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The Best Home Programmable Thermostats

We compared six top-rated programmable thermostats based on owner ratings, expert reviews, and price. The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) is our top pick for its smart features and energy savings.

Updated

The bottom line

The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) (asin B0D5BGST5N) is our top pick for its smart features, ease of use, and potential energy savings of up to 31%. It's priced at $220 and includes a Nest Temperature Sensor. The closest alternative is the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat (asin B075BF6V58) at $89.99, which has a customizable color display and flexible programming options. For a budget option, the Google Nest Thermostat (asin B08HRPDBFF) at $114.49 offers essential smart features at a lower price.

Top pick
Google Nest Learning ThermostatGoogle Nest Learning Thermostat $220.00

Smartest choice for energy savings and ease of use

The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) has smart features, a larger display, and potential energy savings of up to 31%. Priced at $220, it includes a Nest Temperature Sensor. The tradeoff is its higher price, making it best for those willing to invest for advanced features.

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Runner-up
Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color ThermostatHoneywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat $89.99

Best budget-friendly option with customizable display

The Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 has a customizable color display, flexible programming, and ENERGY STAR certification. At $89.99, it's a great value. The tradeoff is the lack of advanced learning features found in the Nest models.

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Budget pick
Google Nest ThermostatGoogle Nest Thermostat $114.49

Affordable smart thermostat with essential features

The Google Nest Thermostat has essential smart features and remote control at $114.49. It's a good choice for those looking for basic smart thermostat functionality without the higher price tag. The tradeoff is fewer advanced features compared to the Nest Learning Thermostat.

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The field, ranked

  1. Google Nest Learning Thermostat Best for advanced features and energy savings 9.0/10 $220.00 Amazon
  2. Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat Best budget option with customizable display 8.0/10 $89.99 Amazon
  3. Google Nest Thermostat Good value for basic smart thermostat needs 7.0/10 $114.49 Amazon
  4. Google Nest Learning Thermostat + Nest Temperature Sensor Similar to top pick but with slightly lower price 7.0/10 $166.05 Amazon
  5. Google Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen 2024 with Nest Temperature Sensor Comparable to top pick with minor differences 7.0/10 $184.07 Amazon
  6. Google Nest Thermostat Basic smart thermostat with fewer features 6.0/10 $67.27 Amazon

What to consider

When choosing a programmable thermostat, consider the level of smart features you need, the potential energy savings, and the ease of installation. The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) has the most advanced features and highest potential savings, while the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 provides a good balance of features and price. The Google Nest Thermostat is a good choice for those looking for basic smart thermostat functionality at a lower price.

Also-rans

The Google Nest Thermostat (asin B08HRPDYTP) and the Google Nest Learning Thermostat + Nest Temperature Sensor (asin B0D5BBYRJM) are good options but don't offer significant advantages over the top picks. The Google Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen 2024 with Nest Temperature Sensor (asin B01HHQZHRK) is very similar to the top pick but with minor differences in price and features.

How this was put together

This guide is based on 29,646 owner ratings, 29,655 owner ratings, 2,590 owner ratings, 2,610 owner ratings, 20,112 owner ratings, and 2,596 owner ratings across the set. We considered expert reviews, owner sentiment, and price ranges. No products were tested hands-on, and the evidence on some products is thinner than others.