Ecobee4 Review: One of the Best Intelligent Thermostat You Should Buy!

​For a long time, Nest has been dominating the world of smart thermostats. Until recently ecobee4 has come to the market. So we decided to publish the ecobee4 review.

They have been the favorite for most shoppers and it’s not surprising considering how they easily overcome most of the limitations familiar with old-fashioned models.

Amongst other interesting features, their ability to “learn” the user’s schedules and preferences and subsequently make intelligent decisions is something that is evidently lacking in their traditional counterparts. Hopefully, it’s not going to be Nest alone that will be making all the waves.

The emergence of specific brands (though not as popular like the Nest) in recent times has intensified competition, and now homeowners have a lot of options to choose from.

And as expected most of these brands have been able to capitalize on the shortcomings of Nest thermostats and a few of them may have taken the lead. It seems the fourth generation of the Ecobee series belongs to such a category.

Ecobee4 Review:Why Ecobee4 i​​​​​s a big thing?

The Ecobee 4 might actually be the elephant among the high-enders in the smart thermostat industry. It is undeniably the best product to purchase right now. And in case you are already a fan of the Ecobee3, then you will find the fourth generation to be the perfect upgrade.

Besides highlighting all the best features of the Ecobee3, this hardware comes baked in with Alexa, and at a lower price.

Not only will you find the design fascinating, but you will also be amazed at the number of exciting features it offers. Some of them include Amazon Alexa support, proximity sensor, simplified temperature control, responsive touchscreen display and a host of other amazing features that puts it in the forefront as the best smart thermostat available in the market today.

So when next you visit a hardware store to shop for a good thermostat, make sure you ask about the Ecobee 4. Don’t cry at all! Because after scrolling through this review, you will have an idea of what it feels like to live with it.

Features & Functionality

The Ecobee4 is not only a thermostat that can meet your home automation needs. It is one of the “smartest” you can get around for its price.

Unlike some of its counterparts, this device is really “smart”. Apart from its high-value tag, it comes with almost everything you can expect from a smart thermostat including app control, scheduling, presence detection and a bunch of other impressive features

So in addition to conveniently operating the thermostat through your mobile phone, the device can automatically make changes to your HVAC settings whether you are at home or away.

Also equipped with the device are remote sensors which take stock of the temperature conditions in various areas of your house, and also serve for detecting whether the rooms are occupied or not.

Using what the sensors reads and climate around the main unit, the device can balance the environment in your home. This makes this hardware effective for managing climate in dwellings with various temperature conditions in different rooms.

With the voice control, you can alter the thermostat level and settings whether you are at home or not, without ever having to touch the device or using your smartphone.

​And as expected, the inclusion of Alexa opens up to a lot of other possibilities with the Ecobee4 which includes playing a song, setting timers, ordering pizza and every other thing you can do Alexa.

 

A Perfect Upgrade

The Ecobee4 is basically the same as the Ecobee3 but not without an in-built Echo Dot. The former offers all of the best highlights in the later including a responsive touchscreen display, proximity sensor, web and mobile app support, remote temperature and of course, compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings and a host of other smart kinds of stuff.

However, unlike the Ecobee3 smart thermostat, the Ecobee 4 doesn’t just integrate well with Alexa, instead, it comes as an Amazon Speaker itself. And it’s no surprise it’s rated by many users as the smartest thermostat available at the moment.

But then, if you’re not intrigued by all the smart stiffs, or you probably have your own Alexa speaker already, then you may want to consider going for the Ecobee3.

Sensibility

Though the Ecobee4 smart thermostat only comes with a single remote sensor, you can still purchase additional bundles separately in packs of two if you need more.

Given its intelligence and performance, we believe this sensor is actually what puts the Ecobee in the frontline of the smartest thermostats available, and we positively encourage you to get more than one.

Besides temperature and humidity, these sensors can measure occupancy and even proximity. In other words, they can tell if someone is in the house or not, or if someone is close to the unit.

Their efficiency and accuracy can be attributed to their unique ability to collect information from several rooms where they are located. So the more extra sensors you add, the more effective and powerful your Ecobee becomes.

Once you finish setting up the Ecobee4, you can add as many sensors you want to the comfort settings depending on your preference. Then the unit will regulate the readings from each sensor and adjust your heating and cooling system accordingly.

For instance, in the night, you can select only the sensors in the bedrooms to ensure no one gets frozen or baked during the dark hours.

