Best Smart Thermostats Guide & Reviews of 2021

Saving energy today is crucial to stop global heating. Plus, it can save homeowners hundreds of dollars each month, as bills get more and more expensive. Luckily, there are many devices that can help people make the most out of their heating and cooling systems. One of these is a smart thermostat. Still, wondering what to look for when buying around? Discover here the best smart thermostats in 2021 and upgrade your comfort.

Kyle Nelson - Editorial Staff

Updated: April 20, 2021

What We Did to Find the Best

When writing down the guide, we did research to discover some smart thermostats reviews existing in the field. Then, we came up with a list of the most important features to consider when shopping around. Some of them are technical specs, while others have to do with the service as such. We used 50 balls systems with a maximum of 10 marks for each metric to come up with a full list of the best smart thermostats in 2021.

  • Features

    0-10

    monitoring period, 24/7 alerts, disaster protection etc.

  • Support

    0-10

    telephone, email, chat, and other channels

  • Price

    0-10

    monthly fee, money-back, trial period

  • Ease of Use

    0-10

    installation, maintenance, service support

  • Trust Score

    0-10

    BBB.org and Trustpilot (positive, negative reviews)

To rate these systems, we tested all of them for a short time and saw how they worked. Once we were able to derive conclusions, we listed them and ordered each model from one to ten.

1. Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat: Seamless Integrations

Total Score 9.6/10

  • Features10/10
  • Equipment9.0/10
  • Price9.5/10
  • Ease Of Use10/10
  • Trust Score9.5/10

Starting Price

$169

Visit Website
BBB Rating B+
Best for Families & Couples

DIY instal

YES

Trial Period

Ecobee 3 Lite is a home smart thermostat designed for families of all incomes. The price is accessible, and it has a lot of features that other high-end products also have. For example, it has a sensor for better comfort when cooling and heating all year long.

The product is compatible with both Android and iOS, so any user who has a mobile phone can acquire this option.

Pros:

  • Save up to 23% in energy
  • Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit
  • Complies with USA standards
  • Remote control
  • Immediate notifications
  • Easy setup
  • Integrate it with most HVAC systems

Cons:

  • Adjusting the temperature can be hard at times
  • A bit expensive
  • Loud alerts

The app is easy to use, so owners can get alerts any time the temperature in the room drops or gets too high. Plus, it has a great benefit called Follow Me, so the phone will detect where the person is and adjust the grades in that particular room with each home thermostat.


2. Ecobee4: Best Smart Thermostat for Accessible Pricing

Total Score 9.5/10

  • Features10/10
  • Equipment10/10
  • Price8.5/10
  • Ease Of Use10/10
  • Trust Score9.0/10

Starting Price

$234

Visit Website
BBB Rating B+
Best for High-Paying Clients

DIY instal

YES

Trial Period

Ecobee4 is great for remote control, giving owners the chance of controlling the heat or cool at home from anywhere they are. This Ecobee 4 is also compatible with other smart voice systems like Amazon Alexa, Google Voice, or Apple Homekit.

The Ecobee box contains a power extender in case one’s home does not have a plug for C-wires. In just 30 minutes, the product will be up and about.

Pros:

  • Comfortable voice control
  • Includes an installation guide
  • The app is simple and straightforward
  • People can ask for an expert in case they need help
  • Built-in Amazon Alexa voice and good reviews
  • Up to 5 room sensors included
  • Samsung Smartthings are compatible with Ecobee

Cons:

  • The setup process can be a bit complicated
  • Extra wires may be needed
  • Owners have to check compatibility before buying

These Ecobee models are very lightweight so that clients can take it wherever they go. In addition to the mobile app, the controls can be installed into one’s computer, tablet, or other electronic devices.

Everything people need to install the Ecobee4 is inside a box. No experts should be involved in the process.


3. Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi: Best Smart Thermostat to Save a Lot

Total Score 9.4/10

  • Features9.0/10
  • Equipment10/10
  • Price9.0/10
  • Ease Of Use10/10
  • Trust Score9.0/10

Starting Price

$100

Visit Website
BBB Rating B+
Best for Clients With Budget

DIY instal

NO

Trial Period

Emerson has been rated as the best value device by various providers. It has great pricing and options to connect it with other things inside the same network. Plus, its percentage of savings reaches 23% when adjusting the temperature, which is a lot higher than its competitors.

The flexible scheduling reaches 7 days and has in-app options for those who like using the smartphone rather than a remote control.

Pros:

  • Battery or C-wire
  • Push notifications
  • Clear backlit
  • Keypad lockout
  • Remote access
  • User reports
  • iOS and Android

Cons:

  • The design is a bit strange
  • Requires a common wire
  • Not compatible with boilers

The equipment is simple, so most customers end up installing it within 30 minutes. They can find step-by-step guides on the site and within the mobile app, too.

It has a traditional design and works with most HVAC equipment today without the need for a C-wire.


4. Mysa: The Best Smart Thermostat to Boost for Electric Homes

Total Score 9.4/10

  • Features10/10
  • Equipment10/10
  • Price9.0/10
  • Ease Of Use9.0/10
  • Trust Score9.0/10

Starting Price

$139

Visit Website
BBB Rating B+
Best for Electric-Powered Homes

DIY instal

NO

Trial Period

Different from other systems on the list, Mysa is the best smart thermostat only compatible with electric heaters and baseboards. If owners have this type of network at home, they can save up to 25% of their normal bills by using energy in the most efficient way.

The sensor may also help people stay connected as it can be integrated with Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. Plus, its sleek and minimalist design is suitable for every environment.

Pros:

  • Can offer professional installation
  • High voltage heat
  • Works with Apple HomeKit
  • Geolocation activated
  • Vacation mode to save more energy
  • Lockout for preferred settings
  • Compatible with tablets and phones

Cons:

  • Lengthy setup
  • A bit expensive
  • Come up with multiple users

Although the setup is said to be simple, it can take up to 30 minutes to mount the devices and connect them to a mobile phone. On the positive side, owners can sign up for multiple users, so every member of the family can make use of the smart thermostats if they want to.


5. Nest Learning Smart Thermostat (3rd generation): Integral Google Industry

Total Score 9.4/10

Nest Main
  • Features10/10
  • Equipment9.0/10
  • Price9.0/10
  • Ease Of Use9.0/10
  • Trust Score10/10

Starting Price

$247

Visit Website
BBB Rating A
Best for Big Families

DIY instal

YES

Trial Period

This is the best smart thermostat in terms of Artificial Intelligence. The Google app comes up with weekly reports and takes down notes on client behavior. Then, the Nest Learning model establishes a pattern of their preferences and sets up temperatures in an automatic way. This ensures that clients are always comfortable in any room of the home they are.

While Google’s Nest Learning is not compatible with Amazon Alexa, it does work with other Google products like Echo Dot.

Pros:

  • Can be used in 7 languages
  • Stainless steel
  • Simple design
  • Home away benefit
  • Comfortable remote control
  • Can be used with other Google Nest Learning products
  • Extra sensitive sensor

Cons:

  • Doesn’t work with Amazon Alexa
  • No walkthrough guide by Google
  • Pricey

In case clients are going away for the weekend or on holiday, they can turn on the best smart thermostat benefit called Nest Learning Home Away Assist. This will adjust itself, so nobody has to heat or cool an empty home.

With Google’s Energy History, owners can also take a look at their consumption patterns when it comes to temperature.


6. Nest E: Best Smart Thermostat to Keep You Comfortable

Total Score 9.4/10

Nest Main
  • Features9.0/10
  • Equipment10/10
  • Price9.0/10
  • Ease Of Use9.0/10
  • Trust Score10/10

Starting Price

$160

Visit Website
BBB Rating A+
Best for Geofencing Limits

DIY instal

YES

Trial Period

Nest tries to be open and honest about the benefits of the product and of how they use the users’ data. Also, as it’s a Google product, it is always updating itself and fixing existing bugs in the network. For example, today, the Nest E is able to turn off without human intervention.

The smart thermostat also keeps a historical record of different years so owners can compare their consumption across time.

