A thermostat regulates your heating and cooling system to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Finding the right thermostat for you can depend on what you’re looking for. Many modern thermostat retailers sell products in a variety of designs that offer unique benefits, such as voice-activated controls, remote sensors, and programmable temperature settings. Other traditional designs still exist for those looking for a more straightforward option.
Non-programmable, traditional thermostats can cost as little as $40 or less, while high-end smart thermostats can approach $200. You’ll also want to consider installation. If you’re an experienced DIY handyperson, you may be able to install it yourself. However, some people may opt for professional installation, which will increase costs.
To help you find the best smart thermostat for your needs, The This Old House team researched the top products on the market. This guide will help you choose a thermostat right for your home. Overall, our top choice is the Google Nest Learning Thermostat, which features a sleek design and a wide variety of useful smart features. Read our guide below for more of our top picks.
Top 7 Thermostats
- Google Nest Learning Thermostat: Best Overall
- Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat: Best Value
- ecobee Smart Thermostat:
- Honeywell Pro Non-Programmable Digital Thermostat: Best Non-Programmable
- Orbit Clean Comfort Programmable Thermostat: Best Programmable Thermostat
- Amazon Smart Thermostat: Best Energy Savings
- EconoHome Adjustable Thermostat: Best Plug-In
Compare Top Thermostats
| Product | Smart Design | Control Options | Color Options | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Google Nest Learning ThermostatCheck Price | Yes | Twist, voice assistant, mobile app | Black, brass, copper, mirror black, polished steel, stainless steel, white | Two years |
Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart ThermostatCheck Price | Yes | Buttons, voice assistant, mobile app | White | Three years |
ecobee SmartThermostatCheck Price | Yes | Touchscreen, voice assistant, mobile app | Black | Three years |
Honeywell Pro Non-Programmable Digital ThermostatCheck Price | No | Buttons, switches | White | Five years |
Orbit Clean Comfort Programmable ThermostatCheck Price | No | Buttons | White | One Year |
Amazon Smart ThermostatCheck Price | Yes | Touchscreen, voice assistant | White | One year |
EconoHome Adjustable ThermostatCheck Price | No | Dial | White, black | Three years |
Best Overall
Google Nest Learning Thermostat
Our team found that the third-generation Google Nest Learning Thermostat has some of the most advanced features available. With automatic temperature adjustments, voice control capability through Google Home, and energy-saving technology, this thermostat is hard to beat.
Pros and Cons of Google Nest Learning Thermostat
- Automatically programs itself to your environment and lifestyle after one week of use
- Displays the Nest Leaf to let you know when you’re saving energy usage
- Available in several finishes
- Requires an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to use its voice control feature
- Some customers said that their device stopped working unexpectedly
What People Are Saying About The Google Nest Learning Thermostat
We found that many customers said that this thermostat was easy to use and install. Many customers enjoyed its wide variety of metallic finishes and convenient smart features. Those who were unsatisfied said that the device didn’t self-adjust as advertised.
Best Value
Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
Pros and Cons of Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
- Features smart alerts that warn you of extreme temperatures or humidity levels in your home
- Its mobile app includes step-by-step installation instructions
- Doesn’t require a c-wire or adapter for installation
- Many customers experienced difficulties connecting it to Wi-Fi
- Only allows scheduling on its supported app
What People Are Saying About The Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
Those who loved this thermostat listed its smart features, temperature control, and easy installation as their favorite qualities. Those we found who were unsatisfied with their purchase said that it sometimes experienced difficulties maintaining a Wi-Fi connection.
Best Sensor
ecobee SmartThermostat
The ecobee smart thermostat can save you 26% annually on heating and cooling costs with features such as its smart room sensors. Additionally, we like that the product comes with a built-in Amazon Alexa for voice commands and a separate temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of a specific room.
Pros and Cons of ecobee SmartThermostat
- Comes with a step-by-step DIY installation guide
- Compatible with Google Home/Google Assistant, Apple Home Kit, Samsung SmartThings, and IFTTT devices
- Lets you play music from Spotify through its embedded smart speakers
- Most expensive thermostat in this review
- Doesn’t work with some variable-speed heating and cooling units
What People Are Saying About The ecobee SmartThermostat
Most reviewers our team found listed the touchscreen, battery life, and ease of installation as qualities that they enjoyed about their purchase. Customers who weren’t satisfied with the product said that they wished there were more control options on the interface.
