You'll save $50 if you get the bundle, which typically sells for $75 and has never been discounted this deeply before. The Amazon thermostat only works with Alexa. The Amazon Smart Thermostat doesnt work with Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit, which means youll have no choice but to cozy up to Alexa. If you are uncomfortable with wiring or arent familiar with how your heating and cooling system works, you should get professional help. While Google claims that the Nest Thermostat will work in a home without a C-wire, in our Nest Thermostat review, we found that this is not always the case. I happen to have about a dozen Amazon Echo and Echo Show devices strewn about my townhouse and I rely on Alexa for everything from turning my lights off at night to keeping an up-to-date shopping list. Messing up your HVAC system will be a costly mistake. Despite the minimalist look, there are enough controls on the device for easy, everyday use you can switch modes from heat, cool, fan, and auto, as well as adjust the temperature up and down and turn the system off. Finally, you can get the fourth-gen Echo Dot for Kids bundled with an Echo Glow multicolor smart lamp with Prime for $36.

The face of the thermostat sports a color LED screen that displays the current temperature and the mode (heating, cooling, fan, or auto). This thermostat is also available in four colors to match your paint. Ford will use new battery tech to help it build 600,000 EVs per year, Porsche Taycans will charge faster and go farther with latest update, 250,000 car deliveries in one quarter can't save Tesla from dwindling revenue. But heres the thing I set my Nest at those temperatures because I constantly felt hot when cooling was set anywhere above 72 degrees. The thermostat doesn't have a proximity sensor that illuminates the screen when you approach it like the Nest model does. This is a problem in the Alexa software, as with every other thermostat I have tested in this two-zone system, each thermostat controls each zone entirely independently. Update, Tuesday, December 7th 2:44 pm: Added details on how the new Nest Thermostats home / away modes work. Its hard to quibble much at this price, however, because at least its trying to be smart. Its compatible with most 24 volt HVAC systems (you can check compatibility here), but doesnt support systems with more than three stages or multi-speed fans. Get the latest Amazon Prime Day offers by following @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribing to the Engadget Deals newsletter. Thats not ideal if you like to sleep at 66 degrees but want your living room and kitchen to drop to 62 at night to save energy. Meanwhile, the smart thermostat bundle with a second-gen Echo Show 5 smart display is also on sale for $77, or $68 lower than its retail price. To complete the installation, I gave the thermostat a name and ran a quick test to make sure it was working correctly. Sharing your location with the Alexa app on your phone supercharges Alexa Hunches, adding your physical whereabouts to Alexas list of available data points. If you dont already have the Alexa mobile app, youll need to download it to complete installation, but from there, connecting the thermostat to Alexa is a quick, intuitive process that should only take a few minutes (just tap to add a device and follow the onscreen instructions from there). 12:33 PM EDT, Tue April 12, 2022. In the four years I spent with a Nest, I had to turn off the heat in the summertime or cancel cooling in the winter at least a few dozen times. For both of these devices, installation is very similar. It comes with a soft touchscreen faceplate illuminated by simple color icons (red for heat, blue for AC) and a digital number display. Discovery Company. With solid controls, a clear display, and great Alexa integration, its worth every penny.

