Comes with a SmartSensor that measures both temperature and occupancy in a second room, helping even out hot or cold spots the thermostat alone can miss
Has Alexa and Siri built directly into the unit, so you get voice control without needing a separate smart speaker
Includes an air quality monitor that tracks things like humidity and VOCs alongside temperature
Works without a C-wire in most homes thanks to the included Power Extender Kit
It's a larger, busier-looking unit than the Nest or Amazon thermostat, and it has a built-in microphone for Alexa/Siri — worth knowing if an always-listening mic isn't something you want in that room
The companion app has more screens and options than Nest's or Amazon's, which is a plus for control but a bit more to learn upfront
Ecobee’s pitch is different from Nest’s: instead of learning your schedule, the Premium comes with a SmartSensor you place in whichever room runs hot or cold, and the thermostat balances comfort around that room instead of just wherever it happens to be mounted on the wall.
It’s also the only thermostat in this lineup with a voice assistant built directly into the unit — Alexa and Siri both work through the thermostat’s own speaker and mic, so you get voice control in a room without owning a separate smart speaker there.
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
Includes a room sensor and built-in Alexa/Siri, ideal for homes with a hot or cold spot.
Product Brand:
Ecobee
Product Currency:
USD
Product Price:
230
Product In-Stock:
InStock
Editor's Rating: 4
Pros
Includes a SmartSensor for room-by-room temperature and occupancy detection — genuinely useful in homes with an uneven hot or cold room
Built-in Alexa and Siri, so voice control works without a separate smart speaker
Built-in air quality monitor tracks humidity and VOCs alongside temperature
Works with virtually any HVAC system, including ones without a C-wire, via the included Power Extender Kit
Cons
Larger, busier-looking unit on the wall than Nest's minimalist dial
An always-listening mic built into the thermostat isn't for everyone, even though it can be muted
App has more menus and settings to dig through than Nest's simpler interface
Specs
Compatibility
Most systems, including no-C-wire setups (Power Extender Kit included)
App
ecobee app
Voice control
Built-in Alexa and Siri, plus Google Assistant via other devices
Included sensor
1 SmartSensor (room temperature + occupancy)
Extras
Built-in air quality monitor (humidity, VOCs)
Display
Touchscreen
Verdict
If your home has a room that's always too hot or too cold no matter what the thermostat says, Ecobee's included SmartSensor solves that in a way Nest's bundle doesn't fully match — and getting Alexa and Siri built into the thermostat itself is a genuine convenience, not just a gimmick. It's priced closely to the Nest bundle, so the choice mostly comes down to which of those two features you actually want.
Common Questions
Do I need to buy a separate Echo or HomePod for voice control?
No, the Ecobee Premium has Alexa and Siri built into the thermostat itself, so voice control works without any additional speaker.
What does the included SmartSensor actually do?
It reads temperature and detects occupancy in whichever room you place it, so the thermostat can weigh that room's comfort instead of just the hallway where the unit is mounted.
Can I turn off the built-in microphone if I don't want voice control?
Yes, the mic can be muted in the ecobee app or with a physical switch, so you can use the thermostat without the always-listening feature active.
Does the Ecobee Premium need a C-wire?
Not necessarily — it ships with a Power Extender Kit that lets it run on most systems that don't have one, though a handful of unusual setups may still need an electrician.
