10 Best Home Thermostats 2026 in the United States

The Honeywell Home RTH9600WF is a smart thermostat designed for homeowners seeking to save energy and enjoy modern convenience. It supports a variety of heating and cooling systems including forced air, hot water, steam, and heat pumps with electric backup, but it is not compatible with electric baseboard heating, which is important to confirm before buying. The thermostat requires a C-wire for power, so if your current setup lacks this, you may need an adapter or professional help.

This thermostat offers programmable flexible scheduling to help reduce energy use, and features smart capabilities like Wi-Fi connectivity and compatibility with popular voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana. This allows you to control your home's temperature remotely via an app, making it convenient to adjust settings on the go. The colorful touchscreen display is customizable and easy to read, showing indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, and the daily weather forecast right on the home screen, enhancing usability and visual appeal.

Energy efficiency is a strong aspect of this device, as it is ENERGY STAR certified. It tracks heating and cooling patterns and provides personalized tips for saving energy. Additionally, it supports utility demand response programs, which may offer financial rewards for adjusting your temperature during peak energy times. While the need for a C-wire and incompatibility with certain heating systems can limit its use in some homes, and installation might be challenging for those unfamiliar with wiring, this Honeywell thermostat is an excellent option for users with compatible HVAC systems who want a smart, energy-efficient, and visually customizable thermostat controlled through multiple smart home platforms.

The ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is a feature-rich option designed for homeowners looking to save on heating and cooling costs while enhancing comfort. It is ENERGY STAR certified and claims to save up to 26% annually on energy bills, which is a strong point if reducing energy use and costs is a priority. The thermostat comes with SmartSensors that help manage temperature in specific rooms, reducing hot or cold spots, which is great if you want a more tailored heating and cooling experience throughout your home. It also includes built-in air quality monitoring, giving you helpful alerts and tips, which adds a health-conscious layer not found in many thermostats.

Another unique feature is the included door and window contact sensors that enhance home security, although to fully use these sensors, you need a separate ecobee Smart Security subscription, adding some ongoing cost. The thermostat supports voice control through Alexa and Siri, making it convenient to operate without needing to use the app or touch the device directly. Installation requires hardwiring and wall mounting, which might be a bit challenging for those unfamiliar with wiring, so professional installation might be needed. The user interface is through a backlit LCD, which should be clear and easy to read. Connectivity relies on Wi-Fi, allowing remote control from your smartphone or voice commands.

The product’s price point and the additional subscription requirement for security features might not suit all budgets. This thermostat is best suited for homeowners who want advanced smart features, energy efficiency, and integrated air quality monitoring, especially if they are comfortable with smart home technology and are willing to invest in a premium device.

The Amazon Smart Thermostat is a solid choice if you're looking to upgrade from a traditional thermostat without complexity. It works with most 24V heating and cooling systems but requires a C-wire or a separate power adapter for installation, which might need extra effort if your home lacks one. The installation process is guided step-by-step within the Alexa app, making it approachable even for those who aren't handy, though tools like a drill might be needed.

Smart features stand out here: the thermostat integrates well with Alexa and compatible Echo devices, allowing voice control and automatic temperature adjustments based on your routines or when you’re away. It also supports using Echo devices as temperature sensors to balance different rooms, tackling hot or cold spots effectively. Energy efficiency is another strong point, as it is ENERGY STAR certified and can help save around $50 a year, with additional rebate options from some energy providers.

On the interface side, the thermostat has simple touch buttons for basic control, but full settings and scheduling are managed through the Alexa app, meaning you’ll need a smartphone to access its programmability fully. One limitation is its Wi-Fi connectivity, which only supports 2.4 GHz networks, not the faster 5 GHz bands common in modern homes. Plus, it lacks a built-in microphone, so voice commands depend on a separate Alexa device. For people comfortable with using Alexa and wanting an easy, energy-smart thermostat upgrade, this product fits well. However, if your home lacks a C-wire or if you prefer a thermostat with a more traditional standalone interface, you might need to consider these factors before buying.