Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
Best voice integrations
Wyze Thermostat
Best if you have other Wyze products
Smart thermostat models do a lot to cut heating and cooling costs, simplify life and provide a few extra creature comforts along the way with various smart features. Unlike traditional thermostats, these app-enabled devices let you control your home’s temperature from anywhere.
Most smart thermostats are easy to set up and work with voice control when you’re using a compatible smart display or speaker with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri. Some smart thermostats use occupancy sensors to determine if you’re home or away and automatically change the temperature for you, while others switch between home and away modes based on your phone’s location.
To accompany these modern features, many connected thermostats offer creative designs. From a rounded shape to a responsive touchscreen, smart thermostats look a lot different than traditional models. They can also send you smart alerts, sync with other connected devices in your home and provide details on your HVAC system’s energy usage over time.
We’ve rounded up the best smart thermostat options on the market right now to help you find the best model for your home’s heating and cooling needs, and your budget.
Best smart thermostats of 2024
With a list price of $220, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is expensive, arguably too expensive given the current trend of more affordable models out there. Still, this model has a lot to recommend it, especially if you want to talk to Alexa without having to buy an Alexa speaker or display. This model also works with Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit, as well as Spotify. If you want a connected thermostat, Ecobee’s Smart Thermostat Premium is the smartest around.
Read our Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium review.
I hold that the $250 Nest Learning Thermostat is still the best-looking smart thermostat out there. Its rounded design harkens back to old-school thermostats, but the device has a modern look that fits in with nearly any home decor. The $169 Nest Thermostat E looks nice too, but it has more plastic components that aren’t as appealing as the Learning Thermostat’s stainless steel.
Like the Amazon Smart Thermostat, the Wyze Thermostat is another sub-$100 smart thermostat that we liked during testing. Available for just $80, this model is more affordable than the Amazon model above, and includes a C-wire adapter with your purchase. The Wyze Thermostat also has an easy set up via the Wyze app — and it works with Alexa and Google Assistant (though there’s no Apple HomeKit support).
Unfortunately, the hardware itself isn’t as well-designed as Amazon’s, and I found it difficult to adjust the temperature at the thermostat. If you already have a bunch of Wyze products and plan to mostly use the Wyze app to make adjustments, however, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
Read our Wyze Thermostat review.
Factors to consider
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Ease of installation
Check if youll be able to install the thermostat yourself, or if youll need to hire a professional to do it for you.
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Quality of the app
Research whether the apps abilities meet your needs and if its interface is intuitive enough for you.
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Smart home integration
Confirm that a smart thermostat is compatible with your current smart home ecosystem or one youre interested in building on.
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Voice assistant integration
If you use a voice assistant, make sure the thermostat is compatible with it and consider whether its voice commands fit your needs.
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Data provided
Consider whether seeing just the temperature meets your needs, or if you want other information like humidity.
How we test smart thermostats
Let’s talk about testing. Smart thermostats start with the installation. Installations can vary widely from thermostat to thermostat and between HVAC systems, but there are some basic steps required for installing these devices. As always, consult a professional installer if you have any questions about the setup process. Here are the general steps:
- Turn off power to your thermostat at the circuit breaker.
- Remove the old thermostat.
- Install the thermostat’s base plate with the included screws.
- Attach the wires to the wire terminals.
- Snap on the faceplate.
- Turn on power at the circuit breaker.
Was the thermostat setup especially difficult to install? If so, why? Certain models require a C-wire, for example, which can complicate the installation if you don’t have one. Not sure what a C-wire is? Start here.
From there, we move on to the app. Every smart thermostat has one. We download the app and create an account if we don’t already have one. Then we configure the thermostat following the steps in the app. This usually means connecting to the local Wi-Fi network, giving your thermostat a name like “Hallway” or “Bedroom” and then you can start using your thermostat.
16 smart thermostats to regulate your home’s heat and AC
How do I install a smart thermostat?
Whether a smart thermostat is worth it or not depends on how you use it — and what exactly you mean by “worth it.”
Smart thermostats make it easier to use less energy and save money because of their advanced features, but you have to take advantage of those features in order to see a benefit.
Options like automatic home/away modes based on your phone’s location — or sensors in the thermostat and in remote accessories that detect proximity — can go a long way toward reducing your monthly bill. In addition, if you take the time to review the energy usage reports smart thermostat companies provide, you’ll be able to identify patterns and potentially save even more money.
But smart thermostats are also more expensive than standard non-smart models. So, you have to think long-term when it comes to savings. It could take a year or more to start saving more than you spent on a smart thermostat, especially a $250 model like the Nest Learning Thermostat or the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium.
What is the most reliable smart thermostat?
Smart thermostats can handle a lot of the heavy lifting for you, but you also have to put in some effort. Make sure to answer all of the questions when you configure your thermostat. Most likely you’ll be asked to set minimum and maximum temperatures, comfortable temperature ranges when you’re home and away and more.
The more details you can provide, the better chance you have of actually saving money with a smart thermostat.
Who should purchase a smart thermostat?
Any time you buy a “smart” device, you want to be aware of what kind of data it’s generating and how it’s being used. Some companies will collect data on your energy use and sell it to third parties, while others have policies that declare they won’t sell information to other companies, and others limit what they collect. As you think about your data and privacy concerns, research how your data is used by the company operating your smart devices.
