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. If your system doesn’t have a c-wire, you’ll be instructed to install the PEK. Nest wins the layout category by a large margin. It also has humidity, sensor, and weather impact. If I happen to leave the house for a few hours, my phone always goes with me. Nest records your changes and learns your preferences over time. The solid construction is obvious when you handle the thermostat. ecobee’s remote sensors can be placed wherever they are needed in your home. 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. It’s really not that difficult and you’ll avoid a potential source of major headaches in the future. Unless you need the extra accessory terminal, most people prefer saving some money with the ecobee3 Lite over the ecobee SmartThermostat. Ecobee4/Ecobee3lite vs Nest 3rd gen./Nest E Comparison Chart. Nest doesn’t require a c-wire. They both have some touchscreen capabilities as well. It will also mark the times when the thermostat set point was changed. 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. If you don’t already have a smart speaker near your thermostat, it could be useful. The differences between ecobee and Nest aren’t huge. It’s not difficult, but it did take me about an hour to get everything set up. If you have a Nest and you like the learning feature, you can use it. The Nest Thermostat is an Alexa- and Google-Assistant-enabled smart thermostat from Google -- and it's only $130, or even less. Nest VS Ecobee? If your system lacks a C wire, you'll either have to get one installed or use Ecobee's included adapter. ecobee 4 vs nest Which Thermostat is better? It can also connect with humidifiers, HRVs, and other accessories to make sure they are used properly as well. If you cross the geofence leaving your home, the thermostat can switch to away mode. So if you need it, you’ll have it. Plus, it’s remote sensors give it some unique abilities. The ecobee smart thermostat and the Nest learning thermostat are two of the most popular brands on the market, but how do you know which is right for you? Nest E has a much more subtle appearance than Nest. While Nest Thermostat aims for simplicity, Ecobee3 targets usability. It also looks way less shiny. Trying to decide between Nest 3rd Gen and Ecobee 3. It doesn’t give you any fancy analysis either. To overcome this, Nest introduced its own set of remote sensors to control and adjust the temperature. Instead, ecobee includes an extra set of wires they call the PEK (power extender kit). The ecobee3 Lite is also typically sold as a standalone unit (no remote sensor included). Nest's thermostat doesn't need a C wire to draw power, but the Ecobee does. The result is something that looks a bit like an oversized smartwatch. If you take your phone and travel outside your geofence, the thermostat will go into away mode. We reviewed two of the top-selling smart thermostats on the market. The integrated Alexa speaker on the ecobee is a minor advantage. It’s extra work and it just seems like a hack job. After a week or two of adjustments, Nest will “learn” your schedule and the temperature settings you prefer. I’ve written detailed instructions on how to do it here so you should be able to do it in about 15 minutes. This is subjective it mainly depends on the user’s preference. Well, it’s because I have a super lame sense of humor. Nest Thermostat E has all the same features of Nest but it lacks support for an accessory. Both companies have released lower cost versions of their flagship models. Many smart home products can use your phone’s GPS as a means of determining whether you are home or not. The retail ecobee SmartThermostat comes with one remote sensor. There are a significant number of similarities between the ecobee SmartThermostat and Nest thermostats, and both are great picks. ecobee vs. Competition Features Comparison. And so far, two thermostats stand out above the rest. Conversely, Nest offers a feature that’s beneficial in homes with heat pumps and auxiliary heat. It records and analyzes HVAC data for a full 18 months. ecobee3 Lite loses its Alexa ability (not a big loss if you ask me), and Nest E doesn’t have Nest’s flashy looks. The Nest allows you to quickly adjust temperature by physically turning the device, and allows for many different display settings. ecobee decided to take the rectangular look from the programmable thermostats of the past 30 years and round the corners. ecobee supports all 3 major voice assistants and has an Alexa speaker built into it. Both thermostats have rounded shapes. Quickly compare the Ecobee vs Nest and see which models (Ecobee 4 or Nest 3) is right for you and your home. and adjust it manually. Ecobee3 has a touchscreen and you can use it like a smartphone. Extra sensors are available for purchase in packs of two. Bottom line:​​ If you’re looking for energy reports and analysis, ecobee with Home IQ is the way to go. You can also choose to average the temperatures of selected rooms with sensors regardless of the presence of people with the SmartThermostat. ecobee looks good, but doesn’t have the same “wow” factor as Nest. 