Nest vs Ecobee! The BEST Smart Thermostat is…

Product being reviewed

• Smart thermostats compared: New Nest Thermostat (4th gen) vs Ecobee Premium (ecobee premium)

Key features mentioned

Nest Thermostat (4th gen)

• Design options: 3 styles (Gold, Silver, Obsidian); curved glass screen.
• Controls: Not touchscreen—uses a rotating ring + press (classic Nest design).
• Remote sensor: Includes remote temperature sensor (with updates like averaging multiple sensors + choosing which sensors apply per preset).
• Battery/C-wire: Rechargeable battery built in (so it can work without a C-wire).
• Temperature swing: Set to 1°F, not changeable.
• Farsight: Shows clock/weather from a distance; can display more info up close.
• App ecosystem: Uses Google Home app (not Nest app).
• Matter claim vs setup: Works with Matter, but setup still requires the Google Home app.

Ecobee Premium

• Design: Flat display (fewer glare/reflections); matches “brushed nickel” look.
• Controls: Touchscreen, intuitive temperature control (tap temperature, use arrows, tap/select).
• App: Uses ecobee app.
• Scheduling flexibility:
  • Temperature changes can be as close as 30 minutes apart (vs Nest’s 60 minutes rule).
• Learning modes:
  • Only On/Off (no “suggestions” mode like Nest).
• Energy dashboard: More detailed (system runtime precision + line graph + weather).
• Smart-home integration:
  • Integrates better with HomeKit/Home Assistant, including more device details (e.g., occupancy/motion info).
  • Can be set up “without an app” via on-screen controls.
• Remote sensors: Include occupancy detection.
  • Supports Follow Me: uses only rooms currently occupied and can average sensors for better comfort.
• Temperature swing: Adjustable (speaker uses 2°F).
• Extra features: Can show ecobee doorbell on screen; includes voice assistance (speaker says it’s not useful to them).

Pros / Cons (as stated)

Nest Thermostat (4th gen)

Pros

• Looks distinctive (curved glass / premium feel).
• Ring-based control works well for quick temperature changes.
• Learning improvements: has 3rd mode (“Suggestions”) to improve the schedule without fully ceding control.
• No C-wire needed (battery-powered).

Cons

• Screen readability issues: curved glass creates heavy reflections, sometimes you can’t see the display unless you stand at the right angle.
• Brightness control: no brightness adjustment; auto-dimming can make it harder to see.
• Schedule limitation: temperature changes must be ≥ 60 minutes apart.
• Smart integration / setup friction:
  • Even with Matter, setup still requires the Google Home app.
  • Matter integration exposes limited controls/info (no presets/fan/etc. in that context).
• Temperature swing inflexibility: fixed at 1°F.
• Farsight annoyance: if it doesn’t “detect” the user, the screen can turn off even if the person is nearby.
• Remote sensors (as used here) don’t support occupancy detection, limiting “Follow Me” style automations.

Ecobee Premium

Pros

• Easier to read display (flat screen reduces reflections).
• Touchscreen makes setup/settings adjustments easier.
• Better scheduling precision: 30-minute spacing for temperature changes.
• Better smart integration: stronger with HomeKit/Home Assistant; more available info.
• Remote sensors with occupancy detection: enables Follow Me and more context-aware comfort.
• More dashboard detail and stronger energy visualization.
• No C-wire requirement not guaranteed, but the speaker treats it as better when available.
• Farsight-like behavior: display remains useful; doesn’t turn off as aggressively (per speaker).
• Adjustable temperature swing (speaker uses 2°F).

Cons

• Learning only On/Off (no suggestion/assisted learning mode).
• Some additional “extra features” (doorbell/voice assistant) were described as unnecessary by the speaker.

