Our Picks
Stressing about those climbing energy bills? You've got company -- a recent CNET survey shows that 78% of US adults are worried about their soaring utility costs. Now is a great time to consider upgrading to a smart thermostat to save energy and money too. These smart devices learn your daily patterns, fine-tune temperatures automatically and help reduce energy consumption with minimal effort on your part. Beyond the cost benefits, they also come with clever features to manage your home while you're away, prevent rooms from overheating, monitor humidity levels and much more.
Read more: This Modest Gadget Is the New Superhero of the Energy-Efficient Home
What is the best smart thermostat?
After many hours of testing out the functions of the latest smart thermostats, our experts recommend the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium as the top model that can do everything. This thermostat not only learns your schedule, it watches your indoor air quality and lets you adopt Siri or Alexa voice assistant options if you don't have a smart speaker.
We've also chosen Amazon's model for an excellent Alexa choice, Nest's latest thermostat for a beautiful energy-saving powerhouse, an Ecobee model for a budget choice and more. Take a look at the latest picks below.
Best smart thermostats of 2025
- Learning and vacation modes for complete control
- Reliable air quality monitoring
- Built-in speaker for Alexa or Siri
- Included remote temperature sensor
- Can control other Ecobee products
- Very expensive
One of the selling points of a smart thermostat is that it can save you money, so we can’t say money is no object. But if money is no object, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium eclipses the competition. It offers the most advanced features, like a little sensor with a magnetic stand I could put in any room, and the ability to show a four-day forecast on the thermostat itself.
The Ecobee model also comes with a separate satellite sensor to target heating or cooling to levels in a specific room. When I asked Ecobee about its latest features, they responded that the thermostat could help save up to 26% on energy bills and mentioned, "One of my favorite recent additions to the Ecobee smart thermostat experience is Home Energy Reports. These interactive reports help you visualize and understand the direct benefit of our temperature optimizations on your home’s energy use."
While many smart thermostats can work with voice assistant platforms like Google's Home/Gemini options or Alexa, this Premium model is the only one that offers built-in compatibility (plus a mic and speaker) for Alexa and an option to add on Siri, so you don't need an app or smart speaker to give it commands.
Why I like it: Ecobee has packed a ton of smart features into a single device, even offering built-in voice assistants, and includes a satellite sensor for detailed home climate control, any way you want it.
Who shouldn't get it: People who don't want to pay a lot of money, those who already have a smart speaker they're happy with, people who don't want to learn a lot of new features.
- Built-in Alexa and Echo compatibility
- Useful learning features for the price
- Affordable at under $100
- Explains energy settings to users
- Basic design compared to competitor models
- Amazon's data privacy raises more questions than other thermostat brands
The Amazon Smart Thermostat stands out among its peers in the sub-$100 category by having far better technology, including the ability to sense if you’re home and Alexa’s “hunches” to see if a setting will work while saving you energy. It'll save you lots of energy while paying itself off faster, making it an excellent starter model. And if you add an Echo Dot 5, the thermostat can use it as a separate room and air sensor, too.
Amazon's model doesn’t have quite the advanced features of a $200 thermostat, and its display is fairly basic, but the savings are very significant, and not everyone wants a fancy touchscreen. Another thing I liked: It shows information about your energy and HVAC usage, explaining what it all means -- a smart thermostat that makes the customer smarter.
Note: Read my full guide on smart thermostat privacy here to see how Amazon approaches this issue and why some users may want to take security precautions.
Why I like it: It's very affordable, and Amazon has done a good job of adding the valuable smart features to its model even if the display isn't so fancy. Plus, it's guaranteed to work with Alexa.
Who shouldn't get it: People who aren't fans of Alexa, users who want more smart and scheduling options, users particularly concerned about their home privacy.
- Beautiful round display
- Easy-to-use Eco Modes and energy reports
- Satellite sensor for targeted heating
- Compatibility with some Nest products like the Nest Hub Max
- No C-wire required for installation
- High-quality presence sensing
- Expensive
- Shiny display can be a little distracting
The newest version of the Nest Learning Thermostat brings the best high-tech smart technology to an attractive device that works even if your home doesn't have a C-wire. The new model builds on its predecessor's attractive design by adding a sensor that can tell how far you are from the thermostat and change the information on the faceplate accordingly. Mine can even show weather effects like falling snow or the setting sun depending on what's happening outside.
