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Best Smart Thermostats

Updated March 2024
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
ecobee
Smart Thermostat Premium
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Feature-packed
Bottom Line

This smart thermometer will let you monitor your home temperature while you are away.

Pros

Significantly reduce your heating and cooling costs with this smart thermometer with air quality monitor. You'll get an indication when it's time to change your air filter so you don't have to worry about remembering. It comes with a smart speaker that is integrated with Alexa or Siri so you can listen to playlists.

Cons

Some found the setup to be a bit challenging.

Best Bang for the Buck
Amazon Smart Thermostat
Amazon
Smart Thermostat
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Basic but Useful
Bottom Line

You'll love the convenience of upgrading from a traditional to this easily programmable thermostat.

Pros

Easily upgrade your thermostat to this programmable model from Amazon that integrates with Alexa and your Ring camera system. Adjust the temperature of your home while you are away using the Alexa app.

Cons

Setup can be a little tricky for some users.

Honeywell Home Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat
Honeywell Home
Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat
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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

Excellent thermostat for a variety of commercial and residential settings.

Pros

Works well in residential or commercial facilities. Automatically regulates according to user preference settings. Monitors and adjust according to a variety of weather factors, including temperature and humidity.

Cons

May lack some of the user interface features known to other models.

Google Nest 3rd Generation Nest Thermostat
Google Nest
3rd Generation Nest Thermostat
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

The Google Nest is renowned for its ease of use and its cutting-edge features.

Pros

Offers a compelling combination of DIY friendliness, sophisticated design, easy-to-use features, and automatic energy-saving settings.

Cons

One of the priciest models, but its high quality will end up saving you money in the long run.

Emerson Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat
Emerson
Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat
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Easy to Use
Bottom Line

You'll appreciate the ability to control your home temperature via an app with this smart thermostat.

Pros

Reduce your energy bill by adding this smart thermostat to your home. It has an intuitive app to walk you through the installation process. You can also control the unit with the app after its installed. Add on Sensi room sensors to balance the temperature throughout your home.

Cons

Programming the unit takes some time.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
125
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best smart thermostats

Sometimes you wake up feeling a little chilly, so you turn the heat up a few degrees to make your morning routine a little more comfortable. Ten hours later, you return to a house that is stiflingly hot. That's money you literally burned away. With a smart thermostat, that would never happen again. But how do you know which one is right for you?

The best smart thermostats are not only capable of complex programming, but they also know when you are home at an uncharacteristic time and can adapt. A smart thermostat with an app that provides you with detailed power usage reports along with money-saving tips is highly desirable. You will need one that is compatible with your current heating and cooling system, is reliable, and fits in with your home decor.

If you're ready to save money on your energy bill, you can purchase one of our favorite options. However, if you want to make the most informed choice possible, read on.

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A smart thermostat isn't necessarily more accurate at setting temperature than a programmable one, though smart thermostats do offer much greater control.
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EXPERT CONSULTANT
Matt graduated from Columbia University with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering, then went on to become the founder and CEO of Computer Repair Doctor, a phone repair, computer repair, and laptop repair company with locations throughout the United States. Matt's team of tech doctors are experts in consumer electronics of all types; there is no device they can’t fix!
Matt
Consumer Electronics Expert

What makes a thermostat smart?

What makes a thermostat smart? There’s no straightforward answer to that question because each model has different features. But smart thermostats offer several (and sometimes all) of the following benefits:

  • Complex temperature scheduling

  • Learning ability: knows when you leave and return, and/or can detect if you are home at an unusual time

  • Humidity sensors

  • Remote control via Wi-Fi

  • Monitoring and control from virtually anywhere via app for laptop, phone, or tablet

  • Touchscreen control

  • Voice recognition (requires additional device)

  • Email alerts

  • Detailed power consumption reports and money-saving suggestions

  • Integration with smart home systems

 

Considerations

Smart thermostats offer tremendous convenience, particularly with the busy lives we lead today. However, there's more to choosing the best smart thermostat than just brains.

Compatibility

There are hundreds of heating and cooling systems, and that number is multiplied by possible combinations. Although smart thermostat makers try to cover all the bases, there's always a chance of incompatibility. It's vital that your chosen model works with your home’s existing equipment.

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Expert Tip
If you install the Nest in a room that sees infrequent use, it can have a hard time creating an accurate schedule.
STAFF
BestReviews

Installation

Every manufacturer claims their device is easy to install, with some offering online videos to help you. Many owners agree, saying that if you can wire a light switch, you have all the skills necessary.

However, if the power between your furnace and thermostat fluctuates—and there's a good chance it does—you'll probably suffer intermittent Wi-Fi failures. Many systems use a common wire, or “C-wire,” to ensure constant flow. If you don't currently have a C-wire, getting it fitted by an electrician can easily cost $150 or more. It’s important to find out what your current system has and what your smart thermostat needs.

"The instructions may say “easy to install,” but if in doubt, always call a qualified electrician."
STAFF
BestReviews

Integration

Smart thermostats are an ideal addition to a smart home, giving you the ability to control an ever-expanding range of in-house appliances from almost anywhere. Wink Hub, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa/Echo, Vera, IFTTT, and SmartThings are just a few of the increasing number of such integrated networks.

If you're building a smart home, you'll want to investigate which smart thermostats are compatible with your network.

Reliability

Modern electronics tend to be extremely reliable. We've looked at feedback from thousands of users and found few problems. There are complaints about Wi-Fi stability and a few about confusing instructions, but there are hardly any complaints about actual functionality.

Aesthetics

Some people like a smart thermostat with a colorful touchscreen. Others prefer a less obtrusive look. Fortunately, the market offers a host of aesthetically pleasing options.

Price

Do smart thermostats save you money? Yes. If you use the technology to its fullest, you will save money on your energy bills. Some manufacturers claim that amount can be over 20%. But there are a few provisos.

  • There's a learning curve for getting the best from your smart thermostat. It's all too easy to simply ensure your home is at the temperature you want and not take it any further.

  • To really make an impact, you need to look at the feedback the thermostat generates and be proactive.

"Understanding what your smart thermostat tells you, like your usage patterns, is key to saving money."
STAFF
BestReviews
  • It may be a while until your initial investment is returned. Many homes have more than one thermostat, and in most cases, they will need to be individually replaced. If you've got three thermostats now, you'll need three smart thermostats.

  • Though there are thermostats that provide multiple sensors, there are still initial costs involved.

  • The best smart thermostats on today’s market range from $120 to $250.

Is buying a smart thermostat a smart idea?

If you're happy with your current “non-smart” system, do you still need to upgrade? Here are a few things to consider:

  • A smart thermostat will save you money over time.

  • Smart thermostats allow you to make your home comfortable any time of year. You can match your heating and cooling needs to your lifestyle with remarkable precision.

  • Depending on the system, you can change the settings from your armchair or from the other side of the world.

  • Less energy consumption is better for the environment.

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The EPA says both programmable and smart thermostats save money. But with the smart version, you don’t have to remember to turn it on or off.

Tips

  • As with traditional thermostats, smart versions should be installed away from drafts or hot spots that can give false readings.

  • Wi-Fi controls your smart thermostat when you're at home. If you want to control your thermostat from across town or across the world, you need a mobile app.

  • Though manufactures may say it isn't necessary, a C-wire is the most reliable solution.

  • Voice compatible smart thermostats still need another device, like Amazon Echo, for example.

  • If you're concerned about younger family members adjusting settings on your smart thermostat, look for a model with password or lock-out options.

  • Low-cost smart thermostats offer plenty of options if you're on a budget. But if you're creating a fully integrated home, look to the higher end.

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