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Homeowners weighing energy costs are asking whether a smart thermostat actually pays off, and how Nest, Ecobee and Mysa compare on price and features. Here’s what the reviews and specs show for each brand’s flagship models.
Which Smart Thermostat Saves You the Most Money?
The Mysa Smart Thermostat is the most affordable of the three at $129 for the central HVAC model, while the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) runs $279.99 and the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium costs $259.99.
Mysa positions itself as costing “$70-120 less than premium competitors while including the same core features,” according to the company’s official website. Mysa also says software updates remain free for the life of the device and no features sit behind subscription paywalls. Nest’s fourth-generation model, by contrast, learns your schedule automatically and includes a Nest Temperature Sensor. Ecobee’s Premium ships with a SmartSensor, a built-in air quality monitor and built-in Alexa and Siri support. For buyers who want basic remote control without the extras, the entry-level Nest Thermostat drops to around $130.
How Does the Nest Learning Thermostat Compare to the Cheaper Nest Thermostat?
The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) costs $279.99 and learns your schedule automatically, while the Nest Thermostat (2020) runs about $130 but requires manual scheduling and does not support Nest Temperature Sensors.
Roy Furchgott, writing for Wirecutter, called the Learning Thermostat “the smartest thermostat” and noted, “The Nest doesn’t include a built-in smart-speaker and mic either, but for many that may be preferred.” Will Greenwald and John R. Delaney at PC Mag described the cheaper Nest as a “top pick for anyone shopping for a smart thermostat on a budget,” calling it “ideal if you have a smart home built around Google Assistant, especially if you use other Nest devices, since they are all designed to work together.” They also flagged limits, including no support for three-stage heating systems, no automatic scheduling and no remote room sensors.
Is the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Worth the Price?
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium sells for $259.99 and adds a built-in air quality monitor, one SmartSensor and built-in Alexa and Siri support. The step-down Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced runs $199.99 without the air quality monitor or built-in speaker.
Jon Reed reviewed the Premium for CNET and highlighted an unexpected feature, writing that “the Ecobee Smart thermostat Premium makes a half-decent Bluetooth speaker.” Reed cautioned that “A smart thermostat, like any technology purchase, is not always a purely money-saving venture. It’s a lifestyle choice.” He also suggested watching for utility rebates, writing that “Utility companies, local governments and other entities routinely offer rebates, discounts and even free thermostats.” Reed pointed shoppers considering a broader ecosystem toward Ecobee’s home security devices.
What Makes the Mysa Smart Thermostat Different From Nest and Ecobee?
The Mysa Smart Thermostat undercuts both competitors on price, with the central HVAC model at $129 and the electric baseboard model around $159.99, and Mysa says it never sells user data to Google or Amazon.
Mysa describes itself as “a privacy-focused Canadian company” that offers “energy monitoring as detailed as premium brands and Matter certification for future-proof smart home compatibility,” per the company’s website. The central HVAC model works with most 24V systems, including furnaces, heat pumps, central AC, boilers and radiant heating. The electric baseboard model connects to Wi-Fi and controls electric baseboard heaters through the app. Mysa does not offer advanced learning features or dedicated room temperature sensors, making it best for homeowners who want essential smart features and app control without paying for a premium ecosystem.
Which Smart Thermostat Works Best With Your Smart Home Platform?
Nest is designed around Google Home and Google Assistant, Ecobee ships with Alexa and Siri built in, and Mysa pairs with Alexa, Google Home or Apple HomeKit.
The entry-level Nest Thermostat is best suited to homes already using Google Assistant and other Nest devices, per PC Mag, though its Matter support opens the door to other platforms. Ecobee’s Premium doubles as a Bluetooth speaker and includes both Alexa and Siri, giving households that mix Apple and Amazon devices the most flexibility out of the box. Mysa’s central HVAC and electric baseboard models both connect over Wi-Fi and work with any of the three major voice assistants, which broadens compatibility for buyers who have not committed to a single ecosystem.
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