Like Ecobee's, this model also comes with an included external room sensor, encouraging you from the start to keep track of the comfort level in more than just one room of your home. The beautiful design especially sparkles when showing outdoor temperatures with associated weather animations. On the more practical side, the Nest reports and easy-to-see Eco Modes make saving money very easy.
Why I like it: The latest Nest thermostat looks absolutely incredible, plays well with other Nest devices and has some very useful Eco Modes that take relatively little work to enable and start saving -- plus a handy little hockey puck of a satellite sensor.
Who shouldn't get it: Buyers who want to save money and aren't especially big fans of the Google Nest ecosystem.
- Simple, clean touchscreen interface
- Quick setup
- Alexa and Google compatibility
- Affordable when on sale
- Provides energy, equipment and maintenance reports
- Lacks smart features like built-in presence sensing and learning capabilities
The Sensi Touch 2 is an excellent choice if you interact a lot with the physical thermostat. The app is good, and the thermostat is compatible with Alexa and Google Home, but the display on this one really shines. It’s simple, intuitive and clear, allowing you to easily make changes.
Some other thermostats require you to know what the particular icon means, which can add to the learning curve, but this one is straightforward. Plus, the temperature setting is prominently displayed, and you can set a range of temperatures very easily with the tap of a finger.
If you find the larger, flashier thermostat displays a bit overwhelming, Sensi's model may be a breath of cool air. While it's a bit more limited than some picks, it still works with Google and Alexa commands and provides alerts and reminders.
Why I like it: Sensi's model is minimalist and very friendly for users who prefer a more traditional thermostat with manual controls, but it still has welcome extras like voice assistant compatibility.
Who shouldn't get it: People who want learning functions and advanced eco modes plus more sensor options.
- Simple, effective controls and app
- Easy setup
- Satellite sensor options
- Humidity and air quality sensors for air management
- Making full use of this thermostat requires big investment in Resideo's ecosystem
The Honeywell Home T9 was a very nice thermostat that combined smart features with a traditional design, but the upgrades for the T10 truly impressed us. Installation remains simple, and you can largely avoid app use if you prefer to stick with onboard controls. However, smart features still abound, and the thermostat works with remote sensors for targeted heating.
The T10 really shines when combined with compatible Resideo whole-house devices like the TrueDRY dehumidifier or F200 Media Air Cleaner. It can use its readings (with an added Equipment Interface Model) to automatically shut this air quality equipment on or off for increased comfort without manual adjustment or complex smart device workarounds -- as long as you're willing to make the investment.
Why I like it: The Honeywell Home T10 brings massive smart upgrades, including not only an option for satellite sensors but integrations with supported air purifiers, dehumidifiers and more.
Who shouldn't get it: Users who don't really plan on investing in a bunch of Resideo home tech.
- Affordable at under $150
- Keeps many of the best Ecobee features like auto-away mode
- Streamlined for ease of use
- Retains the stylish touchscreen
- Users who want to pay under $100 will have to look elsewhere
- Lacks more advanced sensors
While it's not quite as cheap as my Amazon pick, I still think the Ecobee Essential model is one of the best budget thermostats if you're willing to spend around $100 for one. While it doesn't have the Premium's extra sensor or wireless satellite sensor, it does come with all the learning functions, useful screen information and app controls you could want.
Ecobee's compatibility with Siri, Alexa and Google remains as well, so you have plenty of home control options. That makes this an excellent upgrade for those interested in a new thermostat but who would rather keep things simple while still getting lots of smart upgrades.
Why I like it: Ecobee's latest model is affordable and streamlined enough that anyone can use it, but it still has all the core energy-saving smart features in place.
