Looking for a smart thermostat? Here's our comprehensive guide to the three most popular brands, including Ecobee, Nest, and Honeywell. We will dive deep into which functions each brand has to offer, as well as the pros and cons of each of those thermostat brands.

Ecobee Thermostats

Overview: Ecobee is known for its focus on energy efficiency and smart home integration with advanced features and remote sensor capabilities. Ecobee is praised for its high-quality sensors and many customizable options. However, these are some of the most expensive thermostats on the market.

Popular Models:

• Ecobee Smart Thermostat with Voice Control: The flagship model has built-in Alexa and remote sensors. The price is between $220 and $250.
• Ecobee3 Lite: A more affordable option without built-in voice control but with remote sensor compatibility.

Key Features:

• Built-in voice control: Comes with Alexa built-in for voice control and smart home integration.
• Remote sensors: Measures temperature and occupancy, helping to manage hot and cold spots.
• Energy reports and savings: Provides detailed energy usage reports.
• Home/Away feature: Automatically adjusts the temperature based on occupancy.
• Compatibility: Works with most HVAC systems, including multi-stage systems.
• Integration: Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, and IFTTT.

Pros:

• Excellent energy-saving features with detailed usage reports.
• Built-in Alexa for seamless smart home integration. You can also control it via an app if Alexa is not your thing.
• Remote sensors for more precise temperature control.
• Has extra sensors for various zones, like various rooms throughout the house. You can place different temperatures in different zones.
• User-friendly. Display information is comprehensive, so you can understand everything the thermostat is working on just by looking at the display.
• A lot of customizable options for users and manual settings, like thresholds, temperature deltas, and stages. Perfect for people who love customizing all characteristics.
• Detailed logs and reports on system performance.
• Offers for HomeKit for local control that works with Home Assistant.
• Best for the control over efficiency vs. comfort.
• Better controls of mix/max temp and schedules.
• Can control other devices like humidifiers.
• Reportedly great customer support also offers useful installation guides.

Cons:

• Higher upfront cost compared to some competitors.
• Requires a C-wire for installation.
• Can not be installed in a heat-only 2-wire system in an older house.
• The setup might be difficult, but the payoff is great.
• The humidity sensors are not always 100% accurate, but you can fix it via smart settings. In general, some users report issues with accuracy.
• Ecobee's scheduling can be confusing initially but becomes intuitive with use. Instead of setting temperatures by time, you create "comfort zones" for different scenarios, like 76°F when home, 80°F when away, and 74°F when sleeping. You then schedule these zones for specific times or link them to Ecobee's external room sensors, one of which is included with the Premium model.
• Glass design smudges easily.
• Ecobee3 Lite has limited remote access functionality.

Nest Thermostats

Overview: Nest, owned by Google, is known for its sleek design, advanced learning capabilities, and strong integration with Google Home products.

Popular Models:

• Nest Learning Thermostat: The flagship model that learns your schedule and preferences. The price is $250.
• Nest Thermostat E: A more affordable option with a simpler design and fewer features. The price is $169.

Key Features:

• Auto-Schedule: Learns your preferred temperatures and programs themselves.
• Energy history: This shows you how much energy you've used and why.
• Home/Away Assist: Automatically adjusts the temperature when you leave or return home.
• Remote control: Control your thermostat from anywhere using the Nest app.
• Learning algorithm: One of the most marketed features of Nest is its smart learning algorithm that adapts to the preferences of the user over time.
• Compatibility: Works with most HVAC systems, though compatibility should be checked.
• Integration: Works seamlessly with Google Assistant and integrates with other Google Home products.

Pros:

• Sleek, modern design that looks great in any home.
• Advanced learning algorithms for energy savings.
• Does not need a C-wire.
• Strong smart home integration, especially with Google products, but the integration with 3rd party apps is limited.
• Best for basic control like schedules, home/away, etc.
• Some utility companies offer Nest thermostats for free as a part of their offerings.
• Just like with Ecobee, extra sensors are available for different rooms throughout the house.

Cons:

• Higher upfront cost compared to some Honeywell models.
• Limited compatibility with specific HVAC systems (always check before purchasing).
• Does not support Apple HomeKit.
• Some users report difficulties with system setup.
• A key missing feature of the Nest Learning Thermostat is the averaging of temperature across different sensors.
• Some users report not being the fan of the flashy design with a mirror.
• Others report that not enough info appears on the screen while using the thermostat, and that UI is not user-friendly like in other thermostats. In general, the interface is limited.
• The slide scroll is not always responsive.
• Integrating the thermostat and the Google Home App is not always smooth.
• Some complaints about customer service.
• No local network control; everything has to go through Nest servers.

