What's the best smart thermostat to get?

For most people, the best smart thermostat overall is the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium — but the right choice depends on your HVAC system and smart-home setup.

Here are the top picks:

ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

$259.99

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)

$279.99

Google Nest Thermostat

$129.98

ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced

$199.99

🥇 Best overall: ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

Best for: Most homes, families, uneven temperatures between rooms
Why it stands out:

• Includes a room sensor to help fix hot/cold spots
• Works with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, and other smart-home platforms
• Strong HVAC compatibility
• Good energy reporting and comfort controls

Pick this if: Your bedroom is always too hot, your living room is too cold, or you want the most control.

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🥈 Best for Google households: Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)

Best for: People already using Google Home
Why it’s great:

• Beautiful hardware design
• Learns your habits and adjusts automatically
• Very simple day-to-day operation

Downside: It is less focused on multi-room temperature balancing than ecobee.

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💰 Best budget choice: Google Nest Thermostat

Best for: Basic smart control without spending much

• Remote control from your phone
• Scheduling and energy-saving features
• Good fit if you just want “replace my old thermostat with a smart one”

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💡 Best value upgrade: ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced

Best for: People who want ecobee features but don’t need premium extras

• Occupancy-based adjustments
• Smart scheduling
• Lower cost than the Premium model

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Before buying, check these 3 things:

1. Do you have a C-wire?
   Many smart thermostats need one for reliable power (some include adapters).
2. What HVAC system do you have?
   Heat pump, dual fuel, humidifier, multi-stage systems, etc. can affect compatibility.
3. Which ecosystem do you use?
   • Apple Home → ecobee is usually the safer choice
   • Google Home → Nest is very convenient
   • Alexa → both work well

If you tell me your HVAC type (heat pump vs furnace + AC), current thermostat model, whether you have a C-wire, and whether you use Alexa/Google/Apple, I can narrow it down to the best exact model for your house.

The "best" smart thermostat depends heavily on your smart home ecosystem, whether you want a device that learns your routine automatically , and whether you have a C-wire (common wire) installed.

The top-rated smart thermostats on the market stand out for specific use cases:

• Best Overall: [Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-smart-thermostats)
  • Why it's great: Widely considered the top pick by experts (including top nods from Wirecutter and PCMag ), it comes with a separate room SmartSensor to balance hot and cold spots in your house. It also features a built-in air quality monitor, smoke alarm detection, and functions as an Alexa or Siri smart speaker.
  • Ecosystems: Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant.
• Best for Hands-Off Automation: Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  • Why it's great: If you want a "set-and-forget" device, Nest's flagship features a gorgeous, large domed glass display, advanced AI-driven self-learning, and comes packaged with a redesigned temperature sensor. It optimizes schedules based on your habits and outdoor weather without you needing to program a thing.
  • Ecosystems: Google Home and Alexa (strongest on Google/Nest app ecosystem).
• Best Value / Budget Option: [Ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/article/the-best-smart-thermostat/)
  • Why it's great: Gives you Ecobee's clean interface, solid reliability, and energy-saving eco+ features at a much lower price point. It strips away the built-in speaker and air quality monitor of the Premium model but keeps the core smart functionality intact.
  • Ecosystems: Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant.
• Best for Alexa-Centric Homes: Amazon Smart Thermostat Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  • Why it's great: Usually priced under $90, this is the ultimate budget-saving pick if you live inside the Alexa ecosystem. It's basic, reliable, ENERGY STAR certified, and handles scheduling and routine adjustments effortlessly via voice or app.
• Best for Electric Baseboards: Mysa Smart Thermostat V2 Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  • Why it's great: Standard smart thermostats run on low-voltage (24V) and won't work with high-voltage electric baseboard or in-wall heaters. Mysa is specifically built for those high-voltage (120V or 240V) systems.

To help narrow down the exact right model for your home, tell me:

• Do you know if your current setup has a C-wire (common wire)?
• Which smart home ecosystem do you use most (Apple Home, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa)?