Who shouldn't get it: Buyers determined to spend less than $100 on a thermostat, users who want extra info about air quality or weather
Smart thermostats compared
| Best smart thermostats | Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium | Amazon Smart Thermostat | Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) | Sensi Touch 2 | Honeywell Home T10 Pro Smart Thermostat | Ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price: | $244 | $80 | $280 | $210 | $217 | $130 |
| Presence sensing and learning functions: | Yes | Yes with Echo devices | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Wireless temperature sensors: | Included, can support multiple sensors in different rooms | Echo Dot 5 can function as a satellite sensor | Satellite sensor included, can average temperatures from multiple sensors | Satellite sensors available (not included) | Satellite sensors available (not included) | Satellite sensors available (not included) |
| Smart home support: | Apple Home/Siri, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant/Gemini | Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa, Google Home/Gemini | Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings | Apple Home/Siri, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings | Apple Home/Siri, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant/Gemini |
| HVAC C-wired required: | Yes, adapter kits available through Ecobee | Yes | No | Yes | Yes, adapter kits available | Yes, adapter kits available through Ecobee |
| Additional sensors: | Built-in indoor air quality and humidity sensors | Presence sensing added with Echo Dot | Tracks outdoor weather | N/A | Can track humidity and air quality with the right add-ons | N/A |
| Review score: | 4.2/5 | 8.6/10 | 4/5 | 3.7/5 | N/A | N/A |
Other smart thermostats we've tested
Commercial Electric Smart Thermostat: Despite the name, this new offering from The Home Depot is a residential thermostat built to operate with the company’s Hubspace smart home platform, although it’ll work with Alexa and Google Home. It’s a fairly straightforward system that allows significant control but lacks truly smart features. My favorite feature is setting a schedule based on sunrise or sunset.
Cync Smart Thermostat: This thermostat from GE Lighting, now owned by Savant which offers other home energy products such as solar batteries, offers good smart home interactions and the ability to buy an external sensor, but it lacked some of the more advanced features offered by other thermostats, while still costing more than the Amazon model.
Nest Thermostat: The Nest Thermostat was a compelling choice at a mid-level price range ($130), but a few things held it back. For one, it lacks the intuitive interface and features of its smarter big sibling (the Nest Learning Thermostat), and it wants to use the Google Home app instead of the more intuitive and feature-rich Nest app used by the Learning model. The installation prompts send you straight into scheduling, so prepare for that.
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential: There's nothing wrong with the Essential version of Ecobee's thermostat. It's a pared-down model compared to the Premium model, focused on initial cost savings at about half the price. It even keeps the most useful touchscreen and learning features while retaining compatibility with Siri, Alexa and Google. But ultimately we preferred the feature-rich Premium version, which does things no other smart thermostat can do.
Factors to consider when choosing a smart thermostat
Smart displays can control compatible thermostats with a touch.
When you’re shopping for a traditional standard thermostat, there isn’t much to consider. What does it look like? Can you program it? Does it have that cool old-fashioned dial?
When shopping for a smart thermostat, there are a lot more options and some things one person may love while the next person may hate. Here’s what we think is important to consider.
Smart home integration
Smart thermostats all come with some kind of app or option to control the device from your phone. If you have a particular affinity for one smart home family or another, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting a thermostat that will work in conjunction with your other devices. Most smart thermostats will take voice commands from Amazon’s Alexa, but if the rest of your home is running on, say, Apple’s HomeKit, not every device will provide support.
Make sure you’re getting something that will play nice with the rest of your smart home.
Geofencing
For the most part, your thermostat’s job is to keep your home comfortable. That means you don’t necessarily need it to be the perfect temperature when you aren’t home. Many smart thermostats feature geofencing, meaning they can track whether or not you’re home and set their expectations accordingly.
Some devices track occupancy based on the phones of those in the household, while others combine that feature with other occupancy sensors. The good thing is that you can set limits around this feature: Do you want it to change the temperature when you’re away? How far away do you have to be for it to kick in? What temperature limits should there be if you aren’t home? The latter is important if you have pets. You don’t want the cats sweltering or freezing while you’re at work.
How smart do you want your thermostat to be?
Everyone wants a different level of control over their thermostat. Some people want to decide at every moment what the temperature should be. (In that case, you can also consider a basic Wi-Fi-enabled programmable thermostat like the Honeywell Home RTH6580WF, which doesn’t have as many smart features as its more expensive peers but can be adjusted from your phone.)
Some smart thermostats can be too smart for their own good. One of the most common complaints I’ve heard is that some products will hold the temperature you set them to only for a little bit, and then they’ll revert to what the thermostat believes the temperature should be. If that would annoy you, focus on the ones that offer you the most control.
Taking a photo can take a lot of stress out of the thermostat installation process.
Installation and HVAC compatibility
Read my full guide on smart thermostat installation guide here.
