Best smart thermostats in 2024 (2024)

If you want to make sure you're not spending all your money on your electricity bill, one of the best smart thermostats can help. It can detect when you’re not at home, so it'll turn down the heat, but then have your house ready at the right temperature for when you return.They can also analyze your patterns and the weather and make suggestions as to what temperature you should set to reduce your energy bill.

But, which one is best for you? After testing a number of the best smart thermostats in our own homes to find out how they perform under real-world circ*mstances, we think the best overall is the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium; while it's the most expensive, it has the best features and works with the most smart home systems. But, if your budget is tighter, the Amazon Smart Thermostat is less than $100, and ties in nicely with Alexa.

It's also worth noting that many utilities offer rebates on smart thermostats, so you should check with your local energy provider to see what discounts they offer. In some cases, you can get a smart thermostat for as little as one dollar.

Here are the best smart thermostats we've tested.

The quick list

The best smart thermostats you can buy today

The best smart thermostat overall

With its zinc case and much larger touchscreen, the Ecobee Smart ThermostatPremium looks much better than previous generations — on a par with the Nest Learning Thermostat — and is even smarter on the inside. Now, it has an air quality sensor built in, so you can see if you need to open a window or turn on a fan. The huge display also lets you look at the weather forecast for the week.

As before, the best part of the Ecobee is its remote sensors, which make it easier for you to manage the temperature in your entire home. The Ecobee also has Alexa built in and, if you have a HomePod or HomePod mini, can also talk to Siri through the thermostat. The built-in speaker is still not great for listening to music, but it's a way to get a smart speaker in a room where you don't want to place an Echo Dot.

Ecobee has expanded its smart home offerings, too — if you have the Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera, you can get a live view from the camera on the Smart Thermostat Premium, so you don't need to take out your phone to see who's at the door.

If the Premium model is too pricey, Ecobee also offers the Smart Thermostat Enhanced for $189; however, this model does not include an indoor air quality monitor, built-in Bluetooth speaker, smoke alarm detect, or the option to use Siri or Alexa on the device.

Read our full Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium review.

Best value

Like the Ecobee SmartThermostat, but are looking for something less expensive? The Ecobee 3 Lite has many of the same features as Ecobee's top-end model, but costs $80 less.

The Ecobee 3 Lite has a color touchscreen, intuitive interface and deep smart home integration. Plus, Ecobee also updated the Lite model to work with remote sensors so you can set it to keep the heat on until a room in a far corner of your house reaches a certain temperature. However, you have to purchase those sensors separately.

The Ecobee 3 Lite works with Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant and Alexa, but unlike the Ecobee SmartThermostat, Amazon's voice assistant isn't built into the thermostat. It also doesn't support HVAC accessories, so you can't use it if, say, you have two-stage heating and cooling. It also lacks eco+, which learns your schedule and recommends changes to help save you money.

Read our full Ecobee3 Lite review.

Best budget smart thermostat

The Amazon Smart Thermostat isn't as intelligent as the Nest or the Ecobee models above, but it does use Alexa's hunches to gain some smarts in knowing when to turn the temperature up or down. At $59, it's one of the most affordable smart thermostats around, and we found it very easy to install and program in our home. It has a simple but clean aesthetic that fits in almost anywhere, too.

Keep in mind that you'll need a C-Wire, or else you'll need to purchase a C-Wire adapter (sold separately) for the Amazon Smart Thermostat to work. Unlike the Nest and Ecobee models, there are no remote sensors for you to monitor the temperature in other rooms. And, of course, it only works with Alexa. But, at this price, those are compromises we're willing to overlook.

Read our full Amazon Smart Thermostat review.

Best Nest thermostat

The Nest Learning Thermostat was the original smart thermostat, and its classic design still stands out among the competition. The third version of this Google-owned thermostat has a larger and sharper display than its predecessor. Like before, the Nest Learning Thermostat learns your behavior over time, so it can automatically change the temperature when someone comes home.

While the Nest thermostat has a retro-style circular design, its brushed stainless steel finish and turning mechanism all feel premium. Plus, it comes in a variety of finishes, including Brass, Polished Steel, Copper, and White, so it can more easily fit in with your home decor. This thermostat combines the best of the past with the future, and is one of the best smart thermostats that's Google Home compatible.

Read our full Nest Learning Thermostat review.

Best cheap Nest thermostat

If you want a Nest-like experience for half the price, the simply named Nest Thermostat is the best option. While it doesn't have a rotating bezel, it does have an intuitive touch-sensitive strip along one side, and an attractive mirrored front that begs you to touch it (but will leave all sorts of fingerprint smudges if you do).

However, for the lower price of the Nest Thermostat, you are giving up two key features: This thermostat doesn't "learn" your patterns and adjust the temperature accordingly. Nor can it work with remote sensors, so it won't be as helpful if you have a room that stays particularly cold or hot. But it's available for around $100, and has a feature that its more expensive brother doesn't: Thanks to its Matter integration, the Nest Thermostat can also be used with HomeKit, Apple's smart home platform.

