Have you been looking for a smart thermostat that provides you with only the features you need, and doesn’t cost you extra, for features that you don’t need? Something that is both affordable yet more than capable? The Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat is just that, providing you with a design similar to the Ecobee3 and features that range from motion sensing, a great app and even a good amount of Smart Home integration. And so, with all that and also being compatible with extra sensors, the Ecobee3 Lite may just be the best smart thermostat for you. If you like futuristic tech, you’ll also be interested in our review of the Hello smart camera.
Why We Like It – Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat
When it comes to providing you with the basic features we all expect in a thermostat, whilst also providing you with certain smart features without costing you too much, the Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat is one that comes to mind. It offers an easy to use and flexible app which can be used to control your thermostat through the internet from anywhere at any time. You even get an easy set up process along with a touch display and design that adds to your home’s aesthetics. And so with all that at a pretty great price, the Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat is the perfect more affordable alternative to the Ecobee4 and Ecobee3. Compare the Ecobee3 with the one in our review on Nest Labs launches second-gen learning thermostat.
- Simple but greatly useful app
- Good amount of smart home integration
- Can be connected to remote sensors
- Doesn’t feature geofencing
- Extra sensors may cost too much
Performance
Providing you with a set up process of connecting the C wire to your HVAC system with the help of the small leveling bubble, the Ecobee3 Lite Smart thermostat can get your thermostat system up and running in no time. While the C-wire may seem like an issue to most people, compared to other battery powered thermostats, considering the fact that you everything ranging from screws, anchor belts and even an Power Extender Kit, it becomes ever so easier to set up the Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat. After that you simply install the Ecobee App on your phone, which is compatible with both iOS and Android, and then make an account and connect the device through your WiFi and you’re done. Then you can control the device from anywhere with just your phone and an internet connection, allowing for greater flexibility in terms of maintaining your home temperature. However, do not that the Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat doesn’t allow for controlling your ventilation, humidifier or dehumidifiers unlike the more premium Ecobee3 and Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat.
Moving onto the sensing capabilities of the Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat, it comes with motion sensors which acts similarly to the Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi thermostat’s home and away mode depending on the geofencing feature on it. Now while the Ecobee3 Lite doesn’t have geofencing features, the Ecobee3 automatically turns on when it senses motion, allowing it to reach your set temperature without any form of extra external input.
Apart from that, while it isn’t what we actually know of as a smart thermostat considering the fact that it isn’t a learning thermostat like most other smart thermostats, the Ecobee3 Lite still comes with quite a good amount of smart home integration. You can easily access Amazon Alexa Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Echo, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT, Wink and Control4 Systems. This allows you to change the heat cool settings through either one of the home systems which makes for much more convenient control if you use either one of them. The IFTTT compatibility also allows you to add a seperate geofencing feature if you need one. However, the Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat does fall behind with no support for google assistant which can be a serious drawback for frequent google assistant users among you.
The Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat also supports separate room sensors, which you can use if you want to, but the price of getting extra sensors may just turn out to be too much for some people. But even without the sensors, it works pretty nicely from the middle of most homes.
Related: Also check out our Ecobee Smartthermostat With Voice Control review.
Design
“With a design very similar to the higher priced Ecobee3, the Ecobee3 Lite comes with an all black design in the front for the 3.5 Inch glossy touch screen and a white colour on the back. Shaped like a plate with the sides tapered inwards, the Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat adds for a pretty nice look to your home wall.
Priced at about $170 similar to the Google Nest Thermostat E, the Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat makes for a pretty questionable bargain. If you’re someone who doesn’t actually need the more premium features offered in slightly higher priced products like the Ecobee4 and if you really need to buy a thermostat right now, it is a pretty good value for you. But if you’re someone who lives in a pretty large house and needs more additional room sensors, buying yourself the premium products with included additional sensors is the better way to go. This is especially applicable considering the fact that each sensor may cost you about $79 each which is pretty expensive considering you’re looking for a budget thermostat.
Also being a touchscreen display unlike that of the Honeywell WiFi Thermostat, it allows you to seamlessly control the heat cool rates and even shows you your home temperature, humidity level, current system state may it be heating, cooling or off as well as the weather with a yellow sun sign when applicable. However, unlike the Emerson Sensi Touch, the Ecobee3 Lite doesn’t show you the time of the day, but it really isn’t much of a drawback.”
Value
Priced at about $170 similar to the Google Nest Thermostat E, the Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat makes for a pretty questionable bargain. If you’re someone who doesn’t actually need the more premium features offered in slightly higher priced products like the Ecobee4 and if you really need to buy a thermostat right now, it is a pretty good value for you. But if you’re someone who lives in a pretty large house and needs more additional room sensors, buying yourself the premium products with included additional sensors is the better way to go. This is especially applicable considering the fact that each sensor may cost you about $79 each which is pretty expensive considering you’re looking for a budget thermostat.
Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat Wrap Up
While it isn’t meant for those in large houses, and those who need the more premium features like geofencing, the Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat serves it’s target customers more than well enough. It comes with a good home integration compatibility with the exception of Google Assistant, and paired with the easy set up process, great app and a pretty nice design, the Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat may just be the perfect thermostat for many of you out there.
