Best Value Smart Thermostat
ecobee• Best Value Smart Thermostat
ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential Learning Programmable WiFi Thermostat
Verified: Sep 4, 2026
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential is an ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat with a full-color touchscreen, Wi-Fi connectivity, scheduling, remote app control and smart home compatibility. It is designed to improve comfort while helping reduce heating and cooling energy use.
Discounted Offer Price
$120.00
Expert Rating
9.3/10
Expert Analysis: Pros & Cons
What We Like
- •Full-color touchscreen
- •Wi-Fi connectivity
- •Remote control through mobile app
- •Programmable scheduling
- •Automatic temperature optimization
Drawbacks
- •SmartSensor sold separately
- •Fewer premium features than higher-end ecobee models
- •Actual energy savings vary by household
The Bottom Line
"A strong budget-friendly smart thermostat for homeowners who want remote temperature control, scheduling, energy-saving features and broad smart-home compatibility without paying for premium extras."
Key Feature Highlights
- Smart heating and cooling control
- Full-color touchscreen
- Mobile app control
- Auto-scheduling
- Energy-saving features
- Smart home integration
Product Overview & Review
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential is a value-focused smart thermostat designed to make home heating and cooling easier to manage. Its full-color touchscreen provides simple on-device controls, while the ecobee mobile app allows users to adjust temperature and manage settings remotely.
The thermostat can use scheduling and automatic temperature adjustments to help optimize energy use based on household routines. It also learns how long the home takes to heat or cool and can be paired with optional ecobee SmartSensors for more personalized comfort in frequently used rooms.
For smart-home integration, the thermostat works with major platforms including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant. It also provides alerts when potential HVAC issues are detected and includes Home Energy Reports to help homeowners better understand their heating and cooling energy use.