Ecobee vs Honeywell Thermostat Comparison: Does Mysa Make More Sense?

The Ecobee vs Honeywell thermostat debate is one of the most common we see circulating online, because these are two of the top brands you have access to. But the conversation isn't just a two-horse race if you're shopping right now.

We'll cover each brand's lineup in this Ecobee vs Honeywell thermostat breakdown, specifically comparing the Honeywell T9 vs Ecobee4 head-to-head. You’ll also discover why it’s worth looking at a third option. 

Mysa's smart thermostat for central HVAC comes in at $159 with zero subscriptions, Matter and ENERGY STAR certification, and compatibility with heating systems that neither Honeywell nor Ecobee support (baseboard, in-floor, etc.). Take a closer look at the lineup and decide for yourself!

Honeywell vs Ecobee vs Mysa (Quick Comparison)

Overview of Honeywell Thermostats

Honeywell has been making thermostats longer than almost anyone. Their Honeywell Home line features everything from basic programmable units to Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostats, and they're one of the most widely installed brands in North America.

Popular Models

• Honeywell Home T9: The flagship smart thermostat starting around $130. Touchscreen, geofencing, optional room sensors, Alexa, Google, and HomeKit compatible.
• Honeywell Home T6 Pro: A mid-range option for more complex HVAC setups. Supports up to 3 heating and 2 cooling stages. Wi-Fi enabled with app control.
• Honeywell Home T5+: Entry-level smart thermostat starting around $50–$100. Basic app control, geofencing, and 7-day scheduling without the extras.

Benefits

• Trusted, legacy brand with decades of HVAC expertise
• Widely available at most hardware stores and big-box retailers
• T9 supports optional room sensors for more consistent temperature across rooms
• No C-wire required on the T9 (adapter included in the box)
• Multiple ENERGY STAR certified models
• HomeKit, Alexa, and Google support on the T9

Drawbacks

• Room sensors sold separately on the T9 adds to the total cost
• Resideo app doesn’t have the best user reviews (some find it slow and difficult to navigate)
• No Matter certification on any current model
• Limited to standard 24V HVAC systems - no baseboard, mini-split, or in-floor support
• Energy reports are basic compared to real-time monitoring options

You can check out our Honeywell vs Nest comparison for a deeper look at how this brand stacks up to the “gold standard” in this industry. In the meantime, let’s introduce the other half of our Honeywell vs Ecobee thermostat comparison.

Overview of Ecobee Thermostats

Ecobee was one of the first brands to ship room sensors in the box and build a voice assistant directly into the thermostat. The manufacturer has carved out a premium position with incredible hardware design, a seamless app experience, and fairly broad smart home compatibility.

Popular Models

• Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium: Current flagship ($260). Built-in Alexa and Siri, air quality monitor, radar-based occupancy detection, zinc and glass build. Includes one SmartSensor.
• Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced: Mid-tier ($200). Same core thermostat features without the air quality monitor or built-in speaker. SmartSensors sold separately.
• Ecobee4: Previous generation ($249 when available). Built-in Alexa, includes one room sensor. Still in stock at some third-party retailers, but most customers are drawn to the latest models.

Benefits

• Includes a room sensor in the box (Premium and Ecobee4)
• Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google, and SmartThings compatible
• Built-in voice assistant on select models (Alexa on most, Siri on Premium)
• Power Extender Kit included (no C-wire needed)
• Clean, well-reviewed app interface
• ENERGY STAR certified

Drawbacks

• More expensive than most other brands with similar technology
• Built-in Alexa is always listening unless manually disabled
• Smart Security features (smoke alarm detection, motion alerts) require a $5-$10/month subscription
• Occupancy-based scheduling can override manual preferences in some cases
• Limited to standard 24V HVAC (no baseboard, mini-split, or in-floor coverage)
• No Matter certification on current models

You’re not alone if Ecobee's limitations have you thinking twice. Fortunately, a better Ecobee alternative is just a few clicks away at Mysa. We’ll introduce our own lineup in just a few moments. First, let’s look at Ecobee vs Honeywell side-by-side below.

Ecobee vs Honeywell Thermostat: Side-by-Side Showdown

Now let's put these two head-to-head to help you narrow it down to one or the other. Here’s what you need to think about in comparing Honeywell vs Ecobee thermostats.

Device Aesthetic

The Ecobee Premium is one of the best-looking thermostats on the market. Zinc body, glass touchscreen, minimal bezels. It looks like it belongs in a modern home. 

On the other hand, the Honeywell T9 looks a little more utilitarian. It’s clean and functional, but it’s a more traditional-looking thermostat with a digital upgrade. This has nothing to do with performance and is purely about your preferences for design, so choose between the Ecobee vs Honeywell thermostats accordingly. 

Remote Sensors

Both thermostats let you improve temperature consistency throughout your home using remote room sensors. But there are subtle differences here.

The Ecobee Premium includes one SmartSensor in the box. It has radar-based occupancy detection built into the thermostat itself, so it knows whether someone's actually in the room. The T9 supports room sensors too, but they're sold separately. That bumps up your total spend.

The old Honeywell T9 vs Ecobee4 comparison was closer here since the Ecobee4 also included a sensor but lacked radar. Ecobee has widened this lead with the Premium model that’s more popular today.

