Which is the best smart thermostat for you?

Smart thermostats, also called WiFi thermostats, are connected to the Internet, giving you control and access from anywhere. Like common programmable thermostats, smart thermostats let you schedule your heating and cooling, but that’s just the start.

Some thermostats have geofencing, which uses your phone’s location to determine when to act (for example, turning on the boiler when you start your commute home). Some smart thermostats learn and program themselves based on your daily activities. Some use motion sensors to determine if anyone is home and adjusts the temperature accordingly. Some provide detailed consumption charts and graphs, giving insight into your trends. Some even connect to your smoke and CO detectors, automatically shutting off your boiler in an emergency.

If you use a service like IFTTT, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, or Amazon Alexa, you can connect your thermostat and take your automation to the next level. The best smart thermostat is different for everyone; keep reading to learn how to match one with your lifestyle.

One of the most attractive reasons to invest in a smart thermostat is the long-term energy savings. Most people cut back on their energy usage by simply turning it down – but with a smart thermostat, there’s no need to sacrifice comfort for savings. Because a smart thermostat precisely controls your heating, you use exactly the amount of energy needed to maintain your ideal temperature.

Smart thermostats can learn how long it takes to bring your home to the correct temperature, ensuring it reaches the correct temperature and the correct time and not a moment before. Some will even learn how long it takes your underfloor heating to cool off and shuts off in advance to avoid overheating. With detailed consumption charts and graphs, you can easily keep track of your savings and see where most your money is going.

Saving energy is good for the environment (and your wallet!), but everyday convenience provides an immediate, tangible benefit. WiFi thermostats give you access from your smartphone or PC with far more options than a traditional thermostat. Planning on heading to bed early? A quick tap on your smartphone starts the bedroom radiator so it’s toasty at the right moment. Taking the afternoon off? Your smart thermostat knows you’ve left work early and makes sure the temperature is right when you arrive. Use voice control with Google Home or Amazon Alexa, or use IFTTT to receive a notification if one of the kids adjusts the temperature. Anything you can imagine is possible!

Now all that’s left is choosing the right WiFi thermostat. We carry all the best smart thermostats on the market and have compared them to help you decide what works best for your lifestyle.

Multi-zone
Multi-zone heating means you have separate heat control for individual rooms, or “zones”. Some heating systems are already configured this way, usually with a separate thermostat in each zone. However, some smart thermostats let you turn your single-zone home into a multi-zone one with smart radiator valves. Check the comparison chart to see which thermostat will work for you.

Self-learning
While most smart thermostats are considered “self-learning”, the actual features can differ between brands. Most self-learning thermostats “learn” how long it takes to heat everything, so your home is the correct temperature at the correct time. For example, if you program the thermostat to 21° at 8:00, the thermostat knows what time to switch on the boiler so it's 21° at 8:00 - not before, not after.

However, some self-learning thermostats take it bit farther and actually program themselves. For example, the Nest Learning Thermostat will set its own program after you’ve used it normally for a few weeks. After a few weeks of manual input from you, the Nest learns your preferences and programs itself accordingly.

Check the product information to see the self-learning features for each thermostat.

Geofencing
Geofencing is a feature that uses your phone’s location to decide when to activate. This is especially useful if you don’t have a consistent schedule – for example, it can recognise when you’re leaving work and ensure the house is your preferred temperature when you arrive. You can set up multiple users, so everyone in the household arrives to a comfy home.

Honeywell is a well-known brand in home climate control. The Honeywell Evohome is a robust, comprehensive climate control system that lets you create individual heating zones with your existing heating system. Individually control up to 12 separate zones without extensive plumbing and electrical work; installation is quick and simple. The touch-screen interface can be placed on a table or mounted on the wall, and the system is available for On/Off or OpenTherm boilers. The Honeywell Evohome might be the best smart thermostat if you want to expand your heating system to control multiple zones, because it provides options to create additional zones with both radiators and underfloor heating.

Pros/Cons

+ Heat individual rooms independently
+ Adjust from the app, the touch-screen panel, or at the radiator
+ Compatible with IFTTT

- Initial investment

Another smart thermostat from Honeywell, the T6 is available in both a hardwired and wireless version. It controls only a single zone, so the temperature for the whole home is based on the temperature where the thermostat is installed, making it ideal for smaller homes. Unlike the Honeywell Evohome, it’s compatible with several 3rd party systems like IFTTT, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and others. In this way, it's more future-proof than the Evohome. The Honeywell Lyric might be the best smart thermostat for you if you want a simple system for control over a single zone, because it offers many nice features in a more minimal design than the Evohome.

Pros / Cons

+ Compatible with all boilers
+ Adjust from the app or thermostat
+ Self-learning; it adjusts to your lifestyle
+ Minimal design

- Controls only one zone
- No stored hot water control

The Nest Learning Thermostat is a sleek addition to your home that’s stylish as well as function-packed. It’s self-learning; after you manually adjust the temperature for a few days, it programs itself. It uses motion sensors to determine if anyone is in the room and displays the current weather, time, or temperature in addition to adjusting the climate. The display adjusts its brightness automatically based on lighting conditions, and even knows when the sun is shining on it directly – especially useful if you use air conditioning in the summer. If you have underfloor heating, it learns how long it takes your pipes to cool after shutting off the boiler to prevent overheating. It integrates with other Nest products, like the Nest Protect Smoke and CO Detector, and is compatible with 3rd party home automation services, like IFTTT, Google Home, Amazon Alexa. The Nest Learning Thermostat might be the best smart thermostat for you if you want features, compatibility with other products and home automation systems, and style.

Pros / Cons

+ Adjust from app or thermostat
+ Self-learning; it adjusts to your lifestyle
+ Many features
+ Stylish design

- Not extendable with radiator valves

The Netatmo Thermostat has an elegant, minimal design. The transparent plexiglass cube can be customised with one of four coloured adhesive strips. It’s compatible with over 1000 On/Off or combi boilers (though not compatible with OpenTherm boilers), and installation can be completed in 20 minutes without a professional. The e-paper display makes it easy to look at and is never too bright. The Netatmo might be the best smart thermostat for you if you want sleek style and simple installation/operation.

Pros / Cons

+ Attractive price
+ Adjust from app or thermostat
+ Self-learning; it adjusts to your lifestyle
+ Quick install
+ Stylish, minimal design

- No geofencing
- No stored hot water control
- Not compatible with OpenTherm boilers

The Tado° V3 Smart Thermostat is simple, clean, and easy to install and use. This wall-mounted thermostat features an LED matrix display that shows the current temperature and settings. Create a multi-zone system in your home with optional radiator valves, and view your energy usage and trends directly from your smartphone. It provides a unique setup process - the app starts by asking for the model of your current boiler/thermostat, and adjusts the installation steps accordingly. The Tado° V3 uses geofencing to know your location and ensure your home is the correct temperature when you arrive - even for multiple users. The Tado° V3 might be the best smart thermostat for you if you want to create a multi-zone system with lots of connectivity to 3rd party systems (Apple Homekit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and more).

Pros / Cons

+ Self-learning; it adjusts to your lifestyle
+ Quick install
+ Geofencing for multiple users
+ Expandable with radiator valves

- No touch screen

The best smart thermostat is the one that fits your lifestyle. Do you want something with many features? You might like the Nest Learning Thermostat. To create multiple control zones, you might want the Honeywell Evohome or Tado°. For sleek minimalism, you might try the Tado° or Netatmo Thermostat. When choosing the right thermostat, be sure to consider your current setup, your desired setup, and your budget. You'll want to know what kind of boiler you have. If you have more questions, send us an email or call - our experts are always happy to help!