These Thermostats Can Actually Help You Save Money on Your Utility Bill
- 1/10
These Thermostats Can Actually Help You Save Money on Your Utility Bill
If you’re still adjusting the thermostat before you go to bed, or kicking yourself when you forget to turn the system off before leaving town, have we got for news for you: The latest smart thermostats control your home temperature automatically, helping to maintain the perfect indoor climate 24/7. Not only does that save you real money ($50 a year on average, according to Energy Star), but it makes your home so much more comfortable throughout the year.
While upgrading to a smart thermostat is a no-brainer, choosing the right device is anything but. That’s what the engineers at the Good Housekeeping Institute found when we evaluated 20 of the latest models, assessing things like ease of installation, the intuitiveness of operation on both the device and app, and functionality of advanced features like Alexa-integration or humidity-control capabilities.
Our Lab experts also rate the devices on how much power they consume and how many products they are compatible with. As with other smart home products — from locks to video doorbells to garage door openers — the priciest options aren’t always the best fit. The Lab picks below are a combination of comprehensive categorical testing and road tests of some newer, popular models. Here are the top picks, according to Good Housekeeping Media and Tech:
- Best Overall Smart Thermostat: Ecobee with Voice Control Thermostat
- Best Value Smart Thermostat: Wyze Thermostat
- Best Learning Thermostat: Google Nest Learning Thermostat
- Best Smart Thermostat for Multiple Zones: Honeywell Lyric T10 Pro Smart Thermostat
- Best Smart Thermostat for Humidity Control: Bosch Thermotechnology Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat
- Best Smart Thermostat for Apartments: Mysa Smart Thermostat
- Best Smart Thermostat for Easy Setup: Sensibo Air
- Most Stylish Smart Thermostat: Nest E Thermostat
- 2/10
SmartThermostat with Voice Control
Ecobee
amazon.com
$229.99
The sleek Ecobee with Voice Control is the most versatile device to control your home's heating and cooling systems. As the name indicates, you can control it with your voice thanks to its integrated Alexa speaker. In our Lab tests, we found it comparatively easy to set up and use. We also like that it incorporates helpful features like energy consumption tracking and geofencing. Beyond temperature management, it can also sense and regulate indoor humidity to try and maintain an optimal level.
- 3/10
Wyze Thermostat
wyze.com
$59.99
Wyze’s reputation for value-driven smart devices continues with its smart thermostat. The device itself won’t win any beauty awards, but if you’re looking for a no-nonsense thermostat that’s easy to install with intuitive controls, Wyze is the way to go. Even at its bargain price, the thermostat has several add-on features our engineers like, including voice control, geo-fencing, and sharing access, for if you want to give temperature control to long-term visitors.
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- 4/10
T10 Pro Smart Thermostat with RedLINK
Honeywell
amazon.com
$180.00
While smart thermostats can be DIY-friendly, many homeowners end up opting for professional installation. And many pros like the Lyric T10, because it’s such a robust device, controlling not just temperature, but also humidification, dehumidification, and ventilation. Think large homes with lots of systems. Though a pro will install the T10, you’ll take over from there through the Honeywell Home app, which has a lot of added home maintenance features, like reminding you when to change the filters in your heating and cooling equipment.
- 5/10
Thermostat E
Nest
amazon.com
$182.99
The Nest E smart thermostat has most of the same feature-set of its more expensive counterpart, just in a more affordable design. Think helpful attributes like geofencing, alerts and energy tracking. Consumer feedback on the frosted display was split – some found it really aesthetic and appealing, others found it difficult to read. And if your home doesn’t have a C-wire, you might have to bring in a professional to install one.
- 6/10
Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat
Bosch Thermotechnology
amazon.com
$141.00
The Bosch smart thermostat has many of the features we appreciate, including Alexa-integration, while adding a humidifying and dehumidifying function. Its large touch screen is great for viewing things like the time and temperature, as well as local weather. While this thermostat is compatible with most HVAC systems including heat pumps and conventional systems, it does require a C-wire to power.
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- 7/10
Smart Thermostat for Electric Baseboard Heaters
Mysa
amazon.com
$139.00
Smart thermostats used to be hard to come by for homes with baseboard electric heating. That’s why our experts like the Mysa Smart Thermostat for Electric Baseboard Heaters (there’s also a version specifically designed for electric in-floor heating). The app experience is similar to what you’ll find with other smart devices, providing remote control of the system, geo-fencing options, and the ability to chart energy consumption. Plus, Mysa plays nice with smart home assistants, including Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant.
- 8/10
Sensibo Sky
Sensibo
sensibo.com
$89.00
Consider the Sensibo if you cool your home or apartment with window ACs — or one of the ductless mini-split systems that are getting more popular. The device connects through your cooling equipment’s remote control, so set up is truly wireless, literally taking minutes. From there, you can set up seven day temperature schedules, or enact the geo-fencing feature so that the AC kicks on when you reach a certain distance from home. Sensibo also works with IFTTT, so you can do things like program the home to cool down as soon as the garage door opens.
- 9/10
Learning Thermostat
Nest
amazon.com
$209.99
Nest is the leading name among smart thermostats, and it’s now part of the Google smart home ecosystem. The third-generation stainless steel version is one of our favorites due to its capability to learn your habits over time. Another standout feature is its ability to alert you if your HVAC is acting up or if there are problems with your pipes (i.e. there is a danger of your pipes bursting due to lower temperature). Similar to the Ecobee, it can track energy usage and provide energy saving tips. The display screen offers helpful information like the time, temperature and even weather. We also love that it comes in a variety of designs and finishes.
Psst: Smart thermostats make getting the right temperature easier than ever.