Best Non-Programmable
Honeywell Pro Non-Programmable Digital Thermostat
We like that the Honeywell Pro Non-Programmable Digital Thermostat has a backlit digital display for easy visibility as well as two buttons and two switches for temperature control. This is the perfect product for anyone who is looking for a traditional, easy-to-use thermostat without smart features.
Pros and Cons of Honeywell Pro Non-Programmable Digital Thermostat
- Uses precise comfort control to keep your home within one degree of your set
- Has a backlit digital display for nighttime use
- Has an easy to use interface
- Many customers complained of poor customer support from Honeywell
- Some customers had difficulty installing the thermostat
What People Are Saying About The Honeywell Pro Non-Programmable Digital Thermostat
Customers were pleased with the product’s temperature control and accuracy. Several we found also liked how simple it was to use. A common complaint among dissatisfied customers it did not read temperatures accurately, while others had issues getting the buttons to perform properly.
Best Programmable Thermostat
Orbit Clean Comfort Programmable Thermostat
The Orbit Clean Comfort Programmable Thermostat has an easy-to-read display and accurate temperature readings. Our team liked that it has a programming feature that allows you to set up to four temperature periods per day. This makes the device a step up from a traditional thermostat without the complicated programming of a smart thermostat.
Pros and Cons of Orbit Clean Comfort Programmable Thermostat
- Offers a copy and paste feature that allows you to input the same temperature schedule for multiple days
- Has a sleek, modern design with its glass screen
- Protected by a one-year limited warranty
- Not compatible with baseboard heaters
- Doesn’t include the required AAA batteries
What People Are Saying About The Orbit Clean Comfort Programmable Thermostat
Customers that we found praised this programmable thermostat’s modern look, simple control, and easy installation. However, some customers said that the thermostat didn’t control the temperature reliably, and others said it turned devices on and off too frequently.
Best Energy Savings
Amazon Smart Thermostat
If you have an Amazon Alexa, this thermostat seamlessly integrates into your smart home ecosystem and helps reduce energy usage. This thermostat is ENERGY STAR certified, which saves an average of $50 a year on energy bills. Amazon will also email you details about potential rebates from local energy providers upon purchase.
Pros and Cons of Amazon Smart Thermostat
- Features on-the-go control that allows Alexa to set your temperature for you
- Can be purchased with a C-wire adapter
- Features Honeywell thermostat technology
- Settings can be difficult to change
- Does not support other voice activation systems such as Google Assistant
What People Are Saying About The Amazon Smart Thermostat
Our team found that customers who gave this product a positive review were impressed with its straightforward installation, voice control integration, and stylish design. However, we also noted that some customers felt this thermostat’s interface was not user-friendly, and others said the smart features didn’t always work properly.
Best Plug-In
EconoHome Adjustable Thermostat
This unique plug-in thermostat serves as both an outlet for your air conditioning or heating unit, and a way to quickly adjust the temperature. Once the device is plugged in, you can simply choose between heating or air and set the thermostat to your desired temperature. This device is a great fit for space heaters, window AC units, or circular fans.
Pros and Cons of EconoHome Adjustable Thermostat
- Has minimal setup or installation
- Has a three-prong socket that plugs into most standard wall outlets
- Works with all standard space heaters and AC units
- Needs to be paired with an existing unit to control temperature
- Has a bulky design
What People Are Saying About The EconoHome Adjustable Thermostat
We found that those who left positive reviews for this thermostat liked that its straightforward design, accurate temperature control, and versatility to operate both heat and air. However, some were disappointed in the range of the temperature control, and others had issues adjusting from warm to cool air.
Buyer’s Guide
When purchasing a thermostat, it’s important to consider how each product’s design and features affect its performance. You’ll first need to determine if you’re in the market for a smart thermostat, programmable thermostat, or non-programmable thermostat. From there, you should also take time to consider factors like installation and display before choosing a product. Read our buying guide below for more information on choosing the best thermostat.
