Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Review: Best Feature-Packed Option?
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium packs in everything: room sensors, built-in Alexa, air quality monitoring, and
full smart home compatibility. Is it worth the premium price?
For complete comparisons, see our guide to Best Smart Thermostats That
Save Money.
Quick Specs
| Specification | Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium |
|---|---|
| Price | $250 |
| C-Wire Required | Yes (PEK adapter included) |
| Room Sensors | 1 included |
| Smart Home | Alexa, Google, Apple HomeKit |
| Built-in Alexa | Yes (with speaker) |
| Air Quality | Yes (monitors VOCs, CO2) |
What Makes Ecobee Premium Special
Room Sensor Included
One SmartSensor comes in the box. It detects temperature AND occupancy. Place it in your bedroom and Ecobee
prioritizes that room at night.
Works with Everything
Unlike Nest (no HomeKit) or Amazon (Alexa only), Ecobee works with all major platforms: Alexa, Google Home, and Apple
HomeKit.
Built-in Alexa
The thermostat has a speaker and microphone—it’s basically an Echo Dot. Ask questions, play music, control other
smart devices.
Air Quality Monitoring
The Premium monitors indoor air quality (VOCs, CO2) and can trigger ventilation or air purifier when levels rise.
Pros
- Room sensor included
- Works with all smart platforms including HomeKit
- Up to 23% verified energy savings
- Built-in Alexa speaker
- Air quality monitoring
- C-Wire adapter included
Cons
- No auto-learning (requires manual scheduling)
- Large display may not fit all locations
- Built-in speaker is mediocre
- Ecobee privacy concerns (always-listening)
Energy Savings
Ecobee claims up to 23% savings—the highest verified savings of any smart thermostat. This comes from:
- Room sensors: Heat/cool occupied rooms only
- Smart Away: Auto-detects when you leave
- Geofencing: Adjusts before you arrive home
- Scheduling: Precise time-based control
Room Sensors Explained
The included SmartSensor:
- Reports room temperature to thermostat
- Detects if room is occupied
- Enables “Follow Me” mode (prioritizes where you are)
- Battery lasts ~2 years
Additional sensors cost $70-80 for a 2-pack.
Ecobee Premium vs Ecobee Enhanced vs Ecobee Lite
| Feature | Premium ($250) | Enhanced ($190) | Lite ($150) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room Sensor | 1 included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Built-in Alexa | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Air Quality | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Display | Zinc metal | Plastic | Plastic |
Ecobee vs Nest Learning
| Feature | Ecobee Premium | Nest Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250 | $250 |
| Room Sensor | ✅ Included | Sold separately |
| Auto-learning | ❌ | ✅ |
| HomeKit | ✅ | ❌ |
| Verified Savings | Up to 23% | 10-12% |
Who Should Buy Ecobee Premium?
- Homes with hot/cold spots or multi-room issues
- Apple HomeKit users (only premium thermostat with HomeKit)
- Those who want highest verified energy savings
- Users who prefer explicit schedules over learning
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
- Want auto-learning: Get Nest Learning
- Google Home-focused: Nest has deeper Google integration
- Budget: Get Nest E or Sensi ($130)
- Privacy-conscious: Built-in Alexa is always listening
Verdict
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is the most feature-packed smart thermostat available. Room
sensors, HomeKit support, built-in Alexa, and air quality monitoring—all in one device.
If you have multi-room temperature issues or need HomeKit, Ecobee Premium is the clear winner. For Google homes or
those who want auto-learning, Nest is better.
For complete comparisons, see: Best Smart Thermostats That Save
Money.