Maximize comfort and lower your electric bill.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/bhg-best-smart-thermostats-tout-8548e18cdcec48988c821c55809c3d09.jpg "Collage of smart thermostats we recommend on a beige background")
Better Homes & Gardens / Kristin Kempa
When you want to keep your home at the ideal temperature without throwing away money on your monthly energy bill, a smart thermostat is worth it. These devices conserve energy by allowing remote access, tracking energy usage, and allowing you to schedule set times for heating and cooling.
According to Bill Taylor, HVAC contractor manager at South Jersey Gas, saving money is one of the biggest benefits of these devices. “Over time, smart thermostats modify how your energy is being used and can help you reduce consumption,” he says.
Overall, “they can help you save an average of 10% on your utility bills,” Taylor says. In addition to Taylor, we spoke to Tom Lorenz, director of product management for Sensi, who provided helpful tips for shoppers looking for the right device for their home.
What We Tested
To find the best smart thermostats, we tested units from top brands, considering dimensions, sensors, installation, features, and value. To learn more about how we tested smart thermostats, check out our testing process below.
Best Overall: Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
Why You Should Get It
It comes with advanced features that we didn’t see in any other smart thermostats, including smoke and burglar alarms.
Keep in Mind
The coolest features require an additional subscription.
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is an excellent choice for conserving energy wherever you can. Ecobee’s most recent model comes with more features and a brighter display than its predecessor, the Smart Thermostat Enhanced, and it takes first place due to performance and variety of features.
It maintained a steady temperature in testing, with slight fluctuations when cooking or opening or closing the door. The settings can be changed via the app or directly on the device’s body, and it’s compatible with most smart home systems like Google Assistant, Alexa, and Apple Home Kit.
Another cool feature is a sensor that detects when people are in the room and increases or decreases the temperature accordingly—which we found to be more efficient than just having a set schedule. It’s also the only option on our list with smoke and burglar alarms (which requires the Ecobee Smart Security plan).
The Ecobee monitors air quality and sends alerts to your phone regarding its status. It provides tips on how to improve the air quality, plus notifications when it’s time to change the air filter. It was hard to find anything we disliked about it, other than having to pay extra for those special features.
Product Details: Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 1 inches | Sensors: Yes | Installation: Hardwired
Key Terms to Know
C-Wire: A type of electrical wire often needed to hook up thermostats, especially newer models. It can also be referred to as a “common wire.”
Best Budget: Amazon Smart Thermostat
Why You Should Get It
This thermostat works with Alexa and is a convenient option if you use other Amazon smart home devices.
Keep in Mind
The temperature display could be larger.
The Amazon Smart Thermostat comes with many advanced features that you find in more expensive models, for under $100. The Energy Star-certified option includes Alexa Hunches, which changes temperature settings based on your schedule and tracks energy usage.
You can control the thermostat using Alexa or the Ring app to adjust settings from wherever you are. It performed well during our tests, efficiently cooling and heating as needed. While the device can be programmed, it can always be overridden manually if the settings are not ideal.
Setting it up went smoothly, and we followed the step-by-step instructions on the app to get it up and running. Since we had other Amazon smart devices in the house, we could conveniently use Alexa to control them all.
While we were impressed with the Amazon thermostat overall, we would have loved a larger temperature display that would be easier to read from a distance.
Product Details: Dimensions: 3.56 x 3.56 x 0.84 inches | Sensors: No | Installation: Hardwired
Best Design: Google Nest Learning Thermostat
Why You Should Get It
It has eco-friendly and energy-saving settings that optimize energy use when no one is home or when energy prices fluctuate.
Keep in Mind
It may not be compatible with older HVAC systems.
Few models can compete with the Google Nest Learning Thermostat in terms of aesthetics. It boasts a sleek, modern design and comes in a variety of colors including brass, stainless steel, copper, and black to complement your decor. The easy-to-read display lights up when someone passes by.
The thermostat performed well in all categories during testing. It works with both Google Assistant and Alexa. Since it is programmable, it learns your heating and cooling preferences and creates a custom schedule to regulate the temperature throughout your home.
Additionally, the device tracks energy usage. When energy prices are higher, you can switch to an energy-saving mode. The settings were mostly easy for us to navigate, except for the eco-setting, which was hard to get the hang of initially.
