ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium vs. ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced

Naila Syifa

Updated October 2024

ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium vs. ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced

When it comes to smart thermostats, ecobee offers two high-end models that cater to different needs and budgets: the Smart Thermostat Premium and the Smart Thermostat Enhanced. While both devices provide advanced temperature control and energy-saving features, there are some key differences that set them apart.

On our list

#1 Design

#2 Features

#3 System Compatibility & Setup

#4 Price & Availability

Key Takeaways

The premium model adds built-in air quality monitoring, voice-enabled smart features, and 12 wire terminals compared to just 8 on the Enhanced model for more flexible HVAC system compatibility. However, both offer radar occupancy sensing, ecobee Smart Security support, and wide smart home integration capabilities.

Aspect	ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium	ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced
Dimensions	4.09” x 4.09” x 1.02”	4.09” x 4.09” x 0.94”
Built-In Radar Occupancy Sensor	✅	✅
Built-In Humidity Sensor	✅	✅
Built-In Indoor Air Quality Monitor	✅	❌
Built-In Speaker & Microphone	✅	❌
Built-In Siren	✅	❌
Security Hub	✅	✅
SmartSensor	Included	Sold Separately
Smart Home Integration	Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, SmartThings, IFTTT	Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, SmartThings, IFTTT
Terminal	12	8
HVAC Accessory Support	✅ 1-Wire or 2-Wire	✅ 1-Wire
Power Extender Kit	Included	Included
Wi-Fi	Dual-Band	Dual-Band

ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

The Smartest Programmable Wi-Fi Thermostat

✓ Radar Occupancy Sensing
✓ Built-In Indoor Air Quality Monitor
✓ Two-Way Talk with Siri/Alexa Built-In
✓ SmartSensor Included

Buy on Amazon

ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced

Advanced Programmable Wi-Fi Thermostat

✓ Radar Occupancy Sensing
✓ Schedule Assistant
✓ Smart Home Integration
✓ Works with SmartSensors

Buy on Amazon

Design

ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium and Enhanced have a nearly identical design, featuring a simple rectangular shape with a large touchscreen display and a sleek, modern appearance. Both measure 4.09” x 4.09” and feature a 4-inch color LCD touchscreen with 540 x 540 pixels resolution.

The only noticeable difference between the two is the metal back of the Smart Thermostat Premium, which gives it a more premium look and feel compared to the plastic back of the Enhanced model. However, who cares about the back of a thermostat that's mounted on the wall?

Features

Similarities

ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced

Other than basic temperature and humidity sensing capabilities, both thermostats offer a radar sensor for occupancy and proximity sensing, which means they can detect when someone enters a room or when the house is empty and adjust the temperature accordingly.

This capability also means that both the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium and ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced can identify your home/away routine. If the actual routine differs from your preset schedule, the Schedule Assistant feature will suggest adjustments to your schedule to optimize energy efficiency and comfort.

Both models are also compatible with ecobee's SmartSensor, which can be placed in different rooms to provide more accurate temperature readings and occupancy detection throughout your home. However, while the SmartSensor is included with the Premium model, the Smart Thermostat Enhanced requires a separate purchase.

Differences

ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium also has an advantage with its built-in indoor air quality monitor, which the Enhanced model lacks. This feature allows it to alert you to poor air quality and provide recommendations for improvement.

On top of that, the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium features a built-in speaker and microphone, allowing it to be used as a smart speaker with Siri or Alexa Built-In. For example, you can use it to control the thermostat hands-free, stream music from Spotify, send intercom messages to other compatible speakers in your home, or make voice calls.

While the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced supports smart home integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, and IFTTT, the absence of built-in voice control capabilities means it relies on an external smart speaker for voice commands.

Security-Related Features

ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

Another difference between the two concerns the features related to ecobee Smart Security system, which is a paid subscription service that integrates the various ecobee devices you have at home into a comprehensive home monitoring and security solution.

When you have the Smart Security subscription, both the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium and Enhanced can:

Serve as a security hub that allows you to arm and disarm your home by entering a 4-digit PIN code on the onscreen keypad
Send motion alerts when unexpected movement is detected in your home when the system is armed
Send notifications of sudden temperature drops that can indicate potential frozen or burst pipes or other issues.

The Premium thermostat offers additional features, including smoke alarm detection, a built-in siren, and the capability to see a live view from your ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera directly on the thermostat's display.

Learn more about ecobee Smart Security subscription here

System Compatibility & Setup

ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced

Both thermostats are compatible with most HVAC systems, though they require a C wire for installation. For homes without a C wire, the Power Extender Kit is included in both packages to provide the necessary power.

The Premium model has 12 terminals compared to the Enhanced model's 8 terminals, giving it more flexibility for connecting to a wider range of HVAC systems. The wire terminals available on both models include:
Enhanced: R, W1, W2/OB, Y1, Y2, C, PEK+, G
Premium: Rc, Rh, W1, W2, Y1, Y2, C, O/B, PEK+, G, ACC+, ACC-

Both thermostats support HVAC accessories like humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and ventilators, but the Enhanced model only supports one-wire accessories. It uses the PEK+ connector for connecting to an accessory, which means you can't use the Power Extender Kit simultaneously. Homes without a C wire require the Power Extender Kit, so connecting to HVAC accessories would not be possible with the Enhanced model.

Meanwhile, the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium supports one-wire or two-wire HVAC accessories through its dedicated ACC+ and ACC- terminals. With the Premium model, you can connect HVAC accessories even when using the Power Extender Kit.

Price & Availability

ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium retails at US$249, while the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced is priced at US$189. That's a $60 difference between the two models. Both are widely available from major retailers and online marketplaces.

Buy the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium on Amazon.
Buy the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced on Amazon.