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A thermostat regulates your heating and cooling system to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Finding the right thermostat for you can depend on what you’re looking for. Many modern thermostat retailers sell products in a variety of designs that offer unique benefits, such as voice-activated controls, remote sensors, and programmable temperature settings. Other traditional designs still exist for those looking for a more straightforward option.
Non-programmable, traditional thermostats can cost as little as $40 or less, while high-end smart thermostats can approach $200. You’ll also want to consider installation. If you’re an experienced DIY handyperson, you may be able to install it yourself. However, some people may opt for professional installation, which will increase costs.
To help you find the best smart thermostat for your needs, The This Old House Reviews team researched the top products on the market. This guide will help you choose a thermostat right for your home. Overall, our top choice is the Google Nest Learning Thermostat, which features a sleek design and a wide variety of useful smart features. Read our guide below for more of our top picks.
Top 7 Thermostats
- Best Overall: Google Nest Learning Thermostat
- Best Value: Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
- Best Sensor: ecobee SmartThermostat
- Best Non-Programmable Thermostat: Honeywell Pro Non-Programmable Digital Thermostat
- Best Programmable Thermostat: Orbit Clean Comfort Programmable Thermostat
- Best Energy Savings: Amazon Smart Thermostat
- Best Plug-In: EconoHome Adjustable Thermostat
Compare Top Thermostats
| Product | Smart Design | Control Options | Color Options | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Nest Learning Thermostat | Yes | Twist, voice assistant, mobile app | Black, brass, copper, mirror black, polished steel, stainless steel, white | Two years |
| Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat | Yes | Buttons, voice assistant, mobile app | White | Three years |
| ecobee SmartThermostat | Yes | Touchscreen, voice assistant, mobile app | Black | Three years |
| Honeywell Pro Non-Programmable Digital Thermostat | No | Buttons, switches | White | Five years |
| Orbit Clean Comfort Programmable Thermostat | No | Buttons | White | One year |
| Amazon Smart Thermostat | Yes | Touchscreen, voice assistant | White | One year |
| EconoHome Adjustable Thermostat | No | Dial | White, black | Three years |
| Product | Smart Design | Control Options | Color Options | Warranty |
Best Overall
Google Nest Learning Thermostat
- $189.98
- $249
- 24% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
We found that many customers said that this thermostat was easy to use and install. Many customers enjoyed its wide variety of metallic finishes and convenient smart features. Those who were unsatisfied said that the device didn’t self-adjust as advertised.
“Great product. Easy to install. Like how my utility company offers a rebate for the Nest purchase. Super easy app to adjust temp and view the time the furnace/ac has been used. Love the learning sensor and eco mode to save too. Yes, buy it.” — mrcpk via Amazon
“ […]The worst part of this thing is that it is advertised as “learning.” […]It never learned anything useful about my patterns. I work from home, so I’m here right next to it every day of the week. I keep the same schedule every single day for the temperature and adjust it consistently. Without fail, it would try to set eco mode and keep the house much warmer than I wanted. I finally gave up and went for the fixed schedule. Surprisingly that doesn’t work well either. If I set the air to 70, I can count on it wanting to make it 71 or 72. I open up the schedule and it says 70, look at the current target and it will say something different.” — Scott W. via Amazon
Best Value
Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
- $91.99
- $129.99
- 29% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
Those who loved this thermostat listed its smart features, temperature control, and easy installation as their favorite qualities. Those we found who were unsatisfied with their purchase said that it sometimes experienced difficulties maintaining a Wi-Fi connection.
“We finally found a thermostat that was compatible with our furnace after a couple of returns. This one is fantastic [and] easy to use. It is easily compatible with Alexa and works well with our routines well. We have a lot of smart devices in our home and this is easily one of the best. In fact, it works better than most of our Amazon products. I’ve only had to re-link it with Alexa once which I think was an Amazon issue. Other than that, it has been extremely reliable and doesn’t need a lot of maintenance or resetting.” — C5 via Amazon
“This is an OK product if you do not want to use the Internet-related, such as Alexa and the remote adjustment of temperature, because if I could not complete the Internet setup. However, that was the sole reason I wanted the product. The worst part here is that this was the second unit I did try and had the same issue. The support literature is no help either. There is no distinction between the available thermostats, although principally the network setup works almost the same way. The troubleshooting info is no more than the general electronics principles; – reset the unit and your phone. No one has replied to my email.” —Traveler via Amazon
Best Sensor
ecobee SmartThermostat
- $163.95
- $219.99
- 25% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
Most reviewers our team found listed the touchscreen, battery life, and ease of installation as qualities that they enjoyed about their purchase. Customers who weren’t satisfied with the product said that they wished there were more control options on the interface.
