Amazon’s foray into smart home devices has seen the rise of products like the Echo Show and Ring Video Doorbell. More recently, however, the online shopping giant has ventured into home comfort solutions, too. The Amazon Smart Thermostat is an affordable thermostat that’s making its presence felt in the market. Compared to the more advanced Ecobee SmartThermostat, it lacks a room sensor and several integrations; but it’s also 75% cheaper. Given their difference in price and features, which thermostat should you get?
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Amazon Smart Thermostat vs Ecobee Comparison Chart
| Model | Amazon Smart Thermostat | Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control |
 |  | |
| Price | Check at Amazon | Check at Amazon |
| Display | Color LED screen | 3.5 in. full-color display |
| Installation | C wire | C wire |
| Sensors | Temperature, humidity | Temperature, humidity, proximity, occupancy |
| Support for HVAC Accessories | Yes | Yes |
| Amazon Alexa Compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Google Assistant Compatible | No | Yes |
| Apple HomeKit Compatible | No | Yes |
| Built-in Alexa Voice Assistant | No | Yes |
| Spotify and Bluetooth Streaming | No | Yes |
| Remote Room Sensors | No | Yes |
| ENERGY STAR® certified | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 3.56 x 3.56 x 0.84 in | 4 x 4 x 0.8 in. |
| Warranty | Limited one-year warranty | Limited three-year warranty |
Design and Hardware
Although the Amazon Smart Thermostat and Ecobee have attractive designs, the latter has the edge when it comes to hardware.
The Amazon Smart Thermostat and Ecobee are both sleek-looking devices. Amazon’s thermostat is square-shaped with rounded corners that give it a seamless look. On its front, you’ll find a color LED screen that displays information. Below its screen are three touch-capacitive buttons — up, down, and power.
In contrast, the Ecobee brandishes a squircle form. It comes in a two-tone color design—a glossy black for the front and white for the back. The Ecobee’s 3.5-inch color display, on the other hand, is touchscreen-enabled and comes protected by a glass screen. Thanks to a built-in proximity sensor, the display automatically changes from Standby to Active when a user approaches it.
Compared to the Amazon Smart Thermostat, the Ecobee displays more information simultaneously. If you’re looking for a simple interface, Amazon’s thermostat is for you. However, under the hood, Ecobee’s smart thermostat is meatier. It’s powered by a quad-core processor with 4GB of flash memory. It also supports dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity.
Installation and Set Up
Both the Amazon Smart Thermostat and Ecobee are easy to install.
Amazon and Ecobee’s respective smart thermostats are C-wire-based but can be installed DIY. Along with the actual thermostat, Ecobee’s package includes a Smart Sensor, too. Based on user reviews, however, the Amazon Smart Thermostat installation takes 10 to 15 minutes. On the other hand, installing the Ecobee should take about 45 minutes to set up and configure.
When choosing an Amazon Smart Thermostat, you can purchase a standalone unit or a bundle with a C-wire adapter. In contrast, Ecobee already includes an extender kit if your home is without a C-wire. Along with the adapters, both the Amazon and Ecoboee thermostats come with installation guides, tools, and kits. Their respective apps also provide a step-by-step guide.
If you’re having trouble setting up these thermostats, Amazon and Ecobee assure homeowners that customer service is just a phone call away. Ecobee shares that users can also hire local professionals to install its smart thermostat. Both the Amazon Smart Thermostat and Ecobee are compatible with 24V HVAC systems.
Features
While both devices can manage your home’s heating and cooling, the Ecobee comes with more advanced features.
Smart thermostats help efficiently manage your heating and cooling system. On both counts, the Amazon Smart Thermostat and Ecobee succeed. Like most thermostats, the two can be controlled via voice, app, or geolocation to set schedules and temperature preferences. If you’re using the app, you can also check humidity levels, get energy savings reports, and remotely control the devices.
Of course, tasks can be carried out automatically, too. For instance, Amazon’s thermostat comes with Thermostat Hunches. As its name implies, it’s basically Alexa making hunches based on residents’ activities. Based on your phone’s location, Alexa may have a hunch where you are — at home or outside — and automatically adjust temperature settings.
A similar technology called geofencing is available on the Ecobee. However, since it comes with proximity and occupancy sensors, the Ecobee thermostat can do it more accurately. For larger homes, these companion Smart Sensors ensure temperature regulation is uniform throughout. It can also detect if a window or door is left open so the thermostat can pause cooling or heating.
Ecobee adds a couple of other features, too. With this thermostat, you can regulate indoor humidity. Users can also maximize cooling and heating from your HVAC through Fan Dissipation. Here, the Ecobee will automatically run your fans after a cycle.
Compatibility and Integrations
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat has more integrations than the Amazon Smart Thermostat.
The advantage of getting the Amazon Smart Thermostat is its seamless integration with Alexa and other Amazon-branded devices. However, the thermostat itself doesn’t come with a built-in speaker. If you want voice controls, you’ll need an Alexa-enabled device like the Echo Show. Amazon’s thermostat doesn’t work with Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant either.
In contrast, the Ecobee comes with a built-in Alexa speaker. You can manage the Ecobee through integrations with Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit, too, although a compatible speaker is needed. And since it has a built-in speaker, the Ecobee can play music and podcasts courtesy of Spotify Connect and Amazon Music.
Verdict
The Ecobee is the most feature-packed smart thermostat to get, but the Amazon Smart Thermostat is a compelling, budget alternative.
Given its price, the Amazon Smart Thermostat is a solid purchase. It has an attractive design, is easy to install, and seamlessly integrates with Amazon’s smart home ecosystem, too. The smart thermostat does an excellent job of managing HVAC systems as well. While it misses out on proximity sensors, its own Thermostat Hunches is more often than not reliable.
However, if you want better remote control, then Ecobee is the top choice. The device comes with Smart Sensors that can tell more accurately where you are in the house — or if you’re outside of it, too. Compared to Amazon’s smart thermostat, Ecobee boasts more voice integrations as well. It comes with a built-in Alexa speaker but works with Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant, too.
FAQs
The Amazon Smart Thermostat is a budget thermostat with an attractive design and capable features. However, unlike the Ecobee, it doesn’t come with a built-in Alexa speaker and lacks remote room sensors.
No, it isn’t. The Amazon Smart Thermostat doesn’t come with a built-in speaker or microphone. To use voice controls, you’ll need Alexa-enabled devices like the Echo Show or Echo Dot.
Ecobee’s SmartThermostat is only available in one finish — a black front panel and white backplate.
Amazon’s Smart Thermostat works with other Amazon-branded devices. It also seamlessly integrates with the Alexa app and Alexa features.