple Watch can control the thermostat and more with a Siri command. It will also integrate with Apple's built-in Home app.
That is a huge advantage in the Ecobee vs. battle. Nest. Since Nest falls under the Alphabet umbrella, its best integration is with other Google and Nest products like Google Home, the Nest Protect smoke/carbon monoxide detector, and products in the Nest camera line.
A Nest can be controlled with a separate Alexa-enabled device and also works with Google Assistant, SmartThings, IFTTT.
The lack of HomeKit integration is a major drawback, especially for anyone with an iPhone or other Apple device. And unfortunately, this integration will probably never happen, since Apple and Google are direct competitors in several different areas, especially in the smartphone market.
Another great feature of the Ecobee4 that the Nest Learning Thermostat can't match is remote sensing support.
A sensor comes with the thermostat, and you can also purchase two additional Ecobee Sensor Packs to help. They are essential if you have a larger or multi-story house..
Ecobee Room Sensor 2 Pack with Brackets ecobee Room Sensor 2 Pack with Brackets Buy Now On Amazon $65.46
If your home has a room or area that is always too hot or too cold at the most inopportune times, the sensor can save the day. Along with capturing temperature and humidity data, the sensors also detect motion in a room.
First of all, the sensors are part of the Smart Home / Away function of Ecobee4. Obviously you can create a specific program, but the sensors complement that.
During a timeout, if a remote sensor detects motion, it will automatically switch the heating or cooling system to your home setting. And during a set start time, when no motion is detected, the Ecobee4 will switch off.
The sensors are also the star of the show with the Follow Me feature. Each sensor, including the one built into the thermostat, will detect if there is movement in specific rooms. The temperature data from those rooms will determine if heating or air conditioning is needed.
In practice, that means Ecobee4 will ignore data from that always hot or icy cold room if you're not in it. The result? Occupied rooms will be constantly kept at the most comfortable temperature. Especially in places with extreme temperatures, sensors can help make every room in the house more hospitable.
Nest, by comparison, offers nothing like remote sensing technology. Any temperature that is sensed at the thermostat location will be used to determine whether to heat or cool the entire home.
Although the Ecobee4 stands out, there are some areas where the Nest comes out on top. How to set up and use your Nest Learning Thermostat How to set up and use your Nest Learning Thermostat? Just bought a new Nest Learning Thermostat? Here's a step-by-step guide to everything you need to know to get it set up and working perfectly. Read more.
Most importantly, you can install the Nest without the need for a c-wire, also known as a common wire. The Ecobee4 requires it for its correct operation..
Wire C is a low-voltage wire that provides full-time power to the Ecobee4 for its always-on display and to help use Amazon's Alexa capability. Nest is powered by a built-in battery.
If your system doesn't have a built-in C-wire, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat includes a power extender kit to help power the unit. Depending on your system configuration, installation may require a professional and an additional fee. Nest users won't have to worry about this potentially costly issue.
Another area where Nest excels is its scheduling option. Unlike the Ecobee4, the Nest Learning Thermostat will take note of your schedule over time. It will then automatically create a schedule that saves energy, but keeps your home comfortable. No user intervention is required.
A similar option is also available on the Ecobee4, but users will have to create the entire program. This process is time consuming and requires some familiarity with the Ecobee4 app.
Nest's scheduling feature is simply superior, especially if you stick to a routine heating and cooling schedule.
While the third-gen Ecobee4 and Nest continue to top the list of the best smart thermostats on the market, price could be a concern for some potential buyers. But no need to worry..
There are a number of other smart thermostats available for anyone looking to build a smart home on a budget The $400 Smart Home Starter Kit for the budget-conscious beginner The $400 Smart Home Starter Kit for the beginner Budget-conscious smart home used to be too expensive for most people, but now you can have a fully functional smart home for just $400! Don't you believe us? Here are the products you need. Read more.
Some notable options include the Honeywell Lyric and Sensi Smart thermostat.
Honeywell RCHT8610WF2006 7-Day Smart Wi-Fi Touchscreen Programmable Thermostat with Geofencing, C-Wire Required, Works with Alexa Honeywell RCHT8610WF2006 Lyric T5 7-Day Smart Wi-Fi Touchscreen Programmable Thermostat with Geofencing, C-Wire Required, Works with Alexa Alexa Buy Now On Amazon $97.38
Inexpensive smart thermostats typically don't offer premium features like remote sensors and compatibility with most major smart home platforms. They are best for users looking to simply take advantage of energy and money savings. Smart home technology to save money and improve your life. Smart home technologies to save money and improve your life. The following smart home solutions are practical and relatively inexpensive. Some will even help you save money. Read more.
While Nest helped define the smart thermostat category, Ecobee has gone from strength to strength in recent years. And the Ecobee4, with its remote sensor technology and built-in Amazon Alexa capability, has shot to the top of the heap. The battle of Ecobee vs. Nest is done, and Ecobee is the smart thermostat to beat.
Are you using an Ecobee4 or Nest smart thermostat? What has been your experience with technology so far? Would you recommend them to other potential buyers?
