7 Best Thermostats Under $100 to Buy in 2025

The Google Nest Thermostat delivers a sleek, modern take on home climate control with intelligent automation and seamless smart home integration. Its standout feature is the ability to learn your schedule and automatically adjust temperatures when you’re away—no manual programming needed. With ENERGY STAR certification, it’s engineered to cut energy waste without sacrificing comfort, making it ideal for homeowners tired of forgetting to adjust the thermostat before leaving the house. The clean design and intuitive interface make it a pleasure to use, even for those new to smart devices.

In real-world testing, the Nest consistently excelled at maintaining optimal temperatures across varying schedules and household patterns. It connects via Wi-Fi and works with most HVAC systems—even many without a C-wire—though some complex setups may require additional accessories. The HVAC monitoring system sends early warnings if your furnace or AC shows signs of trouble, helping prevent costly repairs. While voice control requires a separate Google Home or Alexa device, the ability to adjust settings remotely through the Google Home app ensures total control from anywhere. That said, its performance dips slightly in homes with multi-zone or heat pump systems that lack proper power accessories.

Positioned as the best overall smart thermostat under $100, the Nest outshines budget models like the Amazon Smart Thermostat by offering deeper learning capabilities and broader ecosystem compatibility, including Matter support. Compared to basic programmable thermostats from Honeywell, it eliminates the need for manual scheduling, which many users find confusing or time-consuming. It’s perfect for tech-savvy homeowners who want hands-off efficiency and long-term energy savings. While pricier than entry-level options, its smart response, self-programming logic, and proactive maintenance alerts deliver superior value over simpler models.

The Amazon Smart Thermostat punches well above its weight, combining affordable intelligence with deep Alexa integration to create a compelling smart home centerpiece. Designed with simplicity in mind, it automatically adjusts temperatures based on your home, away, and sleep routines, using presence detection from compatible Echo devices. This adaptive comfort zoning means your living room doesn’t stay heated when you’re asleep upstairs—a common pain point the thermostat solves effortlessly. As an ENERGY STAR certified device, it’s proven to reduce energy bills, and Amazon helps you unlock further savings by guiding you toward available utility rebates.

During real-world use, the thermostat demonstrated reliable responsiveness and smooth operation across standard forced-air systems. Its reliance on a C-wire is a firm requirement, which could be a hurdle for older homes lacking one—unlike the Nest, it doesn’t support many no-C-wire installations. However, once installed, the Alexa app walks users through setup with clear visuals and troubleshooting tips, making DIY installation surprisingly approachable. You can adjust the temperature via voice command, the app, or directly on the minimalist dial interface. While it lacks advanced learning features, its predictable automation and seamless Ring compatibility make it a strong choice for Alexa-centric households.

Compared to the Google Nest, the Amazon Smart Thermostat trades adaptive learning for affordability and Alexa-first functionality, making it the best value smart thermostat under $100. It doesn’t learn your behavior over time, but instead relies on preset routines you configure—ideal for users who prefer control over autonomy. When stacked against Honeywell’s programmable models, it offers far more convenience and remote access, though it demands a stable Wi-Fi connection. For those already invested in the Alexa ecosystem, this thermostat delivers premium integration at a fraction of the cost of competitors.

The Honeywell Home RTH6360D1002 is a no-frills powerhouse that brings precision and reliability to mid-range programmable thermostats. With its 5-2 day scheduling, it lets you set unique weekday and weekend temperature profiles, giving homeowners fine-tuned control over comfort and energy use. The standout feature is Smart Response Technology, which learns how long your system takes to heat or cool your home and starts early to hit target temps exactly when scheduled—an often-overlooked detail that prevents waking up to a chilly house. For users who want automation without Wi-Fi dependency, this model delivers consistent, set-and-forget performance.

In practice, the RTH6360D shines in homes with standard heating and cooling systems, including heat pumps without auxiliary heat and hot water/steam systems. The backlit LCD display clearly shows both current and set temperatures, and the interface remains intuitive even for first-time users. It retains settings during power outages and automatically adjusts for daylight saving time—small touches that enhance daily usability. However, it lacks remote access or smart features, meaning adjustments require physical interaction. While it handles basic HVAC systems with ease, it’s incompatible with electric baseboard heating, which limits its use in certain older homes.

As the best mid-range programmable thermostat, it outperforms budget models like the RTH2300B by offering smarter temperature anticipation and better display clarity. Compared to smart thermostats like Nest or Amazon, it forgoes connectivity for rock-solid mechanical reliability and lower cost. It’s ideal for users who prioritize consistent automation without app dependence or fear of connectivity issues. While it doesn’t offer energy reports or remote control, its predictive heating logic and broad compatibility make it a smarter pick than basic timers—especially for secondary homes or users avoiding smart tech.

The Honeywell Home RTH2300B1038 is a bare-bones but effective solution for budget-conscious homeowners who still want scheduling smarts. With 5-2 day programming, it lets you define separate weekday and weekend routines using four daily periods—wake, leave, arrive, and sleep—making it easy to align temperature changes with your lifestyle. Its precise ±1°F control ensures your home stays within a tight comfort range, while built-in reminders for filter and battery changes help maintain system efficiency over time. For users overwhelmed by complex interfaces, this thermostat offers a refreshingly straightforward way to save energy without smart tech complexity.

