You could also consider the lower-cost Google Nest E, which I mention below. In that case, Nest is a better fit. Both thermostats have rounded shapes. The solid construction is obvious when you handle the thermostat. For those already accustomed to touchscreens on their smartphones, tablets, and home appliances such as ovens, using the SmartThermostat to alter the temperature is a natural extension of those activities. 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. Their analysis tool is called Home IQ. The retail ecobee SmartThermostat comes with one remote sensor. The game has changed, and I’m here to tell you all about it. And learn how to buy the right smart thermostat for your HVAC system. This is a bit of a problem for my wife and I. The thermostat itself has no button controls, but you can turn its ring … Nest has closed the gap some, but ecobee remains the superior option here. If you would like to choose the appropriate product, you have to thoroughly compare their offerings and buy the most acceptable ones for you. ecobee sensors record temperature and motion. 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. The same is true of Google Assistant. 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. Nest works without a c-wire and ecobee does not. 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. Both the primary Nest Learning Thermostat and the Ecobee SmartThermostat cost $249 retail. Quickly compare the Ecobee vs Nest and see which models (Ecobee 4 or Nest 3) is right for you and your home. You can buy the Nest Thermostat in stainless steel, polished steel, black, mirror black, white, brass, or copper. When you adjust the temperature in a way that will result in energy savings, a leaf icon appears on the thermostat. I know what your thinking. All temperature and motion data from both the thermostat and the remote sensors is recorded. It has a stainless steel outer ring that reflects your wall color and allows it to blend in with any décor. Put one of these thermostats on your wall and impress your friends. And Why’s it so Important for Your Smart Thermostat? The Nest is a small device, measuring 3.3 inches wide, 3.3 inches high and 1.2 inches deep. ecobee’s remote sensors can be placed wherever they are needed in your home. The standard SmartThermostat and the older. Nest can be programmed to run on a conventional schedule if you shut off the learning feature. The Nest Thermostat E has The ecobee uses a more conventional schedule. ecobee keeps 18 months of detailed charts for temperature, motion, and weather. It’s accessible via the web console and it’s provided free of charge by ecobee for as long as you own the thermostat. Remote sensors allow the thermostat to take readings from any room throughout your home and adjust accordingly. Both the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Ecobee SmartThermostat were designed with aesthetics in mind. I’ve written detailed instructions on how to do it here so you should be able to do it in about 15 minutes. However, one product had the edge in the critical areas of voice assistance and sensor technology. However, while the Nest Learning Thermostat is perfectly round, the SmartThermostat is a bit more squared. 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. Every time you manually change the setpoint, it gets recorded. ecobee vs. Nest: Design ecobee. Ecobee vs Nest. This allows you to have a more accurate read on the temperature of your house. Nest sensors sense temperature only (lacks motion). The Nest Learning Thermostat is one of the most popular smart-thermostats on the market today. This allows you to avoid the hassle of installing a c-wire yourself. Both of these, however, include their exclusive sets of benefits and pitfalls. Does your home get too hot in the summer, even as your utility bill continues to climb each year? Unless you need the extra accessory terminal, most people prefer saving some money with the ecobee3 Lite over the ecobee SmartThermostat. Voice Control. On the other hand, ecobee includes their add-a-wire kit (PEK) with your purchase. Nest has improved its data feedback but lacks the charts and detail of ecobee. At the time, those sensors were the reason why I … Both Nest and Ecobee are companies that only make smart products. Although both models mentioned here can help you reach your energy goals, the Nest approach is a little more user-friendly. 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 leaf icon doesn’t provide more information besides the icon cue, but Nest’s support documentation about the feature indicates it will challenge people to set the thermostat higher or lower than usual. 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. You can even set up multiple accounts so that geofencing works with multiple phones. Each SmartThermostat also comes with one SmartSensor, a lot of added utility for homes where the thermostat is in an awkward position that doesn’t indicate the temperature where people are active. Unfortunately, it requires the use of a couple third party apps (IFTTT and Life360). You can also choose to average the temperatures of selected rooms with sensors regardless of the presence of people with the SmartThermostat. So read on and I’ll fill you in on what I’ve learned. These devices look quite different. Over time it will continue to respond to your adjustments. These features help monitor your total usage, how much the local weather influences your usage, and how your home efficiency compares to other users in your area. The ecobee data reports blow the competition (Nest) away. If not, turn it off. But, if you already have a smart speaker nearby, the extra one might end up causing problems. Then, ecobee is your match. Fortunately, there is a way to set up geofencing with multiple phones on the ecobee. When you first install the Nest, it makes a few assumptions