10 Best Thermostats 2025 in the United States

The Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat is a strong contender in the smart thermostat category, particularly for those looking for versatility and convenience. Its compatibility with major smart home systems like Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings allows for seamless integration into your existing setup. The customizable color touchscreen is a standout feature, making it visually appealing and easy to navigate. Users can easily adjust settings and view important information like local weather and indoor humidity levels at a glance.

Programmability is another key strength; it offers flexible scheduling options that can be tailored to your daily routine or adjusted based on energy pricing. This can lead to notable energy savings, a crucial aspect for budget-conscious consumers mindful of their environmental impact. The intelligent alerts for maintenance reminders, such as air filter changes, enhance user experience by keeping you informed about your system's health.

However, there are a few points to consider. While installation is generally straightforward, some users may find it a bit challenging if they lack experience with home wiring or HVAC systems. Additionally, being a Wi-Fi thermostat, it relies on a stable internet connection to utilize its smart features fully. Any connectivity issues could hinder performance, especially when you're counting on alerts or remote access.

The price point may be higher than traditional thermostats, which could deter budget-conscious buyers who aren't interested in smart features. Nevertheless, those who appreciate advanced capabilities and energy management will likely find the investment worthwhile. The Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 is best suited for homeowners or small businesses looking to enhance their heating and cooling systems with modern technology and energy efficiency.

The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen, 2024) is a smart, energy-saving device that can bring both convenience and efficiency to your home. One of its top strengths is compatibility; it works with most 24V systems common in households, including gas, electric, and heat pump systems, and generally doesn't require complex wiring. This makes it accessible for many users. Installation is relatively straightforward, typically taking around 40 minutes, which is a plus for those who prefer DIY projects. The included Nest Temperature Sensor helps manage hot and cold spots, ensuring that every room can be comfortable, and it integrates well with the Google Home app for easy control and monitoring.

Its smart features are impressive; the device can learn your preferred temperatures and schedules, suggesting energy-saving adjustments you can approve through the app. It also works with Amazon Alexa, allowing for voice control, adding a layer of convenience. Energy savings are another big advantage, with an estimated reduction of 12% on heating and 15% on cooling bills. This makes it a particularly good choice for budget-conscious and eco-friendly users. The user interface is sleek and modern, featuring a polished obsidian finish and a large, easy-to-read display that adjusts brightness automatically or can be manually controlled.

However, there are a few drawbacks. The initial cost might be high for some, and while installation is generally easy, those with less common heating and cooling systems might find it more challenging. Additionally, the reliance on a stable Wi-Fi connection for smart features could be a limitation in areas with poor internet connectivity. In summary, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) is ideal for those looking for an advanced, user-friendly smart thermostat that offers significant energy savings and broad compatibility.

The Honeywell Home Smart Color Wi-Fi Thermostat is a solid choice for anyone looking to modernize their heating and cooling system with smart features. It works well with most forced air systems, heat pumps, and hot water or steam heating, but it won’t work with electric baseboard heat, so it’s important to check your home’s setup first. It requires a C-wire, which means a continuous power source from your HVAC system, and if you don’t have one, you’ll need to add an adapter, making installation a bit more involved for some users.

This thermostat shines with its easy-to-use, customizable color touchscreen that lets you pick your favorite display color and view indoor/outdoor temperature alongside humidity and weather forecasts right on the screen. It supports flexible programming if you want to set schedules or simply use the smart features to adjust temperatures automatically. A big plus is its compatibility with popular smart home assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana, letting you control your thermostat by voice or through an app from anywhere. The ENERGY STAR certification means it’s designed to help save energy, and it even offers perks like energy-saving rebates and utility demand response programs, which can lower your energy bills further.

One downside is that it’s not the simplest thermostat to install yourself if your wiring isn’t already compatible. Also, it doesn’t support certain heating systems such as line voltage or heating-only oil furnaces without a C-wire. This thermostat is best suited for homeowners with compatible HVAC systems who want smart, energy-efficient control with modern features and are comfortable doing or arranging a slightly technical installation.