Over the last few years, Ecobee has introduced two new smart thermostats to add to the company’s line-up of WiFi-enabled thermostats.
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced and its more expensive sibling, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, join the Ecobee3 Lite in fighting for their space in the smart thermostat market.
The Premium version addresses some critical issues that competitors use against Ecobee.
Specifically, it is sleekly designed to make it more attractive in the market.
Previously, Ecobee smart thermostats were all plastic, but the new model has a sleek zinc body and widened glass touchscreen.
Even with these improvements, it doesn’t break away from the company’s overall style and feel.
Likewise, the Enhanced model has nearly the same sleek design as the Premium model but lacks zinc casting and expanded screen.
It is still all plastic and lacks some features found in the Premium model. That is why it costs $60 less than its sibling.
In this review, we will discuss these two Ecobee smart thermostats with a view to understanding their unique features, performance, pricing, and differences. So, let’s get started.
Summary of the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced is a solid, user-friendly choice if you prefer to have more control over your HVAC system with your smart phone and voice.
This thermostat comes with lots of features, such as dual-band WiFi, full-color touch screen, and support for Google Assistant, Alexa, HomeKit, SmartThings, and IFTTT.
On top of this, the device can work as a home security hub if you link it with Ecobee entry sensors and a SmartCamera.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Easy to install – Stylish design – Dual-band WiFi – Can double up as a home security hub – It works seamlessly with Google Assistant, Alexa, HomeKit, and IFTTT | – The package lacks remote sensors – Some features requires a subscription |
Price : $189.99
Summary of the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is a superior thermostat that includes everything that the Enhanced model has plus more, including built-in Alexa or Siri, a remote room sensor, and an air quality monitor.
What stands out is its redesigned exterior with an expanded display and a finer finish.
All these things make it one of the best smart thermostats on the market.
But be sure to read the rest of our review of the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium in the next sections.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Built-in air quality monitor – Improved, more attractive design – Compatibility with major smart home platforms – Works with Alexa and Siri voice assistants | – The built-in speaker doesn’t sound great. – The air quality monitor is of limited use |
Price: $249.99
Detailed Review of the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced offers lots of features, such as dual-band WiFi, full-color touchscreen, and support for Google Assistant, Alexa, HomeKit, and SmartThings. Here is a detailed review of the device:
Design
The Enhanced model has a sleek look similar to the Premium model. The only difference is that it is wrapped in white plastic with rounded corners.
Also, the touch screen sits behind the shiny black glass. This sizable screen displays the current room temperature and humidity levels.
Performance
In terms of functionality, the Enhanced thermostat works perfectly in most cases. In our test, we followed our custom heating schedule without any issue.
One thing we noted about this device is that it responded instantly to app requests to report and change the set temperature.
Installation
As with other Ecobee products, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced comes with a detailed installation guide.
The installation is generally easy.
All you have to do is mount the plate into the wall using screws, attach each wire to its corresponding terminal on the Ecobee mounting plate, and snap the new smart thermostat into place before connecting the power.
But keep in mind that the process requires low-voltage wiring. .
Compatibility
The Enhanced model is compatible with Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri voice commands. It also works with the HomeKit and SmartThings home automation platforms.
If you want more integration with third-party devices, you can connect them via IFTTT. It, however, lacks built-in Siri or Alexa for direct voice control.
Also Read, The Top 5 Smart Home Automation Companies Shaping the Future in 2024
Verdict
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced is a solid, user-friendly choice if you are looking for a convenient thermostat with decent features.
But at the price tag of $189.99, the Enhanced model is still an expensive app-driven thermostat.
We say so because there are models like the Wyze Thermostat and the Amazon Smart Thermostat that have similar options yet are available for less than $100.
Its price is a little bit hard to justify when compared with the Premium model, which offers a broader suite of features and additional enhancements.
Detailed Review of the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium came into the scene in mid 2022 and it is the highest-end model in Ecobee’s smart thermostat line.
It comes with many features and improvements that we will discuss below.
Design
The most noticeable improvement of the Premium model is the look.
