Both companies create solid products with remote sensors for extra reach. But in terms of features and automation, there are some tremendous differences. Ecobee has more automation than Nest, while Nest is more responsive. Read on to learn more about why we usually recommend Ecobee over Nest. The Nest Learning Thermostat has a higher cost for the thermostat itself, but otherwise, you’re looking at similar expenses. Neither of these thermostats requires subscription services, and for a similar price you can get up to three sensors with both. Either way, these thermostats cost way more than a traditional thermostat. It’s even a little up there for a smart thermostat, but since these were the best on the market when they first came out, the higher cost makes sense. As we mentioned, your Ecobee SmartThermostat comes with one remote sensor. This sensor tracks the temperature in the room where it’s placed. It then relays that info back to the thermostat for temperature adjustments. (It doesn’t track humidity, but the central thermostat does.) Your Ecobee SmartThermostat remote sensor also looks for human movement. When it detects your location, it tells the central thermostat to keep that room at the preferred temperature (as preset by you). (For more information about how motion sensors like these work, check out our motion sensor guide.) In contrast, the Nest thermostat is small and unobtrusive-looking. With its sleek look and choice of outer twist ring, a Nest Learning is a step up from past thermostats. The only real downside is that it’s almost too tiny: all the info on the Ecobee screen won’t fit comfortably on this Nest device. You can buy separate remote sensors for your Nest thermostat, too. These sensors work similarly to Ecobee’s. There’s just one problem. Nest’s remote sensors can’t sense human movement. So, unlike Ecobee, Nest won’t track occupancy outside the room where the thermostat’s installed. You have to rely on geofencing. The Ecobee SmartThermostat and the Nest Learning Thermostat are both designed to be DIY. You can theoretically use their apps for a quick, easy, and guided installation process. If you don’t want to install the product yourself, Ecobee will help you find a professional. The Nest Learning Thermostat doesn’t require a C-wire … at least that’s the company’s official stance. The thermostat is supposed to pull its power from existing wiring. In reality, many Learning Thermostat users end up having to tap into the C-wire. Again, you can do this on your own. But Nest Pro will help you connect with a Nest installer if you’d like to go the professional route. Ecobee’s smartness comes in with its meticulous data tracking. The Ecobee Home IQ reports show exactly where you’re saving energy, making it easy to see the ROI. (The Nest thermostat also produces reports, but they aren’t as thorough or helpful.) Nest also has a ton of different modes that can account and adjust for various factors. For instance, it has a feature called Sunblock that ignores direct sunlight on the thermostat when measuring the house temperature. It also has several different energy-saving settings you can use to lower your bill. With Ecobee, you have to jury-rig geofencing for multiple people. But with Nest, you can add up to ten geofencing users directly to your Nest account. Nest will track each of those ten people’s phones to know when the home is unoccupied. Then, to save you energy and money, the thermostat will temporarily raise or lower the temperature while everyone’s gone. The Ecobee app works on both Android and Apple phones. And you can use it in your house and from far away. You’re golden if you’re not at home but need to adjust the temperature for whatever reason. Some functions take place on the thermostat itself, but generally, you need to open the app or use voice control. Speaking of voice control, you can usually get it through a smart home setup. The Ecobee is compatible with the following major smart home hubs: The Nest Learning Thermostat lags behind the Ecobee in automation. It has an equally good app but low smart home compatibility. It also doesn’t have a smart speaker or smart hub built in, so you’ll need to buy one separately if you want voice control. The Nest app is also well-rated and available on both Google Play and the Apple Store. Like with the Ecobee, you’ll lean heavily on the app for most thermostat functions. And you can use it any time, anywhere. If you don’t want to keep running to your app, you can always make adjustments using a voice assistant. Unfortunately, your assistant options are much more limited with Nest than with Ecobee. Ecobee has hardly any complaints on the BBB, but its resolution rate is poor. Nest has a high BBB rating, but it has tons and tons of complaints. That makes the two hard to compare. But when we get down to the nitty gritties, Nest is a little better. Ecobee offers customer service assistance from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST during the week and 9 to 9 on weekends. It also helps you find a professional near you to install your thermostat if you’re not about that DIY life. Google Nest has 24/7 service. So if you’re burning the midnight oil when you set up your thermostat or your system has a problem in the middle of the night, you can get the help you need. Nest also offers professional installation for your thermostat.
Ecobee customer service number: 1-877-932-6233 Nest customer service number: 1-855-469-6378
It’s a close one, but overall we think the Ecobee is a better choice. However, if you love Google or Nest products or want the learning functions or the multiple-user geofencing, the Nest Learning Thermostat is a better choice for you.
Prices: Ecobee. The Ecobee costs a bit less than the Nest Learning Thermostat. Equipment: Ecobee. The Ecobee thermostat comes with a remote sensor that checks for occupancy. Features: Tie. Both brands are filled with features you won’t want to miss, but they’re very different from each other. Smart home integrations: Ecobee. Ecobee has a built-in smart speaker and is compatible with more smart home assistants and protocols. Customer service: Nest. Overall, Nest has longer customer service hours and better reviews.
If you want a more in-depth assessment, check out our review of the best smart thermostats. You can also read our overview of the Alarm.com smart thermostat.
Price Equipment Features Home automation Customer service
Whenever possible, we get our hands on the products. When that doesn’t happen, we do extensive research and check out as many customer reviews as possible, just to get a good idea of what’s going on.
