Tested: The Best Smart Thermostats to Slash Energy Bills at Home
Convenience and energy tracking
Smart thermostats offer app-based controls for home temperatures, including customizable schedules that users can change remotely. That can be useful when plans change and someone wants to adjust the home’s temperature before returning.
Monthly energy reports let users monitor consumption and may help them identify ways to lower bills. The devices generally cost more than conventional thermostats, but improved efficiency could offset the expense over time.
Models selected for different needs
The recommendations include the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium as the best overall choice and the Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat for saving energy. The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Generation) is picked for Google Homes.
Other selections are the Honeywell Home Smart Color Thermostat for its touchscreen and the Mysa Smart Thermostat for baseboard heat. The editors also considered additional models based on research and reviews.
Testing and setup considerations
Editors tested smart thermostats in their homes over several months, including products from Google Nest, ecobee and Honeywell Home. Their selections combine those trials with further research and reviews.
Some users encountered problems during installation and with power extender kits. Buyers may want to consider these potential setup issues alongside the convenience and energy-saving features.
Key points
- Smart thermostats provide app controls, customizable schedules and monthly energy reports.
- The ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is the overall pick; the Honeywell Home T9 is selected for energy savings.
- The recommendations also include models for Google Homes, touchscreen controls and baseboard heat.
- Some users reported installation problems and difficulties with power extender kits.