Today we have Ecobee3 Lite VS Honeywell Lyric Round 2nd Generation. As the names suggest, we are comparing and reviewing Ecobee’s 3rd generation product with Honeywell’s 2nd Generation product. So let’s start the battle.
Design
The differences start right from the beginning; that is, the basic shape and design of the two products. Both products have evident differences in their outlook.The Ecobee 3 Lite has a black body with rounded corners. There is a 3.5-inch full-color 320 x 480 LCD touchscreen with multiple stats and buttons on display.On the other hand, Honeywell Lyric Round 2nd Generation has a white colored fully round body. It has a relatively smaller screen is quite compact with lesser stats on display.
More information on the design and other physical features are gathered in the table below.
| Product Name | Ecobee 3 Lite | Lyric Round 2nd Generation |
| Part# | EB-STATE3LT-02 | RCH9310WF5003 |
| Dimensions | Length: 4.05 in Width: 4.05 in Depth: 0.84 in | Length: 3.78 in./9.6 cm Width: 3.78 in./9.6 cm Depth: 0.79Â in./2.0 cm |
| Weight | 13.6 Oz | 4.8 Oz |
| In the box | Thermostat | Thermostat |
| Backplate | Wall plate | |
| Installation guide | Optional wall cover | |
| Wire labels | Screws | |
| Drywall plugs | Anchors | |
| Screws | ||
| Power Extender Kit (PEK) | ||
| Large trim plate | ||
| Standby power | 0.81 watts | 0.18Â watts |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi, 2.11 b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz use @915MHz for Sensor connet | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi in DHCP mode only |
Features
The Similarities
Here is the list of features that you will find both in Ecobee 3 Lite and Honeywell Lyric Round 2nd Generation.
HVAC controls
- Temperature control:Temperature control is a process in which change of temperature of a space (and objects collectively there within) is measured or otherwise detected, and the passage of heat energy into or out of the space is adjusted to achieve a desired average temperature.
- Ventilation control:The control of ventilation refers to the physiological mechanisms involved in the control of breathing, which is the movement of air into and out of the lungs, ventilation facilitates respiration.
- humidity/dehumidifier control:Humidity control systems add or remove water vapor from indoor air to stay within proper humidity ranges.
Scheduling
Going away from home for an extended period? You can schedule your temperature preferences for your home using both thermostats.
Geofencing technology
Both thermostats use Geofencing technology to track your presence or absence at home and then adjust the home temperature accordingly. For example, if you are away from home, your HVAC needs to turn off for a while, and while you are about to reach home, your HVAC starts automatically to make things cozier for you.
Smarter control (Wi-Fi connected)
The thermostat automatically selects heating or cooling depending on the indoor temperature,both thermostats can be controlled remotely through Android and iOS apps on pad or smartphone. And you can also view and adjust the humidity levels in your home by your pad or smartphone.
Smart Alerts
Push notifications to remind you of filter changes, notify you of high and low humidity levels, and warn you of extreme indoor temperatures. You also get regular reports on energy consumption/saving and tips to further save your energy costs.
Weather forecast
Honeywell Lyric Round 2ng Generation can display weather forecasts of up to 12 hours whereas Ecobee 3 Lite displays weather forecasts for next 4 days.
Easy installation process
Both thermostats claimed they can easily be installed within an hour by following the guidelines given in the mobile app or the guidebook. But it varies from person to person, for some cases it might become hard to install. you can review the plate of HVAC compatibility later to see if your situation is suitable for DIY installation.
Work with other smart platforms
Both thermostats support multiple smart ecosystems like Amazon Alexa,Apple HomeKit,SmartThings Hub, Wink Hub and IFTTT. So, controlling your home environment gets smarter and easier with both thermostats.
Energy saving
Both thermostats claim to save some percentage of your HVAC costs, the reason is they`re ENERGY STAR certified.
Low Prices
Despite offering some great features, both smart thermostats have a price tag of below $200. The cost of Ecobee 3 Lite price is $169 whereas the Honeywell Lyric Round 2nd Generation has a price of $199.
The differences
Apart from the main differences that we have gathered in the table below, there are a couple of differences in the core features that gives Ecobee 3 Lite an upper hand over Honeywell Lyric Round 2nd Generation.
The first one is the too much reliance of the Honeywell relic features on the smartphone app. In Honeywell Lyric thermostat, many features work solely on the installation, use, and customization of the smartphone app. On the other hand, the Ecobee has occupancy sensors and remote sensors that provide accurate signals and inputs for the thermostat to make better decisions.
The second one is about the Geofencing technology. The Honeywell Lyric relies on its servers to operate Geofencing. This means that any fault in the Honeywell’s servers results in the failure of the Geofencing feature in the Honeywell’s thermostat.
Here are some more differences between the Ecobee 3 Lite and Lyric Round 2nd Generation.
| Ecobee3 Lite | Lyric Round 2nd Generation | |
| Remote sensors | YES | NO |
| Human detect | YES | NO |
| Home IQâ?/td> | YES | NO |
| Open API | YES | NO |
| Web portal | YES | NO |
| Amazon Alexa | YES | NO |
| Onscreen alerts & reminders | YES | NO |
| Follow Me feature | YES | NO |
| Free cooling (with ventilator) | YES | NO |
| Historical system information | 15 months | NO |
| Warranty years | 3 | 5 |
| Estimated energy savings | 23% | Variable |
HVAC compatibility
Ecobee 3 Lite is compatible with most of the residential and commercial HVAC systems used in North America. These systems include residential HVAC systems, boiler systems, furnaces, and heat pumps.
If you are not sure about the compatibility, you can go to Ecobee site and perform an easy DIY compatibility check to determine the compatibility of your HVAC system with the smart thermostat.
The Honeywell Lyric Round 2nd Generation is also compatible with the low power HVAC systems. However, it is not compatible with the Power Extender Kit. The company has provided a video to help users determine the compatibility with their respective HVAC system.
| Non-Compatibility | |
| Ecobee 3 Lite | Honeywell Lyric Round 2nd Generation |
| Millivolt (mV) Systems such as fireplaces and wood stoves. | Millivolt (mV) Systems such as fireplaces and wood stoves. |
| DC Voltage such as heating and cooling systems in recreational vehicles. | DC Voltage such as heating and cooling systems in recreational vehicles. |
| Line Voltage/High Voltage (e.g. electric baseboard heaters) | Line Voltage/High Voltage (e.g. electric baseboard heaters) |
| Power Extender Kit (PEK) | |
The Cost
The cost of Ecobee 3 Lite price is $169 whereas the Honeywell Lyric Round 2nd Generation is priced higher than the former at $199.
Note:Â Many utility companies in North America provide rebates on using smart technology for energy conservation. So, using a smart thermostat not only provides you with energy saving and comfort, but you can also secure a considerable sum in the form of rebates.
Which Smart Thermostat Would I Go With?
The Ecobee 3 Lite is the clear winner here; with a host of sensors to make things more accurate and efficient. The proximity sensors and the remote sensors in Ecobee 3 Lite cut the guesswork that we might experience with Honeywell Lyric. Moreover, lower costs, easier installation process, and more rich features make it easier to prefer Ecobee 3 Lite over Honeywell Lyric Round 2nd Generation or any other smart thermostat in the similar category.
You can find both product on Amazon:
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