You should know that you can save money on your energy bills at home.
How? By using the best smart Thermostat.
That’s right. It turns out that such a thermostat is not only great for intelligently heating and cooling your home or office. It’s also energy-efficient, saving you some money in the long run.
So what does an intelligent thermostat do?
It depends on the model or brand you’re using. It can control the heating and cooling systems of your home. A simple system offers programming and scheduling options. A more complex one controls heating and cooling and ventilation and dehumidifier systems as well.
The Best Smart Thermostat
| Best Overall | Ecobee (5th Gen) |
| Cheapest | Honeywell RTH6580WF |
| Best Value | Emerson Sensi Touch |
| Highly Recommended | Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) |
| Runner Ups | Nest Thermostat E |
You can control your heating and cooling system using your smartphone or tablet. Or use voice commands, that is, if you’re using Google Assistant or Alexa. This makes it a perfect addition or shall we say, a must-have, to every smart home.
The great thing about smart thermostats is that you can schedule when to raise or lower the temperature in your home. Some models can automatically create a heating or cooling schedule depending on how often you are away or at home. Talk about smart. Interested in getting more smart devices for your home? Check out these smart home devices.
Here’s more:
The expensive ones have motion sensors that automatically light up the display, without you having to tap it, whenever you’re home. The latest ones have humidity sensors that detect low or high humidity levels and trigger an alert based on that. Those that support geofencing technology can even automatically lower or raise the temperature whenever you’re home or away.
Thermostats these days are really getting smarter and smarter. So with new players and devices coming, the next question would be:
Which is the best smart thermostat available in the market today?
Let’s find out…
Related: Smart Home Thermostats for Android
5 Best Smart Thermostat
There are many smart thermostats available in the market. But not all are created the same. Others can only perform simple heating and cooling scheduling or programming; while others are capable of more advanced and complex features.
That’s why…
You must first know what you’re looking for in a thermostat before you get one. Here are some of the things to consider before getting the best smart thermostat:
- The price – If you’re willing to spend more money on a feature-rich and premium thermostat, buy one. However, if you’re on a tight budget, there are pretty decent budget-friendly and medium-priced options available.
- The features – If you’re contented with simple temperature scheduling and programming, that’s fine. But if you want something more, get one with more features like controlling ventilation and dehumidifier.
- The system – If you’re using Google Home on your smart home devices, then there’s no reason why you should switch to Alexa for your thermostat; and vice versa. So compatibility is another thing to consider. You can check out these Google Home-compatible thermostats for smart climate control.
Having said these, let’s head on to the choices. Rest assured that these are among the best intelligent thermostats today.
1. Ecobee (5th Gen)
While the Ecobee (5th gen) works with Google Assistant, IFTT, Wink, Logitech and SmartThings, this is the best choice for Amazon Alexa users. You should get this smart thermostat if you’re using that in most of your smart home devices. The reason is simple: it has full Alexa support and advanced features like Drop-In, messaging, and calling.
It is one of the best smart thermostat because the Ecobee thermostat the others is its better speaker. It even has Spotify support. Hence, aside from the usual features that you’d expect in an intuitive thermostat, you can enjoy great music in the background using this device.
Features
- Alexa built-in
- Smart home integration
- Vivid touch display
- Energy-saving
- Smart Sensor
- 5GHz support
- Powerful quad-core processor
Compared with the early versions, the 5th gen Ecobee sports improved remote sensors and features a better range and longer battery life.
2. Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen)
The Nest Learning Thermostat is now on its 3rd gen. Since this is Google-owned, it’s the best smart thermostat for those using the Google ecosystem in their home. While it’s better used with Google Assistant, it is also compatible with Alexa, Xfinity, Wink, WeMo, Smartthings, IFTTT, and Logitech. It’s not compatible with Apple HomeKit though.
Compared with its predecessor, this thermostat has a sharper and larger display. It retains its classic retro-inspired circular design, it looks pretty premium and smart with its turning mechanism and stainless steel finish.
It’s easy to install and has an intuitive interface. You can automatically schedule or control the temperature using your phone or voice commands.
