Ecobee vs. Nest Thermostats: The Ultimate Comparison Guide
The thermostat is one of the most significant parts of your home’s heating/cooling system. As small as they come, thermostats allow you to control the luxury of having your entire house’s temperature levels at the comfort of your fingertips. And so, you must choose only the best of the best.
Thermostats have become increasingly compatible and adaptable with modern-day living conditions. If it has been a while since you’ve replaced your thermostats, and you’re looking for new and efficient models to up the ante- you’re likely to find many thermostat options backed up with new features and technologies.
Wireless thermostats are all the rage now, and so are energy-efficient thermostats designed to reduce overall electricity bills.
To help you search for the best thermostat for your home, we’ve taken the top two brands in the running as of right now: Ecobee and Nest thermostats, and made a comprehensive comparison between them.
If you’re considering improving your home by installing a new thermostat, you might as well go for one update with the latest technologies, smart features, and such.
Fortunately, both Ecobee and Nest thermostats are the best in these aspects. While they may be similar in terms of their reputations as thermostats of impeccable quality, their differences make them unique and appealing to different households.
Typically, an Ecobee thermostat is bound to be more favorable to you if you enjoy customizing your thermostat data to your need- it is good at planning and executing.
With the Nest thermostat, you can be more laid-back. You don’t have to be on your tiptoes controlling each and every action it undertakes. Nest thermostats are self-serving, and they pay attention to their users so they can learn and take on your remote role.
Listed below are some of the major aspects and factors which can help you to decide which thermostats suit you best:
Display Comparison of the Ecobee vs. Nest Thermostats: Which Looks More Appealing?
How your thermostat looks and feels is a prime factor in what thermostat to use. Many owners go for a thermostat that looks appealing against their walls. Luckily, the Ecobee and Nest vary in design and appearance.
The Ecobee adopts a rectangular shape- but without sharp corners. It has rounded angles that give it a soft, appealing look. It has an easy and fun touchscreen, allowing easy operation. Also, the screen is slightly bigger than the Nests.
Unlike ecobee’s 3.5” LCD display, the Nest has a mirror glass display up to 2.4”.
Both models have a colorful and engaging look, ensuring that the digits are clear to the user.
Nest is your best bet if you prefer a soft, round, white display to complement your home. Nest thermostats are outlined with stainless steel.
Keeping looks in mind, note that the device lights up in blue and orange colors while cooling and heating. The Nest, then, is quite attention-grabbing, and if that is something you are actively seeking, it reigns superior over Ecobee.
On the other hand, if the touchscreen feature seems like something exciting to you, you should consider taking the Ecobee home.
Installation Comparison of the Ecobee vs. Nest Thermostats: Which is Easier to Install?
Installing any electric-powered device into your walls can always make for a complicated process. Thermostats must be wired up appropriately so they may work smoothly with your heating or cooling system.
Most homeowners will prefer calling a professional to take on the installation process to avoid any safety risks. Still, if you ever need to DIY it, it might be helpful to know that Nest has a compatibility checker to ensure that your wiring will work with the Nest thermostat.
Moreover, it has clear instructions on the installation process. You can find a compatibility checker for the Ecobee online too. However, its PEK kit makes Ecobee’s installation worth a second chance.
Another essential aspect that must be considered for installation is the c-wire. The c-wire is a part of the wiring system, ensuring that your device gets constant and enough power to run at its best.
The point of the c-wire is that it boosts your thermostat’s functioning by miles, ensuring that there is no shortage of inaccuracy.
The Google Nest, however, can work without a c-wire, all thanks to its battery-powered operation, so you can install it without worrying about the c-wire.
The Ecobee, meanwhile, needs a c-wire. But if your wiring system doesn’t include a c-wire, you can find alternatives in the PEK kit, making it great for both c-wire and non-c-wire installation.
Control Comparison of the Ecobee vs. Nest Thermostats: Which is Easier to Control?
The Nest and the Ecobee are pretty easy to handle in terms of control.
The Ecobee, as you probably remember, has a touchscreen. So you can essentially use your thermostat like a phone, flipping through the menu and between various settings to adjust the thermostat to your liking.
For the Nest, you will find a slider on the side of the device that can switch up the temperature. Once you change the temperature, the panel will tell you the time taken to achieve the temperature.
If you prefer controlling your thermostat from anywhere in the house, you’ll be happy to know that both models have WiFi-enabled Smartphone connections. This means that you only have to download an app, connect it to your device, and you can stay right where you are.
One of the most advanced and interesting features is Voice Control. We mentioned that both the Ecobee and the Google Nest were Smart devices—this is where that comes into play.
Both models have voice control access, meaning they will get along just as well with Virtual Assistant appliances like the Google Assistant or the Alexa. The Ecobee has an in-built Alexa speaker, so that’s an advantage if both devices are too spaced out in your home.
Features Comparison of the Ecobee vs. Nest Thermostats: Which Has Better Features?
The Nest and the Ecobee thermostats offer distinct features. By features, we’re referring to your thermostat’s ability to learn, adapt, and be customized around your lifestyle. Both models have their own ways of doing this.
If you prefer to be hands-on with your schedule setting, you’ll find the Ecobee a good choice. This has a pretty basic and easy scheduling option which you can use from the app, or the thermostat itself.
You can easily set the temperature and the corresponding time to your liking, and these settings won’t budge unless you tinker with them manually.
Google Nest, on the other hand, boasts an entirely new level of scheduling. Unlike the Ecobee, which is more set in its ways, Nest learns and evolves. It is a smart device that takes about a week to learn your schedule and habits.
When it notes changes in temperatures and timings, it uses them in the future to auto-adjust according to the collected data. Then, it records your responses to these changes and further improves reading your schedule as accurately as possible.
This means you can rely on your thermostat to function independently without much help. Many might find this useful, or some might find this invasive—which thermostat you want depends on whichever perspective you have.
Another big feature that makes a list is geofencing. This refers to the thermostat’s ability to detect whether you’re at home and whether it should turn on. Both devices do this through various means.
For one, you can connect the Nest and the Ecobee to your phone, and with the GPS on, they will be able to detect it when you come back home.
Ecobee works only with a single phone in this regard, so this may be an issue when multiple people are living there too. Of course, you can fix this issue by using other apps.
On the other hand, Nest can work with different phones through its apps. It also has motion sensors that sense if someone is in the near surroundings. This way, as long as it detects someone in the area, it will keep working even if geofencing suggests otherwise.
The Ecobee vs. Nest Thermostats Compatibility with HVAC Systems: Which is Better Compatible?
This should be one of the first things you consider- you don’t want to buy a thermostat that refuses to work with your heating/cooling systems.
The Ecobee, built for most systems, can’t work with high-volt heating or millivolt systems. It works smoothly with two heating and two cooling stages. The Nest is a tad bit more affordable for its pains.
With Google Nest, you won’t have to worry about this. The Nest thermostat is compatible with any system regardless of the heating and cooling stages.
Conclusion of the Nest vs. Ecobee Thermostats
The Ecobee and the Nest are commendable in their ways—both are smart devices with attractive displays and convenient features. This comparison should hopefully help you decide which thermostat is more worthy of adorning your walls.
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