Upgrade your heating and cooling controls with a new smart thermostat. We’ve tested options from Amazon, Ecobee, Honeywell, Nest and more.
There are many kinds of smart thermostats with a wide array of features available now. Using a smart thermostat saves you money on your monthly energy bills by controlling heating and cooling in your home. We’ve reviewed a range of models to find the best choice for a variety of needs, including the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, which is on the pricey side, and the Wyze Thermostat, which is a great budget choice. But when it comes to our top pick, it had to go to the Amazon Smart Thermostat.
Smart thermostat models do a lot to cut heating and cooling costs, simplify life and provide a few extra creature comforts along the way with various smart features. Unlike traditional thermostats, these app-enabled devices let you control your home’s temperature from anywhere.
Most smart thermostats are easy to set up and work with voice control when you’re using a compatible smart display or speaker with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri. Some smart thermostats use occupancy sensors to determine if you’re home or away and automatically change the temperature for you, while others switch between home and away modes based on your phone’s location.
To accompany these modern features, many connected thermostats offer creative designs. From a rounded shape to a responsive touchscreen, smart thermostats look a lot different than traditional models. They can also send you smart alerts, sync with other connected devices in your home and provide details on your HVAC system’s energy usage over time.
We’ve rounded up the best smart thermostat options on the market right now to help you find the best model for your home’s heating and cooling needs, and your budget.
Amazon Smart Thermostat
Best overall
2023
As I mentioned above, the Amazon Smart Thermostat is my favorite overall smart thermostat. First, it’s the least expensive model I’ve tested. It works via the Alexa app and with Alexa voice commands. You need a compatible Alexa-enabled smart speaker or display to use voice commands, but you don’t have to enable an Alexa skill since this is an Amazon-branded product.
This thermostat is Energy Star-certified, saving an average of $50 on a yearly energy bill. It has a simple, modern design and an optional wall plate if you need to cover any old paint or holes. The touchscreen interface is minimal, but makes it easy to adjust the thermostat and switch between heat, air conditioning and other basic settings.
The Amazon Smart Thermostat isn’t compatible with Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit and there’s no remote temperature sensor accessory. You also either need a C-wire or you have to buy and install the C-wire adapter.
This is a solid product overall, but ultimately its amazing value is what sets it apart and makes it our current favorite.
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
Best voice integrations
With a list price of $220, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is expensive, arguably too expensive given the current trend of more affordable models out there. Still, this model has a lot to recommend it, especially if you want to talk to Alexa without having to buy an Alexa speaker or display. This model also works with Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit, as well as Spotify. If you want a connected thermostat, Ecobee’s Smart Thermostat Premium is the smartest around.
Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat
Best remote sensor
The Honeywell Home T9 is a Wi-Fi thermostat with a touchscreen and one smart room sensor. The T9 works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit and offers reliable performance and a solid app. The device also comes with remote humidity, proximity and temperature sensors, making it the smartest sensor accessory around. Nest’s sensor only provides ambient temperature readings, while Ecobee’s sensor only has temperature and proximity detection capabilities.
Nest Learning Thermostat
Best design
I hold that the $250 Nest Learning Thermostat is still the best-looking smart thermostat out there. Its rounded design harkens back to old-school thermostats, but the device has a modern look that fits in with nearly any home decor. The $169 Nest Thermostat E looks nice too, but it has more plastic components that aren’t as appealing as the Learning Thermostat’s stainless steel.
Wyze Thermostat
Best if you have other Wyze products
Like the Amazon Smart Thermostat, the Wyze Thermostat is another sub-$100 smart thermostat that we liked during testing. Available for just $80, this model is more affordable than the Amazon model above, and includes a C-wire adapter with your purchase. The Wyze Thermostat also has an easy set up via the Wyze app — and it works with Alexa and Google Assistant (though there’s no Apple HomeKit support).
Unfortunately, the hardware itself isn’t as well-designed as Amazon’s, and I found it difficult to adjust the temperature at the thermostat. If you already have a bunch of Wyze products and plan to mostly use the Wyze app to make adjustments, however, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
How we test smart thermostats
Let’s talk about testing. Smart thermostats start with the installation. Installations can vary widely from thermostat to thermostat and between HVAC systems, but there are some basic steps required for installing these devices. As always, consult a professional installer if you have any questions about the setup process. Here are the general steps:
Turn off power to your thermostat at the circuit breaker.
Remove the old thermostat.
Install the thermostat’s base plate with the included screws.
Attach the wires to the wire terminals.
Snap on the faceplate.
Turn on power at the circuit breaker.
Was the thermostat setup especially difficult to install? If so, why? Certain models require a C-wire, for example, which can complicate the installation if you don’t have one. Not sure what a C-wire is? Start here.
From there, we move on to the app. Every smart thermostat has one. We download the app and create an account if we don’t already have one. Then we configure the thermostat following the steps in the app. This usually means connecting to the local Wi-Fi network, giving your thermostat a name like “Hallway” or “Bedroom” and then you can start using your thermostat.
