Best Smart Thermostats In 2023: Top 5 Devices Most Recommended By Experts

It’s 2023, and smart devices are everywhere. We can turn on our lights, play music, or even control our home thermostat from wherever we are. Smart thermostats do away with confusing settings and timers and make it even easier to regulate the temperature. Smart products have exploded in popularity online, making it hard to select the best smart thermostat for your home.

It brings back memories of the Jetsons TV show. Set in 2062, the Jetsons gave us a glimpse of life in the future. Even though we don’t yet have flying cars, a study conducted by OnePoll found that 32 percent of participants would give anything to live in the Jetsons’ house. In fact, five percent of those polled revealed they’d pay over $100,000 to live in the Jetsons’ house for just one year. Science is not quite there yet, but there are some upgrades that could make your home feel bit more futuristic.

One of the benefits of having a smart home? It encourages us to become more energy efficient. You can easily monitor your home energy use from an app. Or, you can just tell your smart thermostat to make it hotter or cooler. The downside of having a smart home? Smart devices can leave you vulnerable to hackers. One study warns even if you limit the amount of data and access your devices handle, the researchers say their connection to the internet can still leave you vulnerable. Any private data shared over the internet can become the target of hackers.

That being said, the convenience of controlling our smart devices by voice or an app, outweighs the negatives for many of us. So that got us wondering, what are some of the best products for an energy efficient home? StudyFinds compiled a list of the five best smart thermostats, from ten expert websites, to find the perfect products for your abode. As always, we’d like to see your own recommendations in the comments below!

The List: Best Smart Thermostats, According to Expert Reviews

 

1. Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

This thermostat stands out. Especially, if you are looking for it to do more than just set the temperature. “The feature-rich Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium controls your heating and cooling, works as a smart speaker and security device, monitors air quality, and supports lots of third-party platforms,” points out PCMag.

“An included remote SmartSensor detects your presence and your temperature, and it can be placed in an area that’s too cold or warm so the Ecobee can better balance temps around your home,” according to The New York Times.

Tom’s Guide notes the Ecobee also “has Alexa built in and, if you have a HomePod or HomePod mini, can also talk to Siri through the thermostat. The built-in speaker is still not great for listening to music, but it’s a way to get a smart speaker in a room where you don’t want to place an Echo Dot.”

Just note, at about $250, it’s pricey, and some of this smart thermostat’s features require a subscription.

2. Google Nest Learning Thermostat

Forbes names this the “best smart thermostat for an automated smart home.” Why? “Google Nest knows when you’re away, so it won’t cool or heat an empty house and can ramp up the temperature in anticipation of your return.”

The Nest Learning Thermostat is easy to set up, integrates with other Google Nest products, and can track energy usage. It also has the “ability to alert you if your HVAC is acting up or if there is a danger of your pipes bursting due to freezing temperatures,” notes Good Housekeeping.

“The third-generation Nest Learning Thermostat has all the smarts of its predecessors and adds some new features including a larger display, geofencing support, a furnace monitor, and a few more sensors,” writes PCMag.

The drawbacks? It isn’t compatible with Apple’s HomeKit, and the $250 price tag.

3. Amazon Smart Thermostat

At $79.99, this smart thermostat is very budget-friendly, with a basic interface.

“If you’re looking to upgrade your current thermostat but don’t want a ton of bells and whistles, the Amazon Smart Thermostat is perfect. It does need a C-wire for installation, so check if there’s one in place before you purchase,” according to Better Homes & Gardens.

“This thermostat is Energy Star-certified, saving an average of $50 on a yearly energy bill. It has a simple, modern design and an optional wall plate if you need to cover any old paint or holes,” notes CNET.

Tom’s Guide mentions that this model “isn’t as intelligent as the Nest or the Ecobee models above, but it does use Alexa’s hunches to gain some smarts in knowing when to turn the temperature up or down. At $59, it’s one of the most affordable smart thermostats around, and we found it very easy to install and program in our home. It has a simple but clean aesthetic that fits in almost anywhere, too.”

Just remember, if you want to use voice control, you need an Amazon Alexa-enabled smart speaker. It is not compatible with Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant.

4. Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat

This thermostat is great if you want to control the temperature in individual areas of your home. Want the bedrooms warm but the living room cool? No problem!

This model “does a great job of automating your heating and cooling. This thermostat comes with a wireless remote temperature sensor for more precise heating and cooling throughout your home,” notes Consumer Reports.

The Honeywell Home T9 “supports up to 20 sensors total. Place each sensor where you want to see the room’s temperature and humidity. Then, on the thermostat’s touchscreen (or on the app if you’re away from home), you can use the multi-room display to focus on the room’s current conditions or to set a specific schedule,” adds People Magazine.

PCMag warns that it “doesn’t integrate directly with other Honeywell smart devices,” but otherwise is easy to install and works with Alexa, Cortana, and Google voice commands. You can snag this smart thermostat for under $200.

5. Mysa Smart Thermostat

TechHive gave the Mysa “best smart thermostat for high-voltage heaters” accolades “due to its elegant industrial design and its broad support for other smart home devices, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.”

“Our experts like the Mysa Smart Thermostat for electric baseboard heaters(there’s also a version specifically designed for electric in-floor heating),” says Good Housekeeping. “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.”

Better Homes and Gardens writes, “The Mysa Smart Thermostat requires multiple wires for installation; experienced DIYers can tackle it thanks to an online guide and videos that walk you through the process, though you might want to hire a professional installer for peace of mind.”

You can control and group your thermostats into rooms and zones using the Mysa app. The cost? $149. 

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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.

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