Pros:

  • Family accounts are available
  • Great history of records
  • Easy-to-use remote control
  • It can also check on air filters
  • 15% save for cooling bills
  • Automatic turn off
  • Schedule it from anywhere

Cons:

  • Not available in many countries
  • The system can be hard to manage
  • Only in white

Using a well-known brand like Nest is a guarantee for success. It is made of durable, sturdy materials while keeping a nice style in design. This smart thermostat has a 24-bit color screen for more details, and it also keeps track of humidity and overall air quality.


7. Honeywell Lyric T5: Best Smart Thermostat for Compatibility

Total Score 9.3/10

Honeywell Home Main
  • Features10/10
  • Equipment9.0/10
  • Price9.0/10
  • Ease Of Use10/10
  • Trust Score8.5/10

Starting Price

$109

Visit Website
BBB Rating C+
Best for Price & Offers

DIY instal

YES

Trial Period

Honeywell Lyric T5 focuses on connecting with other systems. One of them is Amazon Alexa, but it is also compatible with others like Siri, Apple’s assistant. Based on the geofencing system, this model can predict the desired ambiance for different rooms for maximum comfort.

In addition, the screen shows the owner how much time it would take to achieve certain levels so they can make a decision in advance.

Pros:

  • Special offers
  • Location-based control
  • Push notifications
  • Utility rebate programs
  • Best temperature sensors
  • Energy-star certified
  • Compatible with iOS and Android

Cons:

  • Only 1 year of warranty
  • Consumes a lot of energy
  • A bit fragile

The Honeywell adaptive system has a lot of settings so owners can put the temperature they want in certain zones in the future. Plus, this smart thermostat sends push notifications in case the client needs to change the filters, the batteries, or if they feel something is wrong with the quality of the air.


8. Resideo Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat: Remote Controls

Total Score 9.3/10

Honeywell Home Main
  • Features10/10
  • Equipment9.5/10
  • Price9.0/10
  • Ease Of Use10/10
  • Trust Score9.0/10

Starting Price

$169

BBB Rating B+
Best for Quick Performance

DIY instal

YES

Trial Period

Honeywell is a great option for those looking for a complex smart thermostat. It has all the traditional qualities of this type of product. Yet, Honeywell company added 7 programming modes for more demanding owners. Plus, it’s possible to add more than one geo-zone within the same home.

In terms of the guarantee, it can fall a bit short. It only includes 2 years, and then it will repair but not replace the faulty item.

Pros:

  • Quickly detects the presence in a room
  • Great touchscreen
  • Hardwired plus battery
  • Lightweight but sturdy
  • Great trust score
  • Easy to install
  • Durable materials

Cons:

  • The battery is not replaceable
  • Short warranty
  • Slow customer support

On the downside, not every building is compatible with Honeywell T9. Owners will have to check whether their wiring system allows it. Luckily, there is a step-by-step guide about this issue on their site.

There are also a lot of other resources to help owners make the most out of their smart thermostat.


9. Johnson Controls GLAS: Comprehensive Benefits

Total Score 9.2/10

  • Features10/10
  • Equipment10/10
  • Price9.0/10
  • Ease Of Use10/10
  • Trust Score8.0/10

Starting Price

$238

BBB Rating C+
Tech-Savvy Clients

DIY instal

YES

Trial Period

In addition to a great user interface, this has the best smart thermostat app. It allows owners to create many Thermo zones. So, they can control many smart thermostats using the same mobile phone or tablet. It also works with any operating system, so users don’t have to worry about what type of smart thermostat they own.

Apart from showing the current temperature at home, the screen depicts the humidity, how it’s outside, and more.

Pros:

  • Monitors humidity
  • Controls the levels of CO2
  • OLED touchscreen
  • Innovative design
  • Auxiliar glass
  • Great user interface
  • Occupancy sensor

Cons:

  • Very expensive
  • No Alexa or Google Voice assistant
  • Poor customer support

In case owners have some type of allergy and need to control the quality of the air, they can also do that. In this way, they will also be saving time and energy by using a smart thermostat.


