Google Nest Vs. Ecobee: Which Smart Home Thermostat Is Best For You?

There are several smart thermostats available for your home, but two of the more well-known brands are Google and Ecobee. Google may be the more popular of the two with its Google Nest thermostat, but Ecobee has made a name for itself too, particulalry when it comes to controlling your AC and heater. They both broadly function the same, but some diferences may mean one will serve you better overall.

The Google Nest smart thermostat comes in two models, separated by premium features like advanced scheduling, support for ventilation systems, and a larger display. Either Nest device allows users to control the temperature anywhere through the use of the Google Home app, set schedules, and can monitor the health of your HVAC unit. The Ecobee smart thermostat comes in three models, separated by features like air quality monitoring, voice assistant support, and a smoke alarm detector. 

If you want a better value for money in a smart home thermostat Ecobee may be better for you. The Google Nest smart home thermostats start at around $129.99, and go up to around $279.99 for the premium "Learning" model. Ecobee's models range from $139.99 entry price to $259.99 for its most equipped version. Ecobee's smart Thermostat rates high on Consumer Reports, as well.

Looking at Google Nest Learning thermostat first, the premium product comes with all the standard thermostat features such as setting and controlling the temperature from anywhere through the app, but it also has Smart Schedule. This feature learns the temperatures you enjoy by tracking your usage, and switches them on automatically when you typically have them. This can help you save money in the long run.

Nest and Ecobee smart thermostats both feature built-in smart sensors on the actual thermostat. This allows them to automatically adjust the temperature accordingly if the room becomes too hot or too cold. If you want to extend that ability, you can buy extra sensors for either thermostat and place them in other rooms around your home.

Both have an air quality alert feature on the premium models. Ecobee also has a built-in speaker, while Google Nest's home smart thermostat does not. Otherwise, the two really are quite similar in a lot of ways. 

Both the Nest and Ecobee have been ranked among the 10 best major smart thermostats and it's clear to see why. But Ecobee has a few more options it offers users that can improve their setups.

One key Ecobee accessory is a sensor to detect when a door or window is open and will alert you and adjust the air accordingly. The company also offers subscriptions starting at $5 per month that can use its security sensors to automatically change temperatures based when you're home. It's worth noting that Google Nest can achieve some of the same experiences, but may require you purchase sensors from other companies.

Reviewers on Amazon enjoy the app that Ecobee comes with, which they find simple and well organized so you can find all the settings quickly without having to worry about scrolling or searching for where to begin. Amazon reviews for the Google Nest are favorable on usability, as well.

Ultimately, both companies offer premium devices to help better control the temperature in your home. The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is a high-grade device built to help you better control the temperature in your home. Its price of $259.99 may be steep, but it's $20 less than what you would pay for the premium Google Nest Learning Thermostat. If you like the Google ecosystem you may prefer Nest even with the higher price, but people wanting to ditch Google over its AI push will find good value in Ecobee.