The eco-setting (distinct from energy-saving mode) is one of the best features; it automatically adjusts the temperature when no one is home so it won’t use more energy than necessary. Just note that it may not be compatible with older furnaces—check the compatibility before purchasing.
Clear instructions meant we were able to complete the setup within 30 minutes. If you prefer to hire a professional, Google offers tech support and installation services. You’ll also get maintenance reminders and alerts to your phone if something is wrong with your HVAC system.
Product Details: Dimensions: 3.3 x 3.3 x 1.21 inches | Sensors: Yes | Installation: Hardwired
Best with Multi Sensors: Honeywell Home RCHT9610WF T9 Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
Why You Should Get It
Flexible settings help keep you comfortable and conserve energy by matching the temperature to other rooms in the house.
Keep in Mind
It makes occasional click sounds while running.
Thermostats with room sensors typically save more energy because they only run in the rooms that need it. The Honeywell Home T9 comes in packs of one to three 200-foot range room sensors that monitor temperature and humidity, plus detect if people are in the room.
It has four modes: heat, cool, off, and auto. The auto mode allows you to set a temperature range. We liked its priority setting, which lets you set the thermostat to match the warmest room in the house or the average room temperature. And you can manually adjust the temperature.
We also appreciated that we could use the device with many smart home platforms, including Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Microsoft Cortana, and Samsung SmartThings. The touchscreen display, which looks sleek and is easy to navigate, was another plus.
Overall, we found the Honeywell device to be the most similar to the Nest in terms of features and functionality, though it’s less stylish, with slightly fewer bells and whistles. On the flip side, we did notice random clicking noises while it was running, which could get annoying.
Product Details: Dimensions: 1.75 x 4.25 x 1 inches | Sensors: Yes | Installation: Hardwired
Best Energy Saving: Google Nest Thermostat
Why You Should Get It
Installation is simple and can be done without an electrician—since it’s battery-powered, a C-wire is not typically required.
Keep in Mind
The reflective surface smudges easily.
The Google Nest Thermostat is Google’s most basic and cheapest smart thermostat option. While it doesn’t have a touchscreen or multiple color options, it has a sleek design with a dial on the side for temperature control. It’s also available in four colors: Charcoal, Fog, Sand, and Snow.
We loved the Nest thermostat’s design; its surface is reflective and lights up when you tap it on the side, which is super handy if you have to fiddle around with it at night. However, the surface is prone to smudging and has to be wiped regularly to stay clean.
Like other thermostats of its kind, the Nest lets you schedule temperature settings and on/off times through the app. It also makes temperature adjustments based on the season and your energy demands. Voice command is compatible with Google Home or Alexa.
The app also has a savings finder feature, which suggests temperature adjustments to save maximum energy and reduce your electricity bill. Even though the exterior is stunning, we wish it came with a faceplate to protect it from dirt and kiddie fingers, though you can purchase one separately.
We found the device easy to install ourselves without professional help; it comes with a QR code that you scan for instructions. (Pro tip: We took a picture of our old thermostat hooked up, which helped with installation because we could see exactly where the wires should go.)
Though it has a battery and is meant to work without a C-wire most of the time, you may still need one depending on your system.
Product Details: Dimensions: 3.31 x 3.31 x 1.07 inches | Sensors: Yes | Installation: Battery, Hardwired
Best for AC: Mysa Smart Thermostat for Mini-Split Heat Pumps & AC
Why You Should Get It
You can share access to the app with other people, allowing guests and fellow household members to adjust their own settings.
Keep in Mind
The temperature tends to drop a degree or two lower than the set temperature.
The Mysa Smart Thermostat is the best smart thermostat for cooling because it is designed for use with mini-split heat pump systems, window units, and portable AC units. It took us just 10 minutes to install it with the Mysa app. The unit can be placed on a tabletop or wall-mounted.
The temperature can be adjusted on the app, as well as on the thermostat itself via the touchscreen display. We felt the display was often too bright, especially for bedrooms, but the brightness settings are adjustable and the light can be turned off when needed.
We were impressed with the features such as custom scheduling, energy tracking, voice control and third-party integration options with Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Alexa. It also has geofencing, which adjusts the thermostat temperature based on whether you’re home.
What’s nice is that you can share access to the app with others, which is useful if you have roommates or overnight guests. You can also set temperature limits for specific rooms, so you can make sure your personal space is never colder than you want it to be.