Ease of Installation

This one's a draw. Both are DIY-friendly for standard 24V HVAC systems, and both solve the C-wire problem out of the box. The T9 includes a C-wire adapter while the Ecobee Premium includes its Power Extender Kit. You're looking at about 20-30 minutes either way, using basic tools and no electrician.

App Interface

Ecobee's app is consistently better reviewed than Honeywell’s. Customers rave about the clean layout, responsive controls, and easy access to schedules, sensor data, and energy reports. 

In contrast, Honeywell's Resideo app has a reputation for being slow and sometimes unreliable. That experience gap matters when you're adjusting the thermostat from the couch or across the country. Ecobee has a clear lead in the Honeywell vs Ecobee app comparison.

Key Features

The T9 does the basic stuff you expect a smart thermostat to: geofencing, 7-day scheduling, energy reports, and voice control through Alexa and Google. This no-nonsense thermostat does what it's supposed to without any frills - and it’s priced accordingly. 

The Ecobee Premium swings for the fences with built-in Alexa and Siri, air quality monitoring (VOC and humidity alerts), and radar-based occupancy detection. But there's a catch. Ecobee's Smart Security features (smoke alarm detection and motion-sensing alerts, for instance) are locked behind a $5-$10/month subscription. The core thermostat features are free, but the premium extras aren't all included in the premium price. 

One gap both share: neither offers real-time energy monitoring with detailed cost tracking. You get periodic reports, but nothing that shows you exactly what you're spending day to day.

Compatibility With Smart Homes

This one is closer than it used to be. Both the Honeywell T9 and the Ecobee Premium work with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. The Premium adds built-in Siri and SmartThings compatibility for a little edge in breadth, though.

Where neither brand has caught up is on the Matter protocol. This is the smart home interoperability standard for new devices. Mysa’s Matter smart thermostat is worth factoring into the decision if you’re trying to future-proof your home.

Price and Subscriptions

Here's where the Ecobee vs Honeywell thermostat comparison gets interesting. The T9 starts around $130. The Ecobee Premium runs around $260. That's a pretty large gap before you even factor in Ecobee's optional subscription fees (another $60-$120 per year for full Smart Security package).

The T9 is the clear budget winner. The question is whether Ecobee's extras justify doubling the price, or whether there's a better option sitting between them. Speaking of which…

Why Mysa Might Be a Better Fit for Your Home's Climate Control

You're not alone if you've read through this Ecobee vs Honeywell thermostat comparison and feel like neither one quite nails it. Both brands build solid central HVAC thermostats, but each leaves gaps that matter.

Mysa's low-voltage smart thermostat for central HVAC sits at $159. That's more than the T9's entry price, but that extra $30 gets you real-time energy monitoring with actual cost tracking, Matter certification for future-proof smart home compatibility, and every feature unlocked from day one (no subscriptions). Mysa delivers more for less compared to the Ecobee Enhanced at $200 or Premium at $260.

But where Mysa truly stands apart is system coverage. Neither Honeywell nor Ecobee makes anything for baseboard heaters, ductless mini-splits, or radiant floors. Mysa does - all of them! 

• Got baseboard heating? There's an electric baseboard heater thermostat. 
• Ductless mini-splits or window AC? The mini split thermostat handles that. 
• Radiant floors? Mysa's electric in-floor heating thermostat has you covered. 

One app, every heating system in your home. No competitor can touch that level of coverage right now.

Mysa is one of the only options with full smart home integration for homes with high-voltage smart thermostat needs (baseboard, convectors, in-floor) - HomeKit, Alexa, Google, and Matter.

It’s also considered the best smart thermostat for rentals with geofencing and vacation mode. Setup is simple and seamless, and you’re going to be amazed by how much money you save in the long run. Learn more about which Mysa device is right for you today!

Wrapping Up Our Ecobee vs Honeywell Thermostat Comparison

The Ecobee vs Honeywell matchup is a legitimate comparison. Ecobee has a better design, app, and included accessories. Honeywell costs less and takes a no-subscription approach. Both are capable thermostats for standard central HVAC systems.

But Mysa fills gaps that both brands leave wide open when you zoom out from the Honeywell T9 vs Ecobee4 head-to-head. You need to factor in real-time energy tracking, Matter certification, subscription costs, and system flexibility. 

Don’t settle for less. Get one app that handles your central HVAC, baseboard heaters, mini-splits, and in-floor heating without locking you into monthly fees!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ecobee owned by Honeywell?

No. Ecobee is an independent Canadian company owned by Generac Holdings. Honeywell is a completely separate company. 

Can I switch out Honeywell for Ecobee?

Yes. Both the Honeywell T9 and Ecobee4 use standard 24V low-voltage wiring, so swapping one for the other is usually straightforward. Both brands include solutions for homes without a C-wire - Honeywell provides an adapter, Ecobee includes a Power Extender Kit. Just label your wires before disconnecting the old thermostat.

What makes Mysa better than Honeywell and Ecobee?

Mysa is the only option with Matter certification, meaning it's built on the latest smart home interoperability standard that both Honeywell and Ecobee lack. Every Mysa feature ships unlocked with no subscription fees, unlike Ecobee's paid Smart Security tier. We cover heating and cooling systems that neither competitor touches: baseboard heaters, mini-splits, and in-floor heating, all from one app. 

So if you're weighing your options and want a deeper look, consider Mysa as a smarter Honeywell or Ecobee alternative today!