Ecobee SmartThermostat vs. Nest Learning Thermostat Review

In the smart thermostat world, the top two contenders are usually Ecobee and Nest.

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 a ton more automation than Nest, while Nest is more responsive.

Read on to learn more about why we usually recommend Ecobee over Nest.

Nest Learning Thermostat features

With Ecobee, you have to jury-rig geofencing for multiple people. But with Nest, you can add up to 10 geofencing users directly to your Nest account.

Nest will track each of those 10 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.

You can buy separate remote sensors for your Nest thermostat for around $40*. 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 of the room where the thermostat’s installed. You have to rely on geofencing.

Like with Ecobee, the Nest remote sensors don’t sense humidity.

There isn’t much to differentiate these two products pricewise. Both of them have similar list prices, they don’t require subscription services, and their sensors come in at about $40 apiece.*

The only major difference is that with Ecobee, the price includes one remote smart sensor. With Nest, you have to pay extra to get a thermostat-and-sensor bundle.

That cost for both is way higher than a traditional thermostat. It’s even a little up there for a smart thermostat, but since these are the best on the market, the higher cost makes sense.

Both thermostats require apps. Ecobee is also compatible with all major smart home hubs and has a built-in smart assistant.

Ecobee has a ton of smart home compatibility. There’s even an Alexa speaker built right into the thermostat, so you don’t have to buy a separate Echo for voice control.

The Ecobee app works on both Android and Apple phones. And you can use it in your house and from far away. If you’re not at home but need to adjust the temperature for whatever reason, you’re golden.

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:

• Amazon Echo (Alexa)
• Google Home (Google Assistant)
• Google Nest Hub (Google Assistant)
• Apple HomeKit (Siri)
• Samsung SmartThings
• IFTTT

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.

The Nest Learning Thermostat connects with Google Assistant, Amazon’s Alexa, and IFTTT. These options work with a lot of smart home setups—but not all of them.

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.

Ecobee’s thermostat requires a C-wire. If you don’t have one, though, you can get a special power extender kit.

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.

It’s a close one, but overall we think the Ecobee is a better choice for the following reasons:

• The thermostat comes with a remote sensor.
• The remote sensors check for occupancy.
• The thermostat comes with a built-in smart speaker.
• Ecobee is compatible with more smart home assistants and protocols.

However, if you love Google or Nest products, or if you really want the learning functions or the multiple-user geofencing, the Nest Learning Thermostat is a better choice for you.

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.

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