There are lots of reasons to get a smart thermostat, from comfort to control to conservation. They are great tools for keeping your home at the ideal temperature for you and anyone else who occupies your home. They are also an ideal option to help cut down on your monthly energy bill by operating more efficiently and energy-saving.
Take a look at your newsfeed, or just take a look outside, and you’ll notice that the weather is getting more and more extreme. Hotter summer days, colder winter nights, and lots of wild swings and waves of weather can throw your day and your thermostat for a loop. You can’t control the weather outside your walls, but you sure can manage how it feels inside. Smart thermostats make that possible.
So what is the best smart thermostat for you? Well, that all depends on what kind of features you’re looking for, what kind of control you prefer, and what your smart home ecosystem already has. We’ve compiled some of the best smart thermostats on the market, and we’ll walk you through which will suit your home.
It might not be the brand name or product that you most associate with smart thermostats, but there is no question that the Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control is one of the best smart thermostats available. A big reason for that is the ease and simplicity with which this smart thermostat integrates into your home. Then there is the ability to manage your home’s environment, which is the most important aspect of any thermostat. Ecobee estimates that with energy-efficient features like its eco+ mode, along with the ability to schedule heating and cooling cycles, you’ll be able to save as much as 26% of your standard energy costs. This thermostat is also compatible with up to 32 smart sensors that can automatically gauge conditions around the house and tell if you’re home, and adjust the temperature based on that information. It would be nice if other voice control options like Apple’s Siri or Google Assistant were built into this smart speaker, but they are supported through app-based interfaces. You only get one sensor included with this thermostat, but that will be more than enough to get you started and save you money. Pros: Cons:
Only one sensor comes with the thermostatSupport for other voice assistants through app only
Without question, the Google Nest is the most well-known smart thermostat. It’s not hard to see why. It has an unmistakable design that you would recognize anywhere and is easy to interact with. It’s one of the most essential tools of a smart home, and it more than gets the job done for most people. The latest offering, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat, goes heavy on the smart learning features to help you save money while controlling the temperature in your home. According to Google, the thermostat can pay for itself in under two years simply by tweaking the way that you heat and cool your house. That’s good, as it’s one of the more expensive smart thermostats in terms of up-front cost – but if you can swing it, you’ll get your money back on the back end. The Nest Learning thermostats offer some nice touches that make you both feel at home and in total control. It lights up when you walk into the room and gives you pertinent information about the current conditions. But it’s doing more than just greeting you – it’s learning your schedule. The Nest Learning Thermostat can start to automatically adapt to your life, knowing when you’re home and when you’re away and modifying the temperatures in the house based on the season. Google claims that after a week, it should be able to program itself to your personal schedule. You’ll be able to control your Google Nest Learning Thermostat from anywhere using the Nest app. You’ll also be able to integrate it into your smart home and communicate with it using voice commands by setting up the Google Home app. The lack of direct voice control is a bit disappointing, but the Google Nest’s interface is intuitive and easy to use. The fact that you can largely go hands-off in setting up a schedule as it learns your routine makes it even better. Pros:
Intuitive controlsAutomatically learns your scheduleControl with Nest app or Google Home
Cons:
No direct voice control on the deviceExpensive up-front cost
Smart thermostats have a reputation for being expensive. They don’t have to break your bank, though. The Honeywell Home T5 Smart Thermostat proves that. It’s a budget-friendly option, but it doesn’t skimp on the features that you would expect out of high-end smart thermostats. The Honeywell Home T5 Smart Thermostat integrates easily into basically any smart home platform. This means it will work with your favorite voice assistant, whether it is through a smart home app or a smart speaker. You’ll just have to set it up. It also can become a part of your routines. Do you have smart lights that turn on before you get in the door? The Honeywell Home T5 Smart Thermostat can be set to change the temperature before you arrive, as well. This smart thermostat isn’t quite as smart as others that learn your schedule – instead, you’ll have to set it up manually, though geofencing technology does know when you’re coming and going, so it can adjust based on what you tell it to do if you’re out of the house. You can also maintain control at all times over the device through your smart home app of choice. The Honeywell Home T5 Smart Thermostat is not the most stylish smart thermostat on the market and visually leaves a bit to be desired. But if you’re more interested in function than aesthetics and you’re on a budget, you won’t be disappointed by how well this smart thermostat gets the job done. Pros:
Works with most smart home platformsGeofencing knows when you come and goAffordable
Cons:
Doesn’t learn your scheduleIt is not the most visually appealing
Think of the Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat as the smarter upgrade to the budget-friendly T5 model. It’s a bit more expensive, but it gets upgrades across the board when it comes to automation, function, and visual appeal. The Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat extends its understanding of what is happening in your home by introducing sensors that you can place around your home. These sensors detect all kinds of information that help to inform the device. They can detect motion, temperature, and humidity. All the data that these sensors gather help to inform the thermostat, adjusting the temperature in your home and working to make sure that each room is set to the ideal conditions. The Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat still isn’t quite as smart as other thermostats on the market, as it doesn’t pick up on your schedule over time. But the sensors help, and it comes with one in the box to get you started. Pros:
Expandable sensorsIntegrates into a smart homeGeofencing knows when you come and leave
Cons:
It doesn’t work with Apple HomeKitDoesn’t learn your schedule over time
If simplicity is a priority for you, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more suitable option than the Wyze Thermostat. One of the newer devices on the market, this smart thermostat puts a premium on intuitive features while keeping much of the automated functionality you’d expect from a smart thermostat. The Wyze Thermostat features a built-in motion sensor that knows when you’re home and when you go, so it can adjust the temperature for you. On top of that, it’ll track your comings and goings and make recommendations in the accompanying Wyze app that will help you with energy-saving. While you can make changes from the app from anywhere, a simple dial on the device also lets you make immediate changes in the home. This thermostat also includes the ability to set a seven-day schedule, so each day reflects your day-to-day life. While it doesn’t necessarily do the kind of automating that other alternatives do, it does give you plenty of control that reflects your schedule. Pros:
Simple designRecommendations for energy savingSeven-day scheduling
Cons:
Light on automationNo Apple HomeKit support
If automation is less important than total control, then you may be better off going with a simpler smart thermostat. A solution like the Wyze Thermostat or the Honeywell Home T5 Smart Thermostat lets you maintain total control over your home environment, even when you’re away from home. If you want control over every element of your home, consider the Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat. With its expandable sensor system, including one that comes with the device, it gives you even more information about your home and lets you control every element of it in nearly every room. Check the compatibility of the thermostat to make sure it will work with your home before you purchase it. Consider these alternatives:
