Smart Home review
ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Review
Four years after launch, ecobee's flagship thermostat still combines room-by-room comfort, occupancy awareness, air-quality monitoring, voice control, and broad smart-home support in one polished system.
Steve's verdict
It is no longer new, but it still delivers nearly everything I want from a premium smart thermostat. The SmartSensor, mature app, air-quality data, and wide compatibility keep it relevant in 2026.
Best for
Smart-home owners who will use room sensors, occupancy automation, air-quality data, and integrations beyond basic temperature scheduling.
Skip it if
You only need a simple schedule and remote temperature control, or you will not use the included sensor and broader smart-home features.
Best use
Whole-home comfort
Included
One SmartSensor
Still strong
App and integrations
What I like
- SmartSensor and radar-based occupancy features are genuinely useful
- Built-in air-quality, humidity, VOC, and estimated CO2 data
- Mature app with strong scheduling and eco+ controls
- Broad support for major smart-home platforms
- More advanced HVAC and accessory support than basic models
What to know
- The core hardware is four years old
- Premium price is harder to justify if you only need basic controls
- The built-in speaker is a convenience feature, not a replacement for a good smart speaker
- Some security-focused features require additional ecobee hardware or service
What I tested
Real-world use, not just the spec sheet
- Daily in-home use after upgrading from a 2019 ecobee
- SmartSensor temperature and occupancy behavior
- Schedules, Smart Home & Away, and eco+ controls
- Air-quality readings and system-monitoring tools
- App experience and major smart-home integrations
Specs that matter
Display
4-inch, 540 × 540
Glass-and-zinc thermostat body with proximity sensing.
Included sensor
One SmartSensor
Measures room temperature and occupancy.
Air monitoring
Humidity, VOCs + estimated CO₂
Includes trends, alerts, and filter reminders.
Included accessories
PEK + trim plate
Power Extender Kit supports compatible systems without a C-wire.
Why it still holds up
The Premium has been available for four years, but the features that mattered at launch are still the features that matter now: room sensors, occupancy detection, air-quality monitoring, a strong app, and support for major smart-home platforms. After upgrading from my 2019 ecobee, the Premium feels like a refinement of a mature system rather than a product waiting to be replaced.
Installation and HVAC support
As with any smart thermostat, compatibility and wiring matter more than the touchscreen. ecobee includes a Power Extender Kit for compatible systems without a C-wire and a trim plate for covering marks left by a larger thermostat. The Premium also supports more advanced HVAC equipment and accessories than a basic thermostat, which is one reason to check ecobee's compatibility guidance before choosing a less expensive model.
Display and everyday hardware
The front is built around a 4-inch, 540-by-540 display in a glass-and-zinc body. Radar sensing lets the thermostat detect proximity and occupancy without relying only on direct motion in front of the screen. That helps with features such as Smart Home & Away and makes the thermostat react more naturally when people move through the house.
The included SmartSensor
The included SmartSensor measures both temperature and occupancy in another room. Instead of letting the hallway thermostat represent the entire house, ecobee can prioritize the rooms you actually use at different times of day. That room-by-room awareness is the feature that most clearly separates the Premium from a basic connected thermostat.
Air-quality monitoring
The built-in monitor tracks humidity, volatile organic compounds, and estimated carbon-dioxide levels. It can surface air-quality trends, alerts, and filter reminders inside the ecobee app. It will not clean the air for you, but it gives you useful context when a room feels stuffy or when it may be time to ventilate the house or change a filter.
Schedules, occupancy, and eco+
A thermostat only saves effort when the automation matches the way the home is actually used. ecobee combines schedules with occupancy data and eco+ energy features so it can react when the house is empty or when occupied rooms should take priority. The temperature shown in my review is simply what worked for my household; the useful part is having enough control to build a schedule around your own home and climate.
Voice control and the built-in speaker
Alexa is built into the thermostat, and Siri can be used with a compatible Apple home setup. The speaker can handle voice responses and music, which is convenient in a room without another smart speaker. I would treat it as a useful extra rather than a reason to buy the thermostat by itself.
App and smart-home integrations
The ecobee app brings together temperature, comfort settings, sensor readings, schedules, system monitoring, and air-quality information. Compatibility remains one of ecobee's strongest advantages, with support for Apple Home, Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, and IFTTT. That makes the Premium easier to fit into an existing smart home without rebuilding everything around one ecosystem.
Security sensors and doorbell integration
The thermostat can also participate in ecobee's broader security system. Compatible door and window sensors can trigger Pause When Open so the HVAC system does not keep running while a door or window is left open. With ecobee's video doorbell, a live view can appear on the thermostat screen, giving the display another practical job beyond climate control.
Who should buy it
The Premium makes the most sense if you want the full ecobee experience and will use the extra sensors, automation, air-quality information, and integrations. If you only want to adjust the temperature from your phone and run a simple schedule, a less expensive thermostat can cover the basics. For a feature-rich smart home, though, I would not call the Premium outdated.
From the YouTube comments
“You keep yours at 77? That would be crazy in hot, humid South Carolina. I need 70 at a minimum not to sweat.”
Steve's answer
77°F is simply the setting that works for my home—it isn't a recommendation for everyone. Humidity, insulation, sun exposure, HVAC design, and personal comfort all change what feels right. In a hot, humid climate like South Carolina, a lower setting can make much more sense. Use ecobee's schedules and room sensors to tune it for your house.
Watch the full review