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ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium vs ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium ranks higher (#1 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on scheduling & savings features, app & smart home, easy install & compatibility, display & controls.
The biggest complaint about the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is expensive, with paid security extras; for the ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential it's some units fail or drop wi-fi. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium | ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in smart thermostats | #1 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Smart (sensor-based) | Smart (sensor-based) |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 13% | 15% |
| Overall score | 4.3 | 3.7 |
| Scheduling & savings features | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| App & smart home | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Easy install & compatibility | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Display & controls | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Reliability | 3.5 | 3.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $100 · $$ $100–200 · $$$ over $200. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
- Expensive, with paid security extras
PCMag lists 'pricey' and 'some features require a subscription' as cons; its review says the Smart Security plan starts at $5 a month. CNET calls it 'very expensive'. On Amazon, value for money is mixed, and some owners call it a costly disappointment.
- Doesn't always hold the set temperature
Amazon's review summary says some owners report it doesn't reach the set temperature and some see connectivity problems with smart-home systems. Wirecutter says it first changed temperatures too drastically to save energy, so its heat pump ran almost nonstop until it was fine-tuned by hand.
- Weak customer support; setup is not the simplest
A Wirecutter editor waited 30 minutes on hold, never got the promised callback, and had the case closed with no solution. Wirecutter also says it isn't the easiest model to set up and advanced settings need a web browser. Most homes need a C wire; a power adapter kit for homes without one is included.
Source: Wirecutter, PCMag review
ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Who should pick which
Pick the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium if
Homes with hot or cold rooms (presence-sensing room sensor included)
People who want Alexa or Siri built into the thermostat
Mixed Apple, Google and Alexa smart homes
Skip it if: You want the cheapest way to get app control; You want to set it and forget it without fine-tuning; You don't want a microphone on your wall (it can be turned off)
Pick the ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential if
Homes with fairly even temperatures
Apple Home, Google and Alexa users on a budget
People who may add room sensors later
Skip it if: Your wiring has no C wire and you don't want to fit an adapter; You need room sensors now (a pair adds about $100); Your Wi-Fi is 5GHz only (it uses 2.4GHz)
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