Best Smart Thermostats for a Smarter Home

The Google Nest Learning Thermostat^* has been at the top of the smart thermostat game for a while now, and our list is no exception. It's stylish, easy to install, and can save you cash on your energy bills by running your HVAC in standby mode when you're not home, making it our best smart thermostat.

Whether you're using the device on the wall or the Nest app on your phone, adjusting the temperature and thermostat settings is straightforward and intuitive. The Google Nest Learning Thermostat is more expensive than most other smart thermostats, but we think it's worth the higher price tag.

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We like that it alerts you when it detects extreme temperatures, but it also has light sensors to compensate for direct sunlight, so you won't have to worry about wonky readings. The Nest also has a built-in "Farsight" motion sensor and will light up the customizable display when it senses someone in the room, even if you're 10 feet away.

And if you get additional temperature sensors, the thermostat will adjust based on temperature readings in rooms that might be far away from the thermostat itself.

It also works well with other Nest products, like Nest Protect and Nest Cam. For example, if a Nest Protect smoke/CO detector senses elevated carbon monoxide levels, the thermostat will shut off the furnace and the Nest cameras will record an emergency clip so you can see what’s happening.

Connecting the programmable thermostat to your phone or security system lets it know when you leave the house so it can save energy while you're gone. But some reviews say the temperature starts to adjust back to a comfortable level only when the Nest detects motion or "sees" your phone at home. So you might have a while to wait before it's on target.

In fact, you can perform all the same skills with this Ecobee thermostat that you can do with your Alexa, but you might want to leave the tunes to your Echo—the Ecobee SmartThermostat's sound quality isn't great for playing music (it is still a thermostat, after all).

Also, if you don't want to confuse your other Alexa devices within hearing range of your Ecobee, you might want to change its wake name to "Echo" instead. The Ecobee SmartThermostat comes with a remote temperature sensor to help you regulate the temperature throughout your home, and it's compatible with a wide variety of HVAC systems.

It's one of the easiest smart thermostats to install and set up, and it even comes with a power extender kit in case your old thermostat doesn't have a C-wire.

The biggest drawback of the Ecobee SmartThermostat is that with everything it has going on, it has a tendency to lose Wi-Fi signal frequently. The Ecobee app gets great reviews for iOS devices but only mediocre ratings from Android users.

The screen lock feature makes this a great thermostat for rentals because it prevents anyone from messing with the thermostat settings without a specified PIN.

Honeywell's biggest flaw is the same as the Ecobee SmartThermostat's: It frequently loses Wi-Fi, and it alerts you on your phone every time it does. Most users say it comes back quickly with an app refresh, but the frequent lost signal alerts can get annoying. 

Installation is also tricky—the system has odd quirks like the air conditioning doesn’t kick in until five minutes after setup and you have to turn off your data while you're connecting your phone to the thermostat.

Fewer features aren't necessarily a bad thing because they make it one of the most affordable smart thermostats you can buy.

We especially like its simple design and easy setup for a reliable schedule. While it doesn't learn your routine automatically, it uses geofencing to know when you're out of the house for similar results. If it's compatible with your system, it might be a good option for you.

It's also a great option for folks that don't have a C wire connection in their thermostat wiring. Just know that it without a C wire it won't work for heating systems that are just heat, just cooling, or for heat pumps and zoned systems.

Plus, the screen not only display's the indoor temperature, but also displays the outdoor temperature and weather. The highly visible weather icon isn't just useful, it's gosh darn cute too.

Besides nifty design features, this Honeywell honey is practical. It sends you monthly energy reports and has 7-day programming. Plus, you can set up reminders for filter and humidifier pad changes.

One feature that really stood out is you can temporarily switch up the schedule without ruining you're everyday schedule. This is particularly helpful if you're going on vacation, or Nanna is coming for a visit and she likes the room temperature her way.

Before you dive into buying a smart thermostat, there are some things to check out.

First, make sure it is compatible with your heating and cooling system. Often, the sales page will list if the programmable thermostat is compatible with zoned systems, heat pumps, and cooling- or heating-only systems. Also, make sure that if your system doesn't have a C wire to ensure that your new thermostat doesn't require one.

Next, make sure that the app is compatible with your phone's operating system. Most work with Apple and Android phones, but it's a good idea to check.

Finally, if your goal is to create a smart home system, make sure your thermostat works with other smart devices like smart outlets, smart locks, and video doorbells. Ensuring compatibility helps you take full advantage of smart features on offer—and allows you to create smart home scenes to save time, energy, and money. 

The Google Nest Learning Thermostat keeps up with your preferences so you can spend less time adjusting the temperature and have a smaller utility bill. You can easily tie the Nest to your home security system or phone so it knows when you're away and adjusts the temperature accordingly.

It's not the most affordable of thermostats, but its attractive, minimalist design and advanced features make it all the more worth it. If you're wondering where to go after getting your first smart thermostat, check out our beginner's guide to home automation.

To find the best smart thermostats, we searched the web for the most talked-about devices on the market. We dug deeper by studying their specs and reading hundreds of customer reviews to select our final top picks.

But we didn't stop there. We went hands-on and tried many of the thermostats in a home setting to get a feel for how they really work.

Our full methodology explains more about how we review products.

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