“This is a great thermostat and I would highly recommend it. It has all the features I wanted in a smart thermostat. I can set home, away, and sleep temps, vacation mode, auto heat/cool instead of having to change from heater mode to a/c mode, set high and low ranges for it to keep the house between instead of having it constantly try to hit a certain number (it can hold a number too), adjust it from my phone, set a schedule, and tell Google or Alexa to adjust it (I haven’t actually done this yet). It says it can take weather into account to pre heat or cool depending on your weather/schedule, but this wasn’t something I ever imagined needing. Pretty cool feature though!” — John Gilmore via Amazon
“The Ecobee unit itself gets warm to the touch. It reads a higher temperature than the actual room temperature, anywhere between 2 to 5 degrees. When the system is working and there is an air flow it is reading 2 degrees higher than the room temp and when it is not working it goes up to 5+ degrees higher. I checked this with a separate sensor close to the ecobee unit. You figure it is smart enough to compensate for the heat it is generating itself. But it is not. The support.ecobee.com site does not help very much.[…]It is not easy to set the temperature. You have to set a “comfort” temperature in one screen and assign it in another screen. The problem is that if you want to insert a comfort temperature in between what you already have, you just can’t. You have to reassign the whole day again.” — Sam B. via Amazon
Best Non-Programmable
Honeywell Pro Non-Programmable Digital Thermostat
- $31.55
- $74.13
- 57% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers were pleased with the product’s temperature control and accuracy. Several we found also liked how simple it was to use. A common complaint among dissatisfied customers it did not read temperatures accurately, while others had issues getting the buttons to perform properly.
“No bells and whistles. Just your basic digital thermostat, which is exactly what I wanted. Very easy to install. It only took approximately 15 minutes. For $50 I got a completely functional thermostat and didn’t have to pay a technician to come out and do it.” — barreldad. via Amazon
“I was initially impressed with this basic thermostat. It installed in a snap and did what it was designed to do. However, it’s been less than a year, and the LED light has failed, and the temp up and down buttons do not always work unless you press them really hard. I wouldn’t recommend this thermostat.” —Amazon Addict via Amazon
Best Programmable Thermostat
Orbit Clean Comfort Programmable Thermostat
- $50.5
- $54.99
- 8% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers that we found praised this programmable thermostat’s modern look, simple control, and easy installation. However, some customers said that the thermostat didn’t control the temperature reliably, and others said it turned devices on and off too frequently.
“I installed one of these for a friend and really liked the big backlit display so I bought one for my house! It’s easy to set up the programs and also set temperatures on the fly. They are also so much cheaper than fancy serial communications (proprietary) OEM thermostats from the vendors and the Orbit units work just as well.” — American Citizen via Amazon
“A great value, and solid performer in recent weeks since installation. Nice bright backlight screen when needed. Easy to install and to program. Instructions are straightforward. My only complaints are 1) I could not get the copy feature to work when I wanted to copy the time/temp across several days of the week. […] and 2) the thermostat appears to be so sensitive that the furnace will kick on when the temp drops from 69 (programmed constant) down to 68. Furnace will run for literally 1-2 minutes and then shut off again right when it reaches 69. By doing this too frequently, it negates the savings I should have by using a programmable thermostat.” — pen_name via Amazon
Best Energy Savings
Amazon Smart Thermostat
- $63.99
- $79.99
- 20% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
Our team found that customers who gave this product a positive review were impressed with its straightforward installation, voice control integration, and stylish design. However, we also noted that some customers felt this thermostat’s interface was not user-friendly, and others said the smart features didn’t always work properly.
“I love this thermostat, especially the ways Alexa can raise or lower the temperature–using my voice in the house, or on my phone from anywhere…and the thermostat responds immediately. It comes in very handy if I forget to do that before leaving home for several hours or want to restore a comfortable temperature while on my way home. Temperature can also be raised or lowered using the thermostat on the wall, but I never have to do that.” — Peggie Hall via Amazon
“….The smart features are just too lacking. Scheduling is oddly limited to just three windows – home, away and sleep. The Alexa app is surprisingly laggy; you’ll increase the temp on your phone only to realize it never registered the change. Sometimes I’ll open the app and it’s showing the state of the thermostat hours ago. There are some pros – it’s incredibly easy to set up with very clear documentation. Also, it’s very attractive on the wall. Those pros just aren’t enough.” — Shane M. Hoffman via Amazon
Best Plug-In
EconoHome Adjustable Thermostat
- $28.95
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
We found that those who left positive reviews for this thermostat liked that its straightforward design, accurate temperature control, and versatility to operate both heat and air. However, some were disappointed in the range of the temperature control, and others had issues adjusting from warm to cool air.
