At CES 2025, Ecobee unveiled the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential, which is their most affordable smart thermostat to date. This model is significantly smaller than the other thermostats in Ecobee’s range. However, it still features a full-colour touchscreen and is compatible with the Ecobee app, all while maintaining the familiar ‘squircle’ design that Ecobee users love. The Essential is priced at just $129.99.
Targeting Programmable Thermostat Users
With this new product, Ecobee is clearly aiming at users who have not yet upgraded from old programmable thermostats to more modern options. Nevertheless, Ecobee faces tough competition from Google’s Nest Thermostat (2020), which is available for the same price, or sometimes even cheaper on Amazon. Both of these thermostats can connect to most HVAC systems, but unlike the Nest, the Essential can easily integrate with Ecobee’s $99.99 Smart Sensors. The downside is that connectivity may be limited because Ecobee has been hesitant to support the Matter smart home standard. That said, the entry-level Ecobee thermostat comes with built-in Alexa and works with Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant.
Changes Coming in March 2025
With the Essential set to launch in March 2025, Ecobee plans to phase out the $150 Ecobee3 Lite. Still, the Ecobee3 Lite will continue to receive support for a few more years, and you can still find it on the Ecobee website while it remains available.
Ecobee’s new product is a clear step toward making smart home technology more accessible to a wider audience, even if it means competing with products at similar price points.
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