Best Smart Thermostats for Keeping Your Home Comfortable

When shopping for the best smart thermostat for your home, it’s important to find a thermostat that works for your HVAC system, and also offers the right combination of features needed for easy and effective use. I asked heating and cooling experts about how to choose the right smart thermostat, including which features are most important and what you need to know about installing smart thermostats. Based on their advice, here are my top picks for the best smart thermostats you might want to consider for your home.

Our picks for the best smart thermostats

The bottom line:

This smart thermostat brings your home to an ideal temperature before you wake up, monitors your air quality, includes a SmartSensor to monitor temperatures in different rooms, and more.

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What to consider before buying a smart thermostat

Compatibility

Al Fagundes, founder and CEO of A. Fagundes Plumbing & Heating, Inc., explains that before looking at any other features, buyers need to make sure that a smart thermostat is compatible with their existing heating and cooling system. “A smart thermostat that’s not compatible with your HVAC system won’t work,” he says.

Programming options

Fagundes notes that a thermostat should include a variety of programming options that allow you to customize it to your lifestyle. “This way, you can set it to turn off when you’re not at home or when you’re asleep, which will help save energy and reduce your utility bills.”

Look for features like a climate-zoning system, which can help avoid wasting energy on unused zones in your home, and auto scheduling functions, which can detect when you’re home or away and adjust the temperature accordingly.

Ease of operation

Consider how the thermostat operates, too. “A good thermostat is controllable from your phone or laptop, allowing you to adjust the temperature remotely,” Fagundes says. “The device should also be user-friendly and easy to navigate, even for people who aren’t tech-savvy.”

Energy saving

Smart thermostats’ real value is in their ability to help reduce energy consumption and save money. Fagundes suggests that buyers look for devices that are certified by EnergyStar or another respected certification organization. Additionally, choose a thermostat that provides detailed reports on energy usage. Those reports can help you to identify ways to adjust your settings to further save energy.

Warranty

“A solid warranty is another good indicator of a quality product,” Fagundes advises. “Look for a smart thermostat with a warranty of at least two years, or longer, if possible.”

Price

While a smart thermostat can help to save money, it’s important that it fits within your budget. As you shop, compare thermostat prices and features to ensure that you’re getting maximum value for your purchase.

Benefits of smart thermostats

Matthew Ferris, master plumber, HVAC expert, and founder of Ferris Plumbing, explains that smart thermostats have multiple benefits. “Smart thermostats can really help homeowners save on their energy bills,” he says. “By learning users’ temperature preferences and schedules, they optimize heating and cooling to be as efficient as possible. The remote control is also handy for folks who travel a lot. Integrating with other home devices provides convenience, too.”

Fagundes highlights the fact that smart thermostats also encourage energy-friendly habits and provide recommendations on when to adjust the temperature. As the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative reports, independent study data indicates smart thermostats can save customers an average of 10 to 12% on their heating and 15% on their cooling costs. When basing these percentages on average energy costs, customers can save approximately $140 per year on their energy bills when using a smart thermostat.

Smart thermostats also give you valuable remote access to your home. You can easily adjust temperatures to avoid unnecessary energy usage while you’re away from home, including when you’re at work or on vacation.

“Additionally, smart thermostats provide you with essential information exactly when you need it,” says Fagundes. “They can alert you if the temperature strays above or below the preset range, indicating a potential issue.” You’ll also receive alerts for power outages and maintenance needs, such as changing the air filter in your air conditioning and heating system.

Who should get a smart thermostat?

“[Smart thermostats] work particularly well for energy-conscious households, new owners familiarizing themselves with a new home, and people with big homes and temperature needs in different areas,” says Ferris. “Frequent travelers will love the remote access, too.”

Fagundes explains that families with children may also benefit from smart thermostats. “Children tend to be more susceptible to temperature fluctuations and may require a specific temperature for comfort,” he says. “The same goes for older adults or individuals with health concerns. Maintaining a consistent and healthy temperature in the home can be essential for those with respiratory or cardiovascular issues.”

Smart thermostats allow you to easily set and maintain a specific temperature or set a schedule that adjusts temperatures throughout the day to keep the home at the ideal temperature.

How to install a smart thermostat: Can I do it myself?

Ferris says homeowners can usually install a smart thermostat themselves as long as they’re comfortable working with the electrical components. “That said, I always recommend having a professional do it,” he says. “We’re trained to handle things safely and properly. The last thing anyone wants is a wiring mistake that could damage the HVAC system.”

How we selected the best smart thermostats

In selecting the best thermostats, I looked for products that offered numerous features and programming options, including auto scheduling and climate zoning capabilities. I looked for thermostats and apps that are easy to use, and also considered whether the thermostat requires a professional installation.

Additionally, I tried to select thermostats that are Energy Star certified, or certified by another reputable company. I looked for products backed by warranties, as well as products that provide data to help you see what you’re saving and adjust your programming for additional savings.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How does a smart thermostat work?

According to Sealed, smart thermostats feature a common wire that plugs into your HVAC system. The thermostat control senses the temperature in your rooms and communicates with the HVAC to maintain an ideal temperature. Smart thermostats use WiFi to communicate with an app, allowing you to also control the device remotely.

Is it worth switching to a smart thermostat?

You’ll need to consider your lifestyle when deciding if it’s worth investing in a smart thermostat. If you spend lots of time away from home, smart thermostats can allow you to significantly reduce your energy usage and save money when you’re not home. If you’re always home or have pets at home and don’t want your home’s temperature to fluctuate much, you’ll save less energy and money with a smart thermostat.

What is the most dependable WiFi thermostat?

Ferris notes that he’s had great experiences with Nest thermostats. “They have intuitive interfaces and strong app support,” he says. Fagundes recommends the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, which has numerous settings to fine-tune the climate, and which includes a built-in Alexa smart speaker.

What happens if WiFi goes down with a smart thermostat?

Fagundes explains that if your WiFi goes down, most thermostats will send you a phone notification that they’ve lost the WiFi connection. You won’t be able to use any remote control features on your smartphone app, and will have to physically change the temperature on the thermostat until the WiFi is functional again.

Do you need a sensor with a smart thermostat?

A room sensor can help a smart thermostat to accurately monitor a room’s temperature when the thermostat is located in another room. Whether you need room sensors depends on your home’s layout and the thermostat’s location.