Ecobee3 Lite vs. Ecobee5: Which is Better?

After a long journey of testing and comparing four Ecobee thermostat models, I can confidently say that the latest SmartThermostat (Ecobee5) is the best choice – featuring an Alexa-integrated speaker as well as a unique Smart Sensor. However, if you don’t need to have Alexia on board, then opting for Ecobee3 Lite will be much more cost-effective!

Let’s get into it: we’ll take each model in comparison from smarts to software design compatibility, so you know which one suits your needs better. We’ll even break down all their standout features and differences between them – leaving no stone unturned!

Similarities

Ecobee takes the personalization process to a new level by offering several ways to customize your home’s temperature schedule. Not only is it easy and convenient, but it also improves energy efficiency!

Through its occupancy sensors, geofencing capabilities using your phone’s location data, and up to 32 SmartSensors distributed throughout your house – Ecobee provides an incredibly detailed profile of when occupants are in or out so that temperatures can be regulated accordingly.

Ecobee’s Smart Away mode ensures your home stays comfortable even when you’re away by monitoring occupancy. For added convenience, Follow Me combines the temperatures from all rooms being used to maintain a more balanced climate – perfect for bigger homes with temperature irregularities!

With this nifty feature activated, I can relax knowing my office is kept at an optimal level while working and that my bedroom won’t heat up unnecessarily due to its distance from the thermostat in the living room.

Ecobee seamlessly blends convenience and comfort with a wide range of user-friendly features. You can keep it simple or get deep into the world of automation – geofencing, Follow Me mode, Smart Away settings and more are all customizable to fit your exact needs!

And that’s not even mentioning its incredible capabilities on display in ‘Smart Recovery’. By analyzing previous system use along with outside temperatures, Ecobee knows when best to start cooling so you arrive home at the perfect temperature every time!

Software

Ecobee is taking smart home technology to the next level! With its extensive compatibility for iOS and Android, as well as all major smart platforms like HomeKit, Alexa, Google SmartThings or IFTTT – you’ll have remote access to your thermostat from anywhere with an internet connection.

Plus, you can easily control it via Siri right in Apple’s Home App, thanks to Ecobees’ superior Home Kit integration compared with Nest. Things just got a little bit smarter!

Ecobee is an online portal that provides helpful insights into usage patterns and allows you to customize your temperature swing from 0.5-3 degrees, potentially saving money without sacrificing comfort levels!

You can also utilize their convenient Vacation Mode, which ensures everything runs as smoothly as if you were still at home when returning back after a breakaway – although the occasional server hiccups mean manual access via the app won’t always be possible.

Setup

Ecobee is one of the most reliable smart thermostats on the market, with 95% compatibility for HVAC systems. Setup and installation can be done in no time, providing your home have all necessary wiring installed from an old thermostat – which allows Ecobee to access a constant power source (the c-wire).

If not present, the setup could get tricky since other leading brands like Nest or Sensi come equipped with internal backup batteries allowing them to bypass this requirement. With several years of refining their process, you can ensure that upgrading your house’s climate control apparatus will go without any hitches!

If you’re looking for total control of your thermostat, but don’t have the required c-wire, fear not! Ecobee’s power-extender kit has got you covered. It takes only 20 minutes to install – though it may seem daunting with wires and tinkering inside your HVAC system – but you’ll get it installed sooner than expected.

Design

The Nest Learning Thermostat is my top pick for an aesthetically pleasing smart thermostat, but Ecobee isn’t far behind with its sleek 3.5” touchscreen display – a modern upgrade to traditional models. Best of all? Its user-friendly interface mirrors the phone app’s and puts convenient climate control right at your fingertips.

Ecobee 3

Ecobee3 provides an incredible blend of convenience and cost-effectiveness! With its efficient temperature-sensing technology, you’ll be able to accurately monitor two separate rooms without breaking the bank. As one of Ecobee’s earliest offerings, this innovative thermostat continues to provide top-of-the-line results for a surprisingly affordable price tag – now at just $170 apiece!

Ecobee3 Lite

The Ecobee3 Lite is like its predecessor, with a few key distinctions – it doesn’t include an extra room sensor right away, but you can buy SmartSensors to add in at any time. It does have a temperature detector built-in, though!

Unfortunately, this means that one of the most useful features – “Smart Away,” which automatically puts your Ecobee into ‘away’ mode when sensors detect nobody’s home – isn’t available on Ecobee3 Lite.

Keep your HVAC system running efficiently and save money even when you’re away with Ecobee3 Lite! This budget-friendly thermostat goes into Away mode automatically through geofencing that tracks your phone’s location or can be manually controlled from anywhere when paired with SmartSensors.

Not only will it help maintain consistent temperatures while conserving energy, but its modern design is a great upgrade to traditional home thermostats too.

Ecobee 4

Ecobee4 brings Alexa integration to the already impressive Ecobee3, allowing you to track and regulate two rooms with additional room sensors. Unfortunately, it can be more of a hassle than help; mics don’t pick up well, so yelling for “Alexa” is necessary, and certain features are missing from its version of Alexa (such as calling or Spotify Connect).

The speaker also sounds terrible, making conversations near your thermostat difficult – not ideal if it’s in an oft-used location like central areas within speaking distance! For these reasons alone, we’d recommend disabling Alexa on Ecobee4 whenever possible – but at least there’s hope yet when found under $200!

Ecobee SmartThermostat

The Ecobee SmartThermostat is the fifth generation of thermostats, boasting substantial improvements from its predecessor. With upgraded features such as digital mics for enhanced Alexa listening capabilities and a speaker with better clarity and volume than that of an Echo Dot – this product has something to offer anyone looking to make their space smarter. It’s no wonder why despite not loving its name, one can still ‘love’ what it offers!

Ecobee has raised the bar with their new SmartSensors and SmartThermostat, providing customers with a top-notch product experience. The sleek design features an upgraded screen of glass instead of plastic for added durability, giving Ecobee4 a run for its money – even rivaling Nest in terms of quality!

While it’s undoubtedly one of the best thermostats available on today’s market, you’ll get more bang for your buck if Alexa integration is important to you.

Which is Best for You?

Ecobee SmartThermostat

Get the Ecobee SmartThermostat for a smarter home experience. With its advanced built-in Alexa and innovative SmartSensor technology, this top-of-the-line thermostat is perfect for households with HVAC accessories like humidifiers or dehumidifiers.

By detecting when you’re away from home, it knows just when to keep your house at an optimal temperature – making it a great value and ideal choice!

Ecobee3 Lite

Whether you have HVAC accessories or not, the Ecobee3 Lite is a great choice if voice assistant technologies are of no concern. It provides awesome features like Automatic Away Mode and occupancy detection- just purchase two SmartSensors ($40 each) to unlock these abilities! This bundle, for $239, is an affordable way to upgrade your home with modern convenience technology.