Best Honeywell Smart Thermostats of 2026: 10 Compared
By Buyer Reports Editorial Team·Last updated August 2026·Independently researched, no paid placements
Ten Wi-Fi thermostats, one wall, and a The cheapest here runs; the dearest climbs to. Most of that money buys you screens, scheduling smarts, and how nicely the unit plays with the voice assistant you already use.
Swapping out a basic dial thermostat for a connected one is less about the gadget and more about how it behaves once it's on the wall: does it follow your schedule, talk to your assistant, and actually trim the energy bill? This guide covers 10 Wi-Fi models Several of these need a C-wire, a detail worth checking before you buy. To rank them, we pulled each product's current specs, images, and The result runs from an Editor's Choice at the top down to capable also-rans. Up front you'll find the quick verdict and a side-by-side feel for what separates a unit from a one; below that, an honest read on each model's strengths and the trade-offs worth knowing before you commit.
The short version: Our top pick is the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat — it pairs a bright, easy-to-read touchscreen with 7-day programming and a color-customizable display, and it took the #1 spot of the 10 models we compared. If you want to spend the least, the Amazon Smart Thermostat is the best value.
How to use this guide: In a hurry? The Quick Verdict below names the top pick in seconds. Want to compare? The full comparison table and charts line up all 10 smart thermostats side by side. For the details, every model has a full review with key features, honest pros and cons, and who it is best for.
Key takeaways
Best overall: Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat, our #1 of 10.
Best value: Amazon Smart Thermostat, the lowest
Premium pick: Honeywell TH9320WF5003 Wi-Fi 9000 Color Touch Screen, the most expensive here.
10 models compared across Honeywell Home, Honeywell, ecobee, Amazon, and Google.
Several models — including the Amazon Smart Thermostat and the TH9320WF5003 — require a C-wire; the Google Nest is designed to work without one in most homes.
Quick verdict
Our Top 3 Picks
Editor's Choice
1Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat
Bright, easy-to-read touchscreen
7-day programmable scheduling
Color-customizable display
Works with forced air, hot water, steam and heat pumps
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Why we liked it: This Honeywell Home thermostat took the top spot in our comparison for good reason: it balances a bright, easy-to-read touchscreen, flexible 7-day programming, and a display you can match to your decor. Wide Hvac support — forced air, hot water and steam, and heat pumps with electric backup — means it fits more homes than most picks here.
PROS
Bright, easy-to-read touchscreen
7-day programmable scheduling
Color-customizable display
Works with forced air, hot water, steam and heat pumps
CONS
Display color personalization is more cosmetic than functional
Why we liked it: Honeywell's Lyric T6 Pro lands at rank 2 and aimed at buyers who want their thermostat to react to where they are. It handles staged systems — up to 2 heat/1 cool heat pump or 2 heat/2 cool conventional — and ties into both Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa for single-app control. It's hardwired, so a C-wire is part of the deal.
PROS
Geofencing plus 7-day, 5-2, 5-1-1 scheduling options
Works with Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa
Handles staged heat-pump and conventional systems
Compact 4-1/16 inch square footprint
CONS
No notable drawbacks in the listed feature data
Hardwired, so a C-wire is required
3
#3 · Buyers across Apple, Amazon and Google ecosystems
Why we liked it: and ranked #3, the ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential is the lone ecobee on this list and pitches itself on efficiency, claiming up to 23% saved each year on heating and cooling. It works with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, and ecobee says it fits 85% of systems — worth confirming through its online compatibility checker first.
PROS
Claims up to 23% annual heating and cooling savings
Why we liked it: This Honeywell is the most expensive model in the guide and our designated premium pick, even though it ranks #4. It's a Wi-Fi 9000 Color Touch Screen unit measuring 3.5 x 4.5 inches, made in the United States, and it requires a C wire. You're paying for the large color display more than a top ranking.
Why we liked it: , the Amazon Smart Thermostat is the lowest- It's built around Alexa, can create comfort zones using compatible Alexa devices, and offers home, away and sleep programming. Amazon points to EPA figures of in yearly savings from Energy Star models. A C-wire is required.
Why we liked it: The Honeywell Home RTH8800WF2022 (T5) is a budget-friendly Wi-Fi unit that earns its keep through scheduling. Honeywell says heavy use of that scheduling feature saved customers between 8 and 16% on heating and cooling bills. It pairs 7-day flexible scheduling with location-based control and Auto Home and Away Mode. A C-wire is required.
PROS
Reported 8 to 16% bill savings from scheduling
7-day scheduling plus location-based control
Auto Home and Away Mode
Energy Star certified and Alexa ready
CONS
Requires a C-wire
No notable drawbacks in the listed feature data
7
#7 · Buyers who want weather and humidity at a glance
Why we liked it: This Honeywell Home Smart Color Thermostat sits at #7 and is the information-heavy option, showing indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, and a daily weather forecast right on its customizable color screen. It controls from anywhere via Alexa, Google Assistant, Microsoft Cortana and more, and is Energy Star certified. At about 0.7 lb, it's heavier than most here, and it needs a C-wire.
PROS
Customizable high-definition color display
Shows indoor/outdoor temperature, humidity and weather forecast
Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Microsoft Cortana and more
Why we liked it: Honeywell Home's New! X2S thermostat ranks #8 and stands out as the Matter-certified pick here. It connects to Wi-Fi for control through the First Alert app and works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home Kit, with conventional and heat pump compatibility. Energy Star certified, it adds filter-change reminders and humidity monitoring. At about 0.86 lb it's on the heavier side.
PROS
Matter certified, plus Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit
Why we liked it: The Google Nest Thermostat ranks #9 and is the standout for wiring flexibility — it's designed to work without a C-wire in most homes, though some systems still need one. Energy Star certified, it turns itself down when you leave, programs through the Google Home app, and supports remote control from a phone, laptop or tablet. It's the only Google pick on the.
