Key Takeaways
- Smart thermostats save energy and money by learning your schedule and adjusting temperatures automatically, reducing wasted heating and cooling.
- They offer remote control via smartphone apps, so you can adjust your home’s temperature from anywhere, ensuring comfort when you arrive.
- Compatibility matters, check if your HVAC system works with the thermostat (like Nest, Ecobee, or Honeywell) before buying to avoid installation issues.
Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature can be expensive. In fact, the Department of Energy says that heating and cooling your home accounts for almost half of your monthly utility bills. A smart thermostat can help you save money on your utility bills by giving you complete control over your HVAC systems. The installation process is fairly simple and straightforward as well.
The 5 Best Smart Thermostats (2025)
Shopping for a smart thermostat can feel overwhelming with so many great options out there. Whether you’re looking to save energy, control your home’s temperature remotely, or just make life a little easier, there’s a perfect smart thermostat for you.
#1 Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
Best overall for whole-home comfort
Why it wins: Excellent room-by-room control with SmartSensor support, built-in Alexa mic/speaker, air-quality monitoring, rock-solid platform support (Apple Home, Google Assistant, Alexa), and a longer-than-average 3-year warranty. While a few Reddit threads gripe about the Premium’s metal face affecting on-device temperature readings, most owners and pro reviewers still rate it as a top all-around pick thanks to sensors, automation, and broad compatibility.
Notable details
- Works with Siri/HomeKit, Google Assistant, Alexa; built-in Alexa on the device.
- 3-year limited warranty (retail).
- Community sentiment: occasional posts flag on-device temp accuracy with the Premium’s metal housing—use remote sensors to mitigate.
Category scores (1–10): Reviews 9.0 • Reddit 7.8 • Price 7.3 • Features 9.5 • Install 8.5 • Integrations 9.5 • Warranty 8.8 → Overall 8.8/10
#2 Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)
Best “learns-your-life” automation
Why it’s great: The newest Nest brings a larger display, in-app Smart Schedule, and a Nest Temperature Sensor in the box, so you finally get learning + room prioritization together. If you like set-it-and-forget-it smarts and a polished app experience, this is the one.
Note: Nest supports Google Home (and Alexa via skill), but no native Apple HomeKit.
Notable details
- 2-year standard warranty (5-year if installed by a Nest Pro).
- End-of-support applies only to 1st & 2nd gen models (2011–2012), not this one, useful if readers are upgrading.
Category scores: Reviews 9.0 • Reddit 8.2 • Price 7.0 • Features 9.0 • Install 8.8 • Integrations 7.8 • Warranty 8.5 → Overall 8.6/10
#3) Honeywell Home T9
Best budget pick with room sensors
Why it’s great: A dependable, value-forward thermostat that supports optional room sensors (often sold bundled) and now works with Apple HomeKit in addition to Alexa and Google. Easy app, geofencing, and wide HVAC compatibility keep it simple for most homes.
Notable details
- Typical retail warranty ~2 years (longer if pro-installed through trade channels).
- Requires a C-wire in most installs (adapter kits/bundles exist).
Category scores: Reviews 8.4 • Reddit 8.0 • Price 8.5 • Features 8.2 • Install 8.2 • Integrations 9.0 • Warranty 7.5 → Overall 8.3/10
#4 Sensi Touch 2
Best for painless DIY and renters
Why it’s great: Clear touchscreen, excellent step-by-step install guidance, and broad platform support (Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google). It’s a favorite for straightforward DIY swaps and has strong documentation. Requires a C-wire.
Notable details
- 3-year retail warranty (5-year on certain pro models/installs).
- Tons of install resources reduce friction for first-timers.
Category scores: Reviews 8.2 • Reddit 7.8 • Price 8.0 • Features 7.9 • Install 9.0 • Integrations 8.8 • Warranty 8.3 → Overall 8.2/10
#5 Wyze Thermostat
Best ultra-budget smart upgrade
Why it’s great: Hard to beat the price for basic smart scheduling and voice control (Alexa/Google). Wyze even includes a C-wire adapter in the box, helpful in older homes. That said, community threads continue to report occasional “offline” quirks; keep expectations modest.
