The best smart thermostat lets you control your heating and air conditioning even when you’re not at home. By connecting to the internet, a smart thermostat enables you to use your smartphone to adjust the temperature without having to leave the sofa.
These are two different types of the best smart thermostat to consider; those that control your heating and cooling system as a whole, and more expensive ones, which ensure you can control the temperature in each room individually, but these do require a smart thermostat on each radiator or cooling vent.
If you have a smart speaker or smart display in your home, you can also use your voice to turn the heating or air conditioning up or down. Some smart thermostats even have a voice assistant built-in so you may not even need a smart speaker to do this.
As you’d expect, smart thermostats will also integrate with other smart home devices, such as the best smart lights and lamps or radios connected to the best smart plugs and switches to create the perfect cozy atmosphere with just one command.
The best smart thermostats can also be a handy gadget when it comes to putting an end to wasting energy and money. No longer will the heating blast away, warming an empty home, because you’re late home from work - instead you can switch it off or adjust the schedule no matter where you are. Smart thermostats are also loaded with sensors that help determine whether heating or cooling a room is necessary for example if it detects a window is open or there is nobody in the room. Some models even have AI built-in to adjust the schedule you’ve set to ensure the house is the exact temperature when you want it without wasting energy.
When it comes to choosing the right smart thermostat for you, the array of designs on the market from brands including Google’s Nest, Ecobee, and Honeywell, may leave you feeling confused. We’ve put a range of smart thermostats to the test, using them every day in our homes to control the heating to discover just which is the best smart thermostat for 2022.
The best smart thermostat 2022
How we test smart thermostats
To find out which are the best smart thermostats on the market, we assess how easy they are to install and control. We evaluate how responsive they are when it comes to switching the heating and cooling systems on or off, from a smartphone, both when we’re away from home and close by. We also judge how effectively AI amends the heating and cooling schedule based on how quickly or slowly your house changes temperature, along with any sensors that detect activity (or lack of it) and open windows.
We also appraise each design on how durable it is, and how effectively Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri respond to commands related to the smart thermostat. We also assess any extra kit available for the smart thermostat, such as hubs and radiator valves, and consider whether it requires reading a thick instruction manual before use.
Best smart thermostat FAQs
What to consider when buying a smart thermostat
Before selecting the right smart thermostat for you, there are some aspects to consider.
As we’ve already mentioned; there are two types of smart thermostat to consider. Smart thermostats that control your system as a whole are usually more affordable and easier to install than smart thermostats that offer zonal control. However, you may find you’re still heating or cooling rooms that you’re not using, and subsequently wasting energy and money.
Smart thermostats that offer zonal control are more expensive as you’ll need to install a smart valve on each radiator or cooling outlet - this allows you to heat or cool each individual room to a different temperature.
Some smart thermostats use AI to adjust your heating and cooling schedule based on how long it takes your home to heat up or cool down, while others include sensors that will automatically switch the heating and cooling system off if they detect an open window, or think no-one is using the house at the time, saving even more energy.
Finally, not all smart thermostats are compatible with all voice assistants, so if you already use a voice assistant in your home, check whether it will integrate with your chosen smart thermostat. Also consider whether it will integrate with other smart home devices you already own such as home security cameras, video doorbells and smart lights.
Is it worth getting a smart thermostat?
Unsure about whether a smart thermostat is worth it? It’s no surprise given these are one of the most expensive smart home devices on the market, and they are fiddly to install too, which means many of us will end up employing a professional to take on the installation.
However, smart thermostats can make life easier as well as potentially put an end to wasting energy. If you’re going to be late home from work, you can switch the heating or air conditioning off remotely, so it's running full blast in an empty house. Similarly, if you’ve been away on holiday, a smart thermostat can make sure your house is at a cozy temperature as soon as you walk through the door, rather than having to wait hours for the property to warm up as the HVAC system has been switched off for a week or two.
When it comes to saving money, many smart thermostats make bold claims about just how much you can claw back by installing one. Energy-saving standards firm Energy Star estimates having a smart thermostat installed will use around 8% less energy a year, equating to $50 in the US - although this will differ in other territories.
How you use your heating and cooling system will also affect just how much of a saving you make. If you have it running all the time, then chances are you’ll generate some hefty savings, but if you already use a schedule to adjust the temperature in your home, the savings won’t be as big, but every little helps.
Either way, we certainly believe that the convenience and savings a smart thermostat offers make it more than worth it.
How do smart thermostats work?
Smart thermostats connect to your home Wi-Fi network and ensure an app on your smartphone, or a voice assistant, can be used to switch your home’s heating and cooling system, even if you’re not at home. As well as adjusting the temperature in your home, most smart thermostats also enable you to set schedules, provide a report charting your energy use and even stop your heating coming on at all, for example because you’re heading out of town.
Like most home smart home gadgets, smart thermostats can also be used in home automations that see other smart home gadgets, such as smart lights and smart plugs, controlled at the same time. So you can turn the heating up, dim the light and watch your favorite TV show with one command.