Not all thermostats are installed exactly the same way, but they’re all pretty similar. Expect to need a screwdriver, a pair of pliers capable of moving wires around and potentially a drill and a level. Installation is pretty simple once you’ve done it once or twice: Turn off the power, mark the wires, take off the old one, wire the new one and put the thermostat up.
You’ll want to watch out for two potential complications: First, does your system have a C-wire? There are usually five or so wires that come out of your wall to connect a thermostat. The older wires tend to carry just enough electricity to power an old-school thermostat. Smarter devices, which can tell you the weather or maybe play your playlist and need an internet connection, need more power than that. This is achieved through a C-wire, designed to carry more electricity to the thermostat. Not every home is wired with one, but if you don’t have one, you have a couple of choices.
The first is to get a thermostat that doesn’t require a C-wire. This is where the Nest thermostats are set apart because they’re capable of charging their batteries off the other wires. The second option is to install an adapter kit. This involves adding a device to your HVAC system that converts one of the existing wires into a C-wire. Fortunately, most smart thermostats we’ve looked at that require a C-wire come with these kits. If not, you can pick one up for about $26.
The second installation complication is seeing if your thermostat requires any high-voltage wires. This is most common for thermostats that power older electric furnaces or electric baseboard heaters. Today's smart thermostats can support high voltage wiring or those heating devices until you upgrade your system. High-voltage wires are usually labeled and support current at 120 volts or more.
External sensors
Your thermostat knows what the temperature is because it has a thermometer inside of it. The device’s understanding of the temperature inside is usually limited to the temperature exactly where you mounted it to the wall. What about that stuffy bedroom?
Many smart thermostats come with or are at least able to connect to separate room sensors. These room sensors allow you to train the thermostat to keep your house as comfortable as possible throughout the home. With external sensors, thermostats can target an individual room and get it to a comfortable temperature at a certain time (the bedroom at night, the home office during the day, etc.) or find a setting that makes everywhere as comfortable as possible, not just the room with the thermostat in it. Some even have proximity sensors in their room sensors, meaning they can tell when a room is occupied or not.
How we test smart thermostats
Ecobee's thermostat with mounting plant on a wood table.
Most of the home energy products we test and evaluate here at CNET have a lot of numbers attached to them: the efficiency of solar panels and the power output of batteries. Not so with smart thermostats. All of these thermostats can perform the basic functions of turning your heater on when it’s cold and your AC on when it’s hot. Some of our scoring is based on tangible, mathematical data, but it’s mostly about the myriad ways you can interact with the thermostat to get the comfort level and energy savings you want.
We’ve experimented, tested and handled each of the thermostats mentioned on this list, including installing them on a testing rig that simulates a standard HVAC system, programming them and trying their various features.
We used this rig, built by our CNET Labs engineers, to hook up a variety of thermostats to test their interfaces and apps.
The 10-point scores we give smart thermostats are based on these metrics:
- 20% is based on the available smart home connectivity and other features, including geofencing and external room sensors.
- 20% is the price, with a formula that rewards less expensive products. Our methodology takes into account the price of any included room sensors.
- 60% is completely subjective, based on our assessment of what the device offers, how easy it is to install, how easy the app or interface is to use and what features it has that might be non-standard for thermostats but helpful or useful for consumers.
Choosing a thermostat is an incredibly subjective and personal choice, and our goal in scoring is to highlight those products that do the most and do them well. Your buying decision should focus on your priorities, which might not align exactly with ours, so be sure to look at more than just a score when choosing a device you will probably interact with almost every day.
Smart thermostat privacy and security
Thermostat sensors can go anywhere to monitor specific temperatures.
Since smart thermostats use a variety of sensors to monitor your activity, you may have privacy concerns. I dig deep into thermostat privacy in this guide, but the bottom line is that there isn't too much to worry about. Smart thermostats can't "watch" you or record video of your home, only get a broad sense of when people are moving around and when a house is still. Companies typically log data on how the thermostat and app are used, like when the thermostat begins an automatic temperature change and when it's manually altered.
Thermostat brands use that info for product analysis as well as marketing efforts. Within limitations, they may give it to third parties if you consent. Remember, if you use a voice assistant, it's probably recording your temperature commands for later analysis unless you have voice assistant settings to turn that option off.