Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced vs Ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential

The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced is the better overall model, with a higher owner rating, dual-band Wi-Fi, occupancy sensing, SmartThings and IFTTT support, and an included trim plate. The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential wins on being the more affordable option.

The Enhanced adds features the Essential leaves out: 5GHz Wi-Fi, an occupancy sensor, Samsung SmartThings and IFTTT integrations, and a bundled trim plate. Both share the same 4-inch color touchscreen, humidity sensing, temperature alerts and three-year warranty.

Yes. Both the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced and the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential work with Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home and Home Assistant. The Enhanced additionally adds Samsung SmartThings and IFTTT.

The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced includes a trim plate, handy for covering marks left by an old thermostat. The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential does not include one.

Buyers who want to save money and mainly use Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home, and who do not need occupancy sensing, SmartThings/IFTTT support, dual-band Wi-Fi or a bundled trim plate.

Anyone who wants the fuller feature set, including occupancy sensing, 5GHz Wi-Fi, SmartThings and IFTTT integration, and the trim plate in the box, and who values the higher-rated of the two models.