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With our smartphones becoming more advanced, it was only a matter of time until we started using them to control the temperature in our homes. If you want to stay up-to-date with this technological breakthrough, you need to make sure you invest in the best smart thermostat.
To make your quest easier, we’ve compiled the 10 top models for your consideration. You’ll find these devices excel in both convenience and quality. Before we get started, have a look at a couple of our favorite picks.
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The best overall went to Ecobee’s SmartThermostat. This highly-capable unit packs in full voice control via Amazon’s Alexa. There’s no need to buy a separate device! The touchscreen is fabulous and very responsive. It’s a bit costly, but you’re getting the best in smart temperature control.
Honeywell’s Lyric T5 impressed us with its geofencing capabilities. It will adjust the temperature in your home according to your location. You’ll always be comfortable thanks to this clever feature. You can also look forward to keeping your energy costs down with its smart scheduling options.
One of the main draws of the Ecobee is that it has the formidable Alexa built right in. So there’s no need to spring for an Alexa-enabled device.
The Ecobee is a sleek and attractive unit that is easy to operate. Its installation process is a bit time-consuming, but the wait is worth it.
You’ll find a wealth of options awaiting thanks to Alexa’s high versatility. Simply download the Ecobee app to your favorite device for feature-rich control of your home’s temperature.
Sure, it’s a bit pricey. But it’s hard to beat the Ecobee’s smooth touchscreen interface. And with SmartSensor, your heating and cooling bill can see a reduction as great as 23% per year.
The touchscreen display is incredible. We found it to be precise and accurate, with no lag or freezing. The installation process can take up to 45 minutes, however. So you won’t be able to use it right out of the box.
This affordable model from Honeywell is sure to impress. It’s compatible with both Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s HomeKit.
We like that it is capable of providing geofencing, and operating the unit is a breeze. It can be set for week-long scheduling. This means you won’t have to worry about touching your thermostat.
And while you’re on vacation, you can rest easy knowing your home will be properly regulated the whole time.
The smart alert function lets you know when you need to change filters, or if there’s been a sudden change in temperature.
The display is big and bold, with excellent brightness and clear readability. The touchscreen feels snappy and responsive, too.
This user-friendly smart thermostat is great at keeping you updated. Notifications come directly to your smartphone so you can address things like changing your filter. It adapts to your home’s temperature, too, helping to keep energy costs down.
Perhaps the most popular of smart thermostats, Google’s Nest is well-known for a reason. It’s packed with features that help to keep your home’s temperature steady, thereby reducing your energy bill.
It sports a sleek user interface and a stunning display. You can set scheduling programs to ensure that your home stays adequately cooled and heated while you’re away.
The built-in Leaf program works to show you which settings will net you the most savings. And if you have an Alexa-enabled device, you can use the Nest in conjunction with it.
We’re big fans of the Farsight feature, too. This works to light up the interface when it senses you approaching the thermostat.
The built-in Wi-Fi is also quite versatile. You can control your home’s temperature with your smartphone, laptop, or tablet.
Having the flexibility to control the Nest from a gaggle of devices makes this one a winner. And with its auto-scheduling modes, there’s less for you to worry about.
Honeywell makes the list again, this time with the Home T9. This reasonably priced unit shines in managing the temperature of multiple rooms. Just place the included sensor in your room of choice for steady temperatures at all times.
Its built-in sensor range is quite amazing, too. You can control a room of up to 200 feet away. Installation is easy, and operation is a breeze.
When you’re away from home, you can set the T9 to automatically regulate your desired temperature. This helps to keep energy costs at a minimum, while keeping your home comfortable.
You’ll also receive smart alerts that keep you apprised of temperature changes. It will also let you know when to replace your filter.
Although the T9 is Wi-Fi ready, you don’t need it for the sensor to work. So if Wi-Fi goes down for any reason, you can still enjoy comfortable temperatures throughout your home.
Use Alexa-enabled devices to sync to the T9 for total voice control and maintenance.
This affordable entry excels at using geofencing to heat your home. Depending on where you are on your house, the Lux GEO will change the temperature to accommodate you.
The display is pretty basic compared to other models out there. But the unit performs well and looks attractive.
There are lots of modes that come preinstalled with the GEO. It’s easy to set scheduling events so that your home stays regulated while you’re at work or on vacation.
Simply download the thermostat’s app to your smartphone or tablet. From here, you’ll get updates pertaining to your home’s temperature and other notices.
And if you have an Alexa device, you can use voice commands to control the GEO. The only downside to this is that the Alexa-enabled device has to be hardwired into the thermostat.
The temperature dial on the Lux GEO feels great. The display is pretty underwhelming, however, and can be hard to read at certain angles.
Voice control is where the Lux Kuno excels. Whether you’re using Google Assistant, Alexa, HomeKit, or an app, the Kuno is yours to command.
You’re getting a geofencing-capable unit here that controls the temperature as you approach your home or other rooms.
There’s plenty of smart scheduling onboard that works to reduce energy costs. Simply download the Android or iOS app to gain full control and see your potential savings.
