ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential (EB-STATE7-01) vs Google Nest Thermostat (Charcoal)
These are side-by-side facts taken from each product guide: published specifications, strengths and caveats as their sources state them. This page is not a test, a ranking or a verdict about which model is better.
ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential (EB-STATE7-01)
Simple single-transformer systems with one stage of cooling, on a 2.4GHz network
ecobee's entry thermostat: a 2.8-inch touchscreen, temperature and humidity sensing only, and six wire terminals. The maker lists conventional 2H/1C or 1H/2C and heat pump 2H/1C, wired 24VAC through C and R. The Power Extender Kit and Trim Kit are sold separately, and Wi-Fi is 2.4GHz only.
Published specifications
- Maker: wire terminals C, R, G/PEK, Y1, OB (also takes W2 or Y2), W1
- Maker: conventional 2H/1C and 1H/2C; heat pump 2H/1C; gas, oil, electric, forced air
- Maker: wired 24VAC through C and R; Power Extender Kit sold separately for homes without a C wire
- Maker: Wi-Fi 6 at 2.4GHz only; Bluetooth BLE 5.4; sub-GHz sensor radio; about 5MB a month
- Maker: 3.62 x 3.62 x 0.91 in; 2.8-inch 240x320 touchscreen; temperature and humidity sensors only
- Maker: box holds thermostat, backplate, wire labels, screws and plugs; trim kit sold separately
Strengths
- ecobee publishes the exact terminal list and stage support, so you can check fit before buying
- Hardwired 24VAC with no batteries, and it works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit
- Small 3.62-inch body with a full-colour touchscreen and the same ecobee app as the dearer models
Caveats
- Six terminals only: no two-transformer wiring, no second cooling stage on a heat pump, no accessory terminal
- Power Extender Kit and Trim Kit are both extra purchases, unlike every other ecobee model
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, no on-board speaker or occupancy sensor, and no bundled room sensor
Read the full ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential (EB-STATE7-01) guide
Google Nest Thermostat (Charcoal)
Single-stage 24V systems that need a schedule and app control, not multi-stage equipment
Google's entry thermostat: a 2.4-inch touch-bar disc powered from HVAC wiring with two AAA backup cells. Google lists one stage of heating and cooling plus a second stage of one or the other, or a heat pump with aux or emergency heat. Matter certified, works with Hey Google and Alexa. The trim plate and the steel plate are both sold separately.
Published specifications
- Maker: most 24V systems; one stage heat and cool plus a second stage of either; heat pump with aux or emergency heat
- Maker: works with multi-zone systems but needs one thermostat per zone
- Maker: designed to work without a C wire; heating-only, cooling-only or zone-controlled systems may need one
- Maker: primary power from HVAC wires, backup 2 x AAA 1.5V; under 1 kWh a month
- Maker: Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz plus Bluetooth LE; Matter certified; Hey Google and Alexa voice control
- Maker: 3.3 in diameter, 1.07 in deep, 4.9 oz; 2.4-inch 240x320 display; 1-year standard warranty
Strengths
- Works without a C wire in most homes, on either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi
- Matter certified with Hey Google and Alexa voice control, and a published one-year warranty that matches the listing
- Built-in motion sensing turns it down when nobody is home, with schedule suggestions in the app
Caveats
- Only one extra stage: no two-stage heat plus two-stage cooling, and no multi-stage heat pump support
- Trim plate and steel plate are both sold separately, and the steel plate is required on an electrical box
- Setup needs the Google Home app and a Google account, and the listing states there is no lock feature
How to choose between them
Choose the ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential (EB-STATE7-01) if your situation matches: Simple single-transformer systems with one stage of cooling, on a 2.4GHz network. Its main caveat: Six terminals only: no two-transformer wiring, no second cooling stage on a heat pump, no accessory terminal.
Choose the Google Nest Thermostat (Charcoal) if your situation matches: Single-stage 24V systems that need a schedule and app control, not multi-stage equipment. Its main caveat: Only one extra stage: no two-stage heat plus two-stage cooling, and no multi-stage heat pump support.
Both entries repeat what each guide records. Confirm the model, included parts and availability on the current listing before ordering.
Primary sources
- ecobee product page and detailed specification panel for Smart Thermostat Essential Source for ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential (EB-STATE7-01)
- ecobee Smart Thermostat Lite tech specs and sell sheet, the pro-only model with the same body size Source for ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential (EB-STATE7-01)
- ecobee thermostat compatibility checker named in the listing and on the maker page Source for ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential (EB-STATE7-01)
- Google Store tech specs for Nest Thermostat Source for Google Nest Thermostat (Charcoal)
- Google Nest Thermostat setup sheet supplied with the Amazon listing, with the box contents Source for Google Nest Thermostat (Charcoal)
- Google Nest Thermostat welcome guide supplied with the Amazon listing Source for Google Nest Thermostat (Charcoal)
Primary sources checked .