9 Best Energy Star Smart Thermostats to Buy in 2025

The ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium isn’t just a thermostat—it’s a whole-home intelligence hub wrapped in a sleek, cinematic display. With ENERGY STAR certification, built-in air quality monitoring, and an included SmartSensor, it tackles comfort, health, and efficiency in one bold stroke. This is the kind of device that anticipates your needs: adjusting temps based on room occupancy, alerting you to poor indoor air, and even detecting sudden temperature drops that could burst pipes—making it ideal for homeowners who want comprehensive climate control without compromise.

In real-world use, the Premium shines brightest in multi-level or sun-drenched homes where hot and cold spots are common. The 7-inch vibrant touchscreen responds instantly, while the advanced occupancy sensing uses motion and temperature data across rooms to balance comfort. It integrates seamlessly with Apple Home, Alexa, and Google Assistant, and doubles as a smart speaker (with your choice of Alexa or Siri). However, the voice control feature requires additional hardware—an Apple Home hub for Siri—adding a layer of complexity. While it handles HVAC systems with ease (thanks to the included Power Extender Kit), users with basic setups may find some features overkill.

Compared to the more stripped-down ecobee Essential or the Google Nest, the Premium sits at the pinnacle of smart thermostat functionality, trading simplicity for depth. It’s perfect for tech-savvy homeowners who want centralized control over climate, air quality, and even home security—especially when paired with ecobee’s optional security plan. While it costs more than competitors, its feature density, premium build, and room-by-room precision make it a standout investment—especially when you consider the included $50 SmartSensor.

The ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced strikes a rare balance: it’s powerful enough for serious efficiency seekers, yet simple enough for first-time smart thermostat adopters. Engineered with ENERGY STAR certification and support for SmartSensors (sold separately), it eliminates cold spots by adjusting based on where people actually are—not just where the thermostat hangs. Its standout feature? Humidity compensation, which ensures your home feels like the set temperature, not warmer or muggier due to moisture—solving a hidden comfort flaw most thermostats ignore.

During daily use, the Enhanced proves its worth through predictive scheduling and geofencing, automatically switching to “away” mode when everyone leaves and pre-cooling before arrival. The intuitive Ecobee app makes remote adjustments effortless, and its hardwired design means no battery worries. It supports most HVAC systems, including heat pumps and dual-fuel setups, and includes a Power Extender Kit—a lifesaver for homes without a C-wire. That said, unlike the Premium, it lacks air quality sensing and built-in voice control, so it’s less of a hub and more of a precision climate tool.

When stacked against the ecobee Premium or Google Nest, the Enhanced emerges as the sweet spot for performance without excess. It’s ideal for mid-sized homes where room-by-room sensing matters but full home monitoring isn’t essential. While it doesn’t offer built-in voice assistants or air alerts, it delivers 90% of the Premium’s core efficiency at a noticeably lower cost. For homeowners who want smart savings and reliable comfort without the bells and whistles, this is the smarter buy.

Don’t let its simplicity fool you—the ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential is a no-nonsense energy saver built for budget-conscious homeowners who still demand quality. As an ENERGY STAR certified device, it delivers the core promise of smart thermostats: automatically cutting costs by adjusting when you’re away. It learns your routine, applies geofencing to detect occupancy, and keeps your home comfortable day and night without manual tweaks. For those upgrading from a basic thermostat, this model offers a clean, intuitive interface and seamless integration with Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant—making voice and app control effortless.

In practice, the Essential performs admirably in standard single-zone homes. It handles heating and cooling cycles smoothly and connects reliably to Wi-Fi for remote access via the ecobee app. While it lacks room sensors and advanced features like humidity adjustment or air quality alerts, it sticks to the essentials: scheduling, geofencing, and energy-saving automation. Installation is straightforward with the included Power Extender Kit, making it C-wire compatible for most homes. However, if you have multiple floors or uneven temperatures, you’ll miss the room-level control found in higher-tier models.

Compared to the Enhanced or Nest Thermostat, the Essential is the minimalist’s choice—offering ecobee’s trusted software and efficiency in a leaner, more affordable package. It’s perfect for renters, small homes, or anyone who wants to start saving energy without overspending or overcomplicating. While it doesn’t include SmartSensors or premium materials, it delivers proven 26% annual savings potential with the reliability of the ecobee name—making it a strong value pick among Energy Star models.