For most people, I'd recommend Ecobee over Nest. It tends to have broader HVAC compatibility, excellent room sensor support, and fewer complaints about software changes over time. Independent reviews consistently rank Ecobee and the latest Nest models at the top.

My top picks:

Best overall

ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

$259.99

This is the one I'd buy if you want the best balance of features and reliability.

Pros:

• Excellent room sensor support (helps eliminate hot/cold rooms)
• Works with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, SmartThings, and Matter
• Built-in air quality monitoring
• Very good scheduling and automation
• Broad HVAC compatibility

Best value

ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced

$199.99

You lose a few premium features, but keep the excellent app and smart controls. For many homes, it's the better value.

Best if you love the Google ecosystem

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)

$279.99

Choose this if you:

• Use Google Home throughout your house
• Want a thermostat that automatically learns your schedule
• Prefer its premium design

Best budget option

Google Nest Thermostat

$129.99

Usually around $130, it offers remote control, scheduling, and energy-saving features without the higher price of learning models.

A few things to check before buying:

• HVAC compatibility: Most central heating/AC systems work, but heat pumps, multi-stage systems, or older equipment should be checked against the manufacturer's compatibility tool.
• C-wire: Many smart thermostats work best with a C-wire (common wire). Some include adapters if you don't have one.
• Utility rebates: Many electric and gas utilities offer rebates that can knock $50–$150 off the price.

Smart thermostats can reduce heating and cooling energy use, though real-world savings depend on your home, climate, and habits. Many households see meaningful savings over time.

If you tell me:

• what kind of HVAC system you have (gas furnace, heat pump, etc.),
• whether you have a C-wire,
• and whether you use iPhone/HomeKit, Google Home, or Alexa,

I can narrow it down to the best thermostat for your specific setup.

The "best" smart thermostat depends heavily on your smart home ecosystem, whether you want a device that learns your routine automatically, and if you have hot and cold spots in your house. Reviewers and experts widely point to a few standout options:

• Best Overall: [Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-smart-thermostats)
  Widely considered the top pick by Wirecutter and PCMag , the Premium model Go to product viewer dialog for this item. does it all . It comes with a high-end metal-trimmed design, an air quality monitor, an integrated speaker (supporting Alexa or Siri), and crucially, a packed-in SmartSensor that you can put in a bedroom or office to eliminate hot/cold room imbalances. It works natively with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings.
• Best Auto-Learning: Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  If you want a gorgeous, premium glass-faced dial that programs itself by watching your habits for a week, the 4th-generation Nest is the gold standard . It features a polished dynamic display, advanced "Smart Schedule" algorithms, and comes with a redesigned temperature sensor. It’s the top choice if your home revolves around the Google Home app and Android.
• Best for Multi-Room Balancing: Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  If you have a multi-room house or a troublesome layout where certain rooms get way too hot or cold, the Honeywell T9 is a fantastic alternative . It handles remote smart room sensors seamlessly and has a very clean, straightforward interface without the higher price tag of the Ecobee Premium.
• Best Budget Pick: Amazon Smart Thermostat Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  Priced usually around $80 and built using Resideo/Honeywell technology, this is an unbeatable value if you just want fundamental phone control, scheduling, and energy savings. The catch? It requires an Amazon Alexa ecosystem to get the most out of it and doesn't support remote room sensors.

If you want to narrow down the best choice for your home , let me know:

• What smart home ecosystem do you use (Apple Home, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa)?
• Do you have a C-wire (common wire) in your current thermostat wall setup, or are you unsure?

The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is the best overall smart thermostat for most homes. It features industry-leading remote sensor technology to balance temperatures in multi-room homes and includes built-in Alexa and a high-end air quality monitor.

However, the "best" choice ultimately depends on your smart home ecosystem and whether you prefer active scheduling or automated learning. Top models cater to different needs:

Important Installation Considerations

• The "C-Wire": Most smart thermostats require a "Common" (or C-wire) in your wall for continuous power. If your older thermostat setup lacks one, check if the model comes with a Power Extender Kit (like Ecobee provides) to work around this.
• Energy Savings: Depending on your utility provider, upgrading to an ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat can often qualify you for local energy rebates.

