ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

The ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is the top model in ecobee’s range, and the differences from the cheaper ones are concrete rather than cosmetic.

It adds built-in air quality monitoring, radar-based occupancy sensing, a microphone and speaker for voice control from the thermostat itself, and a nickel rather than plastic finish. It also drives two accessories at once, such as a whole-home humidifier and a dehumidifier together, where the Enhanced handles a single one-wire accessory. A SmartSensor is included in the box.

What works in Apple Home

• Set the target temperature and the mode, and read the current temperature and humidity.
• Use the thermostat in scenes and automations, and control it with Siri.
• Read the remote SmartSensors as separate accessories.

Remote sensors

ecobee’s remote SmartSensors are the reason people choose this brand, and every model in the range works with them. A thermostat in the hallway does not know that the back bedroom is cold. A sensor in that bedroom tells it, and the thermostat can average the rooms that are occupied rather than heating to the temperature of the hallway wall.

Before you buy

Air quality monitoring and built-in voice are the two features you are paying the premium for. If you will not use either, the Enhanced gives you the same radar occupancy sensing and the same sensor support for less.

Check your wiring first. Like most US thermostats, ecobee wants a C wire, and the supplied power extender kit is a workaround rather than a guarantee.

Specifications