Control the Temperature of Your Home With One of Our Favorite Thermostats (2024)

For a small, simple device on your wall, the thermostat has tremendous control over comfort and costs in your home. You'll find several types of thermostats for furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, or electric baseboard heaters—all of which can affect how you heat and cool your space.

Programmable thermostats provide the most flexibility in heating and cooling control, with models that offer weekly, daily, or even more detailed scheduling options. Simple digital thermostats can deliver excellent value while being reliable and easy to use.

On the more advanced end, there are plenty of smart thermostats that connect to the internet to power features like remote app controls, geofencing to check if you're home or away, and voice commands and integration with smart home ecosystems like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. These premium models may be steeper initial investments, but they have the potential to lower your electric bill more each month for greater long-term savings.

We considered all the above categories of thermostats, weighing products for dependable temperature regulation, compatibility with different types of HVAC systems, ease of installation for homeowners, and the quality of their displays and design.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

SALE

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium at Amazon~~$250~~$190

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Best Value:

SALE

Honeywell Home RTH221B Programmable Thermostat at Amazon~~$27~~$21

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Best Smart:

Google Nest Learning Thermostat at Home Depot$249

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Best with Wi-Fi:

SALE

Honeywell Home Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Thermostat at Amazon~~$120~~$67

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Best Touchscreen:

Copeland Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat at Amazon$85

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Best Programmable:

SALE

Honeywell Home 7-Day Programmable Touchscreen Thermostat at Amazon~~$91~~$56

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Best for Electric Baseboards:

Mysa Smart Thermostat for Electric Baseboard Heaters V2 at Amazon$159

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Best Overall

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

$190 at Amazon $249 at Home Depot $250 at Lowe's

What We Like

Multiple advanced energy-saving features
Built-in Alexa or Siri smart speaker
Integrated air quality monitor and smoke alarm detector
Remote sensor accessory included

What We Don't Like

Doesn't auto-adjust schedules with machine learning
Extra subscription needed for full security features

If you're looking to install a smart thermostat that's a complete package of advanced functionality, we think the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium has almost everything you could want—and more. While it doesn't make AI-based changes to your temperature presets on its own like Google's Nest Thermostat does, it does use artificial intelligence to provide you with eco-friendly recommendations. The eco+ suite includes features that factor in humidity, the times you're actually home and away, and peak usage events from your utility company.

A core feature of smart thermostats is the power of detailed control through a mobile phone app or hands-free voice commands, but we like that the Ecobee Premium goes a step further by doubling as a full-fledged smart speaker.

What kind of voltage should I choose?

Different heating systems can have different electrical requirements, so your thermostat has to be compatible when it comes to the voltage it supports.Here's a rundown on the basics:

Low voltage: Forced air systems that blow air through ductwork from central air conditioners and gas furnaces are most common, and these are generally operated by low-voltage (12- to 24-volt) thermostats. Many of these units work with heat pumps and boiler systems as well. If you're replacing an old thermostat, you'll likely see some number of thin wires of different colors to disconnect and reattach to the proper terminals on your new device.
C-wire: Most homes built over the last 40 years include a common wire, or C-wire, which many thermostats require to deliver continuous power for certain features. If you lack one, installation may involve a few extra steps.
Line voltage: Electrical heating systems such as baseboard heaters often use line voltage, running on the standard 120 or 240 volt circuits powering most household appliances and outlets. These will have thicker wires, usually red or black for hot wires.
Millivolt: Certain setups like direct-vent furnaces or fireplaces call for millivolt systems, using a very low 750 millivolts (mV) of power. This is less common and not supported by all thermostats, so you'll need to confirm if the model you're considering is compatible.

Best Value

Honeywell Home RTH221B Programmable Thermostat

$21 at Amazon $30 at Home Depot $41 at Walmart

What We Like

Four programmable periods per day
Very simple, effective operation
Easy installation with no C-wire required

What We Don't Like

Not for multi-stage systems or heat pumps
No backlight

The Honeywell Home brand offers a variety of thermostats for residences, including the reliable RTH221B digital thermostat for households needing a hassle-free level of climate control.

We like that it provides precise, accurate temperature adjustments and an easy-to-program schedule that applies across a full week, with four different time periods you can set to change temperatures throughout the day (wake, away, home, and sleep). We love that the buttons are intuitive to use and the display is clear, but the lack of backlighting is a downside that makes it tough to read the display in the dark.

Still, the RTH221B works for single-stage heating and cooling, as well as heat pumps without an auxiliary heat mode. If you have a standard system, installation is straightforward. A C-wire isn't required, since there are no advanced always-on features that need power; the unit runs solely on a pair of AA batteries.

