Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
Best audio integration
wise thermostat
Ideal if you have other Wyze products
On the article:
What is the best smart thermostat?
Smart thermostats can help you stay more comfortable while saving money compared to traditional thermostats with fewer features. Models range from the sleek and expensive Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium to his more affordable Wyze Thermostat. Our pick for the best overall smart thermostat is the Amazon Smart Thermostat, available for $80.
Smart thermostat models reduce heating and cooling costs, simplify your life, and add more comfort to your life with smart features like scheduling, app-enabled remote monitoring, and even the ability to learn your schedule.
Most smart thermostats are easy to set up and work with voice control if you have a compatible smart display. speaker and alexa, Google Assistant or Siri.Several smart thermostat It uses a motion sensor to determine whether you are home or away and automatically changes the temperature. Other sensors also switch between at-home and away modes based on your phone’s location.
To match these modern features, many connected thermostats offer creative designs.from round shape Smart thermostats with responsive touchscreens are very different from traditional models. It can also send smart alerts, sync with other connected devices in your home, and provide long-term details of your HVAC system’s energy usage.
We’ve rounded up the best smart thermostat options on the market today to help you find the best model for your home’s heating and cooling needs and budget.
Best Smart Thermostats of 2024
As I mentioned above, the Amazon Smart Thermostat is my favorite smart thermostat overall. First, this is the cheapest model I tested. Works via the Alexa app and Alexa voice commands. Voice commands require a compatible Alexa-enabled smart speaker or display, but since this is an Amazon-branded product, you don’t need to enable Alexa skills.
This thermostat is Energy Star certified and will save you an average of $50 on your annual energy bill. Simple and modern design, optional wall plate available if you need to cover old paint or holes. The touchscreen interface is minimal, but it’s easy to adjust the thermostat and toggle heating, air conditioning, and other basic settings.
Amazon smart thermostats are not compatible with Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit, and there is no remote temperature sensor accessory. You will also need a C-wire or purchase and install a C-wire adapter.
This is a solid product overall, but ultimately it’s the amazing value that sets this product apart and makes it our current favorite.
Read Amazon smart thermostat reviews.
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is expensive at $250, but given the current trend of more affordable models, it’s probably too expensive. Still, there’s a lot to like about this model, especially if you want to talk to Alexa without purchasing an Alexa speaker or display. This model works with Spotify as well as Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit. If you want a connected thermostat, Ecobee’s Smart Thermostat Premium is the smartest.
Read our review of the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium.
Honeywell Home T9 is a Wi-Fi thermostat with a touchscreen and one smart room sensor. T9 works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit to provide reliable performance and stable apps. The device also comes with remote humidity, proximity, and temperature sensors, making it the smartest sensor accessory. Nest’s sensor only provides ambient temperature readings, while Ecobee’s sensor only has temperature and proximity sensing capabilities.
Read our review of the Resideo Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat.
I think the $250 Nest Learning Thermostat, which currently sells for about $225, is still the best-looking smart thermostat out there. Although its rounded design is reminiscent of old-fashioned thermostats, this device has a modern look that fits into almost any home decor. The $169 Nest Thermostat E also looks good, but it has more plastic components and isn’t as attractive as the Learning Thermostat’s stainless steel.
Similar to the Amazon smart thermostat, the Wyze thermostat is another sub-$100 smart thermostat that we liked during our testing. This model is available for just $80, making it more affordable than the Amazon model above, and a C-wire adapter is included with your purchase. Wyze thermostats are easy to set up via the Wyze app and work with Alexa and Google Assistant (although Apple HomeKit is not supported).
Unfortunately, the hardware itself isn’t as well designed as Amazon’s, and I found it difficult to adjust the temperature on the thermostat. However, if he already has a lot of Wyze products and plans to primarily use his Wyze app to make adjustments, this won’t be much of an issue.
Read our review of the Wyze thermostat.
Factors to consider
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Ease of installation
Find out if you can install the thermostat yourself or if you need to hire a professional.
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App quality
Find out whether the app’s features meet your needs and whether its interface is intuitive enough for you.
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smart home integration
Make sure your smart thermostat is compatible with your current smart home ecosystem or the smart home ecosystem you’re interested in building.
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Voice assistant integration
If you use a voice assistant, make sure your thermostat is compatible with it and consider whether voice commands suit your needs.
