Living in an apartment and want to have the advantages of having a smart thermostat? You’ve come to the right place. I’m covering the best smart thermostats for apartments for you.
But first, I assume you’ve already talked to your landlord and received approval to install one?
If you haven’t talked to your landlord yet, do that first. You don’t want them to say you broke your apartment lease by installing a smart thermostat, even if it was a professional installation.
Or if you’re the landlord apartment owner, you may want to have a great selling point for potential tenants – lower energy bills and higher cost savings.
I’ll also cover some considerations and factors to look at when doing a smart thermostat comparison for apartment living.
Do read the “Can I Install a Smart Thermostat in my Apartment?” article first if you’re not sure if your apartment is suitable for a smart thermostat.
If you’re in a hurry, here’s the quick list of the best smart thermostats for apartments:
You’ll notice they’re all ecobee smart thermostats. It’s because they’re more flexible and offer more customizations than the others.
1. Best Overall: ecobee SmartThermostat
ecobee SmartThermostat Features and Benefits
The ecobee SmartThermostat is the latest generation model in the ecobee lineup, also unofficially called the ecobee5. Even though it’s one of the most feature packed of all thermostats, it’s still ideally suited for smaller homes and apartments.
The thermostat is a smart looking device that is cased in a rectangular housing with a responsive glass touchscreen.
The SmartThermostat installation process is simple and has a walkthrough guide that comes with the app. Setup can usually be completed within an hour. For HVAC systems without a C-Wire, then fitting on an adapter is required and will take some time.
This thermostat supports multiple wireless protocols: 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi, and Bluetooth.
The SmartThermostat has built-in Alexa, so it has voice control capability from the outset without the need for a separate smart speaker like Echo Dot. If you don’t already have a smart speaker, then the SmartThermostat is worth considering.
This model is supplied with a SmartSensor. Smart sensors add more functionality to your system including ecobee’s ‘follow me’ feature and the ability to segregate your apartment into separate zones which can then be controlled separately.
It also offers the entire range of options and features you would expect from a smart thermostat. It has geofencing capability, multi zone support, hardware alerts and reminders and more.
It also keeps a record of your energy usage for fourteen months, useful for doing a month to month comparison of your energy usage through multiple seasons.
ecobee SmartThermostat Cons
For one of the top models on the market it is still disappointing to find that ecobee still doesn’t offer any support for common protocols like Zigbee or Z-Wave.
Also, the need to install an adapter can be a downside for some people.
2. Runner Up: ecobee4 Smart Thermostat
ecobee4 Smart Thermostat Features and Benefits
The ecobee4 was the first generation of ecobee thermostats to have Alexa integrated. It also supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, but not Bluetooth.
The ecobee thermostat design is consistent across the range, however this has a plastic touchscreen as opposed to the glass one found on the ecobee SmartThermostat.
It’s a good choice as it offers all the features of the higher end model, but without some of the drawbacks of the budget ones.
For instance, it comes with an occupancy sensor that detects if there are people in the room, so the ecobee4 knows to adjust the temperature. Saves you from needing to purchase additional sensors for different rooms.
Setting it up is simple if your system has a C-Wire, otherwise it will require an adapter to be installed, even in these instances the set up is usually completed within an hour.
A room sensor is supplied with the thermostat, although it isn’t the latest generation SmartSensor.
A built-in speaker means that as well as controlling your homes heating system it is also an entertainment center.
The ecobee4 also has far-field voice recognition, so the thermostat will be able to hear you from further away when you’re using voice commands.
ecobee4 Cons
A lack of other wireless protocols like Bluetooth, Zigbee and Z-Wave is disappointing. But it’s still compatible with smart home ecosystems like Alexa, Google Home, and even Apple HomeKit.
3. Best Budget-Friendly: ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat
ecobee3 Lite Features and Benefits
The ecobee3 Lite is ecobee’s budget thermostat, but it could be the ideal choice for smaller apartments.
Like the ecobee4, the ecobee3 Lite is compatible with 2.4GHz WiFi. Even for larger apartments, it can support up to 32 Room Sensors still, making it a scalable system.
Setting it up is easy with a walkthrough guide and video available.
ecobee’s mobile app and the thermostat touchscreen have the same UI design across the range of thermostats, so your experience on the interface and the app are identical.
A couple of the major differences between this and the others in the ecobee range is it lacks Alexa built-in and it does not have an occupancy sensor function.
However, it can still be voice controlled through an Alexa-compatible device, like the whole range of Amazon Echo Show smart displays.
Occupancy detection can also be added by purchasing and using ecobee SmartSensors. The SmartSensors can be found on Amazon.
ecobee3 Lite Cons
The lack of wireless protocol compatibility can limit your choices of ecosystems that you can use at your home as it only has 2.4GHz WiFi.
4. Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Generation)
Nest is now part of the Google range of smart products and will pair seamlessly with Google Home Products such as a smart speaker or smart display. If you have any of these devices in your apartment, then this one could be a good call.
Nest Learning Thermostat Features and Benefits
The Learning Thermostat has a circular design that features a ‘far visibility’ feature, which activates if it detects movement within a 10 feet (3.05 m) range. The Thermostat is controlled with a circular perimeter dial which allows you to adjust temperature, select options etc.
It’s a feature packed thermostat with a smart scheduling and learning system that starts with a baseline heating schedule, which then adjusts as it learns your habits and preferences.
The Learning Thermostat supports a number of wireless protocols: a proprietary Weave version of the Zigbee protocol, 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi, and Bluetooth.
While it works well on its own, the Nest works best when paired with motion sensors. For larger apartments, remote sensors can be added to allow Nest to optimize the temperature throughout your home for maximum comfort.
With sensors the Nest system can be programmed to treat each sensor as a zone and control the environment of that sensor independently of other zones. So if Nest sees that there’s someone in an area, it’ll adjust the temperature in that area for comfort.
This ability to only heat as much of an apartment as is necessary. Energy efficiency is one of the energy savings benefits of a smart thermostat.
Other features it offers are remote access and control of your HVAC system, geofencing, voice control, and Home/Away Assist for when you leave the apartment.
Nest Learning Thermostat Cons
The circular control system on the thermostat itself can sometimes be annoying to use. No remote sensors are included with the package.
5. Nest Thermostat E
Nest Thermostat E Features and Benefits
This is a basic model from Nest, but is still a highly featured thermostat that makes it a good fit for small to medium apartments.
Setup is quick and easy with no need for a C-Wire (it is worth pointing out that temperatures might be kept more precise with a C-Wire).
Unlike the Nest Learning Thermostat, the E doesn’t support a system humidifier or dehumidifier.
Another factor for some, is that this Nest Thermostat model supports heating systems up to a maximum of two stages only. The Nest E supports one stage for cooling, one stage for heating, and another stage for either heating or cooling.
Nest Thermostat E Cons
The lack of support for heating systems with more than two stages could be a problem for some people. It also has no support for sensing humidity.
6. Bosch BCC100 Smart Thermostat
Bosch BCC100 Features and Benefits
The Bosch BCC100 is simple thermostat that could be perfect for an apartment and comes with 2.4GHz WiFi connectivity.
It’s easy to set up (requires a C-Wire) and offers all the benefits that you’d expect from a smart thermostat. A full color 5” touchscreen and companion app make this easy to program and control, both at home and remotely.
Multi Zone support is possible, although it requires multiple thermostats.
Bosch BCC100 Cons
No occupancy sensor and multiple zone control requires additional thermostats.
7. Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Benefits and Features
The Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi is a good budget choice for smaller apartments that only need a single thermostat, although it lacks smart sensor support.
That means, for those with larger apartments requiring multi-zone control should look elsewhere. It also will only work on HVAC systems that have a C-Wire.
The Sensi uses physical buttons, so no touchscreen on this model. The control buttons look similar to a standard thermostat, with mode, menu, and program switches, a menu option and up and down buttons to adjust the temperature and cycle through options.
A mobile app is available on Android and iOS. The app adds remote control and program functions.
Emerson Sensi Cons
The thermostat’s control panel is dated and not that smart looking. It also lacks support for remote sensors and no occupancy sensor is included.
Considerations and Factors for Apartment Thermostats
Smart home tech has come a long way in making comfortable home environments for us.
Before you look at the thermostats it is worth considering which is likely to be more compatible with any existing smart home devices you may have.
For instance, Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit are all considered smart home ecosystems. These smart speakers act as smart home hubs, like Samsung SmartThings, that not only control your thermostat, but other smart home products too.
Final Thoughts
For smaller apartments, some of the budget options may be all you ever need.
For those wanting extra functionality or a built-in speaker and voice assistant in the shape of Alexa, then a mid or top end thermostat would be a better choice.
ecboee has the best smart thermostats, so my top three thermostats are from ecobee.
Best Overall Smart Thermostat for Apartments is the ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control.
The Runner-Up for Apartments is the ecobee4.
Best Budget-Friendly Smart Thermostat is the ecobee 3 Lite.
For those in smaller apartments, then the ecobee3 Lite or the ecobee4 are great choices.
For bigger apartments and multiple rooms, the extra functionalities of the ecobee SmartThermostat would be the better choice.
If you want to find smart thermostats for other scenarios, do check these out:
Best ecobee Smart Thermostats Comparison Review
ecobee vs Nest Thermostats Comparison Review
Best Smart Thermostats for Airbnb and Rental Properties
Best Smart Thermostats for HomeKit and Apple Siri
Best Smart Thermostats For Alexa
Best Smart Thermostats That Work with Google Home
Best Smart Thermostats for Multiple Zones
