Smart thermostats: Which is the best option between Nest and Ecobee?

Digital thermostats are very practical devices when the winter weather arrives, since they can regulate the temperature automatically, but you may be wondering what would be the best alternative. For this reason, before you select a model, you need to review what each one offers you so that you can acquire the one that best suits your needs.

What is a smart thermostat?

A smart thermostat is an electronic device with which you can control the temperature of your home environment from anywhere with a Smartphone, Tablet or computer, which will allow you to program the turning on and off of air conditioners, heaters, boilers and radiators as well don’t be at home 

In addition, due to this you and the members of the family will have absolute control of all the functions, saving from 15% to 20% in energy consumption.

Key features between the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Ecobee 4

Design

Before making any purchase, it is necessary to verify the design of the product to be purchased so that it can fit in without any problem with the decoration of the environment. 

Nest Learning Thermostat: It has a completely circular structure, which gives it a sleek and futuristic look. In addition, you can buy it in various colors; black, copper, stainless steel and white, so select the one that best suits the ornaments and tones of your walls. 

Ecobee 4: This one is semi-circular, but almost square with smooth edges. Its front color is black and the back cover as well as the base are white, so it will only match walls that are in light tones. 

Settings, compatibility and connections

If you want to buy a smart digital thermostat, we recommend that you look at the settings, configurations and compatibility with different heating systems and electronic devices.

Nest Learning Thermostat: This has a ring on the outside that you can turn manually to adjust the ambient temperature, similar to that of common thermostats. Likewise, you can also modify it using the touch screen, Smartphones, Tablets or computers. 

It is compatible with the vast majority of old and modern European heating systems, thanks to the Heat Link system. In addition to this, you can also purchase motion sensors for homes with many rooms, but you must specify what temperature you want in each room. 

Ecobee 4: You can adjust it directly from the touch screen or from your computer, tablet or Smartphone. Additionally, the additional sensors provide individual air conditioning for each of the rooms, even if there is no one there.

energy saving

Energy saving is another important feature to consider, since it would not hurt to lower the consumption of the electricity bill, while acquiring a digital thermostat with the latest technology.

Nest Learning Thermostat: The company has carried out a two-sided analysis in a small town in Spain. Where the local climate and the type of housing are taken into account. Some maintained the temperature at 20 degrees Celsius before the acquisition of this model. It was assumed that the other end lowered the temperature at night or turned off the device during weekdays, thus giving a reduction in energy consumption between 7 and 27%.

Ecobee 4: This company also conducted an analysis on users, but from a small US population. Making an average between the approximate climatic conditions at 22 degrees Celsius, heating and cooling systems, approximate price of the energy rate and the estimated hours when they are in operation, resulting in savings of up to 23% in the utility bill.. However, these savings can be even greater if households are smaller and equipment low-power settings are kept running.

market prices

This feature is important so that you can purchase a quality product at a reasonable price, being of great help to help you select the best value for money digital thermostat (You can find some purchase options here).

Nest Learning Thermostat: In Amazon.es the price of this model reaches 250 euros, as in BestBuy.com

Ecobee 4: On the other hand, this model on Amazon.es is 400 euros, but on BestBuy.com it is 250 euros, just like the Google Nest option.

virtual assistants

The virtual assistants on these two devices have a little difference in how they work, but which one has the advantage? Therefore, it is essential that the virtual assistant can understand what you say to manage with your voice without any problem.

Nest Learning Thermostat: It has compatibility with the most popular main assistants on the market such as Google Home, Microsoft’s Cortana and Amazon Alexa, but you will have to acquire the latter to meet all the requirements  

Ecobee 4: The main advantage of this model is that it incorporates the voice commands that Amazon Alexa has, which will allow you to understand the different commands, even if you do not have that device. Additionally, you can also make use of the “Ok Google” commands from Google Home and from other manufacturers such as Samsung, Logitech, Microsoft, etc.

Ecobee and Nest Labs

Ecobee is a Canadian company that is responsible for designing and developing products for commercial and residential home automation. Founded in 2007 by Stuart Lombard and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, this company’s main objective is to offer smart heating products at low energy costs.

In addition, the vast majority of the Ecobee product line is highly compatible with various virtual assistants from the most prominent companies of the moment, such as: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Microsoft Cortana, Apple HomeKit and Siri, Samsung SmartThings, Control4, Logitech Armony, among others.

On the other hand, Nest Labs is a company that was founded in 2010 by Tony Fadel and Matt Rogers, two former Apple engineers. Home automation is the backbone of this company, so all its products are designed to work both wired and wireless via Wi-Fi or the Internet. 

Its first device launched on the market was “The Nest Learning Thermostat” in 2011. Then, in 2014, Google LLC acquired Nest Labs, where they unified their products and services to provide easier and more effective control from a user account. Google. Today, the company goes by the name Google Nest.