If you tell me what smart home ecosystem you use (Alexa, Google, or Apple) and whether your current thermostat has a C-Wire , I can recommend the exact model for your setup.

For most homes, ecobee is the easiest recommendation. It consistently scores near the top in expert testing, has excellent room sensors, broad smart home compatibility, and fewer ecosystem limitations than some competitors.

My picks would be:

ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

$259.99

Best overall

• Excellent comfort with included room sensor.
• Works with Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa, Matter, and SmartThings.
• Great if some rooms are hotter or colder than others.
• Built-in air quality monitoring is a nice bonus.
• Costs more, but it's one of the best long-term buys.

Other strong choices:

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)

$279.99

• Best if you're already invested in the Google ecosystem.
• Learns your schedule automatically and has a polished interface.
• Excellent design and energy-saving features.
• Slightly less flexible than ecobee for room-by-room comfort.

Amazon Smart Thermostat

$79.99

• Best budget option (around $80).
• Great value if you primarily use Alexa.
• Simpler feature set, but it covers the basics well.

Before buying, make sure to check:

• HVAC compatibility (furnace, heat pump, boiler, multi-stage, etc.).
• Whether your system has a C-wire (common wire). Some thermostats include adapters if you don't have one.
• Whether your electric or gas utility offers rebates, which can sometimes reduce the price by $50–$150 or even more.

If you tell me:

• what type of heating/cooling you have (gas furnace, heat pump, electric, etc.),
• whether you have a C-wire,
• and whether you use Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa, or Home Assistant,

I can narrow it down to the best model for your setup.

For most people, I'd recommend the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium. It strikes the best balance of comfort, smart features, compatibility, and long-term reliability, and it's consistently one of the highest-rated models in expert testing.

ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

$259.99

Here's how I'd break down the best options:

• Best overall: ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

  • Excellent room sensor (included) helps eliminate hot and cold spots.
  • Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, SmartThings, and Matter.
  • Includes indoor air quality monitoring and occupancy detection.
  • Great if you want comfort throughout the house, not just where the thermostat is.

• Best if you want "set it and forget it": Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)

  • Learns your schedule automatically.
  • Beautiful hardware and excellent Google Home integration.
  • Includes a temperature sensor with many bundles.
  • Best choice if you're already invested in Google's ecosystem.

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)

$279.99

• Best budget: Amazon Smart Thermostat
  • Around $80–$100.
  • Great if you primarily use Alexa.
  • Fewer premium features but very good value.

Amazon Smart Thermostat

$57.99

Which one should you buy?

• Apple HomeKit user: ecobee Premium
• Google Home user: Nest Learning Thermostat
• Alexa household: ecobee Premium or Amazon Smart Thermostat
• Need room-by-room comfort: ecobee Premium (the included SmartSensor is a big advantage)
• Want the lowest price: Amazon Smart Thermostat

One thing to check before buying is compatibility. Most smart thermostats work with standard 24V HVAC systems, but heat pumps, multi-stage systems, or homes without a C-wire may require an adapter or a different model. Most manufacturers provide an online compatibility checker.

If you tell me:

• what type of HVAC system you have (furnace, heat pump, etc.),
• whether you have an iPhone or Android,
• and whether you use Alexa, Google Home, or Apple Home,

I can narrow it down to the best option for your specific setup.

The absolute best smart thermostat depends on your smart home ecosystem, but the overall top-performing options are the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Go to product viewer dialog for this item. for maximum features and the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)Go to product viewer dialog for this item. for seamless automation.

Top Smart Thermostats Comparison

Detailed Recommendations

• Hot-spot elimination : It comes packaged with a wireless remote SmartSensor to balance temperatures between unevenly heated rooms.

• Health and safety tech : Features a built-in indoor air quality monitor to track VOCs and relative humidity.

• Multi-functional hub : It has an embedded microphone and speaker that supports Amazon Alexa or Apple Siri voice commands directly from the wall unit.

