In the world of alcoholic and soft drinks, the word “lite” implies that a beverage is a little less bad for you, and therefore you can consume more, obviously. In the world of smart thermostats, it apparently entails a price cut. The ecobee3 lite cuts a full $80 of its namesake (and, for that matter, its chief competitor, the latest Nest), while maintaining the majority of the non-diet version’s functionality.
The big difference between the two devices is the loss of ecobee’s room sensors, designed to locate hot and cold areas in the home. Otherwise, you’ve still got the same 3.5-inch color touchscreen display and third party smart home compatibility, including HomeKit, Echo, Samsung Smarthings, IFTTT and Wink for $169.
“We know that smart thermostats are a natural entry point to the growing smart home category because they provide a solution for a very specific need,” the company’s CEP told TechCrunch. “ecobee3 lite makes that entry point even more affordable and accessible, which is one of the main reasons we believe the device will appeal to an even wider set of consumers. And of course, for those that want a superior device that maximizes comfort, we offer ecobee3 with room sensors.”
It’s compatable with more North America home systems and includes a cable for hardwiring, rather than the batteries that other similar devices run on. It comes with a three-year warranty and will be available for purchase at retail starting on Halloween.
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