Photography by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge. At the bottom of the screen are up and down arrow buttons for adjusting the temperature set point, as well as a power button. I removed the old device, ran the wires through the back panel of the Amazon thermostats wall plate, and connected the wires to their respective terminals. In terms of features, Amazon's thermostat lacks some of the extras that you get with the much pricier Ecobee Smart Thermostat With Voice Control ($249) including remote room sensors; dual-band Wi-Fi; support for HomeKit, IFTTT, and Google Assistant; and embedded Alexa functionality (the thermostat essentially doubles as a smart speaker). For the next three days, it turned on the heat a little too early, and I had to go into the thermostat settings in the app to tell Alexa its Hunch was wrong. By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy. According to Amazon, Hunches also uses select other smart home devices like lights, locks, and sensors to determine if you are home or away, as well as geolocation of yours and your household members smartphones (everyone has to have the Alexa app installed and location settings turned on for the thermostat). So, tradeoffs. The $60 Amazon Smart Thermostat pulls off a feat very few smart home devices can accomplish: It offers all the functionality of even the priciest connected thermostats at the lowest price. It takes four or five taps to get into the thermostat screen, although eventually I was able to add the thermostat to the new Favorites section in Alexas devices page, which speeds things up a tad. A Warner Bros. And if you dont have a C-wire, you will need to opt for the $75 version that comes with a C-wire adapter and plan for a much more involved installation. You can, in a pinch, bark commands at the Alexa app, but its not nearly as simple. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/amazon-smart-thermostat, Does not work with Google Assistant, HomeKit, or IFTTT, Read Great Stories Offline on Your Favorite, PC Magazine Digital Edition (Opens in a new window), How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files, How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac, Read Our Ecobee Smart Thermostat With Voice Control Review, Read Our Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Generation) Review, Read Our Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat With Sensor Review, Read Our Sensi Smart Thermostat ST55 Review, Read Our Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat ST75 Review, Read Our Sinope TH1123WF Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat Review, Read Our Bosch Connected Control BCC100 Thermostat Review, Ecobee Smart Thermostat With Voice Control, Alexa, Show Me the Best Amazon Echo Show Tips and Tricks, 8 Simple Robot Vacuum Tips to Help Keep Your Floors Clean Without Lifting a Finger. Another power-up is to turn on Automatic Actions, which grants Alexa permission to act on Hunches without having to consult with you first. (C-wire is short for common wire and supplies power to your thermostat. This feature has made the Nest one of the best smart thermostats (lots of) money can buy for years. However, unlike with the similar Nest experience, you dont have control over which devices make those decisions; you dont even know which ones make the decisions. Samuel Contreras If every night around 9 p.m., for example, you usually turn off the front porch light and lock the front door, then one night you lock the door without flipping the light, with Hunches turned on, Alexa might chime in a few minutes later and ask if youd meant to turn off the porch light (then offer to do it for you). The Amazon Smart Thermostat worked flawlessly in testing.

Amazon also includes detailed printed materials in the box, but for more in-depth instructions and how-to videos, theres also an Amazon Smart Thermostat support page. It also works well with Google Assistant, so you can control your homes climate from anywhere and save money while youre away from home. What you need to know: Unlike most gadgets, the less you interact with a smart thermostat, the better. (Image credit: Samuel Contreras / Android Central), Cloud gaming NVIDIA GeForce Now brings 120FPS support to compatible Android phones. If this prospect concerns you, hire a pro to install it. Physically, the Alexa Smart Thermostat is a white plastic square about 3 1/2 inches tall and wide and just shy of an inch thick. There is, however, one great big caveat, and its name is Alexa. If you don't, the $129.99 Nest Thermostat is roughly double the price, but supports Google Assistant in addition to Alexa, and integrates with more third-party devices. Integration with Alexa is straightforward and doesn't require a skill or account linking. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. Similarly, the thermostat had no trouble adhering to my heating schedules. Update, Friday, November 19th 4:45 pm: Added details on HVAC systems the thermostat is not compatible with. Based on my testing, its hard not to be impressed with the Amazon Smart Thermostat, and not just because its cheap. Your power company may even offer a smart thermostat for free. