Ecobee Unveils HomeKit-Enabled Smart Thermostat Essential for $130 - MacRumors
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Ecobee Unveils HomeKit-Enabled Smart Thermostat Essential for $130

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Smart home accessory maker Ecobee has announced the Smart Thermostat Essential, a more affordable alternative to the Smart Thermostat Premium and Enhanced models in its lineup.

ecobee smart thermostat essential
Priced at $129.99, the Smart Thermostat Essential includes a full-colour touchscreen, and features Ecobee's standard scheduling and comfort settings that adapt to household routines, optimizing energy use when nobody's home. With the device, Ecobee claims customers can save up to 23% on annual heating and cooling costs, covering the cost of the device in just six months.

The unit integrates with the Ecobee mobile app to allow remote control of heating and cooling. Users can receive automatic alerts when potential issues are detected, as well as Home Energy Reports that provide insights into energy use. The thermostat can also be paired with optional Ecobee SmartSensors to further optimize household comfort in the rooms that are used most.

The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential is compatible with most major smart home ecosystems, including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant, and will be available from major retailers and at ecobee.com from March 2025.

Tags: CES 2025, Ecobee

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Top Rated Comments

powaking Avatar
powaking
17 months ago
Here's a link if you want to know the differences between the 3 in their lineup. https://www.ecobee.com/en-us/smart-thermostat-essential-ces/
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T
Tagbert
17 months ago

I unfortunately bought one of these. It’s crap. The software is ridiculously complicated and unintuitive. And now it just “checks out” periodically and doesn’t regulate my system’s functions until I disconnect and reboot it. And even then it’s a crapshoot as to whether it’ll comeback. I hate it.
I've had an Ecobee Smart thermostat for about 3 years and it has been easy to use and rock solid. Perhaps something is wrong with your unit?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
turbineseaplane
17 months ago

I will check them out, thanks! I don't really care about any extra bells and whistles. As long as I can set a schedule with whatever degree temps I want, I'm good. :)
I honestly interact with mine fully with Apple Home now that it's set up -- it's really outstanding

I'm perhaps a little biased by the value, as I got it for "new open box" for $50 (not the $170+ it retails for)

It's been as low as $150 on Amazon it looks like, but I'd check your local area. Thermostats are always something being sold for mega discounts by folks who change their mind, or didn't realize it won't work for them (no C-Wire, etc) or missed a return window...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
turbineseaplane
17 months ago

Which brand do you recommend?
Ecobee is outstanding
You'd think it's an Apple product (in a good way)

Which ecobee depends upon what of their features you want/need (extra sensors, etc)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
L
leonmckee
17 months ago
Installed a Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium in a rental that had a dumb thermostat with electric strip based forced air heat. Big bills! The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium has paid for itself many times over. Also increased comfort. Impressive product.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Z
zsrh
17 months ago

Does it support Thread so it can operate without being directly on a Wi-Fi network?
Based on what their support team told me, they are working on this. Unfortunately, they could not give me an ETA for when it would be available. Hopefully soon.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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