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Data provided
Consider whether checking only temperature will meet your needs, or whether you need other information such as humidity.
How to test a smart thermostat
Let’s talk about testing. A smart thermostat starts with installation. Installation methods vary widely from thermostat to thermostat and from HVAC system to HVAC system, but installing these devices requires a few basic steps. As always, if you have any questions about the setup process, please consult your professional installer. The general steps are:
- Turn off the thermostat at the circuit breaker.
- Remove the old thermostat.
- Attach the thermostat base plate using the provided screws.
- Attach the wire to the wire terminal.
- Fit the faceplate.
- Turn on the circuit breaker power.
Was setting the thermostat particularly difficult to install? If so, why? For example, certain models require a C-wire, but not having one can complicate installation. Not sure what a C wire is? start here.
From there, proceed to the app. Every smart thermostat has one. Download the app and create an account if you don’t already have one. Then follow the steps in the app to set up your thermostat. This usually means you can connect to your local Wi-Fi network, give your thermostat a name like “Hallway” or “Bedroom,” and start using your thermostat.
How well does the app work? Is it easy to navigate to the thermostat settings you want? Is it easy to create a schedule or enable geofencing? The thermostat’s ease of use score reflects how easy it is to use.
We also test smart home integration, especially voice-enabled systems that can be accessed through voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. Most connected thermostats are compatible with at least one voice assistant, and some work with all three. Do the voice commands flow naturally, like a real conversation? Did the thermostat actually adjust the temperature (heat and cool) according to your commands?
All of these things determine a smart thermostat’s overall score and how likely we are to recommend it.
Other smart thermostats we tested
Here is a list of recently tested models:
Frequently asked questions about smart thermostats
How do I install a smart thermostat?
How you install a smart thermostat varies greatly depending on your HVAC system. You can hire a professional electrician to perform the installation and answer any questions you may have before attempting the installation yourself.
That said, all the smart thermostats I’ve tested follow a fairly consistent step-by-step process. It’s an easy DIY process if you’re comfortable with basic electrical work and know if your system is compatible with the specific model you want to purchase.
For a basic overview of the steps, see our article on how to install a Nest Thermostat. However, please note that this may vary depending on your home system.
Are smart thermostats really worth it?
Whether a smart thermostat is worth it depends on how you use it and what exactly “worth it” means.
Smart thermostats have advanced features that make it easier to reduce energy usage and save money, but you need to take advantage of those features to reap the benefits.
Options like automatic home/away modes based on your phone’s location and sensors that detect the proximity of your thermostat or remote accessories can go a long way in reducing your monthly bill. Additionally, if you take the time to review the energy usage reports provided by smart thermostat companies, you can identify patterns and potentially save even more money.
However, smart thermostats are more expensive than standard non-smart models. Therefore, you need to think long-term when it comes to saving. It can take a year or more to start saving more than what you spend on smart thermostats, especially $250 models like the Nest Learning Thermostat and Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium.
What are the most reliable smart thermostats?
Because thermostat performance varies depending on your HVAC system, electrical wiring, and other factors, we cannot guarantee that any particular model will be more reliable than another.
I can say that the four smart thermostats I recommended above (Amazon Smart Thermostat, Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, Resideo Honeywell Home T9, and Nest Learning Thermostat) all worked reliably during my testing.
That said, these smart thermostats consistently adjusted temperatures, settings, and modes as expected over the several days I tested them. If you have questions about the compatibility of your HVAC system with your particular thermostat, always check with a professional electrician before installation.
What should I know before buying a smart thermostat?
Smart thermostats take care of a lot of the heavy lifting for you, but they also require some effort. Be sure to answer all questions when setting up your thermostat. You’ll probably be asked to set minimum and maximum temperatures, comfortable temperature ranges for when you’re at home and when you’re out, and so on.
The more details you can provide, the more likely you are to actually save money with a smart thermostat.
Who should buy a smart thermostat?
Smart thermostats are perfect if you want more control over your energy costs. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, heating is the largest use of energy in American homes, and smart thermostats can help ensure that energy is used when you need it and not when you don’t. Masu.
What about privacy and security?
Whenever you purchase a “smart” device, you need to be aware of what kind of data it generates and how it is used. Some companies collect data on energy use and sell it to third parties, while others have policies stating that they do not sell the information to other companies, or limit the data they collect. When thinking about data and privacy issues, find out how your data is used by the companies operating your smart devices.