User experience & usability notes

• Physical interaction (on-wall):
  • Speaker gives Ecobee an edge because it’s easier to see and uses touchscreen controls.
  • Nest’s ring control is fine for quick temp changes, but menus take longer.
• Visual usability:
  • Nest’s curved glass causes glare/reflections and brightness-related visibility issues.
  • Ecobee’s flat screen avoids this problem in the speaker’s experience.
• App experience:
  • Both apps are “easy” and meet expectations, but:
    • Nest offers learning suggestions
    • Ecobee offers more precise scheduling and better dashboard detail
  • Overall app comparison is described as a tie.

Comparisons made

• Price check (right out of the gate):
  • Nest listed at $280 on Amazon (at time of video)
  • Ecobee Premium normally $250, and was $30 off during the video
• Matter vs real setup/integration:
  • Nest markets Matter, but setup still required Google Home app
  • Ecobee integration (HomeKit/Home Assistant) was presented as more complete and easier
• Remote sensor capabilities:
  • Nest remote sensor updates improve temperature averaging/selection
  • Ecobee sensors add occupancy detection, enabling Follow Me (Nest missing this feature)

Ratings / numerical scores

• No formal numeric ratings (no stars/score out of 10), but these specific numbers/rules are mentioned:
  • Nest price: $280
  • Ecobee price: $250 (and $30 off at the time)
  • Nest schedule constraint: temperature changes ≥ 60 minutes apart
  • Ecobee schedule constraint: temperature changes ≥ 30 minutes apart
  • Nest temperature swing: 1°F, not changeable
  • Ecobee temperature swing: adjustable; speaker uses 2°F

Unique points mentioned (all distinct claims)

1. Nest comes in three finishes; Ecobee Premium comes in one color.
2. Nest’s glass screen suffers from reflections; Ecobee’s flat screen is clearer.
3. Nest lacks brightness control; dimming can make viewing worse.
4. Nest uses ring/press controls; Ecobee is touchscreen.
5. Nest menu navigation is slower, but quick temp changes are similar.
6. Both include a trim plate for wall repair (speaker uses both).
7. Nest uses Google Home app (can’t add to Nest app).
8. Nest requires schedule steps 60 minutes apart; Ecobee allows 30 minutes.
9. Nest has learning “suggestions” mode; Ecobee learning is only on/off.
10. Nest has a simpler energy dashboard; Ecobee’s dashboard is more detailed (graphs + weather).
11. Nest is Matter-compatible, but setup still requires Google Home app.
12. Matter integration with Nest exposes limited controls/info vs Ecobee.
13. Ecobee can integrate better with HomeKit/Home Assistant and is more local.
14. Both include remote temperature sensors; Nest improves sensor averaging/selection.
15. Ecobee remote sensors include occupancy detection; enables Follow Me.
16. C-wire: Nest can work without it due to rechargeable battery.
17. Temperature swing: Nest fixed at 1°F; Ecobee adjustable (speaker uses 2°F).
18. Nest Farsight displays weather/clock; may turn off unexpectedly if detection fails.
19. Ecobee keeps temperature visible and is less flashy but sufficient.
20. Ecobee can display ecobee doorbell and has voice assistance (speaker doesn’t use it).
21. Overall recommendation depends on priorities: Nest for unique look/scheduling suggestions/no C-wire; Ecobee Premium otherwise.

Speaker views (single main speaker)

• The comparison and verdict are given by one primary speaker who:
  • Prefers Ecobee Premium for readability, touchscreen usability, integration, and occupancy-based comfort.
  • Acknowledges Nest strengths (suggestions learning mode + battery/no C-wire + ring control + distinctive aesthetics).
  • Finds Nest’s screen reflections/brightness and Matter setup friction particularly problematic.

Concise verdict / recommendation

• Overall winner: Ecobee Premium
• Recommended for: Better screen visibility, touch controls, more powerful smart-home integration, and occupancy-aware remote sensors (Follow Me).
• Choose Nest 4th gen only if: you strongly prefer Nest’s look, want its learning suggestions feature, or need a thermostat that works without a C-wire.