Notable details
- 1-year warranty.
- No native Apple HomeKit support.
Category scores: Reviews 7.5 • Reddit 6.8 • Price 9.5 • Features 6.9 • Install 8.0 • Integrations 7.0 • Warranty 6.5 → Overall 7.6/10
How we rated (weights)
- Reviews & reliability (25%)
- Reddit/community sentiment (10%)
- Price/value (15%)
- Features (20%)
- Ease of installation (10%)
- Smart-home integrations (10%)
- Warranty (10%)
Side-by-side snapshot
| Thermostat | Typical Price Tier | Sensors Included | Learning/Automation | Smart-home support | Warranty (retail) | Installation notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecobee Premium | $$$ | Yes (SmartSensor capable; often bundled) | Robust scheduling + presence/TOU features | Apple Home, Google, Alexa (built-in Alexa) | 3 yrs | C-wire usually required; app wizard is excellent. |
| Nest Learning (4th gen) | $$$ | Yes (Temp Sensor in box) | Learns schedule + Smart Schedule in Google Home | Google Home, Alexa (no native HomeKit) | 2 yrs (5 yrs w/ Pro) | Generally easy; strong in-app guidance. |
| Honeywell Home T9 | $$ | Often bundled (supports up to 20) | Geofencing + scheduling | Apple Home, Google, Alexa | ~2 yrs retail | C-wire needed; adapter kits available. |
| Sensi Touch 2 | $$ | No (room-sensor compatible) | Scheduling + geofencing | Apple Home, Google, Alexa | 3 yrs retail (5 yrs pro lines) | Requires C-wire; best-in-class DIY docs. |
| Wyze Thermostat | $ | No | Core scheduling | Google, Alexa (no HomeKit) | 1 yr | C-wire adapter included; watch for “offline” reports. |
Quick picks
- Easiest automated savings: Nest Learning (4th gen) for “learns-your-routine” smarts and the bundled room sensor.
- Best ecosystem breadth & room-by-room comfort: Ecobee Premium (sensors + Apple/Google/Alexa).
- Best budget with sensors: Honeywell Home T9 (often includes 1 sensor, strong HomeKit/Google/Alexa support).
- Best DIY install: Sensi Touch 2 (great guides; HomeKit support).
- Cheapest way to go smart: Wyze Thermostat (basic features; set expectations).
A note on Nest support (important for readers upgrading older units)
Google ended app/remote support for 1st & 2nd-gen Nest Learning Thermostats on October 25, 2025. The 3rd & 4th gen models remain supported and gain new Google Home features (like improved scheduling). If your readers mention a very old Nest, advise them to upgrade.
How Smart Thermostats Work
Smart thermostats are wired into your HVAC system, just like your current thermostat. The big difference is that most smart thermostats connect to an app on your phone over WiFi. From this app, you can set heating and cooling schedules, adjust your temperature, and turn your system on and off even if you are not at home. Some also have voice controls through services like Alexa, Siri or Google that allow you to adjust the thermostat while you’re sitting on the couch watching TV or in the kitchen cooking dinner.
Many smart thermostats can also connect via WiFi to external sensors. These sensors can be placed in different parts of your home to better control temperatures in those spaces, instead of solely relying on the temperature sensor in your thermostat. The thermostat can be programmed to use different sensors during different parts of the day. If you spend a lot of time during the day in your home office, the thermostat can use a sensor placed in that room to determine temperature during the day and then switch to a sensor placed in your bedroom at night.
Installing a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are fairly simple to install, but do require a small amount of wiring. If at any point you run into issues or unsure of what to do next, contact an electrician or a HVAC specialist. Below is the standard installation process for a smart thermostat, make sure to follow the instructions that are included with the one you are installing.
