Want a smart thermostat but don’t want to pay a fortune? Here are a few of our favorites.
The cost of a smart thermostat is usually rather high (ahem, Nest Learning Thermostat and Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control). Fortunately, owing to products like the $60 Amazon Smart Thermostat and the $71 Wyze Thermostat, costs are starting to fall, so we’ve produced a list of the cheapest ones we suggest. I tried to stick to models around $100, but there aren’t nearly enough of them (yet), though I’m always on the lookout for more.
The four best smart thermostats we suggest for $130 or less are listed below, including the Amazon and Wyze devices I mentioned before, as well as more economical Nest and Ecobee models.
So here is the list of 2022’s Best Affordable Smart Thermostats
Amazon Smart Thermostat
Best overall
See At Amazon
Amazon looked at the expensive flagship smart thermostats from Nest and Ecobee and decided to go in a completely different direction. Rather than starting with a $249 model like the competitors, it launched its first thermostat for under $60.
Amazon’s Smart Thermostat is a good option. It includes a quick setting via the Alexa app, as well as a clean, modern look. Because this thermostat uses the Alexa app, it works with Alexa-enabled smart speakers and screens without a hitch.
The thermostat doesn’t operate with Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit, and if your thermostat wiring doesn’t already include a C-wire, you’ll need to buy and install Amazon’s C-wire adaptor. Check to see whether your existing configuration is compatible. It also lacks a remote temperature sensor, which is found in some of the more expensive smart thermostats. Despite this, it’s still a decent option for a basic smart thermostat at a low price. Read the entire product review here.
The verdict by Top Smart Home Experts:
It’s hard not to be impressed with the Amazon Smart Thermostat, and not just because it’s cheap. I have tested almost every smart thermostat released since the Nest Learning Thermostat launched a decade ago, and this is easily one of the best.
The Amazon Smart Thermostat sets a new benchmark for connected thermostats. Its simple controls, solid design and streamlined Alexa integrations make it stand out, but it’s the $60 price tag that truly sets it apart.
If you’re looking for the best smart thermostat that can learn your habits and automate your HVAC controls, there are really only two options: the Amazon Smart Thermostat, for $60, and the Nest for $250. As long as you don’t mind Alexa, the decision is practically a no-brainer.
More: The Amazon Smart Thermostat Is the First Device from the Company to Receive UL ECOLOGO Certification
Wyze Thermostat
Best if you have other Wyze products
See At Wyze
The Wyze Thermostat is another sub-$100 smart thermostat that we enjoyed using, however, it comes with a few more limitations than the outstanding Amazon Smart Thermostat. This model costs a bit more than Amazon’s at $71, but Wyze includes a C-wire converter with your order, unlike Amazon. The Wyze Thermostat is very simple to set up using the Wyze app, and it’s compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant (albeit not Apple HomeKit).
Unfortunately, the hardware isn’t as well-designed as Amazon’s, and adjusting the temperature at the thermostat proved challenging. However, if you currently own a number of Wyze devices and expect to make most of your modifications using the Wyze app, this shouldn’t be a problem.
The verdict by Top Smart Home Experts:
If you’re looking to affordably control your home’s heating and cooling system with your phone or voice, the $70.99 Wyze Thermostat should be at the top of your list.
The Wyze Thermostat is a decent product, but it doesn’t offer the typical value of some of the company’s other devices. If you have a C-wire (and you’re comfortable with basic electrical work), this thermostat is easy to install and the instructions in the app are thorough.
By far the best budget-priced thermostat we’ve tested to date.
More: Wyze unveils a $20 Smartwatch that monitors health controls smart home devices
Ecobee3 Lite
See At Amazon
The Ecobee3 Lite, like the $130 Nest Thermostat, is Ecobee’s most affordable smart thermostat. New Ecobee3 Lites are priced $146, but Ecobee also offers them certified reconditioned for $130. Consider a certified reconditioned Ecobee3..
They can be ordered straight from the Ecobee website, and each certified refurbished thermostat is “inspected and extensively tested to verify it’s in like-new condition,” according to the firm.
The Ecobee3 Lite works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, and the Ecobee app is well-designed. When it comes to voice assistants and smart home connections, this means you have a lot of options.
The verdict by Top Smart Home Experts:
The $149 Ecobee3 Lite is a great midrange smart thermostat for those who don’t want—or don’t want to pay—for all of the features of the Ecobee3 or 4. makes the most sense for someone who has, say, a studio or one-bedroom apartment,
While it isn’t meant for those in large houses, and those who need the more premium features like geofencing, the Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat serves its target customers more than well enough. It comes with a good home integration compatibility with the exception of Google Assistant and paired with the easy setup process, great app, and a pretty nice design, the Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat may just be the perfect thermostat for many of you out there.
The Ecobee3 Lite is an excellent thermostat, but it loses a little shine because its remote sensors cost extra.
More: Nest E Vs Ecobee3 Lite
Nest Thermostat
Best design
See At Amazon
Google’s most cheap smart thermostat is the $130 Nest Thermostat. It has the same rounded shape as previous Nest thermostats and can be controlled using the Google Home app (this model is not compatible with the legacy Nest app). It has a sleek touch control on the right side of the thermostat and comes in four color options: snow (white), sand (rose gold), fog (a light green/blue/gray), and charcoal (black) (dark gray).
For left-handed persons, I wish this thermostat had a touch control on the left side. The Nest Thermostat, like other Nest devices, does not currently offer Siri voice control via Apple HomeKit (although Google says it will when Matter launches).
If you’ve bought into Google’s range of Nest smart home products and would like to stick with Nest (over Wyze, Amazon or other thermostat models), this is a solid option that’s much less expensive than other Nest thermostats.
The verdict by Top Smart Home Experts:
The Nest Thermostat is a fine-connected thermostat that lets you program and controls it with your phone easily. It also can save you money on your heating and cooling bills, thanks to its Eco modes.
Many have followed Google’s lead in making similar smart thermostats, but it’s hard to deny that the simplicity of the Nest’s design means it continues to be an appealing product.
Yes, smart heating might be niche, and it might take more than a couple of years for the thermostat to pay for itself, but there is a benefit there if only a minor one.
Ultimately the proof was in the pudding for us, and with a substantial reduction in energy consumption, it’s hard to argue that Nest doesn’t have something going for it.
The relatively affordable entry-level Nest Thermostat lets you control your heating and cooling system by phone or voice, set temperature schedules, and offers energy-saving features that can help lower your bill.
More: Nest Vs Ring Vs Simplisafe
About The Author
Hassan Zaka
I am an expert in accounting and possess diverse experience in technical writing. I have written for various industries on topics such as finance, business, and technology. My writing style is clear and simple, and I utilize infographics and diagrams to make my writing more engaging. I can be a valuable asset to any organization in need of technical writing services.
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