ecobee Smart Essential Review
Solid, less advanced thermostat that's easy to use for basic climate control with a minimalist look
You can adjust the ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential right at the wall or using an app.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
By Austin Palmer ⋅ Senior Review Analyst ⋅ October 1, 2025
Contributions From: Katie Melynn
RELATED: The Best Thermostat
Our Verdict
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential brings the essential features needed in a thermostat without a high price tag or complicated settings. It is ideal for those who want plenty of hold options and updates to help optimize their energy usage. You can't customize as much as with the premium version, but there are multiple modes, and you can even set it to vacation mode if you're away. While you're limited to preset comfort settings, this is one of the easiest thermostats to use for those who want to keep things simple while maintaining the sleek look.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
ecobee Smart Essential | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Thermostat for Most |  Best Value for a Smart Thermostat | Best Programmable Thermostat | ||
| Price | $140 List Check Price at Amazon | $130 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $80 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $90 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $35 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A smart thermostat that includes enough features to give you customization without overwhelming you with options | This thermostat brings great value thanks to the quality of its features and its excellent design | This is one of the best values in smart thermostats, with a super straightforward install and great features | This thermostat is simple to install, set up, and use without complicated menus or unnecessary features | This is a simple and effective programmable thermostat at a great price |
| Rating Categories | ecobee Smart Essential | Google Nest | Amazon Smart | Sensi Lite Smart | Orbit Clear Comfort |
| Ease of Use (40%) | |||||
| DIY Installation (25%) | |||||
| Scheduling (20%) | |||||
| Smart Capabilities (10%) | |||||
| Energy Saving (5%) | |||||
| Specifications | ecobee Smart Essential | Google Nest | Amazon Smart | Sensi Lite Smart | Orbit Clear Comfort |
| Energy Star Certification | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Learning / Adaptive Controls | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Need a C wire? | Yes or Purchase Power Adapter Kit | Generally work without one | Yes or Power Adapter Kit (purchased separately) | Generally work without one | Not Required |
| Color Options | Black front, white sides and back | Snow Sand Fog Charcoal |
White | Black | White |
| Compatible Smart Home Ecosystems | Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant | Google Assistant, Matter | Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa,Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings | None |
| Measured Dimensions | 3.6" x 3.6" x 1" | 3.3" x 1.1" | 3.5" x 3.5" x 0.8" | 5.1" x 3.1" x 0.9" | 5.3" x 3.3" x 1.2" |
| Model # Tested | EB-STATE7-01 | Thermostat - 1.4 | S6ED3R | ST25 | 83521 |
| Able to hook up external sensors | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Able to Lock | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
Our Analysis and Test Results
If you want to be able to fine-tune your temperature settings and still have the option to put your schedule on hold, the ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential is the ideal way to get just the right amount of customization. Plus, the ecobee Essential looks great on the wall with a sleek and responsive touchscreen display.
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential includes weather updates. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Ease of Use
One standout feature of the ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential is the easy-to-use temperature adjustment. Users can simply slide through the modes and quickly make adjustments. The icons on the unit provide quick access to the main menu, turning the unit on and off, and even adjusting the lighting on the unit to be brighter or darker. That said, users must press directly on the menu screen, which can result in fingerprints and smudges that you'll want to wipe off when you're done.
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential has a simple installation, but requires a c-wire or adaptor kit.
DIY Installation
This thermostat requires the use of a c-wire or an adaptor kit, which adds to the cost and setup steps if you have to buy this additional piece. Fortunately, there is a helpful installation guide that includes clear pictures, so even if you have to add the adaptor kit, it won't add too much time to your overall DIY installation.
You can create a schedule for the ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential on your smartphone. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Scheduling
The Essential part of the ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential accurately refers to the limited scheduling options available with this thermostat. You can adjust the various comfort modes to set your preferences for daytime, nighttime, and other settings, including vacation mode for when you want to conserve energy while you're away. But there are not nearly as many scheduling options as you'd find in a more comprehensive model. This is perfect for those who want simplicity rather than overall control.
Simply move the temperature up or down on the app to adjust your ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential or set a schedule. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Smart Capabilities
This unit comes with advanced capabilities that learn the time it takes for your room to reach your desired temperature, and automatically heats or cools ahead of time so that your room reaches optimal temperatures at the exact time you set, instead of waiting around. That said, it doesn't create a personalized schedule or “learn” your habits, like other smart thermostats.
The ecobee Essential also excels when it comes to compatibility with other smart home systems and you won't be limited by a certain manufacturer or brand. If you already have devices that you love, it can be easier to add a unit that will work with them rather than redoing your entire system. Like many smart thermostats, this unit also comes with its own app, which allows you to remotely control the temperature and settings.
The temperature accuracy on the app is slightly off, but not by much. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Energy Saving
There aren't as many energy savings features, other than allowing users to set an “away” mode when they're on vacation or out of the house. If your area has a community power saving plan, which allows you to prioritize using clean energy sources, the thermostat can tie into that. But in general, the energy expertise is limited to periodic usage updates and recycled packaging.
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential has a sleek display with a touchscreen. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Should You Buy the ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential?
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential provides the basics, including customizable comfort settings and compatibility with other smart home systems and devices. If you want to have preset temperatures for different times of day, as well as the option to make adjustments remotely through an app, this is the thermostat for you.
But that's where the smart tech stops, which may lead tech-enthusiast users to want more control. This isn't the thermostat for those looking to optimize their heating and cooling usage with automated adjustments and a lot of settings.
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential has a modern look with an easy-to-read format and adjustable screen brightness. Credit: Matt Lighthart
What Other Thermostat Should You Consider?
If you like the modern look but want more customization, including automated learning adjustments, the Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen is a great premium option. The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is another smart thermostat with a similar interface to the ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential with extra features like built-in voice control and a sensor to detect when someone is in the space to heat or cool.
—Austin Palmer and Katie Melynn
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