TOP 5 BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY SMART THERMOSTATS IN 2024

The greatest smart thermostats might potentially save you money in addition to improving the convenience of heating and cooling. They can lower your energy costs and your environmental impact by letting you remotely change the temperature in your house. Your home can be automatically programmed to maintain the ideal temperature at all times. Some models can even detect when you return from work or school and adjust the temperature to be chilly or comfortable when you get there.

Unfortunately, finding the best smart thermostat isn't as easy as it could be. Matter compatibility, which makes smart home kit work with more smart home platforms, is still relatively rare: only one of the thermostats here, Goggel's Nest Learning Thermostat, is currently Matter-compatible. That means it's important to check that your shortlisted thermostats will work with your chosen smart home platform, whether that's Amazone's Alexa, Google Home or Apple's HomeKit.

To help you find the right option for you, we’ve applied our expertise as well as hands-on testing to bring you the best smart thermostats available right now, including well-known brands such as Honeywell, Ecobee, and Google’s Nest. 

1. NEST LEARNING THERMOSTAT 3RD GENERATION

The best smart thermostat you can buy

Our selection for the greatest smart thermostat available is the Nest Learning Thermostat (third generation), which successfully hits the ideal mix of style and intelligence. Over time, your heating system can truly adjust to meet your demands without your intervention since it learns your patterns and makes the necessary adjustments. Furthermore, Matter is now broadly interoperable with the major smart home platforms after compatibility was added.

Additionally, it has location-based functions that monitor your phone's position and adjust the temperature to suit your needs. But don't worry, because it has built-in sensors that can determine whether or not someone is home, it won't switch off the heater and leave your guests freezing.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is criticized primarily for lacking zonal control. Thus, even though your entire house will be under digital management, you will still need to manually regulate each radiator.

2. GOOGLE NEST THERMOSTAT

The best affordable smart thermostat (US)

The brand's more reasonably priced smart thermostat, the Google Nest Thermostat E, was superseded by the Google Nest Thermostat when it was introduced in the US in October 2020. The Nest Thermostat E is still accessible in the UK, though.

It expands upon the white plastic look of the Nest Thermostat E by offering four distinct colored trim options that match the tone of the screen. Nevertheless, since it's not as big as most non-smart thermostats, you'll probably need an extra trim plate to hide the holes when installing this one. Unfortunately, it can only be wall-mounted; unlike the Nest Learning Thermostat, it does not come with a stand.

It shares the same easy-to-use app as the Nest Thermostat E, but again, it lacks the self-learning feature of the Nest Learning Thermostat in order to keep the price low. It can only detect the temperature of the room it is in because it is incompatible with Google's Temperature Sensor.

3. HIVE THERMOSTAT

The best smart thermostat

With the release of its first connected thermostat in 2013, Hive has long been recognized as one of the leading brands in smart heating. Originally introduced in 2015 under the name Hive Active Heating 2, the Hive Thermostat remains the centerpiece of the company's smart home product line.

The smart thermostat is now more feature-rich than ever thanks to Hive's ongoing development of its features. Not only does it allow you to control the temperature even when you're away from home, but it can also be expanded with add-on radiator valves that let you heat the rooms that you use. In addition, there is the Hive Heating Plus service, which provides information about how much energy you use to heat your house and suggestions for lowering it. It also includes a round-the-clock monitoring service that notifies you of any problems with your heating system so you can fix them as soon as possible.

The Hive Thermostat, in contrast to certain other smart thermostats now available, operates by connecting to your router over Ethernet through the Hive Hub, allowing you to regulate the temperature even when you're away from home.

4. HONEYWELL EVOHOME

Say goodbye to cold spots in your home

There are Honeywell Evohomes available in Australia, the US, and the UK. Since the company is based in the UK, we will be offering approximate pricing here, as the prices for other regions may vary depending on the provider.

Because the kit is modular, the pricing is a little more involved and not inexpensive. The control panel will cost you £229.99 (about £330, AU$220), excluding installation, which should come with a £100 price tag in the UK.

You will also require a valve for every radiator. If purchased separately, these will run you £59 (about £85, AU$100); alternatively, there are bundles available where you can get a greater quantity at a lower price. Searching for the pack that best meets your demands is undoubtedly worthwhile.

Because each radiator in your home needs to have its own thermostat, installing the Evohome system requires a little more work than with some other smart thermostats on the market.

This implies that you will either need to start with radiators that have TRV valves or be ready to pay a large sum of money to have your existing valves changed to TRV valves. The kind of valves that allow you to change the radiator's temperature are called TRV valves.

5. ECOBEE 3 LITE SMART THERMOSTAT

The best smart thermostat for beginners

Okay, so not everyone requires an additional Alexa-enabled device. (We understand, guys—Alexa can be made into anything!) The Ecobee 3 Lite, which is merely a smart thermostat without a smart assistant, is the ideal option, though, if you're among those who have too many Alexa devices.

