How to add a smart thermostat on a budget
- apr
- 12
A smart thermostat can end up saving you lots of cash in the long run by allowing you to change the thermostat from wherever you have an internet connection. Today, you no longer have to spend a lot of money to buy a smart thermostat as you can see by our list below.
By no means cheap
ecobee3 lite
Our pick
ecobee makes the most schedules smart thermostats money can buy, and the ecobee3 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.
Choose your comfort
Nest 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.
Powerful display
Bosch Wi-Fi thermostat
Compatible with Alexa, the Bosch Wi-Fi Thermostat features a full-color, 5-inch display touchscreen that allows for easy scheduling. Modern and sleek, the thermostat is also programmable through Wi-Fi from your smartphone or tablet.
Classic look
Honeywell Wi-Fi 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 under $70, so you can't expect much more.
Unique look
Lux Geo
If you want a smart thermostat that makes a statement, the Lux Geo is what you want. You can install it vertically or horizontally, and it features a large dial, as well as a basic display. It comes in black or white and works with Alexa, as well as its iOS and Android apps. You can also set everything up and program directly on the unit. It is powered by a battery, Micro-USB, or a C wire.
Better Honeywell
Honeywell T5+
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.
Cheaper, but still smart
Forgot to turn down the heat before leaving for the day? Use your thermostat's app and turn it down from wherever you have an internet connection. Many smart thermostats even go so far as to learn your programming habits, potentially saving you big bucks, regardless of the season.
That being said, smart thermostats can be expensive (upwards of $300). So if you're on a budget, there are some options to help make your thermostat a part of your connected home.
We love all of the smart thermostats presented here, starting with our favorite, the ecobee3 lite. We're also in love with the others, including the cheapest one from Honeywell and the least expensive Nest thermostat to date.