If your thermostat isn’t smart, it’s time you got into the game. The best smart thermostats use built-in AI technology to learn your favorite temperature settings, habits, daily schedule, and where people are in the house.
Using that information, it’ll automatically adjust temperatures for energy cost savings, to sleep better at night, and comfort on the cold winter nights. Try to get your old programmable thermostat to do that.
Let’s go over the Best Smart Thermostats and help you find the one that best suits you and your home. If you’re in a hurry, here are the Top 3 Best Smart Thermostats.
Last update on 2021-02-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Table of Contents
Best Overall: ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control
- Place SmartSensor in the most important room, like your bedroom, child’s room, or office to keep it the perfect temperature
- Smart Home & Away detects your presence and automatically adjusts the temperature for comfort when you’re home and reduced energy use when you’re away
Last update on 2021-02-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Top pick goes to the 5th-generation ecobee SmartThermostat. The SmartThermostat is the latest offering from ecobee and is the most flexible when it comes to smart home integration with your ecosystems, hubs, and voice assistants. Alexa is already built-in, but Wi-Fi thermostat works well with Google Home and Apple HomeKit and Siri.
This ecobee5 comes with the latest remote sensor, the SmartSensor, that will recognize occupancy presence in other rooms and adjust the temperatures there for comfort. Speakers have also been upgraded, allowing the ecobee to play tunes if you don’t have other smart speakers, like the Echo speakers.
One of the biggest advantages of ecobee thermostats is ease-of-use. All the functions and settings are clearly easily found on the thermostat and the mobile app. That’s because the user interface and user experience (UI/UX) on both are the same, so you don’t need to learn two different ways to control them.
ecobee estimates that with eco+ mode activated, energy saving benefits are up to 23% a year on heating and cooling bills.
When it comes to installation, ecobee smart thermostats also have a power extender kit adapter that can be used when there is no C-wire to power the thermostat.
Runner-Up: Nest Learning Thermostat
- Programmable smart thermostat that learns your schedule and the temperatures you like and programs itself to help you save energy and stay comfortable
- Home/Away Assist automatically adjusts itself to an Eco Temperature after you leave, so you don’t heat or cool an empty home
Last update on 2021-02-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat is a popular option for its sleek and modern rounded design. It’s the “Apple” of smart thermostats for its simplistic looks, but it’s still packed full of features. These Wi-Fi connected thermostats look nothing like the traditional thermostats.
If you already have Google Home speakers at home and using Google Assistant, this is the option for you because they integrate better than other thermostats. The AI learning technology is top-of-the-line when it comes to learning your habits and schedule for energy efficiency.
The Nest Learning Thermostat also works with remote sensors, Google Nest Temperature Sensor, but it doesn’t usually come with any. You’ll need to purchase them separately, but they’re not too expensive, especially in a 3-pack like this one on Amazon.
Nest thermostats can only connect to a maximum of 6 remote sensors too, while ecobee can connect to a maximum of 36 sensors. If you have a large home and your HVAC can control multiple zones, you’ll have to consider how many sensors you’ll need for optimal heating and climate control.
If your furnace doesn’t have a C-wire, you won’t need an adapter with Nest, but that could potentially take power from your furnace control circuits. However, with some HVAC systems such as micro-controller based systems or systems with certain gas valves, a C-wire will be required.
Most Affordable: ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat
- Advanced control from anywhere using your Android or iOS device
- Integrates seamlessly with your preferred smart home system
Last update on 2021-02-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat is one of the Best Budget-Friendly Smart Thermostats and still brings most of the same features as the ecobee5.
The ecobee3 brings the same flexible compatibility with multiple voice assistants and smart home hubs to control the heating and cooling systems. Unfortunately, Alexa isn’t built-in, so you’ll need to purchase a separate Alexa-compatible speaker. The good thing is Amazon Echo Dot smart speakers are inexpensive.
Remote sensors do not come with the ecobee3, but they are compatible and it’ll be able to recognize occupancy in different areas of your home where the sensors are.
Budget Friendly: Nest Thermostat E
- Frosted Display: Blends into the background and fits into any home. Heat pump is with auxiliary and emergency heat (O/B, AUX)
- Remote Control: Use the Nest app to change the temperature from anywhere – the beach, the office or your bed.
Last update on 2021-02-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you have a Google Assistant at home, the Budget-Friendly Smart Thermostat for you is the Google Nest Thermostat E. The Nest E has the same learning AI as the Nest Learning Thermostat, along with many of the same core features.
The design isn’t as sleek as the Learning Thermostat, but the E is the entry-level model, so savings need to be made somewhere. The Nest E still looks great though and will fit seamlessly with the majority of home designs.
Great Value: ecobee4 Smart Thermostat
- SAVE MONEY: Homeowners save up to 23% annually on heating or cooling costs, plus ecobee pays for itself in under 2 years (compared to a hold of 72 degrees).
- ROOM SENSORS: Place them in the rooms that matter the most and have the temperature balanced throughout your whole home. Measuring both occupancy and temperature, sensors signal your ecobee Smart Thermostat to automatically switch to the right mode for comfort when you’re home or for savings when you’re not. One Room Sensor included, 2-pack sold separately
Last update on 2021-02-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
ecobee’s mid-range ecobee4 is a great thermostat that I had to add to the list. The ecobee4 slots in nicely between the ecobee3 and ecobee5 in features and price point.
The ecobee4 has Amazon Alexa built-in, but not the calling feature that allows the ecobee SmartThermostat to call phone numbers in the US, Canada, and Mexico for free.
The ecobee4 does come with one older generation remote sensor, the Room Sensor. The 45 ft. range isn’t as far as the newer SmartSensor at 60 ft., but it still does a good job and works with all the ecobee thermostats. If you have an apartment or smaller house, the Room Sensor should have more than enough range.
More Smart Thermostat Lists For Homes
Not all smart homes are the same, nor are home situations. I’ve written a few specific smart thermostat lists for different home scenarios that might be useful for you and your home.
Best Smart Thermostats For Alexa
Best Smart Thermostats for HomeKit and Apple Siri
Mysa: Best Smart Thermostat for Electric Baseboard Heaters and In-Floor Heaters
Best Smart Thermostat for Multiple Zones
Best Smart Thermostats That Work with Google Home
Best Smart Thermostats for Apartments
Best Smart Thermostat for Airbnb and Rental Properties
If those don’t quite fit your needs, let’s go through some considerations with choosing a smart thermostat for your home.
Final Thoughts on the Best Smart Thermostats
As you might have noticed, the Top 5 smart thermostats are all ecobee and Google Nest. That’s because they make the best smart thermostats overall. They’re well-known and popular, meaning if you ever have questions about them, you can more easily find solutions.
Check out a couple articles that go in-depth on both of these thermostat brands:
Last update on 2021-02-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2021-02-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
