The best smart thermostat for most people is the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced — easy to use, works with every assistant, and includes a room sensor to even out hot and cold spots. A good smart thermostat learns your schedule, adjusts when you leave, and cuts heating and cooling bills while you control it from your phone or voice. Below are the best smart thermostats we’d actually install, from a $90 value pick to a premium model with air-quality sensing — every one confirmed in stock.
How we chose the best smart thermostats
Every pick was scored against the same criteria, and we confirmed each product is currently in stock on Amazon before including it:
- Real-world quality — materials, construction, and durability, not marketing claims.
- Fit for purpose — sound design and the right fit for the job each product is meant to do.
- Value across budgets — from a solid budget pick to a premium best-in-class option.
- Owner consensus — thousands of verified reviews and Amazon’s Choice standing, cross-checked against known failure points.
Smart thermostats: the 5 best, compared
The 5 best smart thermostats, ranked
1ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced Best overall
A bright touchscreen thermostat that works with Siri, Alexa, and Google, comes with a SmartSensor to balance temperature between rooms (not just at the thermostat), and is Energy Star certified with real, measurable savings — plus easy scheduling and geofencing. The smart thermostat most people should buy for the best mix of features, savings, and price.
- Saves you energy automatically — Save up to 26% per year on heating and cooling costs.* The Smart Thermostat Enhanced automatically adjusts your home’s temperature when you’re away or asleep, helping reduce energy use without sacrificing comfort.
- Smart comfort for everyday life — Built-in occupancy sensing detects when people are home and can preheat or precool your home before you arrive. It also learns your temperature preferences and schedule and adjusts for humidity to help keep your home comfortable.
- Compatible with 90% of HVAC systems: Use the Compatibility Checker on the ecobee support page to confirm. ecobee.com/compatibility/thermostat.
- Easy DIY installation right out of the box: Includes the Power Extender Kit (PEK) for homes without a C-wire, a Trim Kit for a clean finished look, and everything needed for most installations.
- Control from anywhere — Adjust your thermostat remotely using the ecobee app on your smartphone, tablet, or Apple Watch.
2Google Nest Thermostat E Best value
Google’s approachable smart thermostat — auto Eco mode when you leave, simple phone and voice control (Google/Alexa), and energy-saving suggestions, bundled here with a temperature sensor — at the friendliest price in smart heating. The value pick to start saving energy without spending much; check C-wire compatibility for your system.
- The Programmable smart thermostat that learns the temperatures you like and programs itself to help you save energy and stay comfortable
- The sensor tells the thermostat what the temperature is in the room where it’s placed and the thermostat uses that reading to control when the system turns on or off to keep that room the temperature you like
- Home/Away Assist automatically adjusts itself to an Eco Temperature after you leave, so you don’t heat or cool an empty home. Compatibility-Combi boilers, Heat-only boilers, Heat pumps (heating only), Zoned systems, District heating with electrical control valves
- Remote control lets family members change the temperature on this smart thermostat from anywhere using a phone, laptop, or tablet [1]
- The Nest Leaf appears when you choose a temperature that saves energy; with Energy History, just check your phone to see how much energy you used and find out how to save more
3ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential Best budget ecobee
ecobee’s streamlined model — the same reliable app, scheduling, geofencing, and Alexa/Google/Siri support in a simpler package without the bundled sensor, Energy Star certified. The pick if you want ecobee’s ecosystem and savings at a lower entry price and can add sensors later.
- Save up to 23% every year on heating and cooling costs, adjusts to your set schedule to save energy when you’re gone and optimize comfort when you’re home. Compared to a hold of 72
- Compatible with 85% of systems, check your system’s compatibility with our online ecobee Compatibility Checker on the ecobee support page
- Change your temperature by easily tapping the color touchscreen or using the ecobee app. Plus, free software upgrades ensure you get the best out of your Smart Thermostat Essential, for years to come
- Automatically adjusts to your set schedule to save energy when you’re gone and optimize comfort when you’re home. Keep track of your energy consumption when you're on the go on the ecobee app
- Easy DIY install. No C Wire, no problem. Get the ecobee Power Extender Kit (PEK) for homes without a C-Wire and keep your walls looking nice with our trim kit – both sold separately
4ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Best premium
The top ecobee — a premium display with built-in Alexa and Siri, an included SmartSensor, plus an air-quality monitor and a radar occupancy sensor, and it can even show a live view from an ecobee doorbell. The pick for the most capable, do-everything thermostat that also watches your indoor air quality.
- Save Up to 26% on your energy bills: ENERGY STAR certified. Automatically adjusts your temperature based on occupancy. Compared to a hold of 72°F
- Manage hot or cold spots in your home: The included SmartSensor ($50 dollar value) detects which rooms you're actually using and adjusts temperature there, instead of relying on one reading from the hallway to provide whole-home comfort, room by room.
- See and talk to visitors from your thermostat: Stream a live view of your front door and use two-way talk to answer visitors directly from your Smart Thermostat Premium with an ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera.
- Compatible with 95% of HVAC systems: Use the Compatibility Checker on the ecobee support page to confirm your HVAC system works at ecobee.com/compatibility/thermostat
- Easy DIY installation right out of the box: Includes the Power Extender Kit (PEK) for homes without a C-wire, a Trim Kit for a clean finished look, and everything needed for your easy install. Enjoy added peace of mind with an industry-leading 3-year warranty that helps protect your purchase.
5Honeywell Home T9 Best for multi-room
Honeywell’s T9 with a touchscreen and Smart Room Sensors that track temperature and occupancy in the rooms that matter most, prioritizing comfort where you actually are — works with Alexa, Google, and more via the Resideo app. The pick for larger or multi-story homes with rooms that run hot or cold and need per-room balancing.
- HELP SAVE ENERGY. See your energy use in the Monthly Energy Report, and help save even more with a schedule that adapts to your lifestyle, and by connecting with your utility efficiency program..EFFICIENCY AND REWARDS. Connect your Honeywell Home account with your utility to earn rewards each season for your energy efficiency.Before purchasing, check to see if this thermostat is compatible with your home and to determine if your home needs a C-wire power adapter.Works with most heat/cool oil furnace systems. Will not work with heating only oil furnace systems unless a C-Wire is present.
- AUTO HOME AND AWAY MODE. Adjust your thermostat from anywhere with your mobile device, or let your home automatically react to your schedule with geofencing.
- MULTI-ROOM FOCUS. Add Smart Room Sensors to focus the temperature on multiple rooms for comfort where it matters to you. (Sensors sold separately)
- SMART RESPONSE AND ALERTS. Intelligently learns your home’s heating and cooling patterns to deliver the right temperature at the right time, and sends you filter and temperature alerts.
- COMPATIBLE WITH: Forced air (gas, oil or electric), hot water and steam, and heat pumps with electric backup. Does NOT work with electric baseboard heat (120-240V). C-Wire Required.
Smart thermostats: buyer’s guide & FAQ
Do smart thermostats really save money?
Will a smart thermostat work with my HVAC system, and what’s a C-wire?
What do room sensors do?
Do smart thermostats work with Alexa and Google Home?
Are smart thermostats hard to install yourself?
More home & household picks, ranked
I’ve spent years writing about and recommending the products people actually live with — the kitchen gear, home goods, and beauty finds that earn their place on a shelf. At Golden’s List I lead editorial across Home, Kitchen, Beauty, and Fitness, digging through reviews, specs, and real owner feedback to separate the genuinely great from the merely popular — and making sure every pick is in stock with a live price before it makes a list. Meet the whole team →