about you based on typical humans. Ecobee cannot be installed without a c-wire. Nest Thermostat vs Ecobee Smart Thermostat: Smart features and smart sensors. The Nest and Ecobee are both in their third generation of development. Their update on the design leaves the ecobee smart thermostats looking like large rectangular smartwatches with rounded edges. Both companies have released lower cost versions of their flagship models. In addition to the SmartSensor, Ecobee has also released additional smart security devices for its platform. Do you want a  thermostat that looks great and just works with barely any thought from you? Both of them, however, come with their unique sets of advantages and disadvantages. The ecobee and Nest are widely considered the best two smart thermostats available. Next, in this ecobee vs Nest comparison, we'll begin taking a look at Nest's line of thermostats. It automatically combines the use of geofencing with cues from other Google Nest devices to determine whether you’re home or not. ecobee natively supports geofencing for 1 phone. "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. Its heavy and feels sturdy. An independent study showed that Nest Learning thermostat alone can save up … Source: Ecobee. Both apps are very well done, but they operate in different ways. 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. Both thermostats have rounded shapes. Nest has a beautiful, modern design and sturdy metal construction. If you prefer the same temperature-adjustment technique used for conventional thermostats, the Nest Learning Thermostat is a good choice. It just shows a visual of the times your system turned on and off during those 10 days. With ecobee, everything is recorded and visible in chart form. If I happen to leave the house for a few hours, my phone always goes with me. We believe both thermostats are incredible. Well, it’s because I have a super lame sense of humor. Voice control is the number one way I interact with my smart thermostat. Popular. The good news is that the Ecobee4 and the Lyric Round both have HomeKit support, so if you absolutely want HomeKit in … ecobee doesn’t have schedule learning capability. 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. That means Nest’s sensor driven features are at a disadvantage (relative to ecobee) from the start. ecobee3 Lite loses its Alexa ability (not a big loss if you ask me), and Nest E doesn’t have Nest’s flashy looks. TheSmartCave is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, ecobee vs Nest: Don’t Overlook These 8 Crucial Differences, Say Goodbye To Pull-Chains: 7 Ways To Add Smart Control To Your Old Ceiling Fan, Line Voltage Smart Thermostats: Yes, They Do Exist. Nest’s geofencing is built right into their app. They support all three major voice assistants. 4 weeks ago 4 weeks ago. The Nest Learning Thermostat has a modernized look of the classic Honeywell Round. 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. Setting up the Ecobee takes only about 15-20 minutes. If you don’t already have a smart speaker near your thermostat, it could be useful. ecobee looks good, but doesn’t have the same “wow” factor as Nest. Geofencing is one way I save money with my smart thermostat. You may want to consider a “. 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. So rather than keeping a fixed schedule, it will continually evolve. Both the Nest and Ecobee models fared well in terms of cost, energy efficiency, appearance, connectivity, voice assistance, and more. Z Wave Vs ZigBee: Which Is Better For Your Smart Home? Generally speaking, both the ecobee3 lite and the Nest Thermostat E sacrificed accessory support but kept almost everything else. It also looks way less shiny. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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 shiny outer ring is replaced with plastic and the screen has a matte finish that’s designed to blend in rather than stand out. If you’re working with a tight budget, be sure to take a look at the best Nest thermostat deals available now. It automatically makes small adjustments to try to save energy. One of the primary reasons many people choose smart thermostats is because they want to cut down on utility bill costs. Nest has native geofencing with multiple phones and works seamlessly with other Nest devices (Home/Away Assist). The SmartThermostat utilizes a touchscreen. Both devices are a similar age and are less than 2 years old. Comparing Smart Thermostats: Ecobee vs. Nest. In terms of smart … Then, if something turns on when its supposed to be off (or vice versa), I know something is wrong. Making one-degree tweaks could save up to 5% on energy bills. The main functional difference between Nest Thermostat E and Nest is it’s missing an accessory terminal. Nest supports Google assistant and Alexa but not Apple HomeKit. Smart thermostats are often the gateway for other connected devices—they can interact with lights, motorized window shades, sound systems, smoke detectors, security systems, and more. The other obvious difference is the look. I want to see some details. Nest Thermostat E has all the same features of Nest but it lacks support for an accessory. Unlike the Nest thermostat, ecobee’s comes with an external sensor that detects both temperature and occupancy. Either way, Nest’s learning feature is an extra option that ecobee doesn’t have. Home IQ gives you features such as System Monitor, Weather Impact, and Home Efficiency. So what does that even mean? However, while the Nest Learning 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. Nest records your changes and learns your preferences over time. Both of them are known for their useful smart features and energy saving perks. If it does cause problems, you can disable it. vs. Honeywell Smart Thermostats Now let’s get into the details. If you take your