Smart and WiFi-connected thermostats offer convenience not only through automation, but also potential money savings on your heating and cooling system bills. With extensive programming options, they can change the temperature of your home depending on the time of day, day of the week, or any time you want, from anywhere, with the associated mobile app’s functionality.
Some home thermostat models can even learn your family’s habits and adjust accordingly. Others are compatible with voice assistants like Google Assistant, Apple’s Siri, and Amazon Alexa, letting you adjust the temperature simply by speaking.
Here are the best smart thermostats you can buy today.
1. Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Generation
One of the most popular smart thermostats—and smart-home products overall—is the Google Nest Learning Thermostat, and it’s easy to see why. In addition to its extensive programmability, it packs the ability to learn your family’s habits and fine-tune your home’s temperature for the best combination of comfort and energy savings. According to Google, the average Nest owner saves between 10 to 12% on their heating bills and 15% on cooling bills.
The Nest can also link with other smart-home devices for additional monitoring and control via voice command. The front LCD display only lights up when you approach via remote sensors, and it can show your home’s temperature, the weather, or the time. To help this programmable thermostat fit in with your decor, it’s available in white, stainless steel, and gleaming copper.
2. Honeywell Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Touchscreen Smart Thermostat
The Honeywell Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Touchscreen Smart Thermostat features a customizable touchscreen, seven-day programming options, and the ability to control it from anywhere with the free app. It’s Energy Star certified and includes an indoor humidity sensor to help you on those dry winter days.
This Honeywell home device is designed for DIY installation and comes with a C-wire adapter and a C-wire addendum to fit a variety of HVAC systems. Its frame is only available in white, but you can change the background color of the Honeywell’s screen to match your decor or mood.
3. iDevices Thermostat
The WiFi-connected iDevices Thermostat features a stylish, minimalist design with many of the features of higher-end thermostats, but at a more affordable price. Through your network connection, you can control it from anywhere with the accompanying smartphone/tablet app. It’s also compatible with the Apple Siri and Amazon Alexa voice assistants.
In addition to standard scheduling options, you can set temperature ranges, potentially offering more energy savings or more consistent comfort, depending on your needs. And if your family’s schedule changes temporarily, you can easily override your presets for an hour or a week. This WiFi thermostat comes with step-by-step instructions and mounting hardware so you can install it without help from an HVAC professional.
4. Emerson Electric Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
With a design reminiscent of a smartphone, the Emerson Electric Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat features a large, easy-to-read, full-color touchscreen. Intuitive menus and compatibility with the Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa make it easy to use and program through voice control. It also has a temperature and indoor humidity sensor, so the Sensi Touch will send you an alert if it spots any extremes, letting you nip potentially serious issues in the bud.
The Electric Sensi Touch’s traditional shape and design make installation easier, with no wall patching or painting required. A full installation guide, furnace jumper wire, and illuminated easy-click terminals help ensure you won’t have to call a professional for help. Plus, this handy gadget comes with geofencing capabilities that connect to your smartphone, so it knows when you’ve left for the day or returned home.
5. Google Nest Thermostat
The Google Nest Thermostat is a scaled-down, but still highly useful, version of the Google Nest Learning thermostat. As the name suggests, it lacks the “learning” smart features of its bigger brother, but it’s still highly-programmable. You can use voice control to program it anywhere via the Google Home app, and it’s designed so you can easily install it yourself, with step-by-step instructions in the app itself.
The Nest Thermostat only requires two AAA batteries to run, and it can save you 10% or more on air conditioning and heating costs. It features a simple, attractive design available in white, black, and copper-like sand color.
