Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Review: Worth the Upgrade in 2025?

Looking to upgrade your home's thermostat for better comfort and control? We just spent time setting up the Ecobee Premium and got a good sense of its strengths and areas where it could improve. The interface is easy to get used to, and the display is crisp and modern. One thing we appreciated is how the smart sensor helps even out temperature across rooms, which made a noticeable difference during our use.

On the positive side, integration with Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant was smooth. The app worked reliably, and installation was straightforward as long as we had the right wiring. The built-in air quality monitor is a helpful extra, and alerts made us more aware of what’s happening in our home. We did notice that some features, like location-based controls and certain integrations, have limits depending on where you live, and there may be some learning curve if you’re new to smart devices.

Bottom Line

The ecobee Premium offers reliable temperature control, a modern interface, and smart features that can help save energy if used properly. If you want convenience and better comfort throughout your home, it’s worth a look. Check it out on Amazon.

Overview Of ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

We just finished trying out the ecobee Premium, and it stands out for its smart room sensor and built-in air quality monitor. The ability to control the temperature from our phone or with voice assistants like Alexa or Siri adds clear convenience. We liked that it shows air quality levels and gives reminders about filter changes.

The installation was smoother than expected, though people with older wiring may need extra setup. One small letdown is that learning to use all the features takes a bit of practice. The overall build feels solid and the display is bright and easy to read. There's definite potential here for improving comfort and energy use at home, but be prepared for a learning curve at first.

Energy Savings And SmartSensor

When we put the smart thermostat to use, the energy-saving features stood out right away. The SmartSensor helped keep our rooms at a steady temperature, making sure we weren’t heating or cooling empty spaces. This meant less wasted energy and we noticed some improvement on our energy bill after a few weeks.

One thing we liked is how the device adjusts itself based on whether a room is occupied. If no one is in a room, it doesn’t waste energy keeping it at our preferred temperature. On the flip side, getting every room just right sometimes took a bit of fiddling with the SmartSensor placement.

Pros:

• Noticeable energy savings

• SmartSensor works automatically

• Helps keep comfort levels steady

Cons:

• Sensor placement makes a difference

• Takes time to fine-tune settings

Overall, we think these features can help cut down on energy use if set up carefully.

Air Quality Monitoring

After testing out the smart thermostat in our home, we noticed the built-in air quality monitor right away. It actually gave us real-time updates on our home's air, and the alerts were simple to understand. We liked how it suggested what steps to take when the air quality dropped, like reminding us to switch out the air filter.

A helpful part is that all the information appeared clearly on the screen. For people sensitive to dust or allergies, this made a difference. The only thing we found less helpful was the lack of deeper details, such as specific pollutant levels. Still, for most families, the basic alerts and tips are enough and easy to follow.

Home Security And Safety Alerts

We noticed that the Smart Thermostat Premium offers several helpful security features. When connected to the right sensors and a subscription, it can alert us if a window or door has been left open for more than five minutes, which can help prevent wasted energy and unwanted entry.

The device also detects sudden drops in temperature, letting us know about possible risks like frozen pipes. It even includes smoke alarm detection, which makes us feel safer at home.

However, some features like break-in alerts do require extra sensors and a paid plan, so they are not out-of-the-box. Overall, these alerts add useful peace of mind, but not every option is included without extras.

Voice Assistant Integration

It was easy to set up voice controls right out of the box. We could choose between Siri or Alexa, and both worked well for hands-free temperature changes and quick adjustments.

Having voice controls built in meant we didn’t need to reach for a phone or use an extra device. The built-in speaker is clear enough for basic commands, though it isn’t as strong as a standalone smart speaker. Switching between assistants takes an extra step, especially for Siri, since it needs an Apple hub to work fully.

Pros:

• Smooth voice setup with Alexa or Siri

• Simple commands for temperature and basic info

Cons:

• Siri requires extra devices

• Speaker quality is average

Overall, the smart thermostat makes everyday control easy with multiple voice options, but there are a few small limitations.

Elegant Design And User Interface

When setting up this thermostat, we noticed the stylish appearance right away. The screen is large, clear, and easy to read, even when standing a few feet away. The slim, modern design looks good on the wall and feels solid.

Using the touch interface felt smooth and quick. The menu layouts are logical, and we didn’t have any trouble finding key settings. We also liked the responsive controls, though some icons could be a bit more intuitive. Overall, the simple design makes daily use straightforward without being boring.