phone and travel outside your geofence, the thermostat will go into away mode. The SmartThermostat has a black front piece with a blue strip at the top, and it doesn’t have color options available like Nest. They send temperature and motion data back to the ecobee (more info). They each have similar prices and consist of equally beneficial skillsets and tools. Nest Learning Thermostat. He dreams of someday living in a castle on an island but for now will settle for smalltown, USA. If your system doesn’t have a c-wire, you’ll be instructed to install the PEK. You might also like to know that the SmartThermostat is solely a hard-wired smart thermostat, whereas the Nest Learning Thermostat can operate off of either a home’s electricity or batteries in the event of a power outage. The Nest thermostat can be installed without a c-wire. It doesn’t come with a built in Alexa speaker (so no blue light on top either) and it doesn’t have the accessory terminal. Additional sensors can be purchased separately to fine-tune the system further. It records and analyzes HVAC data for a full 18 months. If it happens to be the middle of January, it won’t be long before everyone in the house is freezing. It’s not difficult, but it did take me about an hour to get everything set up. Okay, but what if the kids are still at home? This can be a huge advantage if your thermostat is located next to a door (cold drafts) or in direct sunlight. 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. 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 temperature where your thermostat is installed might be different than the temperature where you spend most of your time. The Nest device uses a dial mechanism courtesy of an exterior ring that you turn manually to change the temperature. Is Nest’s schedule learning feature better than a regular schedule like ecobee’s? 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. 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. The easiest way to add a c-wire is to use an add-a-wire kit, which you will have to buy separately. Both devices connect with several energy devices for easier use. While they can sometimes go on sale, there’s no predicting when this will happen. If you have a Nest and you like the learning feature, you can use it. Ecobee supports geofencing too, but only for one phone. 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. He enjoys technology, sports, outdoors, and dabbles in the dark realm of politics. Or, is it just another gimmick that seems to be all too common in the smart home universe? Nest E has a much more subtle appearance than Nest. However, both brands also have budget options to consider, and they’ve made some important updates for these options in 2020. It depends. Who would have thought that a thermostat could be a topic of conversation? The ecobee design is inspired by the rectangular programmable thermostats of the past decades. It’s a simple, elegant design. It’s a solid product from a solid company that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Nest’s power stealing is capable of causing certain systems to behave erratically. Therefore, even if I had the Nest, I would recommend installing a c-wire anyway. The SmartThermostat recognizes when a home has a ventilator and uses cool outdoor temperatures when appropriate to reduce dependence on your home’s air conditioner. and adjust it manually. 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. 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. You may want to consider a “smart thermostat,” which is an evolution in heating and air conditioning technology. In order to avoid needing a c-wire, Nest powers the thermostat using an electrical trick often referred to as power stealing. ecobee’s sensors have motion sensing and Nest’s do not. by Janardhan. 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. I mostly use Alexa for my smart home, but Google Assistant and HomeKit can work just as well. However, if you’re a more hands on person like myself, you might not find Nest’s learning feature very useful. I’m a proud ecobee user, but I have no problem admitting that the Nest looks great. Both economy versions are missing the extra accessory terminal. That means you won’t be able to connect the thermostat to an accessory (e.g. Two offerings from Nest Thermostats, one from Ecobee Thermostats, one from Lennox’s iComfort model line, and of course one […] Nest Thermostat vs ecobee Thermostat Once the times and temperatures are set, they don’t change unless you change them. What is the best thermostat out there Ecobee VS Nest or is it something else? Does your home get too hot in the summer, even as your utility bill continues to climb each year? It uses those guesses as a baseline for its schedule. It will also mark the times when the thermostat set point was changed. Let’s say for example that you also have some Nest Protects (that’s the Nest smoke detector) at home. There are a lot of new options. The screen is also a touchscreen which gives you access to many control settings from the base unit if you desire. 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. All rights reserved. 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. When people invest in a SmartThermostat, they can also purchase wireless room sensors. The ecobee looks good, too. The ecobee gives you nearly as much smarts as the Nest and backs that up with superior customization and data feedback. 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. So if you need it, you’ll have it. Using that data, the thermostat can keep the areas you use the most at the temperature you prefer. When the Ecobee debuted, I thought its design was a nice departure from Nest Learning Thermostat's circular design. Plus, it’s remote sensors give it some unique abilities. Nest doesn’t require a c-wire. They have motion sensors on them.