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). It follows, unsurprisingly, that the more Echo smart speakers and displays you have in your home, the better it will be. Not once, however, during the six or so weeks I spent with the Amazon Smart Thermostat did I have to make such an adjustment. Its also nice that Nest Thermostat is available in four colors, which makes it easy to match your home decor or paint color. This is exactly the kind of thing that makes a smart device feel magical, and the number-one reason the Nest isnt going back up on my wall. Together, Amazon and Resideo seem to have finally cracked the smart thermostat conundrum, and the Amazon Smart Thermostats learning feature called Hunches is very good. The display is also a bit more complex than Amazons with the ability to adjust more settings on the thermostat itself rather than needing to use an app for nearly everything as Amazons solution does. Using the Alexa Smart Thermostat was a smooth experience. To adjust and set up your thermostat, you will need to use the appropriate app. I can tell you this much: The Nest wont be going back up. The display is clear and easy to read from a distance with large numbers and color-coded heating and cooling icons. In fact, youll need the Alexa mobile app to set up the thermostat and for anything more complicated than adjusting the temperature. Get the best of Android Central in in your inbox, every day! They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery; I have to wonder how Nest and its iconic green leaf feels about this. Those already using Amazon Alexa devices will be more accustomed to that ecosystem. While it lacks features you get with pricier alternatives, like remote sensors and multi-platform integrations, it supports app and Alexa voice control, making it an excellent value if you use the Alexa platform to control your smart home devices. (The $114.95 Sinope TH1123WF is a good option if you have that last type of system.) These controls let you see your settings at a glance and even change basic temperature and mode settings. In the years since, more companies have tried to get into this market, with one of the biggest being Amazon. Since the Nest Learning Thermostat launched in 2011, no other smart thermostat has emulated its core function learning your schedule and adapting to it automatically, so you dont have to lift a finger. In fact, the more smart home devices you have in general, the better both Alexa and the Amazon Smart Thermostat will work. 2022 Cable News Network. I would still choose a Nest Learning Thermostat for my home because I love the look and feel of it, and I have more control over how it manages my homes climate (plus it works with both Google and Alexa). You can also choose to switch to dedicated heat or cool or, for that matter, turn the whole thing off but for maximum set-it-and-forget-it enjoyment, Id recommend you dont touch a thing and just let Alexa take charge from there. Another simple yet attractive looking thermostat is the Ecobee SmartThermostat, which includes a speaker and microphone that let you directly communicate with Alexa or Apples Siri. The Nest Thermostat also has a nice appearance with a simple and attractive round display area and the choice of four different colors. As long as you dont mind Alexa, the decision is practically a no-brainer.

Amazon Smart Thermostat review: a $60 stunner, Amazons new Smart Air Quality Monitor will work with Routines, The cheapest smart thermostat you can buy, Hunches controls your climate intelligently, No Google, HomeKit, or SmartThings support, Amazon FreeTime Unlimited Terms & Conditions, and Kindle FreeTime Unlimited T&C. The closest competitor price-wise the Wyze Smart Thermostat is $80, and the Honeywell Home T5 and T9, whose hardware the Amazon thermostat shares, start at $120. Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it contracts that no one actually reads. This led to some confusion in my testing, including that Alexa now thinks I get up at 4:31AM every morning, I assume because my daughter sat up in bed at that time and has an Echo Show as her bedside clock. If you're searching for an affordable smart thermostat to control your home's heating and cooling system, the $59.99 Amazon Smart Thermostat is a solid option that also happens to be the least expensive model we've tested. You can control the mode with voice, too, switching to heating or cooling, and even ask Alexa to change the temperature when no one is home. Keep an eye on your inbox! Case in point, the new Nest Thermostat has no advanced AI features of which to speak. The Hunches worked well (other than my 4:30AM blip), turning my heating down between 11PM and 11:30PM every night and back on at 6AM in the morning. I turned off the circuit breaker that provides power to my existing thermostat and took a picture of the wiring for future reference. If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. Instead, it remains dimly lit until you use onboard, app, or Alexa controls to change a setting. With a typical price under $60 and frequent sales making it even more affordable, the Amazon Smart Thermostat is a fantastic value despite its shortcomings. As with other thermostat kits, Amazon includes a small screwdriver as well as a faceplate to cover any unsightly scars your previous thermostat may have left on the wall. The Alexa app guided me through installation very well, making it clear which wires should go where, connecting the thermostat to my Wi-Fi, and testing that everything was working correctly. This thermostat is set up with the Alexa app and connects to most Wi-Fi routers with a 2.4GHz connection. The app is freely available on Android so you can control it either with a phone or tablet. And while the coming smart home standard Matter which promises interoperability between ecosystems may change that, Amazon has not confirmed that this device will be upgraded to support Matter. Installing the Amazon Smart Thermostat is easy, but the process does require you to work with low-voltage wiring. While it can do useful energy-saving or comfort-increasing tasks such as preheat or cool the home or use the fan to circulate air to more efficiently use air conditioning, it doesnt have the same learning features as the Nest Learning Thermostat and its smarts are largely reliant on Googles home / away modes, which can use geofencing, on-board motion sensing, and other Nest smart home products to determine