In recent years, smart thermostats have evolved from a niche product to an invention available to most homeowners. If you have not yet installed them at home, I bet you have probably seen the small monitors on the walls at a friend’s house.
While most companies are beginning to manufacture their own smart thermostats, the two most popular have been in the market for a long time. These include Nest supported by Google, and Ecobee, as its main competitor.
So, how are they different from one another? Let’s take a closer look.
1. Appearance
Both thermostats are round in shape. While the Nest learning thermostat is completely round, the Ecobee is slightly oval.
You can purchase the Nest Learning Thermostat in black, white, or copper.
Ecobee, on the other hand, has a black front with a blue stripe on top, and a back casing which is all white. Other color options are not available.
2. Energy Saving Benefits
The major reason, why most people opt for smart thermostats, is because they want to reduce the cost of their electricity bills. While the two models emphasized here can assist you to achieve your energy saving goals, Nest’s approach is more efficient.
The Nest Learning Thermostat becomes smarter and recognizes household preferences, when you select temperature settings that will save energy based on your habits.
You may also want to know that the Ecobee is just a smart and wired thermostat, while the Nest Learning Thermostat can turn off power to your home in case of power outage.
If you live in a region prone to extreme weather conditions, which often leads to power outages, considering the two power sources, then Nest product can be beneficial. This extra option, combined with the Smart Energy saving feature, makes Nest the winner.
3. Making Adjustments
Considering the specifics of each device, the two are similar, although, there are slight differences in temperature adjustments.
The Nest device uses a dialing mechanism that goes through an outer ring, which you manually rotate to change the temperature. If you prefer the same temperature setting technique as traditional thermostats, the Nest is a good choice.
Ecobee uses a touchscreen. For those who are already used to touch screens on their smartphones, tablets, and appliances, such as ovens, using Ecobee4 for temperature adjustments is a normal extension of these activities.
The Nest Learning Thermostat, allows you to purchase Nest temperature sensors independently. They are useful in case you’ve to specify the desired temperature in any room at any time of day. It also responds to this contribution, thus making it an indispensable accessory for smart homes. Users can prioritize different rooms according to their needs. However, Nest technology does not have the Occupant Detection feature of Ecobee.
4. Compatibility with Other Domestic Energy Equipment.
Both devices are connected to multiple power devices for easier use.
Unlike the Nest Learning Thermostat, Ecobee detects when a home is equipped with a ventilator and uses the outdoor air to reduce the home’s dependency on air conditioners. Also, in homes with dehumidifiers, Ecobee can regulate the room humidity to prevent frost in cold weather.
Conversely, Nest offers great functionality in homes with auxiliary heat and heat pumps. This is convenient because such heating options can be expensive.
5. Connectivity Using Voice Assistants
Both Nest and Ecobee, work with Google Assistant or Alexa, albeit in a slightly different way.
By use of the Amazon Alexa device, users can control their Nest Thermostats by speaking or via the Alexa app. This implies that you can ask Alexa to increase or decrease the heat.
On the other hand, Ecobee has an integrated Alexa Voice service. This means it includes voice functions for Alexa and more functions besides room temperature regulation. For example, you can set timers and listen to music using Alexa commands.
If you do not have an Alexa-compatible speaker, you might want to kill two birds with one stone and choose Ecobee. However, anyone with a Google Home device should find both thermostats equally useful.
After comparing Ecobee vs Nest, it’s evident that both offer a multitude of features. However, Ecobee is the best choice for most users. This is mainly due to the integrated Alexa function, and the occupant detection feature of the room sensors.
Irrespective of the opinion expressed in this article, it is always best to analyze carefully the pros and cons of any smart home thermostat. This increases the odds of a satisfying purchase – and a home with a comfortable temperature.
