I went all-in on Apple HomeKit about five years ago. Before that, my smart home setup was a mess—some accessories worked with Google, others with Apple and Alexa, and nothing felt unified. I wanted everything in one place, so I consolidated everything into the Apple Home app. My first major purchase was an , which I got at a discount through my local power provider. Since then, my Ecobee thermostat has been the heart of my smart home. So when Ecobee announced the budget-friendly Smart Thermostat Essential, I knew I had to try it. Here’s my hands-on experience with their latest smart thermostat.
more…
