Which Smart Thermostat Is Easiest to Use?

We’re living in an increasingly smart world (at least when it comes to products), and one device that we’re starting to see in more and more homes are smart thermostats. And rightfully so, too. They’re convenient, easy to use, and can save you money in the long run. But which is best and easiest to use? We’ll take you through some of the best to help you decide which is the right one for you.

Ecobee 4 Smart Thermostat

The Ecobee 4 Smart Thermostat is basically at the top of all of these lists—and for good reason. Not only does it perform as a basic thermostat, but you can do things like schedules when it turns on and off, use geofencing so it automatically turns on and off when you leave or come home, and more nifty tricks. However, its real claim to fame is the fact that is has Amazon Alexa built-in and a microphone, making it a competent smart speaker as well. It doesn’t perform all of the functions you’ll find on an Amazon Echo, but it’s close.

The Ecobee 4 also comes with a secondary sensor so you can get a more accurate average reading of your home. This is more useful if you have a larger home vs a studio apartment, but it’s a welcomed addition. Other than that, you’ll find support for Apple’s Homekit, IFTTT, and Samsung’s SmartThings, making it compatible with more third-party services than some of the others out there.

Ecobee family alternative: If you don’t mind foregoing features like the built-in Alexa speaker and the extra room sensor, the Ecobee3 Lite may be a better fit for you.

Nest 3rd Generation Learning Thermostat

Despite becoming the first big name in this particular industry and being acquired by Google, the Nest may trail in mindshare as the best smart thermostat compared to the Ecobee 4. However, the Nest could easily be considered the easiest to use of the bunch.

Sure, you can create a schedule with a Nest, and you can tell your Amazon Echo or Google Assistant to control it, though neither are built directly into the device. You can set up geofencing, extend its functionality with IFTTT and other Nest devices. Still, that’s not what makes the Nest the Nest. It’s all in the name, in that this thermostat learns your habits and will adjust over time to make a schedule for you so you don’t have to do it manually. This hands-off approach may not be completely perfect, but this defining feature makes it even easier to have in your home. (That, and it’s often on sale.)

Nest family alternative: The Nest E replaces the metal turn dial with a plastic one and has a lower resolution screen, but doesn’t sacrifice much more in the process.

Lux GEO-WH

And in the “no frills” corner is the Lux Geo Smart Thermostat, which may be the easiest of the bunch. That said, we’re not counting a lack of functionality as a point for ease of use, but still, it’s easy.

For what the Lux Geo does, it does well. You can create a seven-day schedule (on the unit, not in-app), set up geofencing with the application made for iOS or Android, and connect it in three different ways: Battery, USB, or system power c wire. If you opt to connect the device with either of the latter two power options, you can control it with Amazon Alexa. Doing so boosts the functionality of the unit (and your ability to be lazy and yell at something to turn something on across the room for you). And we are all about that life.