7 Best Programmable Thermostats for Gas Furnace (2025 Guide)

The Honeywell Home RTH6580WF isn’t just smart—it’s brilliantly intuitive. With its ENERGY STAR certification, robust Wi-Fi connectivity, and Smart Response Learning technology, this thermostat adapts to your home’s heating rhythm like a seasoned HVAC whisperer. It solves the classic dilemma of arriving home to a cold house by learning how long your gas furnace takes to warm things up and starting the cycle ahead of schedule—so comfort hits the moment you walk in. For homeowners tired of manual adjustments and energy waste, this unit delivers set-it-and-forget-it precision with real intelligence behind it.

In real-world use, the RTH6580WF shines brightest when paired with the Honeywell Home app, letting you tweak temperatures from bed, work, or vacation. The big backlit display is easy to read at a glance, and the thermostat handles 7-day, 4-period-per-day scheduling with fluid simplicity. It’s compatible with most forced-air systems, including gas furnaces and heat pumps with electric backup, but beware: a C-wire is required, which could trip up older setups lacking one. While it doesn’t offer touchscreen luxury, its physical buttons are responsive and well-labeled, making it ideal for users who prefer tactile control over sleek glass.

Compared to the budget-focused RTH221B, the RTH6580WF is a quantum leap in connectivity and automation—offering remote control and voice assistant integration that the simpler model can’t touch. Against the touchscreen RTH8560D, it trades a flashy interface for broader smart home compatibility and a more polished app experience. It’s the best overall choice for tech-savvy homeowners with gas furnaces who want remote access, energy savings, and seamless integration without overcomplicating setup. It delivers more value than similarly priced touchscreens by prioritizing performance over flash.

Step into modern comfort with the Honeywell Home RTH8560D, where crystal-clear touchscreen elegance meets intelligent climate control. This thermostat stands out with its cool blue backlit display, offering not just temperature but real-time indoor humidity readouts—a rare gem in programmable models. Its Smart Response Learning tech learns your furnace’s warm-up time, ensuring your home hits the sweet spot of comfort exactly when you want it, eliminating the guesswork of manual scheduling. For users craving a blend of style and substance, this model turns a utilitarian device into a sleek control hub for year-round comfort.

During daily use, the touchscreen interface proves responsive and intuitive, especially for those already accustomed to smartphones or tablets. Programming is a breeze with 7-day, 4-period scheduling, and the filter change reminders pop up clearly on screen, helping maintain system efficiency. It supports a wide range of systems, including multistage heating and cooling, making it suitable for complex HVAC setups beyond basic gas furnaces. However, if your system lacks a C-wire, you’ll need to rely on batteries, which may require more frequent changes under heavy use.

When stacked against the RTH7600D, the RTH8560D offers a more premium display and richer feature set, including humidity monitoring—a feature the former lacks. Compared to the Wi-Fi-enabled RTH6580WF, it loses out on remote access and smart home integration, making it less ideal for users who want to control their thermostat from afar. It’s the best choice for touchscreen lovers who prioritize in-wall aesthetics and advanced local control over app-based management. It trades connectivity for clarity, delivering a high-end feel with rock-solid performance right at your fingertips.

Don’t let its modest price fool you—the Honeywell Home RTH6360D packs smart features at a budget price, making it a standout for cost-conscious homeowners with gas furnaces. Its 5-2 day programming lets you set weekday and weekend schedules separately, aligning perfectly with typical work-life rhythms. The Smart Response Technology is the real MVP here, learning your furnace’s heat-up time and adjusting start cycles automatically—so you wake up warm without wasting energy. For those upgrading from manual thermostats, this model offers a no-frills path to efficiency without the complexity of apps or touchscreens.