10. Lux Geo: Best Smart Thermostat With Results in No Time

Total Score 9.2/10

  • Features8.0/10
  • Equipment9.0/10
  • Price10/10
  • Ease Of Use9.0/10
  • Trust Score10/10

Starting Price

$99

BBB Rating A
Best for Hybrid-Powered Homes

DIY instal

YES

Trial Period

Lux Geo is a versatile model that includes both Celsius and Fahrenheit settings. This means people can use it not only in the USA but in other countries, too. One of the best things is that Lux Geo can be powered in different ways.

While batteries can be convenient, classic clients may prefer plugging it to electricity, and both of them are possible. Plus, it has a low battery detector to prevent it from running out.

Pros:

  • Compatible with Alexa
  • Horizontal o vertical installation
  • Programming the unit is easy
  • Temperature-control sensors
  • The app works in both Android and iOS
  • Settings for geofencing are easy to find
  • The best battery, wires, or system power available

Cons:

  • Not so easy to set up
  • Old design
  • No air filter

It comes in different colors to fit the style and design of any home. The dual mount allows owners to put it in a horizontal or vertical way for more convenience.

Also, its 3-year warranty ensures that the company will replace it in case of issues.


Best Smart Thermostats of 2021 (Pricing & Features)

All these best smart thermostats share certain features but are very different in some other respects. The table below summarizes all the important points for buyers to consider when shopping and choosing the most suitable for their needs.

Provider Best For Price/Unit DIY setup Connectivity Compatible with Alexa Cooling & Heating Walk-through guide Lightweight Lithium batteries included Warranty Geofencing Backlit display Shows humidity
1. Ecobee3 Lite Families & Couples $169 Yes Wi-Fi. Bluetooth Yes No No No Yes 1 year No Yes Yes
2. Ecobee4 High-paying clients $234 Yes Wi-Fi. Bluetooth Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 1 year Yes Yes Yes
3. Emerson Sensi Clients With Budget $100 Yes Wi-Fi. Zigby Yes Yes Yes No No 2 years Yes Yes No
4. Mysa Electric-powered Homes $139 Yes Wi-Fi Yes No Yes No No 1 year Yes Yes No
5. Nest Big Families $247 Yes Wi-Fi No Yes Yes Yes Yes 5 years Yes Yes Yes
6. Nest E Geofencing Limits $150 Yes Wi-Fi No Yes Yes Yes Yes 5 years Yes Yes Yes
7. Honeywell T5 Price & Offers $109 Yes Wi-Fi. Bluetooth Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 1 year Yes Yes Yes
8. Honeywell T9 Quick Performance $169 Yes Wi-Fi. Bluetooth Yes Yes Yes No No 2 years Yes No No
9. GLAS Smart Tech-Savvy Clients $238 Yes Wi-Fi Yes Yes No No No 5 years Yes No Yes
10. Lux Geo Hybrid-powered Homes $99 Yes Wi-Fi Yes Yes No No Yes 3 years Yes Yes No

Important Features to Consider When Shopping Around

When it comes to options, they are endless. People can find dozens of brands, models, specs, and prices. Yet, there are some that should always be on buyers’ minds to make the most out of their new purchase. Let’s examine some smart thermostat reviews below.

1. Careful With Wires

Most smart thermostats require special types of plugs and energy to work. Usually, they rely on low-voltage systems provided by the home’s HVAC. Yet, it may happen that these are not compatible.

2. Geofencing Area

A geofencing area is a perimeter boundary created around a mobile device. This is the distance where owners can control the benefits when they buy. The best smart thermostats include this type of feature so that the whole home is included within the same system.

3. Control It Remotely

Nobody wants to get up off the sofa to turn on the TV. The same happens when owning a smart thermostat. That’s why future clients should take into account whether their new objects have at least a remote control if they can be used with the app only, even better.

4. How Many Sensors

It all depends on the type of house people own. And the type of climate they prefer to have. For example, parents will want their baby to be warm, but maybe the master bedroom might not be so hot. If that’s the case, they need more than one smart thermostat.

