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The 6 Best Thermostats of 2023
Including the best Amazon smart thermostats with Wifi connectivity and Homekit compatibility.
We updated this article in January 2023 to ensure all products tested and vetted by the Home Improvement Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute were in stock and correctly priced.
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 news for you: Smart thermostats control your home temperature automatically and allow you to make adjustments remotely, 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. At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our experts test hundreds of smart home devices, from locks to light bulbs to robot vacuums. For this article, we tested 20 of the latest smart thermostats to find the best models on the market that are easy to install, easy to use and compatible with other smart home systems. Here are the best thermostats of 2023, covering a range of needs and home types.
Our top picks:
Best Overall Smart Thermostat
Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control
$195 at Walmart$195 at WalmartRead more
Best Thermostat for Humidity Control
Bosch Thermotechnology Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat
$144 at Amazon$144 at AmazonRead more
Best smart thermostat for apartments
Mysa Smart Thermostat for Electric Baseboard Heaters
$125 at Amazon$125 at AmazonRead more
At the end of this article, you'll find more information on how we test smart thermostats and what to consider when purchasing a new thermostat. For more information, check out our expert guide on how to install a smart thermostat, as well as our article on how else you can cut back on energy costs.
Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control
Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control
Pros
- Sleek, versatile design
- Voice control capable
- Easy smart home integration
Cons
- Relatively pricey
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. The thermostat comes with remote occupancy sensors that allow you to regulate the temperature in the areas of the home you use the most. We also like that the ecobee incorporates helpful features like energy consumption tracking and geofencing — meaning it detects when you're not home and adjusts the temperature accordingly. Beyond temperature management, it can also sense and regulate indoor humidity to try and maintain an optimal level.
| Smart compatibility | Yes (Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Microsoft Cortana, Samsung SmartThings, Wink and IFTTT) |
|---|
Wyze Thermostat
Wyze Thermostat
Pros
- Low-cost
- Can share access with multiple users
- Detects when you're away
Cons
- Plain aesthetic
Wyze’s reputation for value-driven smart devices continues with its smart thermostat. In our hands-on review, the device itself didn’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 features our engineers like, including voice control, geofencing, and sharing access, for if you want to give temperature control to long-term visitors.
| Smart compatability | Yes (Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant) |
|---|
Nest Learning Thermostat
Nest Learning Thermostat
Pros
- Set-and-forget functionality
- Intuitive design
- HVAC safety alerts
Cons
- Higher price tag
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 was one of the favorites from our tests due to its capability to learn your habits over time. Another standout feature our engineers like is its ability to alert you if your HVAC is acting up or if there is a danger of your pipes bursting due to freezing temperatures. Similar to the ecobee, the Nest can track energy usage and provide energy-saving tips. The display screen offers helpful information like the time, temperature and weather. Our product experts also love that it comes in a variety of designs and finishes.
| Smart compatability | Yes (Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa) |
|---|
Bosch Thermotechnology Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat
Bosch Thermotechnology Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat
Pros
- Intuitive screen
- Humidity sensors
Cons
- C-wire required
The Bosch smart thermostat has many of the features we appreciate, including Alexa integration. It's also popular with HVAC professionals because it’s such a robust device, controlling not just temperature, but also other air conditioning equipment installed in the home, such as a ventilation system or a whole-house dehumidifier or humidifier. 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, which provides continuous power to the digital display and WiFi connection. If your home is not already equipped with a C-wire, one should be professionally installed.
