These smart thermostats are easy on the wallet and intuitive to use
- nov
- 17
When it comes to saving you money in the long run, having a smart thermostat is the best option, even though it may seem expensive in the beginning. But having a smart thermostat has its perks, such as being able to change the temperature of your home from pretty much anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection. But if you're on a budget, don't worry, we got you covered! Here are the best budget-smart thermostats that you can buy right now.
By no means cheap
ecobee 3 Lite Smart Thermostat
Staff Favorite
ecobee makes the most schedules smart thermostats money can buy, and the ecobee 3 Lite is an inexpensive foray into a great line. It doesn't have onboard voice control, but it can connect to all three primary smart assistants, has a great display, and works with room sensors for improved accuracy. It also comes with a power extension kit if you have an older system without a C wire.
$142 at Amazon$170 at Best Buy$159 at Walmart
Choose your comfort
Nest Learning Thermostat E
The Nest Thermostat E the same features as Nest's flagship device, but for much less. For this, you get a frosted display that blends into the background in your room, one color choice (versus many), and a polycarbonate, ceramic-feel finish instead of metal.
$134 at Amazon$130 at Best Buy$143 at Walmart
Large screen, little price
Emerson Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Touchscreen Color Display
Compatible with Alexa, HomeKit, and the Google Assistant, the Sensi Touch Thermostat features a massive, full-color, touchscreen display that allows for easy scheduling and adjustments. Modern and sleek, the thermostat is also programmable through Wi-Fi from your smartphone, tablet, or with a shout.
Classic looks
Honeywell Home Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Thermostat
Honeywell's Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat doesn't have the modern look and feel of most smart thermostats, but it does have the smarts. It's compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as IFTTT, and it's fully programmable in its app. The app doesn't have the most elegant interface, but this thermostat is one of the cheapest around, so you can't expect much more.
$79 at Amazon$80 at Best Buy$84 at Walmart
HomeKit on a budget
Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat for Smart Home
Another thermostat with classic looks, the Emerson Sensi Smart Thermostat is both familiar and smart, offering tactile on-device controls and connected convenience. This thermostat works with all of the voice assistants, including Siri and HomeKit, making it the cheapest option for around for Apple's smart home.
Better Honeywell
Honeywell Home RCHT8612WF T5 Plus Wi-Fi Touchscreen Smart Thermostat
This Honeywell thermostat has a sleeker look than the one above, but it's nearly double the price. It has a white-on-black display, and it comes with a power adapter in case your existing system doesn't have a C wire. You can set up geofences in the app to turn on cooling or heating, so things are comfortable when you get home, and you can set up schedules for every day of the week.
Save money with the best budget smart thermostats
Again, while the price tag on a smart thermostat may scare you off, it actually saves you more money in the long run, and who doesn't like that? Plus, you'll be able to adjust the temperature at home even though you're not there yet, as long as you have an internet connection. And if anyone messes with the thermostat while you're not home, well, you can change it right back to your own preferences! No one touches the thermostat except you, right?
We love the ecobee 3 Lite Smart Thermostat, as it has almost all of the features of its more expensive sibling, including support for wireless room sensors. This thermostat also works with Apple's HomeKit for automations, scenes, and voice controls through Siri, making it the best budget smart thermostat out there. If you need more convincing, check out our review of the ecobee3.
Despite its low price, the Emerson Sensi Touch still offers plenty of bang for your buck, especially with its massive touchscreen display. This slick-looking thermostat also has tons of thoughtful features such as lighted wiring terminals, and a built-in level for easy installation.