The Google Nest Thermostat is the minimalist’s gateway to smart climate control, blending sleek design with intuitive, AI-driven automation. As an ENERGY STAR certified device, it promises up to 10–12% in heating and 15% in cooling savings by learning your habits and turning down the heat when you’re out. What sets it apart is Savings Finder, a smart feature that analyzes your usage and suggests schedule tweaks to save even more—turning passive efficiency into active optimization. Its simple dial interface and phone-based setup make it one of the easiest smart thermostats to adopt, especially for Google ecosystem users.

In real-world testing, the Nest excels in small to mid-sized homes with consistent occupancy patterns. The geofencing works reliably, switching to “away” mode as soon as your phone leaves the vicinity, and it pre-cools or preheats based on your estimated return time. It supports HVAC monitoring, sending alerts if your system behaves abnormally—like short cycling or failing to reach temperature—helping catch issues before they become costly repairs. However, it requires a C-wire in many setups, and lacks support for advanced systems like dual-fuel or heat pumps without an extra power kit. Also, unlike ecobee models, it doesn’t support room sensors, so it can’t correct for hot or cold rooms.

When compared to the ecobee Enhanced, the Nest trades zonal intelligence and humidity control for a cleaner design and tighter Google integration. It’s the best fit for users deeply embedded in the Google Home ecosystem, especially those with straightforward HVAC systems and a “set it and forget it” mindset. While it doesn’t offer the same level of customization as ecobee, its AI-powered suggestions and effortless interface make it a top contender for beginners and minimalists alike—delivering solid savings with zero learning curve.

The Amazon Smart Thermostat is the budget king of Alexa-powered climate control, offering enterprise-grade reliability at a price that shocks. Built using Honeywell Home technology, it combines 130 years of HVAC expertise with Amazon’s smart home muscle, resulting in a thermostat that’s both trustworthy and deeply integrated with Alexa. As an ENERGY STAR certified device, it promises average annual savings of $50 by automatically adjusting temps when you’re away—no programming needed. The real magic? Alexa’s automatic routines, which shift between home, away, and sleep modes based on your presence, making it feel like your house knows you’re coming.

In everyday use, the Amazon Smart Thermostat delivers rock-solid performance for basic to mid-tier HVAC systems. The Alexa app guides installation with clear visuals, and once set up, remote control via phone or voice is seamless. You can ask any Echo device to adjust the temperature, and it supports geofencing and scheduling through the Alexa app. However, it requires a C-wire, which could be a barrier for older homes. Also, while it works with Ring and other Alexa-compatible devices, it lacks advanced features like humidity sensing, room sensors, or energy usage reports—keeping it firmly in the entry-level smart thermostat category.

Pitted against the Google Nest or ecobee Essential, the Amazon model wins on price and Alexa integration, but lags in customization and system compatibility. It’s ideal for Alexa loyalists, renters, or homeowners doing a first-time smart upgrade who want hands-off automation without complexity. While it doesn’t offer the same depth as ecobee or the AI smarts of Nest, its reliability, low cost, and tight voice control make it a no-brainer for Amazon-centric homes—especially when rebates are factored in.

The Emerson Sensi Touch turns thermostat design into a statement of modern elegance, pairing a vibrant color touchscreen with a minimalist black, white, or silver finish that blends into any décor. But it’s not just about looks—this ENERGY STAR certified model delivers around 23% in HVAC energy savings through smart scheduling, remote access, and geofencing. Its illuminated terminals and built-in level make DIY installation a breeze, and the top-rated Sensi app gives you full control from anywhere. For homeowners who want style, simplicity, and solid savings without subscriptions, the Sensi Touch is a standout.

In daily operation, the Sensi Touch proves reliable and responsive, with smooth app connectivity and accurate temperature adjustments. It supports usage reports and maintenance alerts, including filter change reminders, helping extend your HVAC system’s life. It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, offering broad voice control options. However, it requires a C-wire, which may deter some DIYers, and lacks room sensors or humidity compensation—meaning it can’t adapt to uneven temperatures across your home. While the display is beautiful, it’s smaller than the ecobee Premium’s, and the interface, though intuitive, feels less dynamic.

Against the ecobee Enhanced or Nest, the Sensi Touch wins on aesthetic appeal and privacy—Sensi pledges not to sell your data, a growing concern in smart homes. It’s best for users who value design, data privacy, and hassle-free installation in a standard single-zone home. While it doesn’t offer the advanced automation of Google or the room-by-room control of ecobee, its blend of style, reliability, and energy savings makes it a top pick for design-focused buyers—especially those who want a smart thermostat that looks as good as it performs.

