Ecobee3 vs Ecobee4 Compare Review
Ecobee3 vs Ecobee4 side by side review. Use our detailed comparison of these 2 smart home wi-fi thermostats. According to Ecobee, owners of their thermostats save an average of 23% annually on heating and cooling. You can add remote sensors to rooms throughout your home (1 remote sensor is included). The Ecobee4 includes Amazon’s Alexa built in so you can speak to it adjust temperature or ask it anything you would ask Alexa and receive a response. Use our review below to decide the best smart thermostat for you.
![]() |
![]() |
Ecobee3 | Ecobee4 |
. Retail: $ Find the BEST Price . |
. Retail: $ Find the BEST Price . |
Specs . Ecobee3 3.93 in x 3.93 in (L x W) 0.86 (D) . Room Sensor 1.73 in x 1.73 in (L x W) 0.78 in (D) . 3.5 in Color LCD Touch Screen 320 x 480 Display . Compatible With Conventional (2H/2C) Gas – Oil – Electric – Dual Fuel Heat Pump (4H,2C) Humidifier, Dehumidifier, Ventilator, HRV or ERV . Connectivity/Security Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2) and Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.11 b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz 915MHz, Future Expansion Slot DHCP or Static IP Addressing Transport Layer Security (TLS) . Power Usage under 3.5 VA Monthly Bandwidth 15 -20 MB |
Specs . Ecobee4 4.29 in x 4.29 in (L x W) 1.03 (D) . Room Sensor 1.7 in x 1.7 in (L x W) 0.78 in (D) . 3.5 in Color LCD Touch Screen 320 x 480 Display . Compatible With Conventional (2H/2C) Gas – Oil – Electric – Dual Fuel Heat Pump (4H,2C) Humidifier, Dehumidifier, Ventilator, HRV or ERV . Connectivity/Security Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2) and Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.11 b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz 915MHz DHCP or Static IP Addressing Transport Layer Security (TLS) . Power Usage under 3.5 VA Monthly Bandwidth 15+ MB/Month (This will vary based on Alexa usage) |
You can see that most of the specs above are very similar. The Ecobee4 is slightly larger and the power usage will vary based on your usage of Amazon Alexa which is now built in (scroll down for more info).
![]() Ecobee3 Thermostat with Sensor |
|
![]() Ecobee4 Alexa Thermostat with Sensor |
What will the Ecobee work with? Smartphone (iOS and Android) Tablet Computer Apple HomeKit Samsung SmartThings IFTTT Amazon Echo (Built in to Ecobee4 but needs to be purchased separately for Ecobee3 Wink and more. |
The question should be what doesn’t the Ecobee work with. You will find wide ranging and varied ways to operate your Ecobee. Over time this list will continue to expand.
Amazon Alexa compatible – You can set up and control the Ecobee3 with Alexa. You will need to purchase the Echo device separately. The Ecobee4 has the Alexa Voice Service built in to the thermostat. With a microphone and speaker built in you can communicate with the Ecobee4 like any Echo device.
![]() Ecobee3 |
|
![]() Ecobee4 |
Ecobee4 Voice and Audio Features Alexa Voice Service built in Microphones built in Speaker built in Sensory TrulyHandsfree Wake Word Engine Far field voice recognition – allows your voice to be recognized from across the room |
Features for the Ecobee3 vs Ecobee4
Wireless Room Sensors – Both units include 1 wireless room sensor. This goes in your room of choice other than where the main thermostat is located. The sensor will measure temperature and occupancy. You will be able to adjust temperature just as easily as you can with the main thermostat. You can add a total of 32 sensors.
Smart Home/Away – You can schedule when you will usually be home and away. If the Ecobee detects that you are home or away that is different from that schedule it will override the schedule to maximize comfort and savings.
Follow Me – You can control your temperature comfort in 2 ways
1. Take the average temperature of the selected sensors that detect motion
2 Take the average temperature of all the sensors in the home regardless of motion
Free Cooling – If your home has a ventilator, on cool summer evenings the Ecobee will use the outdoor air instead of the air conditioner to cool your home
Fan Dissipation – At the end of a heating/cooling cycle the Ecobee will continue to run the fan to get the most out of your equipment.
Smart Recovery – Ecobee uses wi-fi to monitor local weather and then finds the most efficient way to heat/cool your home
Home IQ – This report will show you how much energy you converse every month
Optimal Humidity – If you have a humidifier, the Ecobee will adjust the humidity to prevent frost buildup on the windows when it is cold outside and high humidity inside.
AC Overcool to Dehumidify – The Ecobee uses your air conditioner to lower humidity inside if you do not have a dehunidifier.
Alerts and Reminders – You will be alerted if your equipment is not working right, or a reminder for service maintenance on your equipment.
Robust Staging Options – It is able to optimize the heating and cooling of multistage equipment.
Ecobee3 vs Ecobee4 | |
3-year Warranty | 3-year Warranty |
What’s in the Box? Ecobee3 Thermostat Room sensor with detachable stand Power Extender Kit Drywall plugs and screws Trim plates Installation and Start up Guide Wire Labels |
What’s in the Box? Ecobee4 Thermostat Room sensor with detachable stand Drywall plugs and screws Mounting Plate Installation and Start up Guide Voice Card Wire Labels |
Retail: $ Find the BEST Price |
Retail: $ Find the BEST Price |
Nest 3rd Generation vs Ecobee4
Nest Learning Thermostat 2nd vs 3rd
![]() |
VS | ![]() |

Ecobee4