While it still maintained Ecobee’s familiar shape, the newest model has a slightly bigger display and a zinc body.
The zinc body gives it a more premium look than its siblings, which feature a stand plastic body.
Similarly, the larger square display makes it easier to see from afar.
It also makes the thermostat look less like someone just fixed a smartphone screen into a thermostat.
Performance
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium also shines in terms of performance.
During our test, the device worked flawlessly. For instance, we found the air quality monitor to be impressive.
The air quality monitor icon is just above the temperature icon. So, when you tap on it, it will give you more details about both CO2 and VOC levels.
The only issue we have with this feature is that Ecobee could have made it more convenient by integrating it with HomeKit and Alexa.
This way, you can have some other smart home accessories, like an air fan, turn on automatically when the air quality drops.
Another thing we noted is that the menus were also easy to use. Likewise, the display was responsive. In fact, when temperatures dropped, the thermostat automatically turned on our heating system.
Installation
In terms of installation, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium was easy to install. Just follow the steps below:
- The first thing is to fix the base plate to the wall with screws.
- Next, attach the wires from your cooling or heating system to the base.
- After that, connect the face of the thermostat to the base plate.
The good thing is that the set comes with a C-wire adapter to ensure a constant supply of power to your Ecobee thermostat in case your system lacks one.
Compatibility
As mentioned earlier, the Premium model works seamlessly with other devices. It comes with a built-in speaker and microphone.
In fact, you can use it as an Alexa-enabled smart speaker. which means that you do not need a separate Echo device.
The only problem is that the built-in speaker is so tiny and weak to support other uses, like playing music.
You can also link your Premium thermostat with Siri.
But unlike Alexa, which is built into the thermostat, Siri is not connected directly to the device, so you will need to link it with a HomePod Mini to be able to use the feature.
Also Read, How To Connect Alexa To Bluetooth
Verdict
Overall, the Premium model has tons of features and works well in most of our tests. The only issue is that it is not very affordable.
We wish the company could have introduced it at a lower price, given the fact that the industry is shifting towards more affordable options.
That is why sometimes it is overlooked in favor of other models.
But if you have the budget and want to use all the special features, then investing in the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is worth it.
You may only want to look at the Enhanced model or other affordable models if you have budget limits.
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium vs. Enhanced
The Premium model has a lot of features when compared to the Enhanced model.
The latter introduced a redesigned display, a radar sensor, a zinc body, and an air quality monitor.
The zinc body adds a more luxurious look and feel with silver accents compared to the all-plastic Enhanced model.
Also included in the package of the Premium model is a temperature-and-occupancy-sensing smart sensor.
On top of this, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium comes with Alexa fully integrated into the display.
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced, on the other hand, is a mid-range model with some of the features found in the Premium model, including the large display, new radar sensor, and compatibility with Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant.
However, it lacks the luxurious look of the zinc-bodied Premium model as it is all plastic.
Moreover, it doesn’t have a built-in air quality sensor or Alexa speaker.
It also lacks a Smart Sensor remote sensor for monitoring occupancy and temperature.
Summary of the Similarities and Differences Between Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium and Enhanced
| Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium | Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced | |
| Price | $249.99 | $189.99 |
| WiFi | Dual-band | Dual-band |
| Remote SmartSensor | Yes | No |
| Built-in Siri, Alexa | Yes | No |
| Display | 2.9 x 2.9 inches | 2.9 x 2.9 inches |
| Air quality monitor | Yes | No |
| Resolution | 540 x 540 | 540 x 540 |
| Smoke alarm detection | Yes | No |
| Presence detection | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in speaker | Yes | No |
Closing Remarks
Both the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced and Premium are two of the latest thermostats from Ecobee.
They have better designs than the previous models and come with powerful features.
But the Premium model stands out in nearly all areas, including sleek zinc body, built-in Alexa speakers, and an air quality monitor.
However, the added features and functionalities come at a cost.
So, if you can do without an air quality sensor or integration with an Alexa speaker but still want to enjoy the design updates of the new Ecobee smart thermostats, then you will be happy with the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced.
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