Ecobee is a Canadian home automation company; its flagship products are smart thermostats that allow you to control your home’s temperature through an app from anywhere you have cellular data or an Internet connection.
While the company has several products on the market, the classic Ecobee Smart Thermostat and the Ecobee Lite are two of the most popular. But which is the best option for your smart home?
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat is the better option for those willing to pay more for the most all-inclusive home automation experience. However, if all of the latest smart home features are not a must-have for you, the Ecobee Lite offers a more affordable choice that can do many of the same things as the Ecobee.
While the purpose of these smart thermostats is remote temperature control, they come equipped with a host of other features that add convenience to users’ lives.
The following breakdown will assess these features and analyze the pros and cons of each device so that you can come to the most informed conclusion as to which product is best for your smart home.
Ecobee vs. Ecobee Lite
When comparing these two smart thermostat products, it is helpful to look at how they stack up along a wide array of features.
While the Ecobee Smart Thermostat can definitely do more, the Ecobee Lite holds its own despite its lower price tag.
Therefore, it is essential to know which of the following features you value most highly to make the best choice for your home automation needs.
Voice Control
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat is an industry leader when it comes to voice control options.
In fact, the product is often marketed as the Ecobee Smart Thermostat with Voice Control.
The flagship model comes with Amazon Alexa built into the device, giving users the ability to immediately start controlling temperature with voice commands.
In addition, recent upgrades have Apple’s Siri built into select models, creating appeal for a broader market.
The Ecobee Lite is compatible with Alexa and Siri but does not have these features built directly into the thermostat.
Therefore, the Ecobee Lite must be programmed into the home’s overarching smart home system for voice control to work.
However, once set up, the Ecobee Lite can be integrated with other Alexa-controlled devices and used to place calls, respond to texts, and listen to music—features that are automatically built into the standard model.
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat gets the nod here, as its voice control features are built directly into the unit without the need for programming into the home’s smart ecosystem.
Versatility
Although the Ecobee Smart Thermostat will come with either Alexa or Siri built into the device, it pairs well with basically any smart home ecosystem, such as Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT, or Samsung SmartThings.
Furthermore, because these features are built into the thermostat, you can expect to receive the full functionality of the device even if you use a different smart ecosystem.
With the Ecobee Lite, you will need to program it to match the smart ecosystem of your choice.
While this really is not too much of a problem—it is convenient to have your smart thermostat operating within the same ecosystem as your other smart home features—it does create slightly less versatility and the inconvenience of getting the device synced.
Ecobee Smart Thermostat has the advantage here due to its plug-and-play ability when working within a wide range of smart home ecosystems.
Temperature Controls
With both thermostats, the temperature can be controlled either at the installation point, like a traditional thermostat or via the Ecobee app, giving the user the ability to remotely control the temperature.
As previously mentioned, voice control options are also present for both devices.
Both thermostats have advanced temperature sensors that can automatically adjust when the system detects any rapid temperature fluctuations.
This is an important feature that can help pipes from freezing when you are away from home, and the temperature unexpectedly dips without you knowing about it.
Both thermostats are well-designed to allow users to control temperature via several mediums and have innovative temperature monitoring features. Although, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat has a slight edge for its ease of voice command usage.
Occupancy Sensors
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat comes equipped with a built-in occupancy sensor.
This allows the device to detect whether or not you are at home.
If the Ecobee detects that you are out, it will set your temperatures to maximize energy efficiency.
When installing the thermostat, it is best to place the device in a high-traffic area so that the system does not erroneously believe that you are away.
If you wish to install additional occupancy sensors, they can be purchased for $80 for a pack of two.
These are a good idea for larger homes that prefer to utilize zone heating or simply have areas that do not get passed through, even when residents are home.
The Ecobee Lite does not come with a built-in occupancy sensor.
However, it is compatible with occupancy sensors, so you can purchase them separately and have them programmed with your Ecobee Lite.
The Ecobee Lite does have a vacation mode, which allows you to tell the thermostat, either directly or through the app, that you are away from the house and allow it to take over temperature controls.
