A thermostat is used to sense the temperature of physical objects or systems and is designed to take active control to maintain supposed temperature. In 2007 began the development of smart thermostat which is to be used for home temperature control with many automation features.
The battle of thermostat supremacy is still dominated by Nest and Ecobee. Both leading brands have driven innovation in thermostat technology to an even higher level. In 2017 Nest launched Nest E, the fourth generation of Nest thermostat. In the next two years, Ecobee followed with its Ecobee Smart Thermostat. Both appeals to the market with more advanced features compared to their predecessors.
Which is better, though? This article, suggested by Your Smart Home Guide can show you the benefit comparison of both smart thermostats in their versions.
Scheduling Feature
Isn’t it nice if you come back after one tiring day and when you open the door of your house, you find the room with just the temperature you desire without having to set it up? Nest promises you that. Since its third-generation launched in 2015, Nest has been developing its thermostat ability to recognize your schedule. In the latest version, Nest E, it uses AI and machine learning to do pattern detection of your household’s activities: what time the house is usually empty, what time you usually want to warm up the room temperature, what time you like to turn down the heat. It takes about several weeks to analyze your pattern into an automatic schedule, but after that, you don’t even have to lift a finger.
While Nest actively learns your pattern, you need more effort with Ecobee. You need to input the temperature you prefer along with the time you want it to be in the initial setup. Once you’re done, Ecobee will use its location detection and integrated sensors with your smartphone to adjust the temperature.
Motion Sensor
Ecobee might not be able to recognize your pattern into an automatic schedule, but it overcomes it with its motion sensors. Ecobee is dependable to determine if you are at home or not. It even has room sensors that can be set to adjust each room’s temperature differently. When you set a room sensor in several rooms, you can activate the feature called “Follow Me”. Ecobee will detect which room you are using and adjust the temperature accordingly.
In Nest’s case, it will activate Eco Mode if it doesn’t detect any motion for a while. Eco Mode will save energy usage. Just like Ecobee, Nest also provides additional temperature sensors to be set up in different rooms. But apparently, it only has control over the room’s temperature, not detecting occupancy.
Apps Integration
Google’s Nest has already created several smart home devices alongside with its smart thermostat. Some of them using similar sensors like the thermostat are Nest Cameras, Nest Alarms, and Nest Smoke Detectors. If you installed those Nest devices in your house, you can use the Nest Home/Away Assist app to help you control the house. Those devices will report back to the thermostat to figure out if you are at home or not. And if not, the app will give you a notification so you can take control over the situation through your phone.
Ecobee doesn’t require you to use other Ecobee devices. Ecobee thermostat has Amazon’s Alexa built into its device. In the latest version, Ecobee Smart Thermostat, it’s even provided with a voice detector. It also works well with other smart home applications like HomeKit, Google Assistant, Wink, Harmony, and Vera.
Design and Appearance
Nest’s elegant design with its simple ring control comes out to be very iconic. Another smart thermostat product follows its guidance to appeal to the market. Nest appears with the smallest size yet it has the most weight among thermostats. Nobody can deny it’s the body that is beautifully well designed. Even the screwdriver looks good on the wall. Nest E offers you seven colors to choose from: black, stainless steel, copper, mirror black, polished steel, brass, and white. Its screen can be customized, but it doesn’t use a touch screen. Instead, Nest uses ring control which turns out to be its iconic feature.
It doesn’t feel as beautiful as Nest’s, but Ecobee’s body still looks fantastic. The difference might be in the Ecobee’s use of plastic as the base of its unit. This makes Ecobee is relatively cheaper than Nest, though.
Conclusion
The nest is winning in the setup and installation because you only need to input your preferences once and let Nest does the rest. But in the matter of compatibility, you will want to choose Ecobee. You might already have other smart home devices. Ecobee’s great integration with smart home platforms will make your life easier since you will only need one or two apps installed on your smartphone. Aside from their differences in additional features, both Nest E and Ecobee Smart Thermostat offer plenty of user experiences. Their high-end sensor devices have given us the chance to look at the technology-based future start form our own home.
