Upgrading your traditional thermostat to a smart thermostat is an easy way to save money. Along with giving you suggestions on how to lower your energy consumption, many of them can adapt to your schedule and learn how to optimize your heating and cooling needs. Smart thermostats are available in a wide range of prices, and the more you spend, the more features you’ll unlock.
Trying to find the right smart thermostat has become increasingly difficult, as the market is saturated with products. But that also means there’s an array of great items to choose from – as long as you know where to look.
Here are the best smart thermostats, including both premium and budget picks, as well as products that work with HomeKit, Google Home, and Alexa.
Terry Walsh/Digital Trends
Ecobee SmartThermostat
The best smart thermostat overall
Pros
- Simple installation
- Excellent performance and feature set
- Easy to configure and operate day-to-day
- Numerous voice control and communication features
- Great speaker
Cons
- Hardware design remains a little drab
- No onscreen integration for Alexa
There are a lot of reasons to love the Ecobee SmartThermostat. For starters, the install process is pretty painless. Even if you don’t have a C-wire, Ecobee has you covered with a power extender kit included. Plus, the installation instructions are easy to follow, and the setup process is quick.
The SmartThermostat has a responsive touchscreen display with a clean interface. It also has voice control built-in via Alexa, like the previous Ecobee. However, with the SmartThermostat, Alexa can play podcasts, playlists, news, and music from services like Spotify (and it actually has good sound). You can even use your thermostat for features like Alexa Calling, Messaging, and Drop In. However, if you’re not into Alexa, the Ecobee is also compatible with other platforms like Apple HomeKit, Google Home, SmartThings, and IFTTT.
The Ecobee SmartThermostat also comes with a SmartSensor. If you have hot or cold spots in your home, the sensor can help even things out and make your home more comfortable.
Ecobee SmartThermostat
The best smart thermostat overall
Google Nest Thermostat
The best budget smart thermostat
Pros
- Affordable cost
- Smart functions mean minimal interaction
- Stylish Apple-like design
- Simple DIY installation
Cons
- Capacitive controls are only on one side
Available in Snow, Sand, Fog, and charcoal colors, the Google Nest Thermostat is Google’s latest mid-tier offering, standing just a step behind its premier Learning model (featured below). Capable of Alexa and Google Assistant controls, the redesigned thermostat features a mirrored display and side-mapped touch controls as opposed to the physical settings dial of the previous E model.
Using the Google Home app, you can adjust the temperature, create customized routines, monitor HVAC usage, and more. There’s even a routine function that can be paired with other smart devices. For instance, uttering a voice command such as “good morning” can draw your smart blinds, tune your Google Nest Hub to your favorite morning podcast, and set your ideal 10 a.m. temperature. All of these great features can be had for only $130, which in the world of smart thermostats isn’t half bad.
Google Nest Thermostat
The best budget smart thermostat
Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation)
The best smart thermostat for Google Home
Pros
- Impressive learning capabilities
- Improved accuracy, thanks to Farsight
- Abiilty to add sensors for further optimization
We really like the Nest Learning Thermostat because of its learning capabilities. After you install the device and set the temperature you like, the thermostat does the rest. Nest takes note of how you move around your house throughout the week, adjusting the various temperature settings according to the time of day and your habits. With the third-generation model, a new set of sensors called Farsight makes this even more accurate.
Farsight detects when you enter a room or walk past it up to five meters away, a significant improvement over earlier models. Additionally, up to 10 additional sensors can monitor temperatures in other rooms, further optimizing your heating and cooling. You can monitor temperature from a much farther distance thanks to a 3.25-inch screen, a half-inch bigger than previous models.
Like any good friend, the device will offer suggestions designed to save you money. Its ability to adjust the temperature of your home a half hour before you arrive from work only furthers its intuitiveness.
Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation)
The best smart thermostat for Google Home
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Cielo Breez Plus Smart AC Controller
The best smart thermostat for window units
Pros
- Affordable
- Works with Alexa and Google Home
- Compatible with tons of different AC units
Smart thermostats aren’t just for homes with central HVAC systems. Thanks to companies like Cielo Breez, those of us stuck with window air conditioners, ACs on wheels, and mini-splits now have smart options for keeping the house comfy in the summer. The Plus works its magic by way of four infrared sensors that are built into the thermostat. These sensors interact with the infrared signals produced by your portable AC and its remote control, effectively learning the infrared language of your AC brand. All you have to do is mount the Plus module in the room your air conditioner is located in, connect to Wi-Fi, and your smart controls are up and running.
