Why You Can Trust CNET Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced vs. Nest Thermostat: Is Ecobee or Nest the Best?
Which smart thermostat makes the most sense for your home?
Like
- Its $130 price
- Improved design
Don't like
- It doesn't work with Siri
- Right side controls not ideal for lefties.
If you're in the market for an app-enabled thermostat, chances are you've heard of Ecobee and Nest. Both brands offer a few different smart thermostats, ranging from premium models to slightly more affordable options. Here we're taking a look at Ecobee's midrange thermostat, the $190 Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced and Google's "entry-level" (but still quite pricey) $130 Nest Thermostat, which is currently on sale for $100.
Is Ecobee's model worth the extra bucks? Let's find out.
Read more: Lower Your Summer Electric Bill by Setting Your Thermostat to This Temperature
Ecobee's midrange Smart Thermostat Enhanced ($190) offers some of the upgrades available on the brand's flagship Smart Thermostat Premium to separate it from the entry-level Ecobee3 Lite. These updates include a bigger display, refreshed menu design and a built-in radar sensor (instead of the last-gen passive infrared sensor).
The Enhanced also supports Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri voice commands, as long as you have a compatible smart speaker or display. It works with Ecobee's remote SmartSensor that detects ambient temperature and occupancy, but the sensors are sold separately as two-packs for an additional $100. Read the full Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced review.
Let's take a look at how the Nest Thermostat compares.
Google's Nest Thermostat typically retails for $130, but is currently discounted to $98. Compared to that lower price, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced needs to offer a lot to justify its $190 price.
The Nest Thermostat supports Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, but it doesn't work with Siri voice commands (yet). Instead of having the option to use the Nest Thermostat with either the legacy Nest app or the Google Home app, this is the first Nest thermostat that only works via the Google Home app.
It has the same rounded design as its flagship thermostat, the Nest Learning Thermostat and is available in four colors with an optional trim plate (sold separately). The Nest Thermostat is not compatible with the remote Nest Temperature Sensor.
Ecobee or Nest?
A couple of defining features separate the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced and the Nest Thermostat. The Enhanced has a built-in sensor to track occupancy, as well as the option to buy separate remote temperature and occupancy sensors. It also works with Siri voice commands. The Nest Thermostat, on the other hand, is a bit more basic. It doesn't have a built-in sensor -- or the option to expand its occupancy -- and temperature-sensing range with a remote sensor (those sensor options are only available with the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Nest Thermostat E).
If you want those occupancy-sensing features and the ability to adjust your thermostat with a Siri voice command, the Ecobee model makes more sense. However, if you want a more pared-down thermostat with some smart features but no Siri or remote sensor compatibility, Nest's Thermostat is more than enough.
Still have questions? Check out our lists of the best thermostats and the best affordable thermostats for more details.
