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Smart thermostats offer a convenient way to control your home heating and cooling systems and reduce energy costs.
We researched dozens of smart thermostats, considering their functionality, ease of use and installation, and design. Our best overall pick is the Ecobee Smart Thermostat with Voice Control, a stylish, Energy Star certified option with built-in Siri and Alexa, and a SmartSensor for ultimate comfort.
Here are the best smart thermostats.
Best Overall: Ecobee Smart Thermostat with Voice Control
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Courtesy of Amazon
Compatible with SmartSensor
Energy Star certified
Built-in Alexa and Siri
Compatible with Smart home systems
Expensive
Who else recommends it? Wirecutter, Consumer Reports, and CNET all picked the Ecobee Smart Thermostat with Voice Control.
What do buyers say? 91% of 8,200+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat with Voice Control offers everything you'd want in a smart thermostat, which is why it's our top pick. Thanks to a built-in speaker and integrated Alexa and Siri, you can control the Ecobee hands-free with voice commands. You can also listen to music on the thermostat or place calls, ask questions, and control other devices via a connected smart speaker. If you don't use Siri or Alexa, this device works nicely with Google Assistant and Samsung SmartThings. You can also make temperature or schedule adjustments via the Ecobee App, even when you're not home.
This device will learn your schedule and regulate the temperature accordingly. The Ecobee also makes recommendations based on your habits and sends alerts of anything out of the ordinary. The included SmartSensor elevates comfort in the rooms where you spend the most time. Place this sensor in a particular space, and it will make sure conditions are comfortable there and balanced throughout your home.
This Ecobee model is a pricier option than other smart thermostats, but it offers immense value. It's hard to beat the Energy Star certification, sleek glass design, and many advanced features.
Best Budget: Google Nest Thermostat
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Amazon
Energy Star certified
Can be controlled remotely
Monitors HVAC System
Programmable thermostat
No lock setting
If you’re looking for an economical option that still works well, consider the Google Nest Thermostat. It’s also Energy Star certified, so it is designed to decrease your energy consumption. The thermostat has a programmable thermostat, so you can choose specific times for it to come on or go off. However, it can be controlled remotely via your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. In addition, it senses when the home is empty and will adjust the home’s temperature accordingly. The Google Nest Thermostat also monitors the HVAC system and notifies you when there is a problem with the system.
Best for Smaller Homes: Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat
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Courtesy of Amazon
Energy Star certified
Budget-friendly
Compatible with SmartSensor
Compatible with Smart home systems
No voice control or built-in streaming
Does not include a SmartSensor
If you live in an apartment or a smaller house, you may not need all of the features on the Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control. The Ecobee3 Lite is a more economical option that’s still Energy Star certified to help you save on annual energy costs. It doesn’t have voice control, hands-free calling, Alexa Built-in or Spotify and Bluetooth streaming, and it does not include a SmartSensor. However, the thermostat is compatible with Smart Sensor, and it can be controlled with the Ecobee App. In addition, the thermostat is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and several other smart home systems.
Best for Multiple Zones: Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat with Sensor
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Courtesy of Amazon
Smart room sensor
Location-based geofencing
Compatible with voice assistants
Light is very bright; not dimmable
The Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat with Sensor is good for controlling the temperature in multiple rooms. Each smart room sensor ensures that the temperature is right in that room—and that’s important because when you’re in the bedroom, you don’t want the temperature to be based on your empty living room. If there are multiple people in your home, you can get multiple smart room sensors to ensure that everyone’s room has a comfortable temperature. The thermostat also uses location-based geofencing to determine when the house is empty and then adjust the temperature accordingly. The thermostat works with the Honeywell App, as well as Alexa, Google Assistant, Cortana, and other voice assistants.
