Which One Works Best? Ecobee3 vs. Emerson Sensi Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats help homeowners stay comfortable in their homes while also helping them save money easily.  Two of the best smart thermostats right now are Ecobee3 and Emerson Sensi Smart Thermostat.

How does one compare to the other?  Read on and find out!

Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat

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The Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat is one of the top-rated programmable thermostats available in the market today.  It has a mobile app that allows you to control the thermostat even when you are not home.

The Emerson Sensi is very easy to install, with a step-by-step guide for those who want to set it up the DIY way.  It is also compatible with a lot of current HVAC systems, ensuring a faster installation.  What’s more, it features seven-day programming to help you save money, energy, and time.

Additionally, it checks the local weather information and can measure indoor humidity. Design-wise, it is very low-profile, being 5.875 inches wide, 3.750 inches high, and 1.125 inches deep.  Plus, with a white color, it can blend in well with any interior decor or color theme for your home.  The thermostat is also very precise and is able to keep the temperature within 1°F of your target temperature.

If you do not have a C-wire or common wire, no need to worry as the Emerson Sensi can run on two AA batteries.

What could be better?

Truth be told, Emerson Sensi looks like your current thermostat, rather than sporting the flashy and eye-catching designs you see on other smart thermostats.  It looks pretty basic and boring.  You do not have rotary controls, amazing colors, and touch-screens here – just a simple white thermostat with screen and buttons.

Final word on the Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat

The Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat wants you to go back to the basics.  It does not have remote sensors, it does not offer geofencing capabilities, nor does it learn your behavior to give you the most savings.  Looking at it this way, it would be painfully obvious that Emerson Sensi has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to features if it wants to compete with Ecobee3 or Honeywell or Nest.

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However, Emerson Sensi is still worth considering if you are looking for a thermostat that allows you to control it using your smartphone.  What’s more, Emerson Sensi is also very affordable as you can get one from the company’s website. Check out the latest prices here.
The Emerson Sensi is also very easy to install, setup, and use.  The thermostat itself and the mobile app that comes free with it are very intuitive, with layouts that make them very usable.  Lastly, it works with Amazon Alexa, helping you operate the thermostat using voice commands.  At its price point, the Emerson Sensi gives you all of the features that matter.

Bottom line, the Emerson Sensi works and it works rather well even without the dazzling looks and features that you see on more expensive models.

Ecobee3

Now, if you are looking for something with all the bells and whistles, and if you won’t mind paying extra for it, then you can consider Ecobee3. At its price, Ecobee3 has some of the more advanced features that you are looking for in a smart thermostat. Check out the latest prices here! It connects to your Wi-Fi network and allows you to control the unit from your smartphone.  It works with Amazon Alexa, as well as a host of other home automation platforms.

Ecobee3 is very easy to install.  If your HVAC system has a common wire, you can just connect the thermostat to that wire and set everything up in just minutes.  If you do not have a C-wire, the package has a Power Extender Kit that would allow the thermostat to work without one.  Ecobee3 works with room sensors and this allows the thermostat to monitor and change the temperature in several rooms.  Plus, it is very easy to adjust the temperature yourself, whether you use the unit’s touchscreen temperature slider or the mobile app.

Ecobee3 helps you save money on heating and cooling your home.  According to the manufacturer, you are able to save an average of 23% off your energy bill yearly.  You can view monthly reports to see your savings and where you got them.  But what makes the Ecobee3 really stand out is the range of home automation platforms that it can connect to, including Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings, Wink, and several others.

What you would love about the Ecobee3

The Ecobee3 package has everything you need to install the thermostat, from the Power Extender Kit to the hardware you need such as screws and drywall plugs.  It is also very eye-catching, with an elegant black finish and a touchscreen display.

On top of being able to program schedules for your heating and cooling, it features several modes that help you save more.  For instance, the Follow Me feature will detect where you are inside your home.  If you are in the bedroom, the Ecobee3 will work to keep the temperature comfortable inside the room, while keeping the living room colder or warmer.  When you go out of the room and go to the living room to watch TV, the thermostat will focus on the living room.  That means you do not have to worry about keeping an empty room at the right temperature anymore.

Another feature that gives you more savings is the Home/Away modes.  In the Away mode, Ecobee3 will be able to know when there is no one home and will help you save on energy costs.  When you arrive home, Ecobee3 will set to work.  That means the Ecobee3 can change the temperature depending on where you are, thus saving you money in the process.

Final say about the Ecobee3

Ecobee3 does what every smart thermostat should do: keep the temperature around your home at the right levels while helping you save on energy costs.  You do not have to think about it because the Ecobee3 does the work for you.  What more could you ask for?

Ecobee3 or Sensi Smart Thermostat: Which one should you buy?

If you are looking for a smart thermostat now, then Ecobee3 and Emerson Sensi Smart Thermostat should be included in your list of choices.  But which one should you buy?

The short answer is that it really depends on your needs.

The long answer? Ecobee3 and Sensi Smart Thermostat are for different customers with different preferences.  Both are very capable smart thermostats and can be operated remotely using their respective free mobile apps, which are well-made and intuitive. And both of these brands or models can easily be installed on existing HVAC systems with a common wire.

However, Emerson Sensi is best-suited for those who are looking for a smart thermostat that is easy on the budget and still has great features, such as more refined scheduling and easy operation, as well as a look that resembles the traditional thermostat.  If you have an HVAC system without a C-wire, you would love Emerson Sensi because you can just use two AA batteries to safely power the thermostat.

For those who have smart homes and have invested in connected devices, the Ecobee3 is the better choice.  It might be more expensive than the Emerson Sensi, but it works rather well with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Wink, and other home automation platforms.  It also works with IFTTT recipes, as well as different accessories such as room sensors, ventilators, and dehumidifiers, among many others.

Furthermore, if you are looking for more savings, the Ecobee3 is for you. With its Home/Away modes and Follow Me feature, you can save more money without having to think about it.  It also provides monthly reports that give you a lot of insights on your heating and cooling use, and tips on how to save even more.