5. Compatibility With Other Systems

Those who want to connect all their smart thermostats to other appliances at home should look for that feature. Not all of them include those benefits.

6. Is It Saving Energy?

That’s what a home thermostat is for, after all. The idea is to save money by saving energy, making the heating, and cooling more efficient. So, take a look at the percentage that owners usually save when using such smart thermostats.

7. Smart Hub or Not

Today, voice assistants like Alexa or Apple Homekit are useful for almost anything. They can turn the music down, play a movie, and turn the heat on. If this is important for owners, they should check whether the new thermostat is compatible with smart hubs or not.

8. Ease of Use

Nobody wants to spend precious time learning how to use new systems. The idea is to keep them as simple as possible without investing a lot of hours figuring them out. Pick and buy the one that has the effortless network to understand it works.

9. Electric Support

Many buildings today rely solely on electric heating instead of using boilers or gas chimneys. If that’s the case of the owner, then they should take a look at the technical specs to make sure they are compatible with their homes.

10. Usability

The easier to use the app, the better. Adults don’t have a lot of time to spend to learn how to use new, complicated software. That is why the user interface of the app that controls a smart thermostat should be clean and simple.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are Smart Sensors Worth It?

    Yes, they are really convenient and useful for the home to buy in 2021. Keeping the exact levels of heat or cold at the house is sometimes hard for owners. In turn, this makes them waste money using a heater when they don’t really need them.

    So, using smart thermostats is a great investment that will pay off because they last for years to come.

  • What Is the Best Thermostat?

    It all depends on the needs and preferences of the buyer. Some will say the best Wi-Fi thermostat is the one that costs the least. Some others have to consider whether the models are compatible with the systems they have in their buildings. Whatever the reason, the best one is going to be the one that suits the specs in the most suitable way.

  • Can a Smart Thermostat Detect Room Occupancy?

    It depends on the type of smart thermostat used. Some models, for example, include motion sensors. This means it is able to detect where the owner of the device is and set the tone as it should be. Other types of smart thermostats yet, do not include this type of benefit and cannot detect room occupancy.

  • Do I Need 2 Smart Thermostats?

    It depends on the size of the house and the needs of the buyer. The best thermostats serve the purpose of keeping the home cool or heated, depending on the season. But this is not possible with just one model if the home has a lot of rooms.

    Or if the person wants to have a warmer space in certain parts of the building and not in others. Depending on what they want, then people may have to buy more than one product.

  • How Do I Choose a Smart Thermostat?

    There are many things to consider when shopping around for a smart thermostat in 2021.

    Some of these benefits include:

    • Voice control assistant. Nothing is more convenient than managing a thermostat without even leaving one’s bed.
    • Compatibility with other home kits for the home.
    • Price, especially when it comes to competitors who offer the same benefits of buying.
    • The type of screen and whether it shows anything else in addition to the temperature. For example, certain smart thermostats also depict the humidity outside or the quality of the air inside.
    • If the app is useful to control only one zone or if many of them can be integrated with sensors.

  • How Do Smart Thermostat Room Sensors Work?

    The idea behind smart thermostats is to control the HVAC systems at home. This means they will combat too hot or cold spots that may disrupt the temperature people can stay at the building.

    So, a smart thermostat will use its sensor to calculate the exact grades in a room and then will act to make it lower or higher. The most expensive equipment has a Follow Me feature. So, they detect if people are in the room or not before taking action.

Stay Warm and Save Money

Those looking for top-of-the-line products have plenty of options in the market. The best smart thermostat of 2021 will cater to every client’s need, from having electric appliances to complex HVAC systems. Plus, most of them are compatible with voice assistants to make them even more reliable and comfortable.

In any case, just take a look at as many reviews and details as possible to make an intelligent decision when the time comes. Let us know please which one device will fit you and why.


Editorial Staff

Kyle Nelson has a degree in journalism and came to Securing Home with more than a decade of experience writing for several technology magazines. He is optimistic and charismatic. We appreciate having him on our team not only for his excellent articles but also for his sense of humor and ability to tell stories.


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