Additional capabilities for Alexa and Google Home let you control your ACs with simple voice commands or with your Alexa and Google Home apps. You can even set temperature and humidity triggers that will automatically power your AC when things get too hot. The icing on the cake with this non-HVAC savant is that once you’ve registered your Cielo Breez Plus, you can use the thermostat offline to control power, fan speed, and temperature. Your bandwidth will sure be happy.
Cielo Breez Plus Smart AC Controller
The best smart thermostat for window units
Amazon Smart Thermostat
Best smart thermostat for Alexa
Pros
- Great price
- Powerful smartphone app
- Support for Alexa
Clocking in at just $80, the Amazon Smart Thermostat is one of the most affordable smart thermostats around. But despite its low price, Amazon managed to pack the device with tons of high-end features. This includes support for Alexa, remote access via a smartphone app, and the ability to adjust its settings automatically depending on whether you’re home, away, or asleep. The biggest knock on the product? Its design – which doesn’t look quite as premium as the competition. However, considering its price tag, that’s a minor caveat for an otherwise stellar product.
Amazon Smart Thermostat
Best smart thermostat for Alexa
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a smart thermostat myself?
Yes. If you have a bit of basic DIY knowledge (enough where you can install a basic light fixture), you can install most smart thermostats, provided you have the correct wiring setup. Here’s how to test your thermostat.
Do I have to have special wiring to install a smart thermostat?
Yes and no. Most smart thermostats require a common wire (C-wire), which allows for the continuous flow of 24V AC power to the thermostat. If you have an older home, you may not have a C-wire. Some thermostats don’t require a C-wire, others, like the Ecobee SmartThermostat, include an adapter for homes that don’t have a C-wire. You can also run a wire between your furnace and thermostat or purchase a separate adapter if needed.
Do I need room sensors?
It depends. Typical thermostats measure the home’s temperature in one area of the home, like a hallway or entryway, and use that measurement to heat or cool the entire home. Room sensors are more specific. They measure the temperature in a specific room, like a bedroom or basement, and adjust the temp based on that individual area. If you have a relatively large home or if you have some rooms that don’t heat or cool as well as others, room sensors can help heat or cool your home better. On the other hand, if you live in a smaller space or a wide-open area, room sensors probably aren’t necessary
What is the best smart thermostat app?
This depends on how advanced you want your system to be. If you want a simple and clean app where you can schedule your heating and cooling and perform basic functions, the Honeywell Total Connect Comfort app is a good choice. However, if you’re looking for something with more features, you may prefer the Nest app.
What is the best smart thermostat on Amazon?
Amazon sells our pick for the best smart thermostat overall, the Ecobee SmartThermostat. Take a look at some of the best smart thermostats deals to save money this holiday season.
What is the best smart thermostat to save money?
A smart thermostat can save you between 10% to 25% on your heating and cooling costs. Ecobee claims its thermostats save up to 23%. Our testing found the Honeywell Color Thermostat reduced total energy consumption by 15%. How much you’ll save depends on a variety of factors, including how you use your smart thermostat, your heating and cooling preferences, climate, your HVAC system, insulation, the age of your home, and more.
How we test
Successful smart thermostats aren’t determined solely by how well they regulate temperature; their overall costs and speed at which they modify temperatures also play a part. When we conduct our testing, we monitor performance levels, how user-friendly the thermostat is, the installation process, and whether it saves you money.
There’s a learning curve to figuring out exactly how your smart thermostat works, but once you figure it out, you’ll see how it can benefit you. We study how steep the learning curve is and how well the device can detect people coming in and out. Many customers also see the thermostat as the “center of command” for their smart home ecosystems. With that in mind, we test to be sure the thermostat communicates and connects well with other devices.
We made sure to use voice commands when testing thermostats because we wanted to make sure they were responsive, whether they were compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant. Generally, we also check to see whether the thermostat is energy efficient and saves your house money and how much you’ll need to interact with the device after it begins to learn your usual routines.
While we try to test every thermostat in the Digital Trends lab or an employee’s home, we’re not able to get to them all. In that case, we do extensive online research before we recommend a product.
Editors’ Recommendations