| Smart comptability | Yes (Amazon Alexa) |
|---|
Mysa Smart Thermostat for Electric Baseboard Heaters
Mysa Smart Thermostat for Electric Baseboard Heaters
Pros
- Works with baseboard heating
- Smart home integration
Cons
- Doesn’t control cooling equipment
Smart thermostats used to be hard to come by for homes with baseboard electric heating, which is why our experts like the Mysa Smart Thermostat for electric baseboard heaters (there’s also a version specifically designed for electric in-floor heating). Though we didn't test the actual thermostat, we did use the app and found the experience to be similar to what you’ll find with other smart devices. We liked its ability to remotely control the system, ways to chart energy consumption and geofencing options. Plus, Mysa plays nicely with smart home assistants including Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
| Smart compatability | Yes (Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant) |
|---|
Google Nest Thermostat E
Google Nest Thermostat E
Pros
- Sleek design
- Exceptional value
Cons
- Not compatible with wiring in older homes
The Nest E smart thermostat has most of the same features as its more expensive counterpart, just in a more affordable design. For example, its frosted display only tells you the temperature, whereas the mirrored glass display on the premium Nest also tells you the time and outside weather. But the Nest E is still loaded with 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 you live in an older home that doesn’t have a C-wire, you might have to bring in a professional to install one.
| Smart compatibility | Yes (Amazon Alexa) |
|---|
How we test thermostats
Ever since the first smart thermostats came out more than a decade ago, the engineers at the Good Housekeeping Institute have watched the category get better and better, thanks to improved sensor technology and smarter home integrations.
The engineers and product experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have evaluated every brand leader in the smart thermostat category — names like Nest, ecobee and Honeywell — and we've kept close tabs on newcomers, since that's often where the best innovations come from.
For our latest review, we spent more than 40 hours analyzing the current marketplace and collected hundreds of data points during in-lab and at-home tests to identify the best of the best. We got hands on with 20 of the latest models, testing some for at least three months. As part of our rigorous testing, we assessed ease of installation, the intuitiveness of operation on both the device and app and the functionality of advanced features like Alexa-integration or humidity-control capabilities. Our Lab experts also rated the devices on how much power they consume and how many smart home systems they are compatible with.
As with other smart home products — from smart locks to video doorbells to garage door openers — the priciest options aren’t always the best fit. And that's good news if you're looking to make this upgrade on a budget or if you plan to install multiple smart thermostats throughout your home.
What to look for when shopping for the best smart thermostat.
Our top picks will help you narrow down the list of potential smart thermostats. Keep these five factors in mind as you zero in on the perfect model for your home:
??Ease of installation: Many newer models come with helpful instructions and have features in their respective apps to help you connect the thermostats to your HVAC system. That said, for many, it's still easier to call an electrician rather than struggle with wiring on your own; professional installation averages $150 to $200.
??Installation compatibility: Most smart thermostats work with common heating and cooling equipment, but some exceptions apply; many manufacturers have compatibility tools on their websites that make it easy to check. If you live in an older home, you may discover that there’s no C-wire at your thermostat hook-up — this is the wire that provides continuous power to a digital thermostat. Though many smart thermostats have C-wire adapters, it’s often better to have the new wire installed by an electrician, at which point you might as well have them install the thermostat, too.
??Smart speaker compatibility: The majority of smart thermostats can pair with both Android and Apple devices, but check to see what other devices it may be compatible with that you may already own, like an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device.
??Features: While many thermostats claim to be “smart,” what that entails varies from device to device. Those with machine learning create temperature schedules on their own. Some have extra sensors built-in to help recognize when people are in a room or not. Others include geofencing capabilities that are able to determine your location so it can start warming or cooling your house as your vehicle approaches. Another smart feature is energy history, which lets you track energy consumption to identify additional ways to save.
??Aesthetics: While, feature-wise, many smart thermostats are similar, design-wise you'll find a lot of variation. Consider how this piece of hardware will blend in with the rest of your decor.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement Lab provides expert reviews and advice on all things home-related, including climate control and smart thermostats. In his role as Director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, Dan DiClerico brings more than 20 years of experience to the Institute, having reviewed thousands of products for Good Housekeeping, as well as brands like This Old House and Consumer Reports. His coverage of the earliest programmable thermostats from the 2000s helped reveal that some models were so confusing to set up that they ended up costing homeowners in lost energy.
For this report, Dan worked closely with Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist & Director of Engineering at the Institute. For more than 15 years, Rachel has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing and writing about products in the HVAC space, doing cross-category tests for not just thermostats, but also air purifiers, air conditioners, heaters, humidifiers and more.
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