Best Smart Thermostats of 2022

Daniel Wroclawski
·5 min read

The top-scoring models from CR's tests are from Ecobee, Google Nest, and Honeywell Home

The Google Nest Learning Thermostat.

By Daniel Wroclawski

Tired of high heating or cooling bills? Consider giving your HVAC system an upgrade with a smart thermostat. Most of these high-tech thermostats use algorithms to “learn” your family’s temperature preferences and daily routines, and adjust the temperature for you rather than relying on manual changes or convoluted programming.

In Consumer Reports’ smart thermostat tests, we evaluate features such as voice control via digital assistants and how easy they are to connect to WiFi. We also assess how easy they are to adjust manually, at the thermostat itself.

Our lab tests show that some models offer far better automation than others, and that the most expensive models aren’t necessarily the smartest. “We find that the best smart thermostats are the ones that use or take advantage of the latest technology, like touch screens and sensors and GPS,” says John Galeotafiore, who manages thermostat testing at CR. “Combining this with a well-designed user interface and the ability to sense and learn by itself is what makes a great smart thermostat.”

Below are four top smart thermostats from our ratings that are widely available, listed in alphabetical order. The list includes models from Ecobee, Google Nest, and Honeywell Home. CR members can click on each model name to see detailed ratings and reviews.

We also note whether each thermostat comes with a wiring adapter, which allows you to install the thermostat even if you have an older HVAC system that’s missing a C-wire. (Most smart thermostats require a C-wire so that they can receive a constant power source.) For more information on C-wires, plus advice on choosing the right thermostat for your home, see our comprehensive thermostat buying guide.

For the results on all the smart thermostats we test, see Consumer Reports’ smart thermostat ratings.

ecobee Smart with Voice Control EB-STATe5-01

Wiring adapter included: Yes.

CR’s take: The Ecobee Smart With Voice Control EB-STATe5-01 blends a simple interface with plenty of bells and whistles for precise programming. The thermostat learns your heating and cooling habits and adjusts its programming accordingly. It also comes with a wireless remote temperature sensor to place in an area or room that runs hotter or cooler than the area around the thermostat. The thermostat can then either average the temperatures at the sensor and the thermostat itself to heat or cool your home to a uniform temperature, or prioritize the sensor’s temperature over the thermostat’s temperature by using the sensor’s built-in occupancy detection. The thermostat itself also features a built-in occupancy sensor to tell if people are in the room. Other features include vacation scheduling, a touch screen, built-in Amazon Alexa for voice control, and compatibility with Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings for app and/or voice control. Ecobee sells additional remote temperature sensors in a two-pack for $100 at Best Buy and Ecobee.

Google Nest Learning Thermostat

Wiring adapter included: No; sold separately for $25 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Google.

CR’s take: The Google Nest Learning Thermostat earns one of the top spots in our smart thermostat ratings. It also stands apart with its physical design and software interface, featuring a slick combination of the old and new. By its appearance and manual operation, it harks back to a time when temperature was adjusted by turning the thermostat dial. Under the covers, though, it’s apparent the designers have discarded old paradigms for a fresh approach to controlling indoor temperature. The Nest earns an Excellent rating for automating heating and cooling and offers a wealth of smart features to enhance its functionality, including an occupancy sensor, geofencing, and voice and app control via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings. One caveat: Our testers found that the manual controls aren’t the easiest to use. Google also makes wireless remote Nest Temperature Sensors for the thermostat, which are sold separately for $39 each at Google and Home Depot.

Honeywell Home T5+ RCHT8612WF

Wiring adapter included: Yes.

CR’s take: Honeywell invented the precursor to the thermostat in 1886. Today, its spun-out home division called Resideo Technologies offers multiple Honeywell Home-branded smart thermostats. The Honeywell Home T5+ is one of the company’s lower-priced models. It’s not as stylish, but the T5+ offers plenty of utility, with a touch screen, vacation scheduling, geofencing (which turns the temperature up or down when you leave or return home), and voice and app control via Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings. It also has a hold function that lets you override scheduling, a welcome feature for unusual days like holidays when you might break from your typical routine. In our tests, the T5+ receives an Excellent rating for manual operation and offers great automation to help you save both energy and money.

Honeywell Home T9 RCHT9510WF

Wiring adapter included: Yes.

CR’s take: The sleek Honeywell Home T9 RCHT9510WF garners an Excellent rating in our test for manual operation and 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 and offers a number of other features, including geofencing, a built-in occupancy sensor, a touch screen, vacation scheduling, and voice and app control via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings. Additional temperature sensors cost around $40 each or $75 for a two-pack, and are available at Amazon, Best Buy, and Honeywell Home.

For the contractor version of this thermostat that can also control whole-home humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and ventilators, consider the similar Honeywell Home T10 Pro THX321WFS. We haven’t tested it, but we expect it to offer identical performance.



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