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Left to right: Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen, Ecobee Premium, and Amazon Smart Thermostat

After spending months testing the latest smart thermostats and saving (or trying to save) on my energy bills, I’ve got some real insights to share. With Google’s brand-new Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen making waves, let’s see how it stacks up against the popular Ecobee Premium and the budget-friendly Amazon Smart Thermostat.

TL;DR: Quick Picks

• 🏆 Best Overall: Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen (\$269.99)
• 🎯 Best Value: Ecobee Premium (\$219.99)
• 💰 Budget Pick: Amazon Smart Thermostat (\$69.99)

Price comparison and key features at a glance

Let’s Talk Price and What You Get

Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)

• Price: \$279.99
• Includes one Nest Temperature Sensor
• Three premium finishes: Polished Silver, Obsidian, and Gold
• Available for pre-order, shipping January 30

The Nest 4th Gen’s edge-to-edge glass display with weather animation

Ecobee Premium

• Price: \$249.99
• Includes one SmartSensor with occupancy detection
• Sleek black finish with zinc body
• Available now

Ecobee Premium’s touchscreen display showing weather and controls

Amazon Smart Thermostat

• Price: \$79.99
• Basic but effective design
• Potential energy provider rebates
• Available now

Amazon smart touchscreen display showing weather and controls

Design and Display: The Eye Test

Display comparison showing interface differences

Nest’s New Look

Remember how the original Nest changed the game with its circular design? The 4th Gen takes it even further. The new 2.7-inch edge-to-edge glass display is simply stunning. It’s 60% larger than before, with crystal-clear 600×600 resolution that makes everything pop. Plus, those new weather animations? They’re not just pretty—they actually help you understand what’s happening with your climate control.

Ecobee’s Approach

The Ecobee Premium takes a more practical approach with its 2.9-inch touchscreen. While it might not win any beauty contests against the Nest, it’s incredibly functional. I love that it can show my video doorbell feed right on the display—super handy when I’m in another room.

Amazon’s Simplicity

Amazon went with a clean, minimalist design. It’s like the IKEA of smart thermostats—simple, functional, and surprisingly good-looking for the price. No fancy animations or edge-to-edge display, but it gets the job done without looking cheap.

Smart Features That Actually Matter

Nest’s AI Magic

The new Nest is like having a mini weather station in your home. Here’s what impressed me most:

• Weather-Aware: It actually watches outdoor conditions and adjusts before you need to
• System Health: Alerts you to potential HVAC issues before they become problems
• Dynamic Farsight: The display adapts based on whether you’re across the room or up close

Ecobee’s Swiss Army Knife Approach

Ecobee packs in features you didn’t know you wanted:

• Built-in Alexa: Works as a smart speaker (though don’t expect amazing sound quality)
• Smart Sensors: Knows which rooms are actually being used
• Security Hub: Can integrate with Ecobee’s security system

Amazon’s Focused Features

Amazon strips it down to the essentials:

• Simple Scheduling: Easy to set up and forget
• Alexa Integration: Works well with Echo devices
• Energy Tracking: Basic but effective monitoring

Installation Reality Check

Typical wiring setup for smart thermostats

Let’s talk about the C-wire elephant in the room. Here’s what you need to know:

• Nest: Most homes won’t need extra wiring thanks to their Power Sharing feature
• Ecobee: Requires C-wire or their Power Extender Kit (sold separately)
• Amazon: C-wire required, adapter available separately

Who Should Buy What?

Choose the Nest 4th Gen if:

• You appreciate premium design and build quality
• You want the most advanced AI features
• Matter support matters to you
• You don’t mind paying more for the latest tech

Go with Ecobee Premium if:

• You want built-in Alexa
• Room occupancy detection is important
• You need video doorbell integration
• You want broad smart home compatibility

Pick the Amazon Smart Thermostat if:

• You’re on a budget but want smart features
• You’re already in the Alexa ecosystem
• You prefer simplicity over advanced features
• You’re new to smart home tech

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The Bottom Line

After months of testing, I can confidently say any of these will be a massive upgrade from a traditional thermostat. The Nest 4th Gen is the most impressive technically, the Ecobee Premium offers the most features per dollar, and the Amazon Smart Thermostat is an incredible value.

My Personal Pick: I ended up keeping the Nest 4th Gen in my living room. The combination of beautiful design, weather-aware adjustments, and Matter support won me over. Yes, it’s pricier, but the energy savings and future-proof features make it worth it for my setup.

What’s your experience with smart thermostats? Which features matter most to you? Let me know in the comments below!

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Testing conducted between November 2024 and January 2025. Prices and features may vary by region and retailer.