- Turn off the power
Since you will be working with wiring, make sure that the power to your furnace is turned off. - Remove the faceplate to your current thermostat
Take a picture of the wires and connections, so that you can refer back to it if needed. Some kits will include labels to keep track of where each wire was connected. Typically the colored wires will match up to the corresponding slot on your new thermostat. For example, the red wire would match up with the slot labeled R. Keep in mind, this is not always the case and to refer to your instruction manual for your particular thermostat. - Unscrew the existing backplate
After you’ve disconnected the wires from your existing thermostat, it’s time to remove the backplate, so you can replace it with the one for your new thermostat. - Connect the wires to your new thermostat
Match up the wires to the correct terminals on your new thermostat. As mentioned previously, the colors typically match up to the corresponding slot, but refer to your instruction manual just in case. - Install the new thermostat
The new thermostat should easily click into place directly on the new base you installed. It should now be safe to turn the power back on. Some thermostats will require you to install an extender in the furnace itself. Follow the instructions that came with your thermostat to see if this is necessary for you. - Follow setup instructions
Once the power is back on, your new thermostat should walk you through the final set up process. This includes connecting to the internet and the app on your mobile device. This process should be very simple and take just a few minutes to complete.
Save Money with a Smart Thermostat
Ecobee, a manufacturer of smart thermostats, suggests that you can save up to 23% on your heating and cooling bill using a smart thermostat. Not only can you control your thermostats settings from your smart device when you’re not home, but you can also optimize your heating and cooling based on your habits. The Department of Energy states that you can save up to 10% on your electric bill by adjusting your thermostat by as little as eight degrees for eight hours a day. A smart thermostat will allow you to set schedules to adjust temperatures for the times of day when no one is at home and return them back to normal when you are home.
As mentioned above, using separate temperature sensors can also give you more control over your heating and cooling by optimizing temperatures for the parts of your house that are being used. Not only can you set schedules around these sensors, but they can also detect when someone is in the room.
Ensuring that you have a clean air filter in your HVAC system will help it operate more efficiently. A smart thermostat can send you reminders to change your air filter, so that you don’t forget and keep your system running smoothly.
Choosing a Smart Thermostat
Which smart thermostat is right for you? There are quite a few choices out there, so here are a few key features to keep in mind as you choose your new smart thermostat.
- Cost
You can expect a smart thermostat to cost you somewhere between $140 and $300, depending on the features the thermostat has. Choose the one that fits your needs and most importantly your budget. - Smart App
Check out the reviews for the app that runs your smart thermostat. Make sure it’s easy to use, is compatible with your devices and fits your needs. - Compatibility with your heating and cooling system
Not all smart thermostats work with all heating and cooling systems. Check with the manufacturer to ensure the smart thermostat you are considering is compatible. No matter what system you have, odds are that there is a smart thermostat that will work for you. - Rebates or Incentives Available
Some energy companies offer rebates or incentives when you purchase a participating smart thermostat. Check with your energy provider to see if they offer any such incentives.
While there is some up front cost involved in switching to a smart thermostat, the potential energy savings are huge. Plus many energy companies are currently offering rebates or other incentives that will help cut that initial investment. Smart thermostats are a great way to make your home more energy efficient and save you money on your energy bills all year round.
FAQs About Smart Thermostats
How do smart thermostats work?
Can a smart thermostat help me save money on energy bills?
Are smart thermostats compatible with all HVAC systems?
Do smart thermostats work with voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant?
What is a C-wire?
Can I install a smart thermostat without a C-wire?
What if I don’t have a C-wire?
1. Use a power adapter (like the Nest Power Connector or Ecobee Power Extender Kit). These use spare wires to create a C-wire.
2. Install a C-wire. An HVAC technician can run a new wire if needed.
3. Choose a thermostat that doesn’t require a C-wire. Some models (like the Emerson Sensi Touch 2 or Ecobee with Power Extender Kit) work without one.
How Much Does a Smart Thermostat Cost?
About the Author
David has been an integral part of some of the biggest utility sites on the internet, including InMyArea.com, HighSpeedInternet.com, BroadbandNow.com, and U.S. News. He brings over 15 years of experience writing about, compiling and analyzing utility data.