Nest vs ecobee vs Honeywell
Best smart thermostat for winter
Our overall winner is the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen). A smart thermostat is one of the few gadgets that can pay for itself. We compared the best sellers from Google Nest, ecobee and Honeywell Home before the heating bills arrive.
How we picked: we shortlist by Amazon Best Seller rank and number of ratings, then compare published specs. We don't test these products hands-on.
- Owner reviews checked
- Features side by side
- Quick & easy compare
- Smarter purchase
The short answer
Our pick is the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen). It learns your schedule, asks before it changes anything, works without a C-wire in most homes, and comes with a room sensor so you can heat the room you are actually in. Google says it can save up to 31% on heating and cooling.
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium packs the most features: a room sensor, a built-in Alexa or Siri speaker, an air quality monitor and a 3-year warranty. On a budget, the ecobee Essential and Honeywell Home T5 cover the basics: schedules, phone control and away mode.
Thermostats from Google, ecobee and Honeywell are part of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days smart home deals (October 6–7, 2026), right as heating season starts.
Compare them side by side
Everything that matters, in one table. Swipe to see all 4.
| Product | Best Overall Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) Learning smart thermostat |  Most Features ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Smart thermostat with speaker |  Best Budget ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential Budget smart thermostat |  Best Simple Schedule Honeywell Home T5 Smart Wi-Fi thermostat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore | 92 / 100 | 90 / 100 | 86 / 100 | 84 / 100 |
| Best for | Set it and forget it | Smart home fans | Basic smart control for less | People who like a fixed weekly schedule |
| Savings claim | Up to 31% | Up to 26% | Up to 23% | 8–16% with scheduling |
| Room sensor | Yes, 1 included | Yes, SmartSensor included | No | No |
| C-wire | Not needed in most homes | Adapter (PEK) included | Adapter (PEK) sold separately | Required (adapter may be needed) |
| Voice | Via Alexa, Siri or Google speakers | Built-in Alexa or Siri speaker | Works with Alexa, Siri, Google | Works with Alexa, Siri, Google |
| Extras | Matter support, 60% bigger screen | 3-year warranty, air quality monitor | Color touchscreen, free updates | Geofencing, utility rebates |
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BeastScore here is our overall rating out of 100, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Prices change daily, so tap "View on Amazon" for today's price. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
All 4 compared, in one look
See every pick on one chart, or tap one to put it head to head with Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen). Ratings out of 10 are our estimates from published specs and Amazon owner reviews, not hands-on tests. Bigger shape = better.
- Energy savingsNest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) · 9.6/10
- Learning & automationNest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) · 9.8/10
- Easy installNest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) · 9.4/10
- Room sensorsecobee Smart Thermostat Premium · 9.4/10
- Extrasecobee Smart Thermostat Premium · 9.9/10
- Valueecobee Smart Thermostat Essential · 9.6/10
Who wins where
The winner of each category, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Pick the rounds that matter to you.
- Round 1
Energy savings
Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) winsEach brand makes its own claim. Google says the Nest can save up to 31% on heating and cooling, ecobee says up to 26% (Premium) and 23% (Essential), and Honeywell says heavy schedule users saved 8–16%. Real savings depend on your home and habits.
- Round 2
Learning and automation
Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) winsThe Nest learns your schedule and suggests changes, then asks for permission in the Google Home app before it makes them. The ecobees adjust based on whether rooms are in use. The Honeywell follows a schedule you set or your phone’s location.
- Round 3
Room sensors
TieNest and ecobee Premium both include a room sensor, so you can warm the bedroom at night instead of the hallway. ecobee’s SmartSensor also detects whether a room is in use. The Essential and T5 don’t come with one.
- Round 4
Installation
Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) winsMost homes need no C-wire for the Nest. The ecobee Premium includes a power adapter (PEK) for homes without one; the Essential sells it separately. The Honeywell T5 needs a C-wire, so check your wiring first.
- Round 5
Extras
ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium winsThe ecobee Premium has a built-in Alexa or Siri speaker, an air quality monitor, smoke alarm alerts and a doorbell camera view, plus a 3-year warranty. No other thermostat here comes close.
Which one should you buy?
Find your situation below. That's your pick.
- You want it to set itself up
- You use Google Home
- Your home has no C-wire
- You want a speaker and air quality alerts
- You use Alexa or Apple Home
- You want the longest warranty
- You want smart control for less
- One temperature is fine for your home
- You have a C-wire or can add one
- You like a fixed weekly schedule
- You want a big, simple touchscreen
- Your utility offers a rebate
Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)
The smartest and easiest of the four: it learns your routine, includes a room sensor and usually needs no C-wire.
- Up to 31% savings (Google)
- Room sensor included
- No C-wire in most homes
Quick tips before you buy
Look behind your old thermostat. No C-wire? Nest or ecobee Premium are easiest.
Use the brand’s online compatibility checker before you buy, especially for heat pumps.
Many energy companies give rebates for smart thermostats. Check before you pay.
Put the room sensor where you sleep for the biggest comfort boost at night.
Quick answers
Is Nest or ecobee better?+
Nest is better if you want it to learn and run itself, and you use Google Home. ecobee Premium is better if you want more features, like a built-in speaker, air quality monitor and a 3-year warranty.
Do smart thermostats really save money?+
They can. Savings come from not heating or cooling an empty home. Google claims up to 31% for Nest and ecobee up to 26% for the Premium, but your results depend on your home and habits.
Do I need a C-wire for a smart thermostat?+
Not always. The Nest Learning Thermostat works without one in most homes, and the ecobee Premium includes an adapter. The Honeywell T5 requires a C-wire.
Can I install a smart thermostat myself?+
Usually yes. Each brand’s app walks you through it step by step. Turn off power to your HVAC first, and call a pro if you have high-voltage or unusual wiring.
