ecobee Smart Essential Review

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.

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.

Previous Next

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What Other Thermostat Should You Consider?