In our tests, we found that the thermostat would sometimes bring the temperature one or two degrees lower than we had set it, so we began adjusting the settings with this in mind. Another downside is that the wire stuck out like a sore thumb—we placed furniture strategically to camouflage it.
Product Details: Dimensions: 1.57 x 4.85 x 3.5 inches | Sensors: No | Installation: Hardwired
The Bottom Line
Our top pick, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium has scheduling settings plus advanced features like a smoke and burglar alarm. If a basic unit is more your speed, check out the Amazon Smart Thermostat, which offers great value and the ability to heat and cool your home efficiently.
Our Testing Process
To find the best smart thermostats, we tested each model with a predetermined methodology. First, we installed the thermostats according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Since the process involved electrical wiring, we could call an electrician if necessary.
We then used the thermostats in our daily lives, adjusting the settings as needed, and evaluated the units’ performance in the various settings and modes. We made sure to explore the included features like smart home compatibility, scheduling, geofencing, and voice control.
When making our selections, we considered various other factors. Was the display clear and easy to read? Did it provide energy usage information? Did the thermostat help us understand our consumption patterns, and identify opportunities to save more energy?
We evaluated whether the thermostat maintained the set temperature and made notes on the effectiveness and value offered. Finally, we compared the tested models to other thermostats we had used.
Better Homes & Gardens / Jordan Provost
What to Know About Smart Thermostats Before Shopping
Dimension
Most smart thermostats are about the same size as standard thermostats, although this can vary depending on brand and model. “It’s important to ensure that its size is compatible with the installation space and covers up existing thermostat paint rings,” Lorenz says.
Sensors
Sensors play an important role in regulating room temperature. Many of the best smart thermostats come with external room sensors that track the temperature, humidity levels, and presence of people in individual rooms.
Placing them around helps the thermostat keep a consistent temperature for the entire house. They are also useful if you have certain rooms that run hotter or colder than the rest of the house. “They allow you to focus temperature controls where you need it most,” Lorenz says.
Installation
Many energy suppliers offer free installation when purchasing a smart thermostat through them, Taylor says. However, if you enjoy DIY electrical work, almost all smart thermostats come with step-by-step instructions that show you how to install them yourself.
Keep in mind that some thermostats, usually newer systems, require a C-wire (or “common wire”) to work, so we recommend checking your HVAC or consulting an electrician to ensure your system is compatible.
Additional Features
In addition to sensors and programming functions, smart thermostats often have other advanced features that make them worth the investment. Some devices, like the Google Nest Learning (our best design pick) learn your schedule and automatically adjust temperatures accordingly to conserve energy.
Additionally, many smart thermostats are able to send maintenance reminders or detect if there is a problem with the HVAC system. Our best overall pick, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, even comes with smoke and burglar alarms when you sign up for an additional plan.
Better Homes & Gardens / Armando Epinosa
Questions for Your Questions, Answered
How much does a smart thermostat cost?
Prices range from around $80 for a more basic option like the Amazon Smart Thermostat to over $200 for a premium model with many advanced features. Some, like our top pick, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, require a monthly subscription to access all benefits.
Can I install a smart thermostat myself?
Although many smart thermostats are hardwired, you can install them yourself if you know your way around electric wiring. Most thermostats include installation instructions and can be set up in under half an hour. However, if DIYing is not in your wheelhouse, you might want to call in a professional.
What are the benefits of a smart thermostat?
According to Lorenz, smart thermostats can significantly reduce energy consumption and lead to substantial savings in energy bills. Another benefit is that you can control them from your phone or mobile device, even if you’re not at home.
Despite the myriad benefits of a smart thermostat, they tend to “have intuitive interfaces and are designed to be user-friendly,” Lorenz says. “This makes them appealing to homeowners who might be intimidated by complex systems.”
Better Homes & Gardens / Alan Schultz
Who We Are
Nor’Adila Hepburn is a freelance writer who specializes in writing in-depth buying guides for Better Homes & Gardens. To find the best smart thermostats, Nor’Adila used lab insights and spoke to industry experts: Bill Taylor, HVAC contractor manager at South Jersey Gas & Elizabethtown Gas, and Tom Lorenz, director of product management for Sensi.
What is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they’re worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn’t an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
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