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat wins here, as the built-in occupancy sensor is a major calling card of a smart thermostat.
Appearance
Both the Ecobee and Ecobee Lite have a sleek, black design that meshes well with a wide range of home interiors.
In addition, both have convenient touch screens for point of installation use and feature a motion-activated light for nighttime use.
The Ecobee is the slightly larger product, measuring 4.29 x 4.29 x 1 inches, while the Ecobee Lite checks in at 4.05 x 4.05 x 1.
Whichever model you choose will provide a modern, unobtrusive addition for the temperature control in your home.
Price
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat is available on most outlets for $249, while the Ecobee Lite is roughly $80 less expensive at $169.
However, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat comes with the option for Ecobee haven, an advanced home security system that can be purchased for a $5 per month subscription.
You can add additional smart sensors to both systems for $80 for a two-pack.
Simply for its lower overall price, the Ecobee Lite has the advantage here.
Other Notable Features
Both systems have a 7-day scheduling function that allows users to track heating and air conditioning use for an entire week.
They also provide an energy audit each month, which allows homeowners to assess energy consumption and even gives them the ability to compare their energy usage with other users in the area.
Pros and Cons of the Ecobee vs. Ecobee Lite
Now that the critical features of each of these popular smart thermostats have been described, it is time to summarize the pros and assess the cons of each device to further analyze which product is best for your smart home.
As the same parent company manufactures both products, some of the pros will be the same for both products, while the cons may have some crossover as well.
However, the main point of differentiation is the built-in features of the Ecobee and the lower price tag for the Ecobee Lite.
Pros of the Ecobee Smart Thermostat
The multitude of features offered by the Ecobee Smart Thermostat makes it an ideal option for those wanting the latest, most advanced features in smart thermostats.
The following gives a concise look at all of the benefits that the Ecobee has to offer:
- Built-in voice commands with Alexa or Siri
- Built-in occupancy sensor that keeps the home at the perfect temperature when the system detects that you are away
- Innovative Time of Use feature allows you to heat and cool your home at times when energy is less expensive, without impacting the comfort of the home
- Ability to control your home’s temperature from anywhere using the Ecobee app
- Seamless integration with your smart home ecosystem
- A hub for Ecobee haven, a home monitoring system that connects and enhances Ecobee devices
- Ability to pair with a Bluetooth speaker for music streaming
- Sleek, black design that provides a classy aspect to your home’s interior
- A 3-year limited warranty
Cons of the Ecobee Smart Thermostat
Despite the prevalence of attractive smart features, some users have reported some frustrations with the Ecobee Smart Thermostat.
The following breakdown looks at some of the cons associated with Ecobee’s flagship product:
Increased Energy Consumption
Smart thermostats should theoretically significantly reduce energy bills, as they provide elite control over the temperature when you are away from your home.
However, some users have reported that energy consumption has actually increased after installing the Ecobee Smart Thermostat.
This is most likely caused by a software glitch that keeps the fan running at all times.
Even when the temperature is set at the perfect level, the Ecobee keeps the fan running without putting out any heat or air. This persistent fan use has led to elevated energy bills in some households.
No Spanish Language Settings
The Ecobee does not come with built-in Spanish language features, which significantly limits its appeal in an increasingly multicultural economy.
In addition, some clients in Mexico have reported a multitude of issues, including obtaining the Ecobee, receiving customer service, and getting the thermostat to sync with local Wi-Fi.
Unexpected Modifications
When Ecobee releases software updates, some users have reported having their system settings changed without their knowledge.
This has caused unexpected temperatures and inconsistent energy usage.
Erroneous Vacant Detection
The occupancy sensor has been known to erroneously detect that the home is vacant.
This has caused some homes to get sweltering hot when sitting still for long periods.
Therefore, it is essential to put the thermostat near a high-traffic area, such as the main bathroom or kitchen, to know when people are present.
App Logout
Some users report frustration with being unexpectedly logged out of the Ecobee app.
