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ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential: the downsides first

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#4 of 8
$$Smart (sensor-based)Score 3.7/5
15%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)1,901 ratings.

The budget pick or runner-up at Wirecutter, PCMag, Tom's Guide and CNET. It has the same core smarts as the Premium for much less, and with add-on sensors it matched the Premium in Wirecutter's tests. It needs a C wire (or a $24.99 adapter kit), its sensors and wall plate cost extra, and some Amazon owners say it stopped working or dropped Wi-Fi.

Subscription: None required (Tom's Guide says none of its picks need a monthly fee)

Top complaints

  • Some units fail or drop Wi-Fi

    Amazon's review summary says reliability is mixed: some owners say it works better than Nest, while others say it stopped working after a month or could no longer connect to Wi-Fi. Some also say it doesn't keep the requested temperature.

    Source: Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
  • Stripped down; sensors and wall plate cost extra

    Wirecutter says it lacks an occupancy sensor, air-quality sensor and microphone, and has no mounting plate ($15 extra). Sensors come only in pairs and add about $100. Tom's Guide lists 'limited advanced features' and 'design feels a bit cheap' as cons.

    Source: Wirecutter, Tom's Guide, PCMag best picks
  • Needs a C wire; setup asks technical questions

    PCMag says installation requires a C wire, with a $24.99 Power Extender Kit as the workaround. Wirecutter says setup asks obscure technical questions, though the app now suggests likely answers, and support took a couple of tries plus a callback.

    Source: PCMag review, Wirecutter

What owners love

  • Premium-level comfort for less

    With optional sensors added, it equaled the Premium in Wirecutter's tests and beat every other brand on consistent comfort, thanks to the same humidity-aware temperature logic.

    Source: Wirecutter
  • Broad platform support

    Works with Alexa, Google and Apple HomeKit (PCMag, Tom's Guide). PCMag says it worked flawlessly in testing and responded instantly to Alexa and HomeKit commands.

    Source: PCMag review, Tom's Guide
  • Easy app and install

    Amazon owners say the app makes things easy and installation is straightforward. CNET calls it streamlined for ease of use, and it keeps the color touch screen.

    Source: Amazon.com product page (Customers say), CNET
Good for
  • Homes with fairly even temperatures
  • Apple Home, Google and Alexa users on a budget
  • People who may add room sensors later

Scores (tap for why)

  • Scheduling & savings features4.0
    Why 4.0?Shares the Premium's Eco+ and scheduling, and matched it with add-on sensors (Wirecutter). It lacks a built-in occupancy sensor, and sensors cost extra.
    Source: Wirecutter, PCMag review
  • App & smart home4.0
    Why 4.0?Alexa, Google and HomeKit, with energy reports. 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, and some Amazon owners lose the Wi-Fi connection.
    Source: PCMag best picks, Amazon.com product page
  • Easy install & compatibility3.5
    Why 3.5?Straightforward according to Amazon owners, but it needs a C wire or a $24.99 adapter kit, setup asks technical questions, and there's no wall plate in the box.
    Source: PCMag review, Wirecutter, Amazon.com product page
  • Display & controls3.5
    Why 3.5?A color touch screen (PCMag, CNET), but a smaller plastic body that Tom's Guide says feels a bit cheap.
    Source: PCMag best picks, Tom's Guide
  • Reliability3.5
    Why 3.5?Flawless in PCMag's testing, but Amazon owners report units that stop working or drop Wi-Fi, and 15% of ratings are 1-2 stars.
    Source: PCMag review, Amazon.com product page

What experts say

  • Wirecutter (NYT): Runner-up for bang for the buck: most of the Premium's smarts at a lower price; ideal if your home's temperatures are already balanced.
  • PCMag: Best Affordable Smart Thermostat, 4.0 Excellent. Room sensors are sold separately and it only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi.
  • Tom's Guide: Best budget pick (updated about 2026-10-08): easy and inexpensive, but advanced features are limited and the design feels a bit cheap.
Check price on AmazonWe don't list prices — they change daily. Paid link.

If that catch is a deal-breaker

Highly ranked smart thermostats whose biggest complaint is something else.

#1 in smart thermostatsecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

Wirecutter's and CNET's top pick and PCMag's Best Overall (4.5/5). Its included room sensor and humidity-aware Eco+ mode kept Wirecutter's test home the most evenly comfortable. It's expensive, though, advanced settings need a web browser, and Wirecutter found ecobee's phone support poor. About 1 in 8 Amazon ratings are 1 or 2 stars.

Its catch: expensive, with paid security extras#2 in smart thermostatsGoogle Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)

The only true learning thermostat here, picked by all four guides. It comes with a room sensor, adds Matter, and Tom's Guide and CNET say it needs no C wire. But it's one of the priciest, Wirecutter had to keep overriding its AI, and its sensor can't detect presence. Google cut off the 1st- and 2nd-gen Learning models on Oct. 25, 2025, which makes Tom's Guide question its long-term support.

Its catch: ai overrides your settings#3 in smart thermostatsHoneywell Home X8S Smart Thermostat

Tom's Guide's new best overall and CNET's whole-house pick: a 5-inch smart-display thermostat with room priority scheduling, Matter and Apple Home support, and Ring doorbell video. It requires a C wire (Honeywell sends a free adapter), Tom's Guide's install took about two hours, and doorbell support is limited. It's too new for a meaningful Amazon track record.

Its catch: fussy, slow installation

Head-to-head

See all 8 smart thermostats ranked →