• Self-programming schedule : Uses radar sensors and adaptive machine learning to automatically program its temperature schedule based on your movements.

• Future-proof connectivity : Includes universal Matter support, allowing you to control it natively inside Apple Home, Samsung SmartThings, or Home Assistant alongside Google Home.

• HVAC health : Designed with an expansive 12-terminal backplate that fits complex multi-stage setups, humidifiers, and ventilation systems.

• No wall damage : The horizontal rectangular body covers the exact footprint of older, traditional thermostats to completely skip patching and painting.

• Flexible power : Operates cleanly using standard AA batteries. A C-wire power line is only required if pairing it with Apple HomeKit.

To help narrow this down, what smart home ecosystem (like Apple Home, Google, or Alexa) do you use most? If you know whether your existing wall setup has a C-wire , that could also help determine the easiest model to install.

For most people, I'd recommend an ecobee over a Nest. It tends to have better room-by-room comfort, broader smart home compatibility, and more flexible scheduling. Nest is still excellent if you prefer Google's ecosystem and want a thermostat that "just learns" your habits.

Here are my top picks:

• ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium - $259.99 (Abt Electronics, Inc.)

Best overall

• Excellent at balancing temperatures across your home with SmartSensors.
• Works with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, Matter, and SmartThings.
• Includes air quality monitoring and occupancy detection.
• Great if comfort is your top priority.

Other strong options:

• Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) - $279.99 (Target)

• Best if you're invested in the Google Home ecosystem.

• Learns your schedule automatically.

• Attractive design and easy app experience.

• Ideal if you prefer less manual programming.

• Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat - $189.00 (Target)

• Best for straightforward installation and privacy.

• Excellent app and reliable performance.

• Doesn't collect as much user data as some competitors.

• A favorite among HVAC professionals.

• ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential - $139.99 (Target)

• Best value.

• Delivers the core smart features at a lower price.

• Good choice if you don't need premium extras like built-in air quality monitoring.

A few things to check before buying:

• HVAC compatibility: Most work with standard 24V systems, but heat pumps, multi-stage systems, or older wiring may require a specific model.
• C-wire: Some thermostats require a common wire (or include an adapter).
• Smart home ecosystem: If you use HomeKit, ecobee is typically the strongest choice. If you're all-in on Google Home, Nest is a natural fit.

If you tell me:

• what kind of HVAC system you have (heat pump or furnace + AC),
• whether you have a C-wire,
• and whether you use Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, or SmartThings,

I can narrow it down to the best thermostat for your setup.

The absolute best smart thermostat depends on your smart home ecosystem, but the overall top-performing options are the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Go to product viewer dialog for this item. for maximum features and the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)Go to product viewer dialog for this item. for seamless automation.

Top Smart Thermostats Comparison

Detailed Recommendations

• Hot-spot elimination : It comes packaged with a wireless remote SmartSensor to balance temperatures between unevenly heated rooms.

• Health and safety tech : Features a built-in indoor air quality monitor to track VOCs and relative humidity.

• Multi-functional hub : It has an embedded microphone and speaker that supports Amazon Alexa or Apple Siri voice commands directly from the wall unit.

• Self-programming schedule : Uses radar sensors and adaptive machine learning to automatically program its temperature schedule based on your movements.

• Future-proof connectivity : Includes universal Matter support, allowing you to control it natively inside Apple Home, Samsung SmartThings, or Home Assistant alongside Google Home.

• HVAC health : Designed with an expansive 12-terminal backplate that fits complex multi-stage setups, humidifiers, and ventilation systems.

• No wall damage : The horizontal rectangular body covers the exact footprint of older, traditional thermostats to completely skip patching and painting.

• Flexible power : Operates cleanly using standard AA batteries. A C-wire power line is only required if pairing it with Apple HomeKit.

To help narrow this down, what smart home ecosystem (like Apple Home, Google, or Alexa) do you use most? If you know whether your existing wall setup has a C-wire , that could also help determine the easiest model to install.