ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential - Energy Star Certified programmable Wi-Fi Thermostat - Works with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant

Fairly easily replaced my old Google Nest thermostat (2nd gen). Since google is discontinuing the ability to control the gen 1 and gen 2 models using the app after October 2025, I neeeded it replace it, as I use the app frequently.To be fair, Google sent an email about it, along with a $130 discount voucher for their newest, fanciest model. I suppose it would have been a super deal, although I was so upset about them killing a perfectly good product, that I deleted the email in a huff.A month later, after looking around at the various smart thermostats, I concluded it might be easiest to just replace it with another google (?) product. Of course, the email was nowhere to be found in the trash or anywhere else. Contacted them to see if they could send it again, and it had to get to level 2 support just for them to tell me that my thermostat wasn’t eligible after all. Bah humbug.The ecobee had the main features I use (fan on by itself for adjustable periods of time (15, 30, 60, 120 minutes), as well as a temp hold for if you’re home longer than your usual schedule, with override options. These features aren’t quite as intuitive as I’d like, but with use they have become easier to find and activate.The install was ok, though the round bottom edges of the unit prevented its use with the already installed google trim plate. So, a bit of drywall touchup and paint was needed. The bigger issue was the need for a C wire. After a bit of panic and/or distress about there not having been one on the Nest unit, I finally discovered an unused wire wrapped around both ends of the cable: one at the wall, and one inside the hvac unit. So after looking at the situation, I decided to unwrap and connect the blue unused wire to the C terminal inside the hvac, and to the C terminal on the thermostat.All works fine and I am happy enough, and even discovered that there *were* instructions about the extra wire in the installation app, but I only discovered that after I figured it out on my own. Sigh, and I’m an engineer, ha ha.

I have needed to replace my Carrier Cor thermostat that has been beyond frustrating to me and reading up on reviews on Reddit suggested this option. I was very pleased with how the wires were so simple to move to the connector this this unit, setup was extremely easy, with only one exception (creating my account), and programming my schedules and temperatures was also very straight forward and simple.My single frustration with making my account was with the password, it simply would not accept any password I tried to give it from my phone. I finally used my computer and made the account, logged my password in my password manager, and signed into the app with ease.

Why did you pick this product vs others?:My son purchased this thermostat about a year ago and it was very easy for him to install. When I needed a new one, I ordered the one he had a good experience with and installed it myself. I had an older system, so I did require help from their technical help team with the wire pairings. I was very impressed with their patience and knowledge and had the new thermostat up and running in no time. I love being able to control its functions directly from my iPhone.

Works well so far.Must have a common wire or use the special adapter kit to make it work.Has not withstood the test of time.

I am no electrician, just a DIY single mom. I followed the directions and found it fairly easy to install. I love the 2 additional sensors I have for the bedrooms, as my upstairs bedrooms tend to get hotter than the main thermostat says. Overall it is great to be able to monitor temps/changes from anywhere - including my bed. :-). The functionality of this smart thermostat is better than the nest I used for years.

On the positive, pretty straightforward installation, out of the box operation, and integration with the app and web interface. Prompt customer service. On the negative... Well, it's a rudimentary hunk that fails at basic features.You would think that a "smart" thermostat that can already communicate with the internet and with your phone and with Ecobee headquarters can also communicate with other thermostats in the same house. Well, you would be wrong. For all its "smarts" this is a basic standalone device missing an obviously needed feature.You would also think that you could set different schedules for different seasons. Wrong again. You get ONE schedule, and you can customize it to death with temperature settings (but not with start times, see below) , but when you want to change from cooling season to heating season... You have to MANUALLY enter all the settings from scratch. And then do it again (from a piece of paper or something) when the seasons change. That is squarely in dumb territory, not even approaching smart.Oh, and you don't get the option to set the schedule you want. The app gives you 30-minute intervals. The video on the website misleadingly shows minutes, but there are no minute options on the schedule. On the instructional webpage is says "If you wish to change the start time of a particular Activity, simply tap on the Activity (Home, Away, or Sleep) and adjust the time." Except that you CANNOT adjust the time. You can just pick from the options given. Absolute garbage.A waste of $$. Look elsewhere.

Why did you pick this product vs others?:Easy to install. I needed to order the Extender kit (if your existing thermostat needs batteries, then just order the kit - you will need it). Once the extender kit was installed (about a 15 minute task), actual installation of the thermostat takes about 10 minutes (15 if you include downloading the Ecobee app). So far, it's worked great. I was looking for a programmable thermostat, and this fits the bill!