Smart Thermostats / Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) vs ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01)
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)
$239.99
VSecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01)
$199.99
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) vs ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01)
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)
The only one that really learns your schedule, and it usually needs no C wire.
Wins overall by 0.3 points
Quick Verdict
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) wins by 0.3 points, which is not enough to settle it. The Premium's screen, radar and power kit for $60 less — you just supply your own sensor. Pick on the specs that matter to you, not the overall score.
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) and ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) are both closely matched smart Thermostat models, and the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) is $40 cheaper than the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) ($199.99 vs $239.99). On Smart Home Integration, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) leads (8.5 vs 7.0/10) — matter, Apple Home, Alexa and Google support — and how much each one actually exposes. On C-Wire Freedom, the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) leads (9.5 vs 8.5/10) — how likely this thermostat is to run on the wiring you already have — whether it needs a common wire, and whether the workaround is in the box, sold separately, or an electrician's visit. The single biggest cause of returns in this category.. On HVAC Coverage, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) leads (9.5 vs 8.5/10) — stages of heating and cooling, heat pump and auxiliary heat handling, and humidifier / dehumidifier / ventilator terminals. Overall, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) scores 8.4/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 8.1/10 for the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01), though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) | ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.99 | $199.99 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2022 |
| System Voltage | Low voltage 24V only — gas, electric, oil, forced air, heat pump and radiant. Will not run 120/240V baseboard or radiant electric heat | Low voltage 24VAC — furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, boilers, PTAC and fan coil units. Not for 120/240V line-voltage heat |
| C-Wire Required | Not in most homes. Google's patented Power Sharing borrows power from the other wires, and the store page claims roughly 85% system compatibility — but it also states heating-only, cooling-only, zone-controlled and heat pump systems need a Nest Power Connector or a C wire | Not in practice — the Power Extender Kit is included and creates a common wire from R, W, Y and G |
| Adapter / Power Kit Included | No — the Nest Power Connector is a separate $24.99 accessory, not in the box | Yes — Power Extender Kit included in the box |
| Heating & Cooling Stages | Up to 3 stages of heating and cooling, plus fan speed control | 2H/2C conventional; boilers, PTAC and fan coil units |
| Heat Pump & Aux Heat | Yes, including auxiliary and emergency heat | Yes — heat pump 2H/2C plus 1 stage of auxiliary heat (the Premium gets 2) |
| Humidifier / Ventilator Terminals | Humidifier, dehumidifier and ventilation (HRV/ERV) systems all supported — the widest accessory coverage of the Nest line | One 1-wire accessory: humidifier, dehumidifier or HRV/ERV ventilator. The Premium's 2-wire option is not available here |
| Remote Sensors | One Nest Temperature Sensor (2nd gen) included; up to 6 more. Google states all generations of the sensor work with this model | None in the box. Up to 32 SmartSensors pair, sold separately at $99.99 for a 2-pack |
| Occupancy Detection | Soli radar senses presence and proximity at the thermostat itself, plus phone-location Home/Away. The Nest Temperature Sensor reads temperature only — it does not detect occupancy | Radar occupancy and proximity in the thermostat. Room-level occupancy needs SmartSensors you have to buy |
| Matter Support | Matter-certified, so it appears in any Matter app including Apple Home. Google does not publish a Thread radio for this model | Not listed on ecobee's spec page for this model |
| Voice & Smart Home Platforms | Google Home app (required for setup and control — the standalone Nest app is retired), Amazon Alexa, Apple Home via Matter | Apple HomeKit with Siri, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings and IFTTT are what ecobee's spec page lists; ecobee's retail listing also claims Google Assistant. No built-in microphone or speaker |
| Utility Rebates & Demand Response | Rush Hour Rewards, run by Renew Home with your energy provider, plus Nest Renew Energy Shift. Google's own help page says Rush Hour Rewards makes adjustments 'typically up to 4°F' for 3-4 hours during demand events; enrolment is through the Google Home app | eco+ Community Energy Savings with 150+ utilities; enrolled events shift your temperature 1-4°F for a few hours a handful of times a year, opt-out per event |
| Account or Subscription Needed | No subscription. Learning, Savings Finder and Eco when Away are free, but a Google account and the Google Home app are mandatory | No subscription. A free ecobee account is required |
| Warranty | 24 months | 36 months |
| Colors | Polished Silver, Polished Obsidian, Polished Gold | Black |
Category Scores
C-Wire Freedom
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) leads clearly here, 9.5 against 8.5 — a 1.0-point margin on how likely this thermostat is to run on the wiring you already have — whether it needs a common wire, and whether the workaround is in the box, sold separately, or an electrician's visit. The single biggest cause of returns in this category.. If that is what you are buying for, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
HVAC Coverage
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) leads clearly here, 9.5 against 8.5 — a 1.0-point margin on stages of heating and cooling, heat pump and auxiliary heat handling, and humidifier / dehumidifier / ventilator terminals. If that is what you are buying for, the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Multi-Room Sensing
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on remote sensors: included or extra, how many pair, and whether they read occupancy or only temperature. If that is what you are buying for, the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home Integration
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.0 — a 1.5-point margin on matter, Apple Home, Alexa and Google support — and how much each one actually exposes. If that is what you are buying for, the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Scheduling & Learning
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) leads clearly here, 9.5 against 8.5 — a 1.0-point margin on learning, geofencing, away detection and how much of it works without babysitting the app. If that is what you are buying for, the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Display & On-Device Control
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-point margin on screen quality and how much you can do at the wall instead of in the phone app. If that is what you are buying for, the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Installation
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on wiring complexity, guided setup, and how likely a DIY install is to end in a service call. If that is what you are buying for, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.5 — a 1.0-point margin on what the money buys once accessories, adapters and sensors are added in. If that is what you are buying for, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) if…
- • Smart Home Integration matters most to you — the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) scores 8.5/10 here (matter, Apple Home, Alexa and Google support — and how much each one actually exposes).