The Kuno’s design is unique, featuring a small digital display and a temperature dial. Installing it is pretty straightforward, but the setup is a pain.
We really like the price of the Kuno. It has a lot to offer, yet costs nearly half of some premium models.
The biggest issue here is that although the Kuno is easy to use, installation is a bear. Connecting to your home’s Wi-Fi is a chore, to say the least. Then there’s an in-depth programming stage that is an exercise in patience.
Bosch enters the fray with their own take on a smart home thermostat. The BCC100 sports a huge color touchscreen display. Its resolution isn’t quite up to the level of other premium models, but it certainly gets the job done.
It has plenty of energy-saving modes on deck, and its compatibility with HVAC systems is high. New updates come through Wi-Fi when necessary to keep the thermostat running optimally.
You can download the proprietary Bosch app to take control of its features. Although it should be noted that they aren’t as rich as other models we reviewed.
The biggest bummer of this unit is that there isn’t a battery backup. So if your power goes out, you’ll have to reinitialize its settings.
Installation can be tricky. So much so that some users have opted to hire a professional. Once up and running, though, the BCC100 is easy to use, and its app works well enough.
Have you been looking for an inexpensive way to lower your energy bill? Then you should give the Emerson Sensi a try. For less than $100, you can own a smart thermostat with money-saving capabilities.
It costs less than half – or more – than other models we reviewed. And it’s compatible with Alexa for easy voice control and management.
It’s easy to sync up with your favorite smart device, and there’s even a handy installation app that walks you through the process. We found this to be a big help with getting up and running.
You’ll have lots of settings at your disposal, and it’s pretty user-friendly. The only issue is that it’s rather basic. The display is dull and boring, and it’s quite small, too. Especially when compared to Bosch’s 5-inch display from above.
We love that Emerson makes installation easy with an app that holds your hand. Our only real gripe other than the display is that you need a strong Wi-Fi signal. Without it, the thermostat struggles.
Need to save even more money? For less than $50, The Orbit 83521 can be yours. This budget-friendly model is easy to program, and can be set to safely regulate your home while you’re away.
You get a simple LCD screen from which to monitor your temperature and other settings. But it works well considering the low price. There’s even a nice backlight option built into it.
The buttons feel really good, too. Each one offers great travel and feedback. Although it’s inexpensive, it doesn’t feel cheap.
You won’t be able to sync up your smartphone or anything fancy like that. But there are enough features here to adequately control the temperature in your home year-round.
Features may be limited, but the 83521 is as easy as they come. We had no trouble programming its scheduling modes or adjusting temperature.
Have you ever wanted to control your window A/C from your smartphone? Well, now you can. Sensibo makes this possible with their Sky device.
It’s even voice-ready, compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri. You can monitor and maintain your temperature and humidity levels, as well as save money on energy costs.
Instead of coming home to a sweltering jungle, the Sensibo Sky lets you activate your window unit well before you get home.
A week-long smart scheduler is built-in, letting you keep your home cool without having to touch your air conditioner.
An included IR-blaster connects to your smartphone for in-home control. The app works really well and is a huge plus on a hot day while you’ve been away.
The best smart thermostat greatly improves the comfort of your home, as well as the budget. But, before you can be smart about heating and cooling your home, you need to know a couple of things.
You could spend countless hours researching smart thermostats on your own, or you could read our short article. We have done the research, so you don’t have to.
Every HVAC(Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system can be categorized based on the type of power it needs.
Thermostats need to be compatible with the power that your HVAC system uses. Most of the time you will be using 24V systems, which most of the smart thermostats focus on. But, before you make a purchase, make sure that you’ve got the basics down.
Back in the past, heating furnaces operated in one mode. They would either run at full capacity or not run at all – single-stage cooling.
Today, we have different heating and cooling systems. They are important to note because your choice of a smart thermostat depends on them.
If you are not sure about your HVAC system, then it is best to call a professional. It is better to remove any doubts that you might have than to purchase a smart thermostat that isn’t compatible with your HVAC system.
Before you can buy a smart thermostat that will meet your needs, you need to be aware of a couple of useful features. The following features are not a necessity. But, they might save your time and make the experience of using a smart thermostat enjoyable.
Since smart thermostats are connected to the Internet, they are susceptible to hacking. But, that’s not a problem that only smart thermostats have to deal with. Every smart device can be hacked, if not protected properly.
So, your smart thermostat is secure as you make it be. Whenever you can, use two-factor authentication. Purchase an anti-virus for your PC and smartphone – most of them are inexpensive. There are some free alternatives out there, but our advice is to go for software that has been around for a long time.
Manage your passwords carefully, and don’t use public Wi-Fi when you are out. Public Wi-Fi is problematic due to being susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks. So, if you don’t trust a network, never connect to it!
Always remember to update your software, since updates fix known bugs and exploits. Secure your router with a password, and do the same with your Wi-Fi connection. Never trust unknown devices. Defend your PC with Malware protection (most of the free malware protection is great).
If you follow our advice, then your smart thermostat and other smart devices will be safer. No device is tamper-proof, but with a little bit of protection, you can make the job harder for would-be hackers, which will force most of them to give up.