ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium with SmartSensor 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 Premium with SmartSensor
24 VAC forced-air, heat pump, boiler or PTAC systems, checked first with ecobee's compatibility tool
ecobee's top thermostat ships with a room SmartSensor, the Power Extender Kit and a trim plate. The maker's spec sheet covers conventional 2H/2C, heat pumps to 4H/2C, boilers and PTACs on 24 VAC, and rules out line-voltage, millivolt and 0-10VDC systems. Dual-band Wi-Fi, Alexa built in, Siri with an Apple home hub. Read the warranty's installer clause before you fit it yourself.
Published specifications
- Maker: 24 VAC systems; conventional 2H/2C; heat pump 4H/2C; boilers; PTAC or fan coil to 3 fan speeds
- Maker: not compatible with line voltage (110/220V), millivolt or 0-10VDC systems
- Maker: Power Extender Kit included for homes without a C wire; booklet requires 3 or 4 specific wires
- Maker: dual-band Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and 5GHz, Bluetooth 5.0, 915MHz sensor radio, 4 VA, hardwired
- Maker: 4.09 x 4.09 x 1.02 in; 4-inch 540x540 touchscreen; trim plate and one SmartSensor in the box
- Warranty: 3-year limited; maker's pro sheet advertises 5 years with professional installation
Strengths
- SmartSensor, Power Extender Kit and trim plate are all included, not add-ons
- Maker publishes a full spec sheet: stages supported, wire terminals, Wi-Fi bands and power draw
- Dual-band Wi-Fi, Alexa built in, Siri with an Apple home hub, Google Assistant and SmartThings
Caveats
- The warranty excludes units not installed by a licensed HVAC contractor, while the listing sells DIY installation
- The Power Extender Kit only works if you have the three or four wires the booklet names
- Listing paperwork is inconsistent: part number EB-STATE6-01 and a user guide warranting a different ecobee model
Read the full ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium with SmartSensor 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 Premium with SmartSensor if your situation matches: 24 VAC forced-air, heat pump, boiler or PTAC systems, checked first with ecobee's compatibility tool. Its main caveat: The warranty excludes units not installed by a licensed HVAC contractor, while the listing sells DIY installation.
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 Smart Thermostat Premium tech specs and sell sheet (maker PDF) Source for ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium with SmartSensor
- ecobee product page for Smart Thermostat Premium Source for ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium with SmartSensor
- ecobee installation booklet supplied with the Amazon listing Source for ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium with SmartSensor
- ecobee terminal-designation chart supplied with the Amazon listing Source for ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium with SmartSensor
- ecobee user guide supplied with the Amazon listing Source for ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium with SmartSensor
- 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 .