In real-world use, the RTH2300B performs reliably with standard HVAC systems like gas furnaces, central air, and heat pumps without backup heat. Installation is simple thanks to clear labeling and compatibility with most 24V systems. The backlit digital display improves visibility in low light, and the one-touch interface makes adjustments quick. However, it struggles with multistage or radiant heating systems, and its lack of adaptive learning means you must manually optimize the schedule. There’s no Wi-Fi, so any changes require being in front of the unit—fine for primary residences but inconvenient for vacation homes.

As the best budget programmable thermostat, it undercuts the RTH6360D while retaining core scheduling functionality. Compared to smart thermostats, it sacrifices connectivity and automation intelligence for rock-bottom pricing and zero app dependency. It’s perfect for renters, secondary homes, or users who want basic energy savings without subscriptions or updates. While not as advanced as higher-end Honeywells, its simplicity, reliability, and low cost make it a smart foundational upgrade from manual dials.

The Honeywell Home RTH221B1039 is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it thermostat for minimalists who want automation without complexity. Its 1-week programming lets you set a single daily schedule that repeats all week—perfect for households with consistent routines. With four daily periods (wake, leave, arrive, sleep) and ±1°F temperature accuracy, it maintains comfort while reducing energy waste during unoccupied hours. The interface is simple and intuitive, with one-touch access to temperature adjustments, and it retains settings during power outages, ensuring uninterrupted operation. This model is ideal for users who find multi-day programming overwhelming or unnecessary.

During testing, the thermostat performed reliably with standard forced-air and heat pump systems (without auxiliary heat), delivering consistent temperature transitions. The non-backlit display is easy to read in daylight but can be hard to see at night—a minor annoyance in bedrooms or basements. It supports temporary and permanent overrides, so you can manually adjust without disrupting the full schedule. However, its lack of backlight and limited compatibility (no support for multi-stage or baseboard heating) narrows its appeal. Installation is straightforward, but the absence of a backlight may frustrate users in low-light areas.

Positioned as the best simple programmable thermostat, the RTH221B1039 beats more complex models when simplicity is the goal. Compared to the RTH2300B, it trades weekday/weekend flexibility for ease of use—ideal for retirees, second homes, or anyone with a fixed daily rhythm. Against smart thermostats, it wins on affordability and zero connectivity hassles, though it lacks remote access or learning features. For users who value consistency over customization, this thermostat offers dependable, no-nonsense performance at an unbeatable price.

The Honeywell Home X1N is a refreshingly straightforward non-programmable thermostat designed for users who prefer manual control with modern reliability. It features a large, easy-to-read display with clear font and backlit interface, making temperature adjustments simple for all ages—even the tech-averse. While it doesn’t automate heating or cooling, it includes helpful features like filter change reminders and customizable display settings (Fahrenheit/Celsius, 12/24-hour clock), adding a touch of smart convenience to a basic design. It’s perfect for homes where occupants are always present or prefer to adjust temperatures on the fly.

In real-world use, the X1N excels in simplicity and durability. It works with common systems like forced air (gas, oil, electric) and hot water heat, though it’s not compatible with electric baseboard heating. The UWP wall plate simplifies installation and future upgrades, allowing you to swap thermostats without rewiring. Since it runs on AA batteries, there’s no need for a C-wire, making it ideal for older homes. However, because it lacks programming, energy savings depend entirely on user discipline—leaving it set too high in winter can quickly erase efficiency gains.

As the best non-programmable thermostat under $100, the X1N stands out for its user-friendly design and upgrade-ready mounting system. Compared to programmable models, it sacrifices automation for accessibility—ideal for rental units, workshops, or elderly users uncomfortable with digital menus. Against smart thermostats, it avoids app fatigue and privacy concerns while remaining highly reliable. For those who want zero learning curve and rock-solid performance, this thermostat delivers exactly what it promises—manual control done right.

The Honeywell Home X2P (RTH20B) strikes a smart balance between budget pricing and essential automation, making it the best budget smart-ready thermostat under $100. It features 5-2 day programming, allowing separate weekday and weekend schedules with four daily periods—ideal for typical 9-to-5 routines. The backlit display and large font enhance readability, while filter change reminders help maintain HVAC efficiency. Notably, it includes a non-programmable mode, letting users switch to manual control when needed—perfect for vacations or irregular schedules.

In practice, the X2P installs easily using Honeywell’s UWP wall plate and works reliably with standard 1-heat/1-cool systems, including forced air and hot water heat. It retains settings during power outages and offers precise ±1°F control, ensuring consistent comfort. The programming interface is intuitive, though not as polished as higher-end models. Like other non-Wi-Fi thermostats, it lacks remote access, so changes must be made on-site. It also doesn’t support complex systems like multi-stage HVAC or baseboard heating, limiting its versatility.

Compared to the RTH2300B, the X2P offers nearly identical functionality but with a modernized design and UWP compatibility for easier future upgrades. Against smart thermostats, it wins on price and simplicity, avoiding app dependency while still delivering energy-saving automation. It’s ideal for users who want basic scheduling with a clean interface and upgrade path. While it doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi, its smart-ready foundation and flexible programming make it a smarter long-term choice than purely manual models.