Read our full Nest Thermostat review.

Best no-frills thermostat

The Honeywell RTH6580WF Wi-Fi Thermostat is the best smart thermostat for those on a budget, because offers much of the same functionality as higher-end models, but costs less than $100.

Like the Nest and Ecobee smart thermostats, you can control the Honeywell RTH6580WF from your smartphone, and connect it to Alexa and Google Assistant, which not only lets you change the temperature with your voice, but link it with other smart home products. In addition, the Honeywell Home ecosystem includes a wide range of partners, including Arlo, Apple HomeKit, SmartThings, Lutron, Kwikset Kevo, and more.

What you don't get with the Honeywell RTH6580WF are the stylish looks of the Nest, nor the remote sensor capabilities found with the Ecobee. But, if all you're looking for is a smart thermostat that delivers on the basics, this is a great model to consider.

Read our full Honeywell RTH6580WF review.

Smart thermostat rebates

Smart thermostats range from around $250 to less than $100 — we've tested models in all price bands — but if you have your eye on a more expensive model, you should check with your local energy utility; many offer rebates and other incentives to install a smart thermostat. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, you may also be able to claim a tax credit for the purchase of a smart thermostat, as well as other energy efficiency improvements.

In fact, you can even get a Nest Thermostat for as little as $1, depending on what your local utility is offering. That's a deal too good to pass up.

• Nest Thermostat rebate finder
• Ecobee smart thermostat rebate finder
• Resideo/Honeywell smart thermostat rebate finder
• Amazon smart thermostat rebate finder

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, you may also be able to claim a tax credit for the purchase of a smart thermostat, as well as otherenergy efficiency improvements.

How to choose the best smart thermostat for you

If you’re in the market for a smart thermostat, there are a number of factors you will need to consider.

How much do you want to spend on a smart thermostat?

• $200 plus: For this price, you will find the more premium models from Ecobee and Nest. These will come with the most features and tend to look the most impressive as well. If your home has two-stage heating and cooling, then these will be the best smart thermostats for you. This is because lower value smart thermostats tend not to support more complex HVAC systems.
• $100-$200: Most smart thermostats will fall into this price range and their capabilities will be sufficient for most homes. However, you won’t have access to some of the premium features such as voice assistants or two-stage heating.
• Less than $100: These models will cover the basics and can still connect to your smartphone. But, they’re not as easy on the eye, and often aren't as "smart": they don't have features that can learn your comings and goings. However, you can often link these to other smart home systems that can sense when you're home and when you're not.

How big is your house?

Another factor to consider is the size of your house and whether any rooms struggle to reach the ideal temperature. If this is the case, you may want to consider a model which comes with, or supports, a wireless sensor, such as the Ecobee.

Money-saving features

The better smart thermostats can analyze your heating and cooling, and will suggest slight changes to your pre-set temperatures that could save you money. For instance, it might suggest turning the heat down by a degree or two, or turning the A/C warmer; while you'll be unlikely to tell the difference, it could reduce your utility bill over the long run.

Smart features

You should also look into other features of interest, such as geofencing, where you can set the ideal temperature for when you’re out of the house and for when you return. It’s also worth checking if the smart thermostat is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri too.

While most smart thermostats will work with Alexa or Google Assistant, fewer will work with HomeKit. However, that could be changing this year as Matter support is added to more devices. This new interoperability standard will make it easier for smart home devices to connect and talk to one another, which should, in theory, open up HomeKit to a greater number of gadgets.

How we test smart thermostats

The best way to test a smart thermostat is to use it first-hand in your home, and that’s exactly what we do. We assess how easy it is to install and set up, which is important considering most smart thermostats are designed to be installed by the homeowners themselves.

During the trial period, we put each smart thermostat through a set number of tests to see how it handles different situations. We consider how well it responds to changes in temperature and whether we can easily create a schedule. If it comes with an app, that’s also assessed for navigation and effectiveness. The same goes for connectivity to smart home hubs or devices; if it works with Alexa or Google Assistant, we check its performance there too. Any additional features are trailed as well so we can get a full picture of the product.

How to install a smart thermostat

For the most part, installing a thermostat, smart or not, is a fairly easy process, usually involving nothing more than a screwdriver and about half an hour of your time. Here's our guide to how to install a Nest thermostat; however, the procedure is similar for almost any thermostat.

Many smart thermostats require a "C" Wire, which provides a steady stream of power to the thermostat. If you're living in a house with a central AC system, chances are you will have a C Wire. If you don't, you'll have to install a C-Wire adapter kit, which will either be included, or will be available for purchase, by the same company that makes your smart thermostat. Be sure to read our guide on why you need a C-Wire and what do you if you don't have one.

Smart thermostats: Frequently asked questions

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Be sure to check out our other smart home guides to save you money and keep your house safe and secure.

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