

They can be controlled from a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet using a mobile app, and some models also let you control things from a web browser.īasic controls allow you to raise and lower the temperature, create a seven-day heating and cooling schedule, override the schedule if you or a family member will be returning home early, and turn the system on and off. The most basic models are relatively inexpensive, but are still equipped with Wi-Fi radios that allow you to connect the device to your home network and the internet. Smart thermostats offer a variety of features that will not only help keep your home comfortable, but can reduce heating and cooling costs. Read on to find out what to look for when shopping for your smart thermostat, and our favorite models we've tested.īuying Guide: The Best Smart Thermostats for 2022

As is the case with most smart home devices, prices vary depending on features and capabilities. However, not all smart thermostats are created equal some are designed for simple heating and cooling systems and offer basic scheduling and programming options, while others are designed for complex multi-stage systems and will control heating, cooling, dehumidifier, and ventilation systems. If you're looking to smarten up your home, your thermostat is a good place to start and can help you save a considerable chunk of money by reducing your heating and cooling costs. Both Ecobee and Nest are still at it, but now face stiff competition from HVAC industry mainstays such as Carrier, Honeywell, Trane, and others. While the Nest wasn't the first connected thermostat to hit the market (Canadian-based Ecobee beat it by two years), it was nonetheless a game changer that helped spawn a new market. Read our editorial mission (Opens in a new window) & see how we test (Opens in a new window).īack in 2011, the original Nest Learning Thermostat took the world by storm, offering Wi-Fi connectivity in a stylish puck-shaped device that could learn your daily routine and create heating and cooling schedules accordingly. Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions.

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