Pros:

• Clear, bright display

• Simple, modern look

• Menus are easy to navigate

Cons:

• Some icons aren’t immediately obvious

• Fingerprints show up on the screen easily

Easy Installation And System Compatibility

Getting the Smart Thermostat Premium set up took less effort than we expected. Most of us needed less than an hour, even with older HVAC wiring. The included Power Extender Kit helped us avoid a messy rewiring job in homes without a C-wire.

We found the step-by-step app instructions clear, with helpful diagrams. We didn’t need to guess which wire goes where.

On compatibility, our team tried the thermostat with furnaces, ACs, and even a heat pump. All worked smoothly. The device also worked with our smart home assistants without problems, though some extra setup was needed for Siri. The trim plate and wire labels in the box made mounting and connecting wires neater.

A minor downside: if your system is very old or uses non-standard wiring, you may need extra help. For most people, though, the process is manageable and straightforward.

Eco-Friendly Features

When we tested the Smart Thermostat, we noticed its focus on energy efficiency right away. The option to pause heating or cooling if a window or door is left open is a practical touch that helped us avoid wasting energy.

What stands out:

• It’s ENERGY STAR certified, which means it meets set standards for energy savings.

• The smart sensor helped us manage temps in specific rooms, so we weren’t heating or cooling empty spaces.

• The air quality monitor is helpful, reminding us when to change air filters small steps that support better indoor air and save resources.

On the downside, some features like automatic pausing require extra accessories and a subscription. Still, the built-in savings tools made us more aware of our energy habits without much effort.

Customer Experiences

Real-World Feedback

After installing the Smart Thermostat, we noticed setup was mostly smooth. The included steps made wiring easier, and the system checks your work before it starts. This helped us avoid mistakes, especially since smart thermostats can get complicated.

We appreciated not having to manually switch between heating and cooling it's a relief to let the device handle it. The screen size is good and clear, and it blends into most rooms well.

Some users told us about issues outside the U.S. and Canada. For example, those living in other regions found location settings limited, making certain features unavailable. Others needed outside help for installation, which added extra cost.

Although the smart sensor is a neat addition, there was some uncertainty about how well it worked. Switching from other brands (like Nest) was simple for us, but a few found features on competing products a bit more user-friendly.

What stood out:

ProsConsClear displaySome features region-lockedEasy setup stepsInstallation help may be neededSmart featuresSensor reliability varies

Support And Troubleshooting

When we got stuck, customer support options were easy to find. Live chat provided fast responses, and the support line is posted in several places (we didn’t have to search around).

Those who had trouble with installation or connectivity often found support helpful, guiding through steps or confirming systems were connected right. Still, there were mixed feelings some solved problems quickly, while others needed extra time or outside help with unusual wiring setups.

Where other products made account recovery tricky, our experience with this one was more straightforward, especially when contacting support. Overall, having quick help on hand made a difference when issues came up.

Pros And Cons

Pros

We noticed that the Smart Thermostat Premium stands out for its easy setup process. The instructions were clear, and it helped us get everything running quickly without much trouble. The included SmartSensor is helpful for keeping the most important rooms comfortable.

We also appreciated the option to use Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant directly. That made it simple to control temperatures with voice commands. The built-in air quality sensor gives alerts and reminders, which is a nice bonus for anyone concerned about indoor air health.

• Simple installation

• SmartSensor balances room temperature

• Voice control works with several assistants

• Large, bright, easy-to-read display

• Helpful air quality notifications

Another advantage is compatibility with a wide range of HVAC systems. The included Power Extender Kit helps if there’s no C-wire, so it fits into older homes too.

Cons

We did find a few drawbacks. The thermostat’s smart features depend on a strong, steady Wi-Fi connection. We experienced minor connectivity issues a couple of times, which required us to reset the device.

The home monitoring options and some energy-saving features, like pausing when a window is open, require extra sensors and a subscription plan. If you want all the advanced functions, be prepared for additional costs.

• Some features need extra equipment or subscription

• Occasional connectivity hiccups

• Learning curve for advanced settings

Those outside the U.S. or Canada may encounter issues with certain location settings. We also noticed that the app isn’t always as straightforward as it could be, especially for fine-tuning comfort settings.

Conclusion

After spending time with the ecobee Premium, we noticed several strengths and a few drawbacks. The setup is straightforward, and it offers a simple way to control the temperature from anywhere. The smart sensor works well in most rooms, though there can be occasional connection hiccups.

On the downside, not all features are available outside the U.S. and Canada, which limits some options if we live elsewhere. While the price might be high for some, the device does bring useful smart features that can make heating and cooling easier.

Pros:

• Easy setup

• Remote access

• Clean screen

Cons:

• Limited features by region

• Higher price point

Overall, we found the ecobee Premium reliable for day-to-day use, but it's best for users who want smart control and don't mind paying more.