if someone is home. For many people, being able to control the temperature from anywhere with an internet connection is the primary draw. The thermostat itself doesn't have a speaker or a microphone, though, so you'll need to use the Alexa app or another Alexa-enabled device like an Echo speaker to do so. Outside of Nest and Ecobee, few thermostats are actually smart. Up next: Why that makes such a difference. The Amazon Smart Thermostat is an excellent value. Next, I attached the wall plate to the wall using the included screws, snapped the thermostat onto the plate, and restored power to the circuit. After three times telling it that, no, we do not wake up at 4:31AM, it reverted to our regular wake-up time. For others, potential energy savings from using more efficient, optimized settings when you're away from home automatically will make it worth it. Heres why you can trust us. It works well with the Alexa app and can be controlled with your voice from Alexa speakers. I returned to the app and used my phone to scan the QR that comes with the installation guide. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. That's 30 percent off its regular retail price of $60 and a new all-time low for the device. Setup and installation of the thermostat is similarly simple. Either of these smart thermostats will help achieve most of the same goals. Nest Thermostat from Google is an attractive smart thermostat that works great with the Google Home app and your Google Assistant. Still, being that its a smart thermostat, you shouldnt need to manually adjust it too often, and using the app is quick and easy for both devices. 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. In fact, after the initial set-up, I only adjusted the temperature a handful of times. It's not quite as feature-rich as its more expensive counterparts, like the Google Nest thermostat. Most of the setup and programming of the thermostat requires the Alexa app. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. And the Amazon Smart Thermostat might well be the most autonomous thermostat available, requiring less interaction than even the market pacesetter, Nest. Editors' Note: This is the most recent version of the Amazon Smart Thermostat. These controls are simpler than older and more expensive Nest Thermostats but still offer more control on the wall than Amazons solution. Only the bottom of the device is touch-capacitive, and there are three small markers to show where to touch. If you dont like the idea of Amazon controlling your climate willy-nilly, the Smart Thermostat has a standard scheduling option. No doubt Nests controls and display is better but for many people, its not worth the extra cost. While this thermostat is inexpensive, it doesnt look cheap, unlike the Wyze Smart Thermostat, which has a plasticky feel and an odd, oblong design. In order to use the Amazon Smart Thermostat, youll need to download the Alexa app for iOS and Android. Its impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. Content is created by CNN Underscoreds team of editors who work independently from the CNN newsroom. Instead, the all-white plastic body has a capacitive touch surface that illuminates LEDs to show you the touch points, system mode, and set temperature. Amazon Smart Thermostat is one of the cheapest ways to upgrade your home's HVAC system with scheduling and intelligent temperatures that are not only convenient, but can save you money as well. Still, if those features arent important to you, then you really cant go wrong with this device. But the app was a more frustrating experience. If there are wires you dont recognize or thicker power lines behind your thermostat, its probably time to call a professional. The online shopping giants $60 Amazon Smart Thermostat can intelligently determine if youre home, away, or sleeping and automatically adjust your climate to keep you comfortable and potentially save you money.

The display is more advanced with clear text, and a bit more control when changing settings on the thermostat itself. These functions are available to any smart thermostat that works with Alexa, but you will not find one as inexpensive as this one. Most connected thermostats need a C-wire to connect to Wi-Fi, which is a big power drain.). If youve stuck with a traditional thermostat until now and are thinking about upgrading, it can be hard to know exactly what features youll want to use. Some people will still prefer to have it installed professionally, especially if things arent quite as expected. At first, enabling Hunches just gave Alexa permission to make suggestions based on your patterns of behavior. However, I thoroughly recommend the Amazon Smart Thermostat over the new Google Nest Thermostat, which is a dumbed-down version of the original (something of a theme with Nest devices these days). Many energy companies offer discounts for setting up a smart thermostat, which can greatly offset the cost of the device itself. published 7 July 22. The onboard controls were very responsive, and the thermostat reacted instantly when I adjusted settings using the mobile app and with Alexa voice commands. When Samuel is not writing about networking or 5G at Android Central, he spends most of his time researching computer components and obsessing over what CPU goes into the ultimate Windows 98 computer. If that sounds a little too hands-off to you, just remember that if Alexa doesnt get it just right, you can always adjust things back the way you want them and Alexa will learn from the interaction and (try to) do better next time. Amazon has kept the design of its Smart Thermostat simple and clean, with a white plastic housing and glossy plastic on the front. - A weekly roundup of our favorite tech deals. However, if you already have an Echo speaker or any other Alexa device, you can