Honeywell Thermostats

Overview: Honeywell is a well-established brand known for its wide range of thermostats, from basic programmable models to advanced smart thermostats. Honeywell thermostats are praised for the great quality of their sensors. There are Honeywell thermostats that are cheaper than Nest and Ecobee.

Popular models:

• Honeywell Home T9: A smart thermostat with remote sensor capabilities. The current price is $143 at Amazon.
• Honeywell Lyric T5: A budget-friendly smart thermostat with geofencing technology.
• Honeywell WiFi Smart Color

Key Features:

• User interface: Honeywell thermostats typically feature touchscreens with intuitive interfaces.
• Remote sensors: Models like the T9 have remote sensors that help manage hot and cold spots by measuring temperature and humidity.
• Geofencing: Adjusts the temperature based on your location using your smartphone.
• Compatibility: Works with most HVAC systems, including multi-stage heating and cooling systems.
• Integration: Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and IFTTT.

Pros:

• A wide range of models cater to different needs and budgets.
• Great integration, especially with Alexa.
• Reliable performance.
• Advanced features like remote sensors and geofencing. Good quality sensors for humidity, proximity, and temperature. Has an ambient temperature sensor that other systems are lacking.
• Good remote access functionality.

Cons:

• Some models can be complex to install.
• The user interface may not be as sleek or modern as Nest.

Key Considerations for Choosing a Thermostat (Nest, Ecobee, Honeywell)

1. Identify your heating and cooling system
• Ensure your system is compatible with the thermostat you're considering.

Recommended thermostats:

• For central air: Ecobee smart thermostat, Nest Learning Thermostat, Honeywell Home T9
• For ductless systems: Honeywell Home T9 (with remote sensors)

1. Check HVAC сompatibility with smart thermostats
• Verify that your current set-up supports smart thermostats. Consulting a professional is advisable.

Recommended thermostats:

• General Compatibility: Honeywell Home T9, Ecobee smart thermostat, Nest Learning Thermostat

1. Determine if you have a C-Wire
• Most smart thermostats require a C-wire for continuous power. Some models can work without it or may need a conversion kit.

Recommended thermostats:

• Without C-Wire: Nest Thermostat E (using power-stealing), Ecobee3 Lite (with PEK)
• With Adapter: Ecobee SmartThermostat (includes PEK), Honeywell Home T9 (with C-wire adapter)

1. Decide on desired smart features
• Consider whether you need advanced features like geofencing, learning capabilities, or basic remote access.

Recommended thermostats:

• For Advanced Features: Ecobee smart thermostat
• For Basic Remote Access: Honeywell Home T5, Ecobee3 Lite

1. Check smart assistant compatibility
• Ensure the thermostat works with your preferred smart assistants like Amazon Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant.

Recommended thermostats:

• Alexa Compatible: Ecobee smart thermostat, Honeywell Home T9
• Google Assistant Compatible: Nest Learning Thermostat, Honeywell Home T9
• Siri Compatible: Ecobee SmartThermostat, Ecobee3 Lite

1. Consider installation preferences
• Decide if you will install the thermostat yourself or hire a contractor. Note that contractors might prefer specific models.

Recommended thermostats:

• DIY installation: Nest Thermostat E, Honeywell Home T9
• Professional installation: Ecobee smart thermostat, Nest Learning Thermostat

1. Evaluate your user tech-savviness
• Choose a thermostat that matches the tech comfort level of all users in your household.

Recommended thermostats:

• User-friendly: Nest Thermostat E, Honeywell Home T5
• Advanced users: Ecobee smart thermostat, Nest Learning Thermostat

Conclusion

Ecobee:

• Best for: Users who want advanced energy-saving features, detailed energy reports, and built-in voice control.
• Ideal for: Homes needing precise temperature control with remote sensors for different zones and users who enjoy customizable options and smart home integration.
• Not optimal for: Homes without a C-wire or older homes with simpler heating systems. The initial setup can be complex.

Nest:

• Best for: Users who prefer a sleek design and seamless integration with Google products.
• Ideal for: Those already invested in the Google ecosystem and looking for a thermostat that adjusts to their schedule and preferences.
• Not optimal for: Users needing integration with Apple HomeKit or prefer more manual control over their system.

Honeywell:

• Best for: Users who need a wide range of options, reliable performance, and features like remote sensors and geofencing.
• Ideal for: Budget-conscious users who want strong integration with multiple smart home ecosystems and a reliable thermostat at a lower price point.
• Not optimal for: Users looking for the sleekest design or the most advanced smart features.

Choosing between Ecobee, Nest, and Honeywell thermostats depends on your specific preferences and the existing smart home set-up. All three brands offer reliable and advanced thermostats that can significantly improve your home's energy efficiency and comfort. You can also ask your HVAC contractor for recommendations on your thermostat.