SMART thermostats can save you time and money when used correctly, which makes them a great investment for the home.
Read on for our guide to finding the best smart thermostat for you.
Do smart thermostats really save you money?
Yes, but only when used correctly.
Most people know that smart thermostats can be used to adjust your home’s heating and cooling system remotely.
Some of the more advanced systems will check whether you’re home, and will send you alerts if you’re not in but the heating is still on.
As you’re less likely to waste energy heating or cooling your home when you don’t need it, you should save money in the long run.
But the best smart thermostats will constantly monitor your home and self adjust to your routine.
It means you don’t have to check for alerts yourself all the time.
To get you started, we’ve found some of the most popular models around.
Best smart thermostats at a glance:
Best overall: Hive Mini thermostat
Best self-adjusting thermostat: Google Nest learning thermostat
Best wired thermostat: Tado V3+ wired smart thermostat starter kit
Best for simplicity: Google Nest Thermostat E
Best starter kit: Honeywell Home evohome starter kit
Best for larger homes: Honeywell Home evohome Wi-Fi connected value pack B
Best for smart homes: Drayton by Schneider electric multi-zone smart thermostat kit
Best overall: Hive Mini thermostat
Hive
Hive Mini thermostat, £218 from Hive Home – buy here
Hive is one of the most well known brands for smart thermostats and the Mini is their smaller, more budget-friendly option.
It’s still pretty versatile; the device is compatible with most gas and LPG boilers as well as some oil and electric boilers.
And with geolocation sensors, it knows when you’re out of the house and will remind you to switch off the heating.
Key specs – Control: app, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant; Scheduling: yes; Installation: professional recommended
Best self-adjusting thermostat: Google Nest learning thermostat
via Argos
Google Nest learning thermostat, £219 from Argos – buy here
If you’re looking for a device that will do most of the controls for you, try this Google Nest learning thermostat.
After just a week’s use, it’ll learn your routines and habits and start adjusting controls for you.
Even better, this device will show your home’s energy use without you having to subscribe to any additional services so it’s even easier to see when you’re using the most energy.
Key specs – Control: app, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant; Scheduling: yes; Installation: DIY friendly
Best wired thermostat: Tado V3+ wired smart thermostat starter kit
via Amazon
Tado V3+ wired smart thermostat starter kit, £179.99 from Amazon – buy here
If you’re looking for a smart thermostat to replace your existing wired set up, try this one from Tado.
It transforms your wired system into one you can control using your smartphone or by using voice commands.
And thanks to sensors that detect when a window is open or when temperatures outside are higher than usual, you’ll know exactly when temperatures in your home should be adjusted to save energy.
Key specs – Control: app, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant; Scheduling: yes; Installation: DIY friendly
Best for simplicity: Google Nest Thermostat E
via Argos
Google Nest Thermostat E, £143.99 from Argos – buy here
The Google Nest Thermostat E is one of the more budget-friendly smart thermostats around.
However, it’s only possible to control it via the app and not with systems like Amazon Alexa.
But if you’re looking for a no-frills model that’s still smart enough to know when everyone’s left the house then this is a great option to consider.
Key specs – Control: app; Scheduling: yes; Installation: DIY friendly
Best starter kit: Honeywell Home evohome starter kit
Honeywell
Honeywell Home evohome starter kit, £679.99 from The Smart Thermostat Shop – buy here
Designed for radiators, this starter kit comes with a smart thermostat as well as five radiator controllers.
It means you can create different temperature zones in your home with minimal effort.
Once linked up, you can create schedules using the dedicated app and even change the temperature from your smartwatch.
Key specs – Control: app, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant; Scheduling: yes; Installation: DIY friendly
Best for larger homes: Honeywell Home evohome Wi-Fi connected value pack B
Honeywell
Honeywell Home evohome Wi-Fi connected value pack B, £899.99 from The Smart Thermostat Shop – buy here
With eight radiator controllers, this starter kit is ideal for bigger homes.
Each of the controllers will display the current temperature when in use so you can see it at a glance.
The WiFi-enabled device can also be managed via its dedicated app and will sync up to your smart devices as well.
Key specs – Control: app, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant; Scheduling: yes; Installation: DIY friendly
Best for smart homes: Drayton by Schneider electric multi-zone smart thermostat kit
via Amazon
Drayton by Schneider electric multi-zone smart thermostat kit, £208.99 from Amazon – buy here
This kit is designed to work with combi boilers and comes with two radiator controllers to get you started.
But unlike other systems where the focus is only on temperature control, you can integrate this option into a smart home set up.
Once connected, you’ll be able to use just one app to control everything, from temperature to the lighting in your home.
Key specs – Control: app, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant; Scheduling: yes; Installation: DIY friendly