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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Ecobee vs Hubitat Elevation

Ecobee logo

Ecobee

IoT & Smart Home

Smart thermostats with room sensors for whole-home comfort

From
$139.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Hubitat Elevation logo

Hubitat Elevation

IoT & Smart Home

Local home automation hub for advanced users

From
$189.95/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Ecobee installation requires a C-wire in most cases, necessitating professional installation for some users unfamiliar with HVAC wiring; Hubitat Elevation limited app ecosystem compared to Amazon Alexa or Google Home platforms
  • They diverge on capability: Ecobee covers Room Sensors, Hubitat Elevation covers Local Processing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Ecobee and Hubitat Elevation actually diverge.

Attributes where Ecobee and Hubitat Elevation differ
AttributeEcobeeHubitat Elevation
Starting price$139.99/one-time$189.95/one-time
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidLocal hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android)
Founded20072016

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Ecobee

  • Room Sensors
  • Built-in Alexa
  • Energy Reports
  • Smart Recovery
  • HomeKit
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • IFTTT

Only in Hubitat Elevation

  • Local Processing
  • Rule Machine
  • Z-Wave Plus
  • Zigbee 3.0
  • Dashboard
  • Voice assistants
  • Custom apps
  • MQTT

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Ecobee

  • Energy savingsnot Hubitat Elevation
  • Multi-room comfortnot Hubitat Elevation
  • HVAC optimizationnot Hubitat Elevation
  • Remote climate controlnot Hubitat Elevation

Hubitat Elevation

  • Advanced automationnot Ecobee
  • Local controlnot Ecobee
  • Complex rulesnot Ecobee
  • Multi-protocol integrationnot Ecobee

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Ecobee

  • Installation requires a C-wire in most cases, necessitating professional installation for some users unfamiliar with HVAC wiring
  • Not compatible with line-voltage baseboard heating systems without additional specialized controllers
  • Touchscreen display is prone to fingerprints and cannot be adjusted from the mobile app
  • Advanced settings interface can feel complex and technical for non-technical users
  • Display settings and customization options are limited to on-device configuration only

Hubitat Elevation

  • Limited app ecosystem compared to Amazon Alexa or Google Home platforms
  • Requires purchase of hub hardware; no free tier

Pricing, plan by plan

Ecobee

$139.99/one-time
  • Smart Thermostat Essential$139.99/one-time
    • Up to 23% energy savings
    • ENERGY STAR certified
    • Remote app control
  • Smart Thermostat Enhanced$199.99/one-time
    • Up to 26% energy savings
    • Built-in Alexa voice control
    • HomeKit compatible
  • Smart Thermostat Premium$259.99/one-time
    • Up to 26% energy savings
    • Built-in radar occupancy sensor
    • Indoor air quality monitoring

Hubitat Elevation

$189.95/one-time
  • Hub Hardware$189.95/one-time
    • Z-Wave Plus 800 and Zigbee 3.0
    • Matter 1.5 support
    • Local automation engine
  • Cloud Backup (optional)$30/year
    • Cloud backup of automations
    • Automatic backups
  • Remote Admin (optional)$36/year
    • Remote access via cloud
    • Mobile app remote control

Which should you pick?

Choose Ecobee if

  • You need room sensors.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want built-in alexa.
Ecobee review

Choose Hubitat Elevation if

  • You need local processing.
  • You work on Local hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android).
  • You also want rule machine.
Hubitat Elevation review

Questions people ask

Is Ecobee or Hubitat Elevation better?
Neither clearly leads. Ecobee starts at $139.99/one-time and Hubitat Elevation at $189.95/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Ecobee or Hubitat Elevation?
Ecobee starts at $139.99/one-time and Hubitat Elevation at $189.95/one-time.
Does Ecobee or Hubitat Elevation run on more platforms?
Ecobee runs on Web, iOS, Android. Hubitat Elevation runs on Local hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android).
What is Ecobee best used for?
Ecobee is most often used for energy savings, multi-room comfort, hvac optimization, remote climate control. Of those, energy savings and multi-room comfort are not what Hubitat Elevation is typically brought in for.
What can Ecobee do that Hubitat Elevation cannot?
Ecobee covers Room Sensors, Built-in Alexa, Energy Reports, Smart Recovery. Hubitat Elevation covers Local Processing, Rule Machine, Z-Wave Plus, Zigbee 3.0.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Ecobee: How much can I save with an Ecobee thermostat?

Ecobee thermostats can save up to 26% on annual heating and cooling costs according to manufacturer claims. However, independent ENERGY STAR data shows average savings of around 8%, equating to $50-$100 annually for typical U.S. homes.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: Does Hubitat require a cloud connection or subscription?

No. All automations and device control run locally without cloud dependency. Hubitat does not require subscriptions for core features; optional cloud backup ($30/year) and remote admin ($36/year) are available.

Source
Ecobee: Does Ecobee work with HomeKit?

Yes, Ecobee is HomeKit-enabled and was the first to introduce a HomeKit-compatible smart thermostat. The Premium and Enhanced models support Apple HomeKit and allow control via Siri from any Apple device.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: How many devices can Hubitat control?

The Hubitat Elevation Model C-8 supports 1,000+ devices across 100+ brands through Zigbee, Z-Wave 800 Long Range, Matter 1.5, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi protocols.

Source
Ecobee: What is a SmartSensor and what does it do?

Ecobee SmartSensors are wireless remote temperature and occupancy sensors that detect which rooms are occupied. They allow the thermostat to balance heating and cooling to occupied rooms and ignore empty spaces, improving both comfort and efficiency.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: Does Hubitat work with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit?

Yes. Hubitat integrates with Alexa and Google Home for voice control, and also supports Apple HomeKit via direct integration for HomeKit devices.

Source
Ecobee: Do I need a C-wire to install Ecobee?

Most installations require a C-wire for reliable operation. Ecobee includes a Power Extender Kit to help with installations lacking a C-wire, but some DIYers may still need professional installation assistance.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: What is the difference between the C-7 and C-8 models?

The C-8 ($189.95) features Z-Wave Plus 800, Zigbee 3.0, and expanded memory for handling complex automation. The C-7 is an older model with fewer protocol options and lower performance.

Source
Ecobee: What voice assistants does Ecobee support?

Ecobee supports Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings for voice control. The Premium model has built-in Alexa and Siri, while Enhanced and Essential models support all platforms via integration.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: Can I access my hub remotely?

Yes. Local area network (LAN) access is always available. Remote access via the Hubitat mobile app and cloud services requires an optional subscription ($36/year for remote admin).

Source
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