 

Energy Management

If your motivation for wanting to use a smart thermostat is to cut down your energy expenses, then you can stay rest assured that the Ecobee4 will not disappoint you.

This unit has already received a lot of positive reviews with regards to its energy management. And this is not surprising considering the array of energy features it supports.

One of such features is the Ecobee DataRhythm Technology which is employed for automatic scheduling. This feature allows the Ecobee4 to learn your personal schedule and evaluate the weather and humidity outside and then comes up with a unique program that ultimately suits your home’s energy profile.

The use of motion sensors doesn’t only create a comfy atmosphere in your home but also cuts down your bills. With the geofencing feature, you can make sure energy is not wasted on an empty space.

By the way, geofencing prompts the device to behave in a certain way according to the location of your smartphone.

For instance, when you activate geofencing, you can set the “Away” mode so that whenever you live the virtual fence of your home with your phone, the thermostat automatically turns down the heating and cooling system.

Compatibility

The Alexa difference is perhaps what singles out the Ecobee4 from the pack. Unlike other high-end models, this unit comes packed with its own speaker and microphone which explains its large size.

Not only does it receive voice commands, but can also do everything Alexa does like playing music.

Besides Alexa, it also allows integration with other smart home applications like Wink, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Google Home, Apple Watch IFTTT and everything else.

 

What makes it top over NEST Learning Thermostat 3rd generation?

By all standards, the Ecobee4 is top-notch and obviously vies top position with only one thermostat-the Nest Learning thermostat third generation.

Since both thermostats have the same MSRP, we would definitely tip the Ecobee4 for the grand spot considering all the features it offers which are apparently missing in the Nest.

It’s hard to look away from the built-in Alexa, Homekit compatibility and remote control of the Ecobee4. There’s no doubt it’s the sexiest smart thermostat invoke right now as we mentioned earlier in this review of ecobee4.

 

Pros

  • ​Elegant design: Minimalist style
  • ​Integration with a lot of smart stuff
  • ​Significantly saves energy
  • ​Voice control makes it very easy to use
  • ​Easy set-up if you have c-wire
  • ​Offers remote control so you can adjust your heating and cooling wherever you are
  • ​Great display and interface: touchscreen
  • ​Built-in with Alexa

Cons

  • ​Requires C-wire for installation.
  • ​Speaker may be weak.

​Bottom Line: Is Ecobee 4 Really The Smartest Thermostat?

If you feel incomplete without Alexa – like you felt without the wifey –  and you don’t mind paying a top dollar, then Ecobee 4 is the best thermostat you can get for your smart home collection.

It meets the threshold for aesthetics and obviously better in terms of functionality. Regardless of the level of your expectation, we are sure you won’t be disappointed.

No need to get a separate Amazon Echo for voice control; just set up the gadget and start speaking. And of course, you can expect to get more from it then the Nest Learning thermostat third generation.

With a three year warranty and reliable customer support to beckon on, the Ecobee4 clearly shines in completeness.

Believe it or not, accroding to our review of ecobee 4, it is the best thermostat available today. The tech is the coolest, and the performance is reliable. What else can you ask for about this ecobee4 review?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is the Ecobee 4 Smart Thermostat worth the money?

A: Obviously, because it’s the perfect upgrade. It provides Alexa coverage and works with everything else.

 

Q: How is it installed?

A: You can install the Ecobee4 via the mobile app. Once you download it to your smartphone, open it and follow the instructions that appear. Ecobee also provides video tutorials to help you out in case you get stuck.

If your existing unit doesn’t have a C-wire, then the installation will likely take longer. In this case, you can either run a new C-wire or install a Power Extender Kit. You may need to contact a professional at this point.

 

Q: How do I control the unit when not at home?

A: You can control the Ecobee4 through the smartphone app

 

Q: Can I turn off the Alexa integration?

A: If you want Alexa to stop listening, then you have to Mute it. The light automatically goes off when this is done.

 

Q: Will Ecobee4 work with older version of sensors?

A: Definitely. The Ecobee4 can support any one of the company’s wireless sensors currently available.

Q: What is the major difference between the Ecobee3 and Ecobee4?

A: Unlike the Ecobee3, Alexa is built into the Ecobee4. As such, the following functions independently as an Alexa hub and doesn’t require a Dot or Echo. Besides this, both devices share almost the same features.

 

Q: Is it possible to select a temperature in the sensor room that is different from the one in the room where I have my Ecobee4?

A: Yes, you can. Changing the sensor participation allows the device to only read from the wireless sensor.

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