August 5, 2026 · 8 thermostats tested
Gold Tested
A smart thermostat's value is in energy savings, not app features. We measured actual HVAC runtime reduction over three months in four homes. The best thermostat saved $23/month. The worst saved $4.
ecobee
The ecobee Premium's room sensors are the differentiator. By measuring temperature in occupied rooms instead of just the hallway, it reduced HVAC runtime by 18% — the biggest savings we measured. The
We installed each thermostat in test homes for 90 days and compared HVAC runtime against the previous 90 days. We controlled for weather using degree-day data. Setup difficulty and learning period were also evaluated.
The ecobee Premium's room sensors are the differentiator. By measuring temperature in occupied rooms instead of just the hallway, it reduced HVAC runtime by 18% — the biggest savings we measured. The built-in air quality monitor is a genuine bonus.
Specifications
| Display | 3.5" touchscreen |
| Sensors | 2 included, supports 32 |
| HVAC | 2H/2C conventional, heat pump |
| Voice | Alexa built-in |
| Air quality | VOC + CO₂ monitor |
| Geofencing | Yes |
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium earns our recommendation because it outperformed the competition in the metrics that matter most. When you consider the testing data alongside real-world usability, it delivers the best overall experience in this category.