Thermostat Type
Thermostats are generally split into three categories: smart thermostats, programmable thermostats, and non-programmable thermostats.
Smart thermostats are a popular choice for many homeowners because of their compatibility with other smart home devices and their ability to regulate your home’s internal temperature. Smart thermostats are usually controlled by mobile apps or voice assistants, such as Google Assistant Apple Homekit, Siri, or Amazon Alexa. Many smart thermostats also provide you with energy consumption statistics so that you can track how your home heats and cools itself and save on energy costs and support geofencing to automatically control temperatures. Others include features such as smart speakers that can play music and podcasts. The drawback to smart thermostats is their price, which usually far exceeds programmable and non-programmable models.
Programmable thermostats are convenient because they let you set a specific heating and cooling schedule based on the time or day of the week. You set this schedule using the buttons and switches on the thermostat’s body. Some programmable thermostats come with remote controls for easier use.
Non-programmable thermostats are basic models that allow you to set your home to your desired temperature. These thermostats are mostly limited to showing you the current and set temperatures. However, the benefit of these thermostats is their affordable price.
Installation
Before picking a thermostat, look at its installation process to decide whether to enlist professional help or complete it yourself. Installing a thermostat typically involves using a C-wire, which may or may not come with the thermostat. Check the product description carefully before buying if you plan on installing it on your own. Learn how to install a GPS enabled smart thermometer in this guide.
Display
Your thermostat should have an easy-to-read display so that you know your home’s current temperature and your thermostat’s current settings. Most smart thermostats include a backlit display for viewing the temperature in low light.
Other Ways to Control Your Home’s Temperature
In addition to using a thermostat, there are several other ways our team found to help better control the temperature in your home to make it more comfortable for you and your family, including:
- Use Fans or Ceiling Fans: Installing fans or ceiling fans in your home can help keep rooms cool without needing to turn on air conditioning or adjust central air through a thermostat. Ceiling fans come in various shapes and sizes and are sold for indoor or outdoor use.
- Utilize Window Treatments: One easy way to regulate the temperature of your home is to use home products like curtains (such as blackout curtains), blinds, or shades to block out sunlight and heat during hot days. In the winter, open them during the day to let sunlight in and close them at night to retain heat.
- Use Weatherstripping and Caulking: You can seal gaps around windows and doors with weatherstripping and caulking, which prevents drafts and maintains a stable indoor temperature inside the home.
- Ensure You are Using Proper Installation: Making sure your home has proper insulation in areas such as the walls, attics, and floors can help retain heat in the winter and keep the temperature reasonable in warmer months.
- Purchase portable heaters: If you’re concerned about ramping up your heating cost in the winter, consider using portable heaters or space heaters to heat up a specific area without heating the entire home.
- Perform Routing HVAC Maintenance: Regularly maintain your heating units, heat pumps, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to ensure they operate efficiently and effectively and use an air quality monitor to routinely check air status or a hygrometer which measures humidity levels. This will help ensure that when your program your thermostat, it does not have any barriers in reaching the desired temperature.
FAQs About Thermostats
How does a thermostat work?
A thermostat sends a message to your heating and cooling system based on the temperature you set it to. For example, if you set your thermostat to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, the thermostat will turn your system on when it’s higher or lower than this temperature.
How do you know if your thermostat is broken?
If your thermostat won’t turn on or is unresponsive, this may signal a problem. Additionally, if your air conditioner or heater won’t turn on or is running when it shouldn’t, you may have a faulty thermostat. If you’re unsure if you have a problem, call an HVAC professional.
Where is the best place to put a thermostat?
The best place to install a thermostat is on an interior wall of your home. If you install your thermostat on an exterior wall, the thermostat’s internal thermometer might be influenced by the temperature outside, which can cause your HVAC system to run unnecessarily.
Methodology
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, including power tools, outdoor equipment, major appliances, kitchen gadgets, electronics, and more that focus on product quality and helpfulness to our readers.
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of thermostats with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we compared each model’s feature set to create a final short list, selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.