In real-world testing, the backlit LCD proves highly legible, showing both current and target temperatures simultaneously—ideal for quick checks in low light. Installation is straightforward, especially with the UWP mounting system, and the thermostat retains settings during power outages, ensuring your schedule stays intact. It works seamlessly with forced-air gas systems and heat pumps with electric backup, but like most in this class, it doesn’t support electric baseboard heat. While it lacks Wi-Fi, its local intelligence and reliability make it a strong performer for users who prefer hands-on control.

Compared to the ultra-basic RTH221B, the RTH6360D offers greater scheduling flexibility with its 5-2 setup instead of a one-size-fits-all weekly program. Against the pricier Wi-Fi models, it forgoes remote access but delivers the core smart feature—adaptive learning—at nearly half the cost. It’s the best value for smart features without Wi-Fi, ideal for renters or homeowners who want energy savings and automation without recurring app subscriptions or network dependency. It proves you don’t need internet to be intelligent.

The Honeywell Home RTH7600D strikes a sweet balance between affordability and advanced features, earning its title as the best value touchscreen for gas furnace users. Its large backlit touchscreen is responsive and clearly laid out, making programming a 7-day, 4-period schedule feel intuitive rather than tedious. The Smart Response Learning tech works quietly in the background, analyzing your furnace’s performance to start heating just early enough to hit your desired temperature on time—no more freezing mornings or overheated evenings. For users who want a modern interface without paying premium smart thermostat prices, this model delivers high usability at a mid-range cost.

In practice, the touchscreen is a joy to use, especially for those with vision challenges, thanks to its simultaneous display of current and set temperatures. The compressor protection delay safeguards your HVAC system during restarts, a small but meaningful touch for long-term equipment health. It supports a wide array of systems, including heat pumps with auxiliary heat and hot water radiators, making it more versatile than many budget models. However, like others in its class, it lacks Wi-Fi—so if you want remote control, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

When compared to the RTH8560D, the RTH7600D offers a similar touchscreen experience at a lower price, though it lacks humidity readouts and voice assistant compatibility. Against the Wi-Fi-enabled RTH6580WF, it sacrifices remote access but gains a tactile screen and simpler operation. It’s perfect for homeowners who want a modern, easy-to-use interface without the learning curve of apps or smart home ecosystems. It offers more functionality than basic programmables while staying affordable—making it the smart middle ground for practical buyers.

Engineered for complexity, the Programmable Thermostat B0DZWSS6N5 is a powerhouse for multi-stage HVAC systems, making it a top pick for homes with advanced heating and cooling setups. Its 2 Heat/2 Cool staging support allows precise control over systems that ramp up gradually, improving efficiency and comfort by matching output to demand. With 7-day and 5/1/1 programming, it adapts to your lifestyle while the large terminal blocks simplify wiring—especially helpful for DIYers tackling intricate installations. For homeowners with multi-stage gas furnaces and central AC, this thermostat delivers industrial-grade compatibility in a consumer package.

During testing, the backlit LCD proved bright and clear, with straightforward menus that guide users through setup without overwhelming them. The factory pre-set energy-saving program is a smart touch for those unsure where to start, offering a solid baseline for efficiency. It handles forced-air gas systems, electric furnaces, and radiant heat with ease, but notably excludes heat pumps with auxiliary heat and mini-splits, which could limit some users. Installation is generally quick—under 30 minutes for experienced users—but the lack of Wi-Fi or touchscreen may deter tech-focused buyers.

Compared to the Honeywell RTH8560D, this model supports more complex HVAC configurations but lacks a polished interface and learning features. Against the RTH6580WF, it wins on system compatibility but loses on smart features and remote access. It’s the best choice for multi-stage systems where precise control trumps app integration. For users with sophisticated gas furnace setups who need reliable, no-nonsense programming, this thermostat offers unmatched versatility without fluff.

The Suuwer S705 is a no-frills, high-value workhorse built for single-stage gas furnace systems, delivering reliable automation at a price that won’t strain your budget. Its 5-1-1 day programming lets you set unique schedules for weekdays, Saturday, and Sunday—