“I don’t know what is wrong with the manufacturers of portable heaters, but why can’t they create a thermostat like this inside the heater? I have gone through four space heaters in the last four years and none of them keep a steady temperature! A friend suggested an in-line thermostat and I found this one. I use it in my pump house which is very small. I set it at the lowest temp of 41 degrees and check it all day long. It is always about 42 degrees in there, but I never catch it running. So, to make sure I tested it by turning it up to 50 degrees, and it came on immediately and the space heater, which looked like it was off, turned on and started running. I turned the thermostat back down, and both shut off. I can’t believe I went this long without knowing about this gadget.” — Libby’s Mom via Amazon
“This item works great. It comes pre-programmed in degrees Celsius, but instructions are easy to follow to reprogram to Fahrenheit. It would be nice if you could adjust above 86 degrees. I needed to set it for 90, but it doesn’t go that high, so the fan that is connected to this runs and runs and runs and gets really hot to touch. Had to put a sign up to not touch so employees don’t get burned. Other than that it works as described.” — Liz via Amazon
Buyer’s Guide
When purchasing a thermostat, it’s important to consider how each product’s design and features affect its performance. You’ll first need to determine if you’re in the market for a smart thermostat, programmable thermostat, or non-programmable thermostat. From there, you should also take time to consider factors like installation and display before choosing a product. Read our buying guide below for more information on choosing the best thermostat.
Thermostat Type
Thermostats are generally split into three categories: smart thermostats, programmable thermostats, and non-programmable thermostats.
Smart thermostats are a popular choice for many homeowners because of their compatibility with other smart home devices and their ability to regulate your home’s internal temperature. Smart thermostats are usually controlled by mobile apps or voice assistants, such as Google Assistant Apple Homekit, Siri, or Amazon Alexa. Many smart thermostats also provide you with energy consumption statistics so that you can track how your home heats and cools itself and save on energy costs and support geofencing to automatically control temperatures. Others include features such as smart speakers that can play music and podcasts. The drawback to smart thermostats is their price, which usually far exceeds programmable and non-programmable models.
Programmable thermostats are convenient because they let you set a specific heating and cooling schedule based on the time or day of the week. You set this schedule using the buttons and switches on the thermostat’s body. Some programmable thermostats come with remote controls for easier use.
Non-programmable thermostats are basic models that allow you to set your home to your desired temperature. These thermostats are mostly limited to showing you the current and set temperatures. However, the benefit of these thermostats is their affordable price.
Installation
Before picking a thermostat, look at its installation process to decide whether to enlist professional help or complete it yourself. Installing a thermostat typically involves using a C-wire, which may or may not come with the thermostat. Check the product description carefully before buying if you plan on installing it on your own. Learn how to install a GPS enabled smart thermometer in this guide.
Display
Your thermostat should have an easy-to-read display so that you know your home’s current temperature and your thermostat’s current settings. Most smart thermostats include a backlit display for viewing the temperature in low light.
Other Ways to Control Your Home’s Temperature
In addition to using a thermostat, there are several other ways our team found to help better control the temperature in your home to make it more comfortable for you and your family, including:
- Use Fans or Ceiling Fans: Installing fans or ceiling fans in your home can help keep rooms cool without needing to turn on air conditioning or adjust central air through a thermostat. Ceiling fans come in various shapes and sizes and are sold for indoor or outdoor use.
- Utilize Window Treatments: One easy way to regulate the temperature of your home is to use home products like curtains (such as blackout curtains), blinds, or shades to block out sunlight and heat during hot days. In the winter, open them during the day to let sunlight in and close them at night to retain heat.
- Use Weatherstripping and Caulking: You can seal gaps around windows and doors with weatherstripping and caulking, which prevents drafts and maintains a stable indoor temperature inside the home.
- Ensure You are Using Proper Installation: Making sure your home has proper insulation in areas such as the walls, attics, and floors can help retain heat in the winter and keep the temperature reasonable in warmer months.
- Purchase portable heaters: If you’re concerned about ramping up your heating cost in the winter, consider using portable heaters or space heaters to heat up a specific area without heating the entire home.
- Perform Routing HVAC Maintenance: Regularly maintain your heating units, heat pumps, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to ensure they operate efficiently and effectively and use an air quality monitor to routinely check air status or a hygrometer which measures humidity levels. This will help ensure that when your program your thermostat, it does not have any barriers in reaching the desired temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thermostats
How does a thermostat work?
A thermostat sends a message to your heating and cooling system based on the temperature you set it to. For example, if you set your thermostat to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, the thermostat will turn your system on when it’s higher or lower than this temperature.
How do you know if your thermostat is broken?
If your thermostat won’t turn on or is unresponsive, this may signal a problem. Additionally, if your air conditioner or heater won’t turn on or is running when it shouldn’t, you may have a faulty thermostat. If you’re unsure if you have a problem, call an HVAC professional.
Where is the best place to put a thermostat?
The best place to install a thermostat is on an interior wall of your home. If you install your thermostat on an exterior wall, the thermostat’s internal thermometer might be influenced by the temperature outside, which can cause your HVAC system to run unnecessarily.
Our Methodology
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, including power tools, outdoor equipment, major appliances, kitchen gadgets, electronics, and more that focus on product quality and helpfulness to our readers.
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of thermostats with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we compared each model’s feature set to create a final short list, selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
Questions or Comments?
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