Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
VERDICT
Google Nest may look prettier, but Ecobee is smarter. The "Premium" model feels like a piece of jewelry with its zinc body and glass face. But the real value is the included Smart Sensor and the built-in Air Quality Monitor. If you have a multi-room home or use Apple HomeKit, this is hands-down the best choice.
The Big Picture
A thermostat shouldn't just be an on/off switch. The Ecobee Premium acts as a home health hub. It constantly sniffs the air for pollutants (VOCs) and carbon dioxide, alerting you to open a window if the air gets stale. It also has a speaker and microphone built-in, so you can talk to Siri or Alexa directly through your wall.
📡 SmartSensor Included
The Fix: No more hot/cold spots.
How it works: Place the small white sensor in your bedroom. At night, you can tell Ecobee to ignore the hallway temperature and ONLY focus on the bedroom sensor. This ensures you sleep comfortably, even if the rest of the house gets warmer.
🌬️ Radar Occupancy & Air Quality
Next-gen sensing.
Radar: Unlike old motion sensors (PIR), the new Radar sensor detects presence around corners and through minor obstacles, waking up the screen as you approach.
Air Quality: It graphs your indoor air quality over time, helping you understand if cooking or cleaning is polluting your home.
✅ The Pros
- HomeKit Support: Deep integration with Apple Home (Nest does not support HomeKit natively).
- Design: Premium metal and glass construction looks stunning.
- Security Hub: Can pair with door/window sensors to act as a security system.
- Savings: "Eco+" mode automatically saves energy during peak hours.
❌ The Cons
- Price: It is one of the most expensive thermostats on the market ($250).
- Installation: Requires a "C-Wire" (Common Wire) for power; older homes might need the included adapter kit.
- Speaker: The built-in speaker is tinny (don't expect to enjoy music on it).
🤔 Should you buy it?
YES if you want to balance the temperature across multiple rooms or use Apple HomeKit.
NO if you live in a small studio apartment (the sensor isn't needed) or want the absolute simplest interface (get the Google Nest Learning Thermostat).
See the showdown: Ecobee Premium vs. Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)