If you have a more complex HVAC setup, need more fine-tuned temperature control, or want a bigger, brighter display, you can spend more for a higher-end alternative. We think the RTH221B, though, is a dependable, programmable option for saving on thermostat replacement costs.

_{Dimensions: 4.75 x 3.38 x 1.11 inches | Power Source: 2 AA batteries | Display: Digital | Sensor Capabilities: Room | Smart Home Compatibility: None}

How and when should you test a thermostat?

Here’s some handy advice: If you think your thermostat isn’t functioning properly, you can slowly increase the temperature setting on your thermostat. It will generally make a clicking sound, and your furnace will kick on. If the furnace doesn’t respond, the thermostat is likely not sending a signal and may need to be replaced.

Best Smart

Google Nest Learning Thermostat

$249 at Home Depot View on Walmart View on Lowe's

What We Like

Self-adjusting AI-optimized scheduling
Functional, iconic wheel design
Location, presence, and ambient light sensing
Wide system compatibility with C-wire not often required

What We Don't Like

Not a common touchscreen interface
No Apple HomeKit compatibility

Google's Nest Learning Thermostat has been an early star of the smart home market, and we think the third-generation model continues to be a go-to intelligent device. It includes typical smart thermostat capabilities like app control, voice commands, and location-based activation. The standout feature, though, is its machine learning algorithm, which analyzes your climate preferences and habits during an initial week of manual temperature adjustments.

It will then set an optimized energy-efficient heating/cooling schedule for you, continuing to adapt based on your usage and the changing seasons. It further encourages energy-conscious operation by awarding you with a "Nest Leaf" for following its eco-friendly recommendations, in addition to logging your energy savings in detailed reports.

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the majority of standard HVAC systems, with a compatibility checker tool on the website to help you confirm. Its built-in rechargeable battery provides it with enough power in most cases, otherwise you'll need a C-wire or a power connector accessory that Google sells separately.

You can also opt to purchase remote temperature sensors for different rooms or link up with other thermostats to control multiple climate zones across your home. The unit itself maintains its distinctive rotating puck design, with a larger, higher-resolution display than before, time and weather readouts, and a variety of finish choices for its outer ring.

_{Dimensions: 3.3 x 3.3 x 1.1 inches | Power Source: Hardwired (C-wire needed in some cases) | Display: Digital | Sensor Capabilities: Room, humidity, proximity, light | Smart Home Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home/Nest}

Best with Wi-Fi

Honeywell Home Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Thermostat

$67 at Amazon $100 at Wayfair $70 at Home Depot

What We Like

Supports app control and voice commands
More traditional digital thermostat interface
Flexible 7-day programmability

What We Don't Like

Advanced smart features are limited
No touchscreen display

If you're not interested in shelling out for the advanced automations and AI-based functions of premium smart thermostats, you can still get a nice set of connected conveniences with Honeywell Home's Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Thermostat (model RTH6580WF).

By forgoing modern-looking shapes and touchscreens in favor of a more classic digital thermostat design, the RTH6580WF will feel familiar to operate and program for users not looking to learn a new wall-unit interface. The difference comes in its ability to connect to the internet for when you want features like mobile app control, energy reports, and integration with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Besides needing to join your home Wi-Fi network on a 2.4GHz channel, setup for the RTH6580WF is as straightforward as most low-voltage thermostats. It does need a C-wire for continuous power, so if your previous unit didn't have a C-wire attached, you may need to have an electrician pull one or purchase a separate power adapter.

The device doesn't support remote sensors or location-based activation settings, but it works with multi-stage heating/cooling, radiant heat, millivolt systems, and a variety of other HVAC configurations.

_{Dimensions: 3.5 x 5.75 x 1.5 inches | Power Source: Hardwired (C-wire required) | Display: Digital | Sensor Capabilities: Room | Smart Home Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home}

Best Touchscreen

Copeland Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat

$85 at Amazon $169 at Wayfair $150 at Home Depot

What We Like

Large, color-changing, backlit screen
App control with geofencing
Wide smart platform compatibility

What We Don't Like

Geofencing features are limited
No remote sensor option

While many thermostats disappear into the wall with a plain design, the Sensi Touch stands out with a sleek modern look and an eye-catching LCD touchscreen. Between its 4.3 inch diagonal measurement, bright, adjustable backlight, jumbo-sized temperature digits, and background colors that switch between blue for cooling and orange for heating, it's clear from anywhere in the room to read your system.