The Sensi Lite Smart Thermostat is a DIY installer’s dream, engineered for speed, simplicity, and savings—without sacrificing core smart features. As an ENERGY STAR certified device, it helps cut up to 23% off HVAC energy costs through flexible scheduling, geofencing, and remote access via the top-rated Sensi app. What makes it special is its C-wire flexibility: it works without one in most systems, eliminating a major installation hurdle. With a built-in level and intuitive app guidance, even first-timers can swap out an old thermostat in under 30 minutes—making it one of the most accessible smart upgrades on the market.

In real-world use, the Sensi Lite delivers consistent, no-frills performance. It adjusts temps based on your schedule and phone location, and sends filter change alerts to keep your system running efficiently. The interface is straightforward, with clear menus and responsive controls. However, it lacks a color screen or advanced sensors, and while it works with Alexa and Google Assistant, it doesn’t support Apple HomeKit. Also, heat pump and cooling-only systems still require a C-wire, so compatibility isn’t universal. It’s best suited for small homes, condos, or renters who want smart control without complexity.

Compared to the Amazon Smart Thermostat or ecobee Essential, the Sensi Lite stands out for its installation ease and privacy commitment—Sensi won’t sell your data or use it for ads. It’s ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize DIY setup and data security over voice control or premium design. While it doesn’t have a touchscreen or built-in speaker, it offers core smart functionality at a mid-range price, making it a smart bridge between basic and high-end models—especially for those upgrading from analog thermostats.

The Sensi Smart Thermostat ST55 is the undisputed champion of value, delivering smart climate control for under $50—a feat few competitors can match. Despite its low cost, it’s ENERGY STAR certified and capable of saving up to 23% on HVAC energy, thanks to geofencing, remote access, and adaptive scheduling. It fits in the same wall space as traditional thermostats, so you won’t need to patch holes or repaint—perfect for renters or quick retrofits. With physical buttons and a familiar layout, it feels intuitive from day one, while the Sensi app gives you full remote control and usage insights.

In practice, the ST55 performs reliably in standard heating and cooling setups. It connects seamlessly to Wi-Fi, syncs with Alexa and Google Assistant, and sends timely filter change reminders and system alerts. The no-C-wire design works in most applications, making installation a true DIY win. However, it lacks a color screen, voice control, and advanced features like humidity sensing or room sensors. It’s also not compatible with Apple HomeKit, limiting its smart home reach. For users with complex HVAC systems or multi-room needs, it may feel too basic.

Stacked against the Amazon or Nest thermostats, the Sensi ST55 wins on price and simplicity, offering core smart features without bloat. It’s perfect for first-time upgraders, budget shoppers, or secondary homes where you want remote control and energy savings without overspending. While it doesn’t dazzle with tech or design, its proven reliability, low cost, and easy install make it the best bang-for-buck smart thermostat—especially for those who just want a smarter way to manage heat and cool without fanfare.

The Breez Max is a game-changer for mini-split and portable AC owners, transforming any IR-controlled unit into a smart, schedule-driven system—no hub required. As an ENERGY STAR certified device, it uses AI-powered Comfy Max technology to prevent overcooling and overheating, ensuring your room stays comfortable only when needed—slashing energy use without sacrificing comfort. With geofencing, weekly scheduling, and multi-zone control, it brings full smart thermostat functionality to standalone units that typically lack it, making it the only true smart solution for mini-splits.

In real-world testing, the Breez Max impresses with its universal compatibility and intelligent automation. The auto-detection algorithm recognizes over 20,000 AC models, and setup takes minutes via the free app. Place it within line of sight of your unit (6–12 feet), and it learns your remote’s signals instantly. The multi-zone feature is revolutionary: pair one Breez Max per indoor unit to avoid mode conflicts in multi-split systems. It integrates with Alexa, Google, Siri Shortcuts, and IFTTT, and tracks filter status and energy usage—features rarely seen in AC controllers. However, it requires 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, and touch controls can lock—requiring a button combo to unlock.

Against traditional thermostats or even the ecobee models, the Breez Max serves a unique niche: renters, dorms, or homes with ductless systems. While it doesn’t replace a whole-home thermostat, it fills a critical gap for millions who rely on mini-splits or window units. With no subscriptions, free app, and industry-leading support, it offers premium features at a mid-range price. For anyone tired of manual AC adjustments, the Breez Max isn’t just convenient—it’s essential.