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. You can’t really go wrong with either of these thermostats as both have the same price tag and contain equally helpful, albeit different, toolsets. 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. However, the interface and operation aren’t quite as intuitive as the Nest Thermostat. Not sure which one to get. It has sold a ton of units and was the one thermostat that really put smart thermostats in the public eye. Do you want a  thermostat that looks great and just works with barely any thought from you? ecobee and Nest are the biggest smart thermostats even in terms of market share. I’ve used both products and I’ve found 8 key differences. 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. If you prefer your thermostat to be something that doesn’t say “look at me”, you may prefer the look of ecobee. This also works with any related smart devices that can hear voice commands, like Echo and Nest Hub devices. I’ve put together a comparison chart, which will offer you a quick overview of their features. 72. ecobee.com; Smart home devices and thermostats | ecobee For Home . The SmartThermostat utilizes a touchscreen. Over time it will continue to respond to your adjustments. For example, if they are a hands-on tinkerer with an affection for customization and endless data? But, if you already have a smart speaker nearby, the extra one might end up causing problems. 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. Remote sensors allow the thermostat to take readings from any room throughout your home and adjust accordingly. Ecobee is on sale right now for 269. Ecobee supports geofencing too, but only for one phone. However, the Ecobee SmartThermostat has Alexa built right in, which means you don’t need to use other devices — you can just talk to the thermostat directly. Ecobee Vs Nest 2019 The Lite possesses a large touchscreen interface, exactly where the E just has got a frosted glass display. ecobee vs nest. These all function on the same platform and make it easy to combine your thermostat with a basic security system via the same app. Right out of the box, Nest looks great and feels like a quality product. 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. Nest works without a c-wire and ecobee does not. The ecobee uses a more conventional schedule. From that time until now, Nest and Ecobee are going neck to neck. 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. Whichever thermostat you purchase, keep in mind that smart home thermostat devices generally have advantages and disadvantages to assess before going through with a purchase. It just doesn’t have the same “cool” factor as the Nest. Users can prioritize different rooms as needed. ecobee currently holds 30% of the market share in smart thermostats in North America. It uses those guesses as a baseline for its schedule. It includes a summary of your energy usage and compares it with past months and other Nest users. 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. 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 screen is also fronted with glass and offers a 320 x 480 resolution. It looks great on the wall but feels cheap from the palms. Nest has released sensors of their own. 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. By deciding which advantages outweigh the disadvantages for your personal home usage, you will be well prepared to buy the best system to keep your home at the temperature you need year-round. Nest has native geofencing with multiple phones and works seamlessly with other Nest devices (Home/Away Assist). However, that may have come to an end. 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 are in close competition; this is a reason today we are doing ecobee3 lite vs nest e thermostat comparison. Ecobee Vs Nest Comparison. 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. Sooner or later, you’ll feel too warm or too cold and you’ll use either the app or the thermostat to adjust the temperature up or down. Nest has improved its data feedback but lacks the charts and detail of ecobee. Ecobee. Nest E is not appropriate for Apple HomeKit, where Ecobee3 Lite is. The standard SmartThermostat and the older. The screen is also a touchscreen which gives you access to many control settings from the base unit if you desire. Smart thermostats opened people’s eyes to the money-saving advantages of home automation. Included with purchase of ecobee SmartThermostat. Convenience is one of the primary advantages of having a smart home, and this smart thermostat certainly delivers it. You may want to consider a “. You can buy the Nest Learning Thermostat in stainless steel, polished steel, black, mirror black, white, brass, or copper. Why is there a picture of a Geo Metro in a championship fencing bout? However, it doesn’t directly support Apple HomeKit and it’s unlikely that it ever will. Nest: Nest. ecobee doesn’t have schedule learning capability. Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Although the third-party app solution works, its less than ideal. Nest’s power stealing is capable of causing certain systems to behave erratically. Ecobee 4 vs Nest Conclusion It seems like the ever popular Nest thermostat has some competition for the best on the market, with the Ecobee 4 .