control the Amazon Smart Thermostat with Alexa voice commands, routines, and hunches. The name Nest is nearly synonymous with smart thermostats at this point, and it's no wonder: The company has been making some of the best solutions for years, with an iconic design and great integration. A routine I created to set the heat to 70 degrees when a Ring Floodlight Cam detected motion worked every time. Instead, you need to have a compatible Alexa device for voice control. An alert icon additionally lights up when you have a notification. At this point, I received an error message telling me that there was a provisioning error, which was due to a widespread (but uncommon) Amazon Web Server issue that affected Alexa services. The simple, clean design of the Amazon Smart Thermostat will fit in with most homes, and because it doesnt have an LCD screen, it doesnt scream high tech like others in this space. Nest Thermostat has a bit more control, with a touch-sensitive band on one side of the thermostat. Its too soon to tell whether the Amazon Smart Thermostat saved me any money on my utility bill in the last month, but I suspect it will in the long run it will. Amazon's smart thermostat debuted in September 2021, giving you an affordable option to control your home temperature. Of course, almost all those thermostats work with multiple platforms. Alexa even shushes my two dogs when they bark in the house. Use the dial to adjust the temperature set point and tap the mode button to switch between cooling and heating modes, as well as to turn the thermostat on or off. You need to download the Alexa app and create an account if this is your first Amazon device. The Amazon thermostat requires a C-wire for power, but if your system doesn't have one, you can order a Honeywell C-wire adapter ($24.99). Thank you for signing up to Android Central. One of the most notable deals that's already available is Amazon's smart thermostat, which you can get for $42 as long as you're a Prime member. Please refresh the page and try again. The other drawback is that there are no temperature sensors designed specifically for the Alexa Smart Thermostat. As with all thermostats, you need one for each zone in a multi-zoned system and they control the climate independently. Though it doesnt have a speaker or microphone, it can use one or more Alexa speakers to add to its functionality. I share my location so Alexa knows when Im home and when Im away. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, As a more affordable alternative for Google Assistant users, we also recommend the $129.99 Nest Thermostat, which supports both Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. 1996-2022 Ziff Davis. As with the Learning version, you can choose which devices feed into the home / away modes, which you cant do with the Amazon Smart Thermostat. Does the Pixel 6a have the same fingerprint sensor as the 6 and 6 Pro? The very affordable Amazon Smart Thermostat lets you control your heating and cooling system from your phone or via Alexa voice commands. At least Amazon didnt copy Nest and make you pay an extra $15 for a faceplate to cover up any wall warts left after installation; you get one included (and a screwdriver!). The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. However, you do have the option of telling Alexa, by saying Alexa, Im leaving as you walk out the door. An app-guided setup process makes setup easy. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. It supports most 24V forced air, heat pump, and radiant boiler HVAC systems, but doesn't work with electric baseboard heating systems. Predictably, Nest Thermostat uses Google Home software and the Amazon Smart Thermostat uses Alexa. When it comes down to value for money, however, theres just no beating Amazon Smart Thermostat. Once you connect the thermostat to Alexa, you need to agree to Amazons conditions of use and all of the terms foundhere. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. By default, Alexa sets the thermostat to auto, which will switch on either heating or cooling, depending on whats needed. And yet, Amazons thermostat is priced well below even the lowest-cost competitor from a renowned discount brand, the roughly $80 Wyze Thermostat. It also happens to be the least expensive and is compatible with most 24-volt systems (most modern residential HVAC installations) though it does require a C-wire (an adapter is available if your home doesnt have one). For most people, it makes sense to stick within the ecosystem youre already using, but if you really want to, you can use your phone for everything and skip the smart speaker integration. You can swipe through settings and select them with a tap. The Amazon Smart Thermostats price will also make it the default for someone with no ecosystem commitment or preference. The only real drawback to the Amazon Smart Thermostat is its sole compatibility with Alexa, but that only matters if you dont already or arent willing to use Amazons digital voice assistant. Read our original review from December 15, 2021 below. Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox. The thermostat comes with a mounting plate, wire identification labels, a quick start guide, and mounting hardware. Introducing Engadgets 2022 back to school gift guide! The thermostat is a joint effort between Amazon and Resideo,which has been making traditional and smart Honeywell Home thermostats for ages, includingthe recentT9. You also dont get useful extra features such as the time and weather displayed on this cheaper thermostat or integration with platforms or voice assistants other than Alexa. Self-installation is easy with clear instructions, Automatic schedules will be made over time, Controls on the thermostat are more limited than nest, Easy installation and setup with the Google Home app.