ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential (EB-STATE7-01) vs Sensi Smart Thermostat ST55
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
Sensi Smart Thermostat ST55
Conventional or heat pump systems up to two stages, on a 2.4GHz network, in the old thermostat's footprint
A button-and-LED smart thermostat whose manual configures one or two stages of conventional cooling, gas or electric heat, and one or two stage heat pumps, with a built-in RC/RH jumper you clip for two-transformer systems. Batteries are included, but the manual says a common wire is required on heat-only, cool-only and heat pump systems.
Published specifications
- Manual: terminals RH, RC, C, Y, Y2, W/E, W2, G, O/B and a non-functional L
- Manual: configures AC1/AC2 cooling, GA1/GA2 gas, EL1/EL2 electric, HP1/HP2 heat pump, fan-only and no-cooling
- Manual: common connection required on heat-only, cool-only or heat pump systems; listing says C wire not needed in most applications
- Manual: two-transformer systems supported by clipping the internal RC/RH jumper above the battery compartment
- Manual: Sensi app and Sensi account required to install; router must be a 2.4GHz network
- Warranty: three-year retail limited warranty; five years only for PRO models installed by a PRO contractor
Strengths
- Handles two-stage heat and two-stage cool, heat pumps and two-transformer systems at an entry price
- Fits the old thermostat's footprint with buttons, a built-in level, wire labels and AA batteries in the box
- Both the installation guide and the full warranty text are published on the listing itself
Caveats
- The manual requires a common wire on heat-only, cool-only and heat pump systems, and no adapter is included
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, and the Sensi app plus a Sensi account are required to install it at all
- Warranty remedy is replacement only, is void if you attempt a repair, and excludes commercial installations
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 Sensi Smart Thermostat ST55 if your situation matches: Conventional or heat pump systems up to two stages, on a 2.4GHz network, in the old thermostat's footprint. Its main caveat: The manual requires a common wire on heat-only, cool-only and heat pump systems, and no adapter is included.
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)
- Sensi Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat installation guide supplied with the Amazon listing (Emerson) Source for Sensi Smart Thermostat ST55
- Emerson Thermostat Limited Warranty supplied with the Amazon listing Source for Sensi Smart Thermostat ST55
- Sensi (Copeland) manuals index for the Sensi smart thermostat Source for Sensi Smart Thermostat ST55
Primary sources checked .