After running my old programmable thermostat for six years, I decided to see whether spending $250 on the Ecobee SmartThermostat Premium would actually pay off. Short answer: the energy savings alone covered the cost within 14 months — and that’s before counting the convenience factor.
The Ecobee SmartThermostat Premium sits at the top of Ecobee’s lineup, and it packs genuinely useful features: a built-in Alexa speaker, a room sensor in the box, a premium glass touchscreen, and compatibility with virtually every HVAC system on the market. This review digs into what makes it stand out — and where it falls short against the Nest Learning Thermostat and Honeywell T9.
Who This Review Is For
If you’re upgrading from a basic programmable thermostat, have a multi-room home where temperatures vary, or want to cut your heating and cooling bill without sacrificing comfort, the Ecobee Premium is worth your attention. It’s also a strong pick if you’re already in the Amazon/Alexa ecosystem.
Unboxing & First Impressions
The box includes the thermostat, one SmartSensor, a power extender kit (for systems without a C-wire), and all mounting hardware. Setup took me 28 minutes — most of that was labeling the old wires and downloading the app. The guided in-app installation is genuinely one of the easiest I’ve encountered.
The 3.9-inch glass touchscreen is bright and responsive. It doesn’t look like a utility device; it looks like a premium gadget. The display shows current temperature, set point, humidity, and outdoor conditions at a glance.
Key Features
1. Built-in Alexa
This isn’t a gimmick. The Ecobee Premium has a far-field microphone array that works reliably from across the room. You can ask it to adjust temperature, set timers, check the weather, or control other smart home devices — all without reaching for your phone. For households that use Alexa heavily, this eliminates one device from the wall.
2. SmartSensor Included
Room sensors are what truly separate Ecobee from most competitors. The included SmartSensor detects occupancy and temperature in a second room, letting Ecobee’s “Follow Me” algorithm prioritize comfort where people actually are — not just near the thermostat. In a two-story home, this matters enormously.
3. Energy Savings — Real Numbers
Ecobee claims up to 26% savings on heating and cooling. My experience: about 18% reduction compared to my old schedule-based thermostat, based on utility bill comparisons across identical seasons. The “Home/Away” detection and geofencing help, but the SmartSensor’s occupancy data makes the biggest difference.
4. Compatibility
Works with 97% of HVAC systems: single and multi-stage heat pumps, gas/oil/electric furnaces, air conditioners, boilers, and even radiant systems. The C-wire Power Extender Kit handles the 5–10% of homes that lack a common wire — no electrician required.
5. App & Integrations
The Ecobee app is polished and shows detailed energy reports. Native integrations include Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, SmartThings, and IFTTT. For Apple HomeKit users specifically, Ecobee’s support is the best in class — it exposes both the thermostat and sensors as HomeKit accessories.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| SmartSensor included (saves $39) | Higher upfront cost than basic smart thermostats |
| Built-in Alexa speaker is genuinely useful | Alexa can’t be fully disabled (only muted) |
| Apple HomeKit support (rare in this class) | App interface slightly cluttered |
| Real energy savings — utility rebates available | No built-in humidity control (just monitoring) |
| Easy DIY installation with C-wire adapter | Display dims but doesn’t fully turn off |
Ecobee vs Nest Learning vs Honeywell T9
| Feature | Ecobee Premium | Nest Learning | Honeywell T9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$250 | ~$280 | ~$150 |
| Room Sensor Included | Yes (1) | No (+$39) | No (+$39) |
| Built-in Alexa | Yes | No | No |
| Apple HomeKit | Yes | No | No |
| Auto-Learning Schedule | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| Energy Reports | Detailed | Good | Basic |
| C-Wire Adapter Included | Yes | No | No |
Installation Walkthrough
The process is straightforward for most homes:
- Turn off your HVAC system at the breaker.
- Remove your old thermostat and photograph the wiring.
- Use the Ecobee app’s wire labeling guide to identify each wire.
- If you lack a C-wire, install the Power Extender Kit at your furnace (10 minutes, no electrician needed).
- Attach the mounting plate, connect the labeled wires, and snap on the thermostat.
- Power up and follow the in-app guided setup (Wi-Fi, location, HVAC type).
Most DIYers with zero HVAC experience complete this in under 45 minutes.
Energy Savings: What to Realistically Expect
Utility rebates from energy providers can offset $50–$100 of the purchase price — check Ecobee’s rebate finder. The combination of smart scheduling, occupancy sensing, and “Eco+” mode (which slightly adjusts temperature during demand events) delivers genuine savings. In homes with extreme temperature variation between rooms, the SmartSensor ROI is particularly fast.
Check the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium price on Amazon
ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium on Amazon
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Who Should Buy the Ecobee Premium?
- Multi-room homes where temperatures vary floor to floor
- Apple HomeKit users who want native integration
- Alexa households looking to consolidate devices
- Energy-conscious homeowners who want detailed usage data
If you have a small apartment or already own a Nest, the upgrade math is less compelling. But for anyone starting fresh in a mid-size or larger home, the Ecobee Premium is the most complete smart thermostat package available right now.
Get the Ecobee SmartThermostat Premium
Verdict
The Ecobee SmartThermostat Premium earns its price tag. The combination of an included SmartSensor, built-in Alexa, Apple HomeKit support, and one of the cleanest energy-savings implementations on the market makes it the top pick for most homeowners. Nest has the brand recognition, but Ecobee has the better feature set at a comparable price — especially once you factor in the bundled sensor.
Rating: 4.7/5
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Before You Buy the Ecobee SmartThermostat Premium
The Ecobee Premium makes the most sense when you want more than a basic schedule. Its strongest advantage is room-level control: the included SmartSensor can keep the occupied room comfortable instead of only reacting to the hallway or main thermostat location. That matters in homes where bedrooms run warmer, offices get afternoon sun, or one floor never feels like the rest of the house.
The main thing to check before buying is wiring. Many smart thermostats need a stable power source, and older HVAC systems can complicate installation. If your current thermostat has no C-wire, confirm the included adapter works with your setup before assuming this will be a 20-minute swap. Also think about whether you will actually use the extra features. If you only want simple temperature scheduling, a cheaper thermostat may be enough.
Best For / Skip If
- Best for: homes with uneven room temperatures, smart-home routines, and owners who want room sensors.
- Skip if: you rent, cannot access furnace wiring, or only need basic programmable scheduling.
- Check first: C-wire availability, HVAC compatibility, and where the sensor will be placed.