The touch settings make it intuitive to adjust settings on the unit, but you can program advanced schedules and check usage reports from anywhere on the mobile app. Geofencing options help with energy savings as well, though it's limited to just shifting your A/C or heat by 3 degrees when your phone goes more than 3 miles away.

We think Apple users will appreciate the Sensi Touch's support for HomeKit, along with other top smart platforms. It's also compatible with a variety of single- and multi-stage furnaces and heat pumps, provided a C-wire is present.

Just know that it doesn't support remote sensor accessories—you could opt for the newer, slimmer Sensi Touch 2 if you want to add room sensors, but that device won't work with HomeKit, so the value of making the upgrade depends on your specific needs.

_{Dimensions: 3.38 x 5.625 x 1.00 inches | Power Source: Hardwired (C-wire required) | Display: Touchscreen | Sensor Capabilities: Room, humidity | Smart Home Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings}

Best Programmable

Honeywell Home 7-Day Programmable Touchscreen Thermostat

$56 at Amazon $89 at Home Depot $109 at Lowe's

What We Like

Flexible 7-day scheduling
Contemporary design and touchscreen
Hardwired or battery installation options

What We Don't Like

No Wi-Fi connection and smart features
No remote sensor option

We think the Honeywell Home T5 is a shining example of how to benefit from modern design and functionality in a thermostat, ranking as our best programmable thermostat without Wi-Fi connectivity and smart features.

With its intuitive, backlit square touchscreen, you can easily program different four-period schedules for each day, or use the 5-2 or 5-1-1 modes if you only need modified settings for the weekends. The device does utilize a feature it calls a "smart" technology, but this is to learn how much time in advance it should activate the cooling or heating to make sure your home reaches the scheduled temperature when you want it.

The T5's lack of dependence on the internet also means simplified installation options for homeowners. It can run on standard AA batteries, with the system giving you about a two-month heads up before they need to be replaced.

Alternatively, it can draw constant power via your home's electrical system if you have a C-wire, with batteries as backup. The device won't work with mini-split systems or line-voltage baseboard heaters, but most other HVAC configurations are supported, including multi-stage and millivolt systems.

_{Dimensions: 4.09 x 4.09 x 1.06 inches | Power Source: Hardwired (C-wire required) or 3 AA batteries | Display: Touchscreen | Sensor Capabilities: Room, humidity | Smart Home Compatibility: None}

Best for Electric Baseboards

Mysa Smart Thermostat for Electric Baseboard Heaters V2

$149 at Amazon $149 at Home Depot $149 at Lowe's

What We Like

Multiple energy-saving functions
Modern, minimal design
Straightforward installation for 120V/240V systems

What We Don't Like

Not a full touchscreen
May need multiple for several rooms

The thermostat options for high-voltage electric heaters aren't nearly as expansive, but the Mysa Smart Thermostat V2 is an excellent way to add intelligent controls to fan-forced, in-ceiling, or baseboard heaters and other line-voltage units. (Mysa also sells variations for in-floor heating and mini-split heat pumps or air conditioning.)

The thermostat supports both 120V and 240V systems, but if you're controlling multiple heaters on the circuit, check that you're not overloading the maximum of 3,800 watts at 240V. You'd need multiple devices to connect different circuits throughout your house, and then you can group them for shared control on the app (or with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri).

Each rectangular unit fits over a standard gang box and connects with three wires to your existing wiring. Once it's mounted and paired with the app, a smiley face pops up on the gadget's sleek white face. The display includes touch-sensitive arrow buttons and LEDs that automatically brighten or dim based on the light around it.

Through the Mysa app, you get a strong suite of functions, including detailed scheduling, geofencing for home/away activation, and other intelligent eco-friendly adjustments. Given the amount of energy that line-voltage systems can consume, the 26 percent electricity savings that Mysa lists can be very welcome.

_{Dimensions: 5.1 x 3.5 x 0.8 inches | Power Source: Hardwired | Display: LED with touch buttons | Sensor Capabilities: Room, humidity, proximity, light | Smart Home Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit}

Final Verdict

If you want to spring for a high-end thermostat with the latest internet-connected technology, we think the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium (our best overall) packs app and voice control, AI-powered energy-saving features, an air quality monitor, a built-in smart speaker, and an included remote room sensor into one package. For homes without advanced Wi-Fi-enabled functions, the Honeywell Home T5 Touchscreen 7-Day Programmable Thermostat (our best programmable) offers wide HVAC compatibility and flexible, accurate temperature scheduling while sporting a modern, user-friendly design.

