Best smart thermostat: Reviews and buying advice

• Published in: TechHive
• Main Author: D'Aprile, Jason
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Needham Foundry 13.08.2024
• Subjects: Adapters; Algorithms; Artificial intelligence; Bright plating; Buying; Compatibility; Cost analysis; Costs; Design; Design engineering; Geofences; HVAC; HVAC equipment; Industrial design; Machine learning; Motion sensors; Prices; Remote sensors; Sensors; Smart buildings; Smart houses; Thermostats; Touch screens; User interface; Voice control; Voice recognition; Wire

Read our full Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium review Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation) — Best smart thermostat overall, runner-up Pros * The best algorithms on the market * Excellent interface and easy set-up * Top-notch industrial design Cons * Overly reliant on its built-in motion sensor (or your buying other Nest products) * Nest doesn’t like geofencing, so it thinks you shouldn’t either * Incompatible with Apple's HomeKit ecosystem Price When Reviewed: $249 Best Prices Today: $249 at Google Play Store Why we like the Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation) Nest practically invented the smart thermostat category when it released its first learning thermostat in 2011. Who should buy the Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation) Nest is still the best for choice users who don’t want to think about their thermostat. Since Nest is now manufactured by Google, it’s designed to work best with other devices in company’s ecosystem, including security cameras and smoke or carbon monoxide detectors. the thermostat is also compatible with Amazon’s Alexa smart home speakers and displays, and its Matter implementation enables it to work in the Apple Home ecosystem as well. Read our full Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation) review Sensi Touch 2 — Best mid-range smart thermostat Pros * Attractive industrial design * Bright, responsive touch screen * Excellent user interface in both the app and on the thermostat * Complete feature set, including geofencing, smart home integration, robust scheduling options and remote sensor support Cons * No decorative back plate to hide blemishes or screw holes on the wall * Remote sensors not included ($40 each) * C-wire required, and adapter kit costs extra Price When Reviewed: $209.99 Best Prices Today: $146.19 at Amazon$149.99 at Best Buy$151.99 at Walmart Electronics Why we like the Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat The Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat has many of the same features as the more expensive Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium and the Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation), but at a much lower price tag. Read our full Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat review Amazon Smart Thermostat — Best budget-priced smart thermostat Pros * Automatically learns your heating and cooling needs * Can be controlled with Alexa voice commands * Broadly compatible with 24V HVAC systems Cons * Not compatible with Google Assistant * Not compatible with Apple HomeKit * Power adapter kit costs extra if your HVAC system doesn’t have a C-wire Best Prices Today: $51.99 at Target $79.99 at Amazon$79.99 at Best Buy Why we like the Amazon Smart Thermostat Amazon Smart Thermostat uses cloud-based machine learning to analyze how you use your HVAC system, and then uses what Amazon calls “Hunches” to predict when to heat or cool your home.