PROS
Designed to work without a C-wire in most homes
Energy Star certified
Auto turn-down when you leave
Programmable and remote control via Google Home app
Why we liked it: and ranked #10, the Honeywell Home T9 is the multi-room specialist, bundling 1 Smart Room Sensor and built around multi-room focus with what Honeywell calls amazing sensor range. The battery-powered sensor lets you prioritize the rooms you actually use rather than the one the thermostat sits in. At about 1.32 lb it's the heaviest unit here, and it's among the pricier picks.
PROS
Includes 1 Smart Room Sensor for multi-room control
Battery-powered sensor with wide range
Energy Star adjustment for savings
Touchscreen display
CONS
No notable drawbacks in the listed feature data
Heaviest model at about 1.32 lb
No notable drawbacks in the listed feature data
Things to consider
8 Things to Consider Before Buying Smart Thermostats
A thermostat lives on your wall for years, so the right pick depends on your wiring, your Hvac system, and how involved you want to be.
C-wire requirement
Wiring is the first thing to verify. The Amazon Smart Thermostat, Honeywell Home RTH8800WF2022, Honeywell Home RTH9600WF, and Honeywell TH9320WF5003 all state a C-wire is required, while the Google Nest Thermostat is designed to work without a C-wire in most homes. Check your existing wiring before ordering, since a missing common wire can turn a quick swap into a wiring project.
Hvac system compatibility
Not every thermostat drives every system. The Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 lists support for forced air (gas, oil or electric), hot water and steam, and heat pumps with electric backup, and the Lyric T6 Pro handles stages up to 2 heat/1 cool heat pump or 2 heat/2 cool conventional. The ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential says it's compatible with 85% of systems via its online checker.
Energy savings and Energy Star
Lower bills are the usual reason to upgrade. The ecobee Essential claims savings of up to 23% every year on heating and cooling, and the Honeywell Home RTH8800WF2022 cites 8 to 16% saved by heavy users of its scheduling feature. The Amazon Smart Thermostat points to EPA estimates that Energy Star certified thermostats save an average of on yearly energy bills.
Scheduling and auto-away
How the thermostat handles an empty house matters for both comfort and cost. The Lyric T6 Pro offers geofencing plus 7-day, 5-2, 5-1-1, 1-week or non-programmable modes; the RTH8800WF2022 adds Auto Home and Away Mode; and the Nest turns itself down when you leave. Pick the level of automation you'll actually use rather than the longest options list.
Voice assistant and app control
Match the thermostat to the ecosystem you already run. The Lyric T6 Pro integrates with Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa, the RTH9600WF works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Microsoft Cortana and more, and the ecobee Essential works with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. The Honeywell Home X2S adds Matter certification on top of Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit support.
Display and color customization
The screen is what you'll touch daily. The RTH9585WF1004 leads with a bright, easy-to-read touchscreen you can personalize by color, and the RTH9600WF lets you change its high-definition display to any color you choose and shows indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, plus a daily weather forecast on the home screen. A clear, glanceable display earns its keep over years of use.
Multi-room sensing
Single-sensor thermostats only read the temperature where they're mounted. The Honeywell Home T9 ships with 1 Smart Room Sensor and is built around multi-room focus and what the listing calls amazing sensor range, so you can prioritize the rooms you live in rather than the hallway. If hot and cold spots are your problem, sensor support is worth paying for.
Price versus features
Spending more doesn't always rank higher here. Our #1 RTH9585WF1004 placed above the TH9320WF5003 and the T9, so the costliest models aren't automatically the best buys. Decide which features you'll genuinely use, then pay for those rather than the full spec sheet.
Verdict
Our Final Verdict
For most buyers, the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 is the one to get — it earned our #1 ranking on the strength of a bright color touchscreen, 7-day programming, and broad system support without a steep If budget is the priority, the Amazon Smart Thermostat delivers Alexa control and Energy Star efficiency for the least money, though it requires a C-wire. Shoppers chasing the top end can look at the Honeywell TH9320WF5003, the priciest model here; just note it landed at #4, behind cheaper picks, so the premium buys more screen than ranking.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Honeywell smart thermostat?
The Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat is our top pick of the 10 thermostats compared. It offers 7-day programming, a bright touchscreen, a color-customizable display, and support for forced air, hot water and steam, and heat pumps with electric backup.
How much do these smart thermostats cost?
Most of the 10 models fall between those figures, with our #1 pick landing.
Do these thermostats need a C-wire?
Several do. The Amazon Smart Thermostat, Honeywell Home RTH8800WF2022, Honeywell Home RTH9600WF, and Honeywell TH9320WF5003 all state a C-wire is required. The Google Nest Thermostat is designed to work without a C-wire in most homes, though some systems may still need one.
Which model saves the most energy?
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential claims savings of up to 23% every year on heating and cooling. The Honeywell Home RTH8800WF2022 reports that heavy use of its scheduling feature saved customers between 8 and 16% on bills, and the Amazon Smart Thermostat cites EPA estimates of saved yearly with Energy Star certified models.
Which thermostat works with my voice assistant?
It depends on the model. The ecobee Essential works with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant; the Lyric T6 Pro integrates with Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa; the RTH9600WF works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Microsoft Cortana and more; and the Honeywell Home X2S is Matter certified and compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit.
Is the most expensive thermostat the best one to buy?
Not here. The Honeywell TH9320WF5003 and the Honeywell Home T9 both ranked below our #1 pick. Pay more only if a specific feature — like the T9's bundled Smart Room Sensor for multi-room control — matches what you actually need.