What to Look for in a Thermostat

Look for HVAC Compatibility

An important step in shopping for a new thermostat is checking the product's documentation to make sure it's actually able to connect with and operate your home's HVAC system. Many companies provide a compatibility checker on their website that will ask you the relevant questions about your system. A key component is whether the thermostat is compatible in terms of voltage—low voltage electrical systems are typical, but other heating systems may use line voltage or millivolt power.

Part of the compatibility check may have you examine the existing wiring for the presence of a common wire (C-wire), which is often required to power Wi-Fi and other advanced features. If you have an older home without a C-wire in place, you can likely still install the thermostat with the aid of a separate power adapter.

Finally, you may have multi-stage operation on your furnace and air conditioner or auxiliary heat with your heat pump, and you'll need a thermostat that can take advantage of these functions. More basic models like our best value pick, the Honeywell Home RTH221B 1-Week Programmable Thermostat, are designed only for single-stage heating/cooling, so check if such a unit is appropriate for your system.

Get the Most Out of Programmability

For optimal energy savings and convenience, at a minimum you'll want a digital thermometer that allows you to pre-program a schedule for different temperatures throughout your day.

Programmable thermostats typically support up to four periods: when you wake, go away from the house, come home, and go to sleep. Full-week models will apply the same schedule every day, while those with 5-2 and 5-1-1 options let you program different settings for the weekends. 7-day thermostats give you even more flexibility if you want a different schedule for each day of the week.

Multiple schedules are one of the best features of a thermostat, says Jim Hughes, director of field training at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing."If you want to save energy, you can adjust the thermostat for different temperatures when you are not at home, or you can choose to set temperatures that provide greater comfort when you're home," he says.

The most customizable scheduling options, though, are found on smart thermostats, where you can fine-tune your temperature settings through a mobile app. Many can activate certain settings if you're home or away, based on motion sensors or your phone's location (known as geofencing). The Google Nest Learning Thermostat goes even further and earns our best smart designation for its unique ability to analyze your habits and automatically set optimal schedules for you throughout the year.

"Learning thermostats are great because they adapt to the home’s conditions," says Hughes. "They may decide to turn on later to save energy while still maintaining comfort, or they may come on earlier during hot or cold snaps to maintain comfort," he says. They should also be able to monitor things like humidity and when it is time to change your filter, or alert you to when the system needs service

Decide on DIY or Professional Installation

Setting up a new thermostat involves electrical wiring, so we recommend calling on a professional electrician if you're not comfortable with the process. That said, residential thermostats are generally designed for DIY installation. If you're replacing an existing unit, you'll remove the old hardware and will often be asked to note or take a photo of the current wiring configuration, so you can attach the wires to the correct corresponding terminals on your new thermostat.

The installation process for our best programmable option, the Honeywell Home T5 Touchscreen 7-Day Programmable Thermostat, illustrates different potential aspects that could come up. It works with most types of low-voltage systems, but not line-voltage ones. If you have a C-wire present, you can attach it to deliver continuous power to the device. Otherwise, you'll need to insert batteries and remember to replace them periodically.

Look for Ease of Use

Some users may prefer the more familiar interface of run-of-the-mill digital thermostats, with some combination of arrows to adjust the temperature, buttons to program various settings, and switches to toggle modes. Look for large digital readouts and backlit displays for better readability from different parts of a room.

Higher-tech modern thermostats may seem more complex, but if executed well, the technology can make operating and programming a thermostat smoother and more intuitive—as is the case with the Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat, which we found to have the best touchscreen.

And while it's true that smart thermostats have a greater quantity of available functions and settings that may feel overwhelming to some, in practice, the advancements can make the climate control process more hands-off and intelligently automated than people may expect.

"The great thing about smart thermostats is the homeowner can decide how basic or involved they want to control their HVAC system," Hughes says. "They can simply maintain a constant temperature, or set it to maintain optimum efficiency or comfort and do it from anywhere with an internet connection."

Why Trust The Spruce?

Anton Galang is a freelance writer with a magazine journalism background who first started working in the technology space in 2007 with PC Magazine. As a contributor for The Spruce, he covers a broad range of appliances and smart home products, including programmable and Wi-Fi-connected thermostats of all kinds. His own experience with advanced thermostats includes years of using a Google Nest Learning Thermostat as well as the brand's non-learning model in his home.

With his previous research and experiences as a foundation, Galang further delved into the best thermostats across all levels of capabilities and price points. He examined their installation requirements, compatibility with different HVAC setups, and any features related to programming and energy efficiency, including smart home capabilities and integrations for internet-enabled devices.

Our Experts:

Jim Hughes, director of field training at Service Experts, a heating, air conditioning, and plumbing company
Michelle Lau, editor at The Spruce

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