Features
- Auto-schedule
- Fast setup and installation
- Home/Away assist
- View energy history
- Energy-saving
- Detects carbon monoxide gas
With all these features, it’s easily one of the best Google Home-compatible smart thermostats.
3. Honeywell RTH6580WF
It’s not pretty-looking, we know. Compared with the other smart thermostats in the list, this one looks enormous with a pretty basic design. But if the price is your main concern, this is a great basic smart thermostat. Aside from being inexpensive, it also works with most smart home devices.
It’s a great alternative if you’re looking for a cheaper option since the Ecobee and Nest can be costly for some. Don’t be turned off by its basic looks. It offers many features that the Ecobee and the Nest thermostats offer. It works with Google Home, SmartThings, Alexa, IFTTT, and Wink.
Features
- 7-day programming
- Customizable climate control
- Easy-to-view display
- Extensive compatibility
- View local weather
- WiFi-enabled thermostat
Considering its price and features, it’s probably the best budget-friendly thermostat you can get in the market.
4. Nest Thermostat E
Do you find the Nest Learning Thermostat too expensive? There’s a cheaper alternative to the original Nest. This reasonably priced smart thermostat is easier to install and setup. While it does not offer all the features that its expensive sibling is known for, it pretty much covers the basics. It has most features that you’d look for in an intelligent thermostat.
It’s best for those who are using the Google Home system. However, it works with Amazon Alexa as well. But its major downside is that it does not support many HVAC systems used at home. For one, it does not support 2-stage heating and cooling.
Features
- New frosted display
- Simple scheduling
- Home/Away assist
- Energy-saving features
- Monitor energy history
Nevertheless, considering its price and its general features, it’s the best alternative you can get if you’re a true-blood Google Home user.
5. Emerson Sensi Touch
If you are looking for a thermostat with extensive compatibility with many HVAC systems, check out the Emerson Sensi Touch. This smart thermostat requires C-Wire to connect with most HVAC systems used in most homes. You can check their website to get a list of the compatible systems.
It is also compatible with various smart home systems. So this thermostat will work fine if you’re using Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, or Apple HomeKit.
This device allows you to enjoy geofencing, remote access, and flexible scheduling in adjusting and controlling home temperature. This allows you to save up to 23% of your energy usage. You can also use the circulating fan to improve indoor air quality and prevent a buildup of mold and other particles.
Features
- Easy-click illuminated terminals
- Hassle-free connection
- Extensive compatibility with HVAC systems
- Flexible, custom scheduling
- Monitor usage reports
- Geofencing
Once integrated into your smart home, you can start remotely controlling everything from your phone or tablet. Get smart alerts to help detect humidity levels and extreme temperature, and monitor usage reports.
Frequently Asked Questions-Best Smart Thermostat
How does a smart thermostat works?
A smart thermostat works just like regular or traditional thermostats, only that it can be controlled remotely and has automated features, among others.
Will smart thermostat help save money?
Yes, some smart thermostats in the list can even save you up to 23% of your energy bills. This is because the temperature automatically adjusts or turns off when you’re away, saving your money on your bills in the long run.
Can smart thermostat detect room occupancy?
Some smart thermostats can detect room occupancy; that is, it automatically turns off the heat when no one’s in the room or turns it on or adjusts it when someone’s in. Not all smart thermostats on the list have this feature. If you’re looking for this feature, get the Ecobee (5th) or the Nest Learning Thermostat.
Energy-Saving and Convenient
The best thermostat is built to prove comfort and convenience to your home. With such a thermostat, you can easily and conveniently access your HVAC system to monitor, adjust and control your heating and cooling, and in some cases, ventilation and humidity.
If you have the money, you can invest in a feature-rich thermostat with extensive compatibility such as the Ecobee (5th gen) and the Nest Learning Nest. The Nest Thermostat E and the Honeywell Wifi are cheaper for the budget-conscious.
Whichever you choose, installing and using a smart home thermostat can save you money on your energy bills. It’s a must-have for every smart home.
Which of these thermostats do you find best? Let us know by leaving your comments and suggestions below.