This makes it inconvenient to have to retype a username and password when controlling the temperature remotely.
Pros of the Ecobee Lite
While the Ecobee Lite may not have as many features as the Ecobee Smart Thermostat, it still has a host of key benefits that make it an attractive option for those interested in the smart home lifestyle.
The following breakdown summarizes the key pros of the Ecobee Lite:
- Temperature controls from your smartphone by using the Ecobee app
- Integration with your preferred smart home ecosystem
- Energy Star certified
- Can reportedly save 23% on energy costs compared to homes that stay set at 72° F
- Compatible with smart sensors for occupancy detection
- Automatic illumination when it detects motion
- Sleek, black design provides a classy aspect to your home’s interior
- Intuitive touch screen for point of installation control
- A 3-year limited warranty
Cons of the Ecobee Lite
In addition to not having the built-in voice controls or occupancy sensors like the Ecobee Smart Thermostat, there have been some other reported downsides to using the Ecobee Lite, including:
- Inconsistent customer support – some users have not been able to sync the Ecobee Lite to their smart home ecosystem, and the customer support received has not been particularly valuable in helping them remedy the problem.
- Adapter issues – the Ecobee Lite comes with an adapter that makes it compatible with homes that are wired using only four wires (the Ecobee Lite comes with five wires). However, as the weather gets colder, some homes using the adapter reported seeing a decrease in functionality of the device.
- Difficulty turning off eco+ – eco+ is a feature that helps the Ecobee Lite with its smart temperature controls. However, users who want greater manual control of their temperature settings have experienced some difficulty in turning off eco+.
- Reconnection trouble following outages – some households have noticed that, in the event of an electricity or Internet outage, that they experience limited connectivity with their Ecobee Lite. This makes for difficulty in controlling temperature settings remotely when the system needs a hard reset.
Why Buy the Ecobee Smart Thermostat?
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat is the best purchase for those homeowners who want the latest and greatest smart home experience and are willing to pay a little extra to get it.
With built-in voice controls and occupancy sensor technology, it truly is a “smart” thermostat and makes the old process of manually setting the temperature obsolete.
It is also an excellent choice for the tech junkie who has various smart home features present across a variety of platforms.
While it is desirable to have one consistent smart home ecosystem through which all smart devices are connected, there is just so much out there today that it can be challenging to keep everything under one platform.
As a result, the built-in features of the Ecobee can allow you to install the thermostat and enjoy its benefits without stressing over compatibility.
Finally, those looking to upgrade their smart home experience by subscribing to Ecobee haven will want the Ecobee Smart Thermostat as their hub for this service.
This home protection feature provides smoke detection and alarms, allowing you to come and go freely without having to memorize passcodes or worry about setting off false alarms.
Why Buy the Ecobee Lite?
The Ecobee Lite is the better choice for those on a budget.
Priced at $169, it is roughly $80 less than the more advanced Ecobee Smart Thermostat.
However, despite the lower price, it offers all of the same benefits as the flagship Ecobee, minus the built-in voice controls and occupancy sensors.
As a result, the Ecobee Lite is an excellent choice for those looking to get their feet wet in building a smart home infrastructure.
If you do not currently have a high degree of existing home automation, it should be relatively simple to sync the Ecobee Lite with your current system, whether it be Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
In addition, while the Ecobee Lite does not have the same built-in features as the standard Ecobee, it is compatible with these features, creating the option to add them at a later date.
This makes for a strong choice for equivocal buyers who want a smart thermostat but are unsure about all of the bells and whistles, allowing them to start on a smaller scale and add features as they get more comfortable with the device.
Ecobee vs Ecobee Lite: The Final Rundown
Ecobee is a Canadian home automation company that has made its name in the realm of smart thermostats.
To this effect, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat and the Ecobee Lite are two of its most popular products.
While both are strong choices for the home automation enthusiast, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat is best for those wanting the latest is voice control and motion sensors, while the Ecobee Lite is better for those on a budget looking to start small and add features later.