The AC Overcool to Dehumidify feature, which uses your air conditioner to reduce indoor humidity, impressed us. It was also quite easy to install and operate.

Nevertheless, the Ecobee 3 continues to work with all of the top smart home ecosystems. (It may surprise you to learn that the Ecobee was the first smart thermostat to work with Alexa.) However, if you desire all the frills, such as room sensors that can gauge the temperature in particular areas of your house, They will need to be purchased separately.

FAQ's OF TOP 5 BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY SMART THERMOSTATS IN 2024

1. Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Generation
   Q1: What is special with Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Generation?
   A1: Nest Learning Thermostat teaches itself about your temperature preferences and creates a schedule for maximum energy efficiency.
    
   Q2: Will it work with my current HVAC system?
   A2: Yes, most 24V heating and cooling systems support Nest, including gas, electric, forced air, and heat pumps.

Q3: Is it possible to control the Nest Learning Thermostat remotely?
A3: Yes, you can remotely control it through the Nest app. You can turn up the heat from anywhere through your smartphone or tablet.

Q4: Must the Nest Learning Thermostat be installed by professionals?
A4: No, it is designed for self-installation. This shall, however, be performed by a professional when complications are envisioned or highly complex systems.

Q5: Does the Nest Learning Thermostat work with voice assistants?
A5: Yes, it works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa to change with voice.

2. Google Nest Thermostat
   Q1: How is the Google Nest Thermostat different from the Nest Learning Thermostat?
   A1: Google Nest Thermostat is a more affordable version that focuses on basic, app-based control and skips the learning features found in the Nest Learning Thermostat.

Q2: Can I control my Google Nest Thermostat remotely?
A2: Yes, the Google Nest Thermostat has remote adjustability via the use of the Google Home app.

Q3: Does the Google Nest Thermostat support energy-saving features?
A3: Yes, it has energy-saving modes like Eco Mode and provides energy reports toward efficiently guiding you through managing energy.

Q4: Is the Google Nest Thermostat voice assistant compatible?
A4: Yes, it supports voice through both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

Q5: Does Google Nest use a C-wire to install a thermostat?
A5: Many cases don't require a C wire, though some systems do need constant power and might require a C wire or adapter in order to have that power.
A1: The Hive Thermostat features easy scheduling, remote control through the Hive app, and is integrated with all the other devices in the Hive ecosystem, including smart lights, plugs, and sensors.

2. Q: Does it usually require a professional installation?
   A2: Yes, generally speaking, if one needed installation, professional installation is required for the Hive Thermostat.
3. Q: Can I remotely operate the Hive Thermostat?
   A3: Yes, this is possible through the Hive app on your phone: You can set up the temperature and schedule through it remotely.

Q4: Is the Hive Thermostat voice assistant compatible?
A4: Yes, it does support Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit with respect to voice control.

Q5: Does the Hive Thermostat support geofencing?
A5: Yes, the Hive Thermostat offers geofencing for automatic tempering, depending on your location, to save energy when you are not around.

4. Honeywell Evohome
   Q1: What's so special with the Honeywell Evohome?
   A1: Honeywell Evohome can give multi-zone control through zoning. This allows different areas of the home to be heated independently for a more precise heating and energy saving.

Q2: Can I remotely control the Honeywell Evohome?
A2: Yes, you can control the system remotely with the Honeywell Home application. Any temperature, schedule any time, from anywhere.

Q3: Is the Honeywell Evohome compatible with underfloor heating?
A3: Yes, it is possible to use the Evohome system in underfloor heating applications, making it versatile for different kinds of heating systems.

Q4: Does the Honeywell Evohome require professional installation?
A4: Yes, though it is best left to the professionals for installation due to the advanced multi-zone capability it needs to be set up correctly.

Q5: Is Honeywell Evohome compatible with voice assistants?
A5: Yes, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are, for your voice to control the temperature settings.

5. Ecobee 3 Lite Smart Thermostat
   Q1: What are the key features available in the Ecobee 3 Lite Smart Thermostat?
   Q1: The Ecobee 3 Lite supports remote access control, has energy-saving capabilities, and has integrated sensors for smart automation of comfort and energy efficiency.

Q2: Does it include room sensors?
A2: While it doesn't come with room sensors, the Ecobee 3 Lite works with Ecobee's SmartSensors that can be bought separately.

Q3: Does Ecobee 3 Lite work with most HVAC systems?
A3: The Ecobee 3 Lite works with nearly all systems, even multi-stage heating and cooling.

Q4: Can the Ecobee 3 Lite be controlled remotely?
A4: Of course, with the Ecobee app, where one can manage temperature and schedules anywhere.

Q5: Does the Ecobee 3 Lite support any smart home platforms?
A5: Yes, multi-compatibility integrations like Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings are supported.

The above-mentioned set of questions and answers furnishes valuable information for the selection of the most appropriate smart thermostat for 2024 on a budget and can enable users to search for the right solution among many for home automation and saving energy.