Best Design: Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd gen
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Amazon
Available in multiple colors
Creates a schedule based on patterns
Monitors temperature in multiple zones
Easy to install
No lock setting
What’s not to like about the Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd generation? It is available in a variety of colors, including black, stainless steel, copper, white, and mirror black, so you’re sure to find one that fits your décor style. The thermostat learns your patterns and uses this information to create a schedule, and also uses geofencing to sense when the home is empty and adjusts the temperature accordingly. In addition, it monitors the temperature in multiple zones. The thermostat is compatible with most HVAC systems and easy to install. In addition, the high-resolution display makes it easy to see the temperature from across the room. The Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Generation Thermostat works with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Best for Apple HomeKit: Honeywell Home T5
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Courtesy of Amazon
Energy Star certified
Compatible with voice assistants and Apple HomeKit
Suspends usual settings when on vacation
No remote sensors
It’s more economically priced than the Honeywell Home T9, but the Energy Star-rated Honeywell Home T5 still has a lot of features. It’s easy to install, works with your smartphone or other mobile devices via the Honeywell Home App, and is also compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit using Siri. The thermostat also detects when no one is home and adjusts the temperature. Plus, it has 7-day flexible scheduling or location-based temperature control, so when you’re off on vacation, it can suspend your usual settings.
Best with Baseboard Heaters: Mysa Smart Thermostat
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Courtesy of Amazon
Install quickly
Location-based geofencing
Compatible with voice assistants and Apple HomeKit
Not compatible with 12 to 24V systems
If you don’t have an HVAC system, you can still enjoy the convenience and benefits of a smart thermostat. The Mysa Smart Thermostat for Electric Baseboard Heaters can be used with 120 to 240V baseboards and electric fan-forced heaters. It installs quickly and allows you to monitor your heat remotely on your smartphone or tablet. The thermostat can be scheduled for specific temperatures at certain times, and it also uses geofencing to know when no one is home. The Mysa Smart Thermostat can also be used with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
The best overall smart thermostat is the Ecobee Smart Thermostat with Voice Control (view at Amazon). It includes a smart sensor (and the option to purchase additional sensors), built-in Alexa, and the Ecobee App makes it easy to control the temperature remotely. Our second choice is the Google Nest Thermostat (view at Amazon), which is economically priced and can also be controlled remotely.
What to Look for in a Smart Thermostat
Compatibility
If you have smart home platforms and home assistants, like Apple HomeKit, Alexa, or Google Assistant, you may want a smart thermostat that can integrate seamlessly. This makes controlling the thermostat even easier. Some thermostats also work with other smart devices, including cameras and lights.
Features
Usually, the more features a smart thermostat has, the more expensive it will be. The ability to control your smart thermostat remotely is one feature that many people are willing to pay for. Fortunately, it’s included at practically every price point. Also, geofencing allows your thermostat to access your phone’s location feature to determine when you’ve left the house—or when you’re approaching. If you live in a large home, something else to consider is remote sensors, which can help you ensure that the most important rooms maintain the desired temperature.
Ease of Installation
The smart thermostats on this list are easy to install (that was one of the features we weighed). However, some thermostats, like the Mysa Smart Thermostat for Baseboards, will require one neutral or second live wire for installation. Always be sure to turn off the power of the thermostat before undertaking any installation project. Also, if you don’t feel comfortable working with electrical equipment, don’t hesitate to contact an electrician to install the smart thermostat for you.
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What is a smart thermostat?
Smart thermostats are thermostats that connect to the WiFi and can be controlled through phones or other smart devices. They learn your behavior (i.e. when you like it cold, when you like it warm) and create heating and cooling schedules based off of it. They can also detect when you're not home and will adjust the heating and cooling accordingly.
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How do you install a smart thermostat?
Installation depends upon individual smart thermostats, but generally, you will first turn off your HVAC system and then remove the existing thermostat. You'll then reconnect the wires to your new thermostat, and you may to need to add a new wire or two. Finally, you'll install the new smart thermostat and connect it to the WiFi.
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Why should you get a smart thermostat?
Smart thermostats are an easy choice for a number of reasons—the first being that they're incredibly convenient. You'll be able to control your heating and cooling from your phone, and you'll have a thermostat that learns your preferences over time. Second, you'll save money. Because a smart thermostat can learn to keep a space colder or warmer when you're not home, you'll be running the HVAC less, and saving money (and energy).
Why Trust The Spruce?
Terri Williams is a professional writer who has tested hundreds of products. She has product review bylines at Tom’s Guide, and both home improvement advice and product review bylines at Realtor.com, Bob Vila, Apartment Therapy, and Heavy.com. Additional reporting was done by Rabekah Henderson, a freelance design and decor writer whose work has appeared on MyDomaine, Atomic Ranch, Cary Magazine, and American Farmhouse Style.