The smartest thermostat gets smarter, more powerful, and more useful with enhanced audio streaming, new Alexa calling features and more. Read our Ecobee SmartThermostat review to find out why it’s a top pick for anyone considering an upgrade.
For more than a decade, Ecobee has slugged it out with Nest in the battle for smart thermostat supremacy. Nest’s design and simple ring control has achieved near-iconic status, but we’d argue that Ecobee is the more innovative of the two.
Four generations of devices have added thoughtful and helpful home control features. Ecobee was the first to introduce remote sensors, with presence detection allowing the thermostat to target temperatures according to actual room usage. Integrated voice control (via Amazon Alexa) boosted utility, while support for a swathe of third-party platforms, including Apple HomeKit/Siri, IFTTT, SmartThings and Google Assistant, opened a world of smart integration.
The simply named Ecobee SmartThermostat ($249) is the Canadian company’s latest model. It arrives two years after the Ecobee4 and, notably, almost four years after Nest’s third-generation thermostat (2017’s Nest E is more of a budget variant, than a new generation) so we’re eager to see what’s new in the world of smart temperature control.
At first glance, the answer appears to be very little. The beautifully designed, premium packaging holds a device that could be easily mistaken for the Ecobee4. It boasts a similar compact, squircular design. Bundled smart sensor? Check. Integrated Amazon Alexa speaker? Present. Simple app, tap, and voice control? Yes. And there’s still no battery back-up.
A lot has changed under the hood, however. The SmartThermostat packs a new, glass-fronted color LCD screen (320 x 480 resolution), with improved touchscreen sensitivity. It’s powered by a quad-core processor, and has dual-band Wi-Fi delivering faster, more stable connectivity. This new engine unlocks enhanced features. Support for Spotify and Bluetooth 5.0 lets you push music to an external speaker via Alexa. You’ll also find the thermostat’s integrated smart speaker improved, delivering rich sound and wider range.
While, at its core, the Ecobee SmartThermostat remains true to its name – it is most definitely a smart thermostat – this new model is positioned to play a broader, more substantial role in your smart home.
Upgrading a wired thermostat may seem a daunting job, but as long as your system is compatible with Ecobee, you’ll find it a straightforward task. A simple, step by step booklet is included to walk you through the job.
Remove your existing thermostat’s faceplate and disconnect the wiring. In-box, you’ll find stickers to label each wire as you go. Swap in the Ecobee backplate and then reconnect the wires – a generously-sized cover plate is included should you need to conceal damaged or undecorated walls. The Ecobee faceplate clips neatly into place.
