What Is Ecobee? A Smart Home Brand That’s Changing the Way We Live
Ecobee is a leading smart home brand best known for its energy-efficient smart thermostats, but the company offers much more than just climate control. With a focus on comfort, savings, and sustainability, Ecobee has become a trusted name for homeowners who want to make their homes smarter, greener, and easier to manage.
Whether you're just learning about Ecobee or looking to upgrade your home with their products, this guide will walk you through what Ecobee is, how it works, what products are available, and why it’s become such a popular choice.
A Brief History of Ecobee
Ecobee was founded in 2007 in Toronto, Canada. It entered the smart home market with one clear goal: to help people conserve energy without sacrificing comfort. In fact, Ecobee launched the world’s first smart thermostat connected to Wi-Fi.
From there, the company quickly gained traction, competing with big players like Nest (owned by Google) and Honeywell. Over time, Ecobee has expanded its product line and integrated with major platforms like Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and SmartThings.
Ecobee Smart Thermostats: The Flagship Product
The most popular Ecobee product is its line of smart thermostats, which help regulate your home’s heating and cooling while reducing energy waste. Here are the main models available today.
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium includes built-in voice control with Alexa, indoor air quality monitoring, radar motion detection for room-level accuracy, and compatibility with Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, and more. It also includes a SmartSensor for remote temperature management.
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced offers many of the same features as the Premium model but comes at a more affordable price. It’s great for users who don’t need built-in voice control or air quality tracking.
The Ecobee3 Lite is a budget-friendly option. It doesn’t include built-in Alexa but still works with smart home systems. It can also be paired with Ecobee’s SmartSensors for additional control.
All Ecobee thermostats use learning algorithms to optimize comfort and savings. You can control them from your smartphone, set schedules, and monitor your energy use.
What Are SmartSensors?
Ecobee SmartSensors are small wireless devices that detect temperature and occupancy in specific rooms. When used with a compatible Ecobee thermostat, they help adjust heating or cooling based on where people are in the house.
SmartSensors improve comfort in high-traffic areas, help save energy when rooms are unoccupied, and are easy to set up with adhesive or wall mounts.
More Than Thermostats: Other Ecobee Products
While Ecobee started with thermostats, the company has branched out into other smart home areas.
The Ecobee SmartCamera with Voice Control is a 1080p indoor security camera that features person detection and two-way talk. It can double as a video intercom and works with Alexa.
Ecobee SmartSensors for doors and windows detect when a door or window is opened or closed. They help trigger alerts and automation events and can be part of a broader home monitoring system.
Ecobee Smart Security is a home monitoring subscription service that includes 24/7 alerts, camera access, and automations. It works with sensors and cameras to secure your home.
Key Features That Set Ecobee Apart
Ecobee stands out from other smart home brands for several reasons. The company is known for helping users save up to 26 percent annually on heating and cooling costs. Ecobee devices work with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and SmartThings. The brand has a strong focus on sustainability, creating technology that helps fight climate change. Some Ecobee devices come with built-in voice assistants like Alexa and Siri. The mobile app is also user-friendly and offers full control from anywhere.
How Much Does Ecobee Cost?
Here’s a quick look at typical price ranges for Ecobee products.
The Smart Thermostat Premium usually costs between 249 and 269 dollars. The Smart Thermostat Enhanced is priced between 189 and 199 dollars. The Ecobee3 Lite typically costs between 139 and 149 dollars. The SmartCamera is around 99 dollars. A two-pack of SmartSensors costs about 79 dollars. The same goes for a two-pack of door and window sensors.
While Ecobee products might cost more than traditional thermostats or basic cameras, many users find the long-term savings and comfort worth it.
Ecobee App and Smart Home Integration
The Ecobee app is available for both iOS and Android. It lets you adjust temperature remotely, set heating and cooling schedules, check energy reports, manage security alerts, and monitor room-by-room conditions with SmartSensors.
Ecobee also works well with other smart home platforms. You can use Siri or Alexa to control the thermostat by voice, create smart routines like Away Mode to lower the heat and activate security, and sync with Apple HomeKit automations and scenes.
Is Ecobee Worth It?
If you're looking for a reliable and feature-packed smart thermostat or indoor monitoring system, Ecobee is absolutely worth considering. It’s especially appealing if you want to cut down on energy bills, are already using a smart home platform like Alexa or HomeKit, like the idea of room-specific comfort and monitoring, or care about sustainability and data privacy.
Final Thoughts
Ecobee has grown from a thermostat innovator into a full smart home brand with products that support comfort, security, and energy efficiency. From its flagship smart thermostats to cameras and sensors, Ecobee offers flexible solutions that fit most homes and lifestyles.
If you're thinking about upgrading your home’s climate control or adding smart monitoring features, Ecobee is a strong contender and one that keeps both your wallet and the environment in mind.