- • HVAC Coverage matters most to you — the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) scores 9.5/10 here (stages of heating and cooling, heat pump and auxiliary heat handling, and humidifier / dehumidifier / ventilator terminals).
- • Scheduling & Learning matters most to you — the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) scores 9.5/10 here (learning, geofencing, away detection and how much of it works without babysitting the app).
- • Your main use case is matter.
Choose the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) if…
- • C-Wire Freedom matters most to you — the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) scores 9.5/10 here (how likely this thermostat is to run on the wiring you already have — whether it needs a common wire, and whether the workaround is in the box, sold separately, or an electrician's visit. The single biggest cause of returns in this category.).
- • Value matters most to you — the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) scores 7.5/10 here (what the money buys once accessories, adapters and sensors are added in).
- • You want to spend less — it's $40 cheaper.
Pros & Cons
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)
Pros
- +The only thermostat here that genuinely writes its own schedule — install it and you can never open the app again
- +Runs without a C wire in most homes, which no ecobee, Sensi Touch 2, Amazon or Honeywell X-series model here can claim
- +Three stages plus humidifier, dehumidifier and ventilator terminals — the broadest HVAC coverage in this set alongside the ecobee Premium
- +Bundles a temperature sensor at a price where the $199.99 ecobee Enhanced bundles none
Cons
- −'No C wire required' carries a long asterisk: Google's own page lists heating-only, cooling-only, zone-controlled and heat pump systems as needing the $24.99 Nest Power Connector, which covers a large share of US homes
- −The bundled Nest Temperature Sensor is temperature-only — it cannot tell whether a room is occupied, which every ecobee SmartSensor can
- −Setup and control are locked to a Google account and the Google Home app; the old Nest app and Works with Nest are gone
- −Rush Hour Rewards pays you to let the utility push your setpoint by up to about 4°F for three to four hours at a time
- −Highest list price here at $279.99, on a 2-year warranty that both ecobee and Mysa beat
ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01)
Pros
- +Same screen, same radar occupancy sensor and the same in-the-box Power Extender Kit as the $259.99 Premium, for $60 less
- +Handles heat pump 2H/2C with aux, which is more staging than the Nest Thermostat, X2S, Sensi Lite or Amazon can manage
- +Still takes 32 occupancy-sensing SmartSensors if you add them later
- +3-year warranty
Cons
- −No SmartSensor in the box — buy one and the price gap to the Premium closes to almost nothing
- −No air quality monitor, no speaker and no built-in Alexa or Siri voice
- −One auxiliary heat stage instead of the Premium's two, which matters on cold-climate heat pumps
- −No Matter on ecobee's spec list, so Matter-only smart home setups are out
- −Only one 1-wire accessory circuit, so a humidifier and a ventilator cannot both be driven
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) or ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Smart Home Integration, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) or the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01)?+
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) scores higher on Smart Home Integration (8.5/10 vs 7.0/10) — matter, Apple Home, Alexa and Google support — and how much each one actually exposes.
Which is better for C-Wire Freedom, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) or the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01)?+
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) scores higher on C-Wire Freedom (9.5/10 vs 8.5/10) — how likely this thermostat is to run on the wiring you already have — whether it needs a common wire, and whether the workaround is in the box, sold separately, or an electrician's visit. The single biggest cause of returns in this category..
Which is better for HVAC Coverage, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) or the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01)?+
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) scores higher on HVAC Coverage (9.5/10 vs 8.5/10) — stages of heating and cooling, heat pump and auxiliary heat handling, and humidifier / dehumidifier / ventilator terminals.
Which is better for Scheduling & Learning, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) or the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01)?+
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) scores higher on Scheduling & Learning (9.5/10 vs 8.5/10) — learning, geofencing, away detection and how much of it works without babysitting the app.
Is the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) worth the price difference over the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01)?+
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) is the cheaper option at $199.99 versus $239.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Smart Home Integration.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) is the better fit if you mainly care about matter. The ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) is the better fit for heat-pump or multi-room.
What's the warranty on the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) vs the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01)?+
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) ships with a 24-month warranty; the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (EB-STATE6L-01) ships with a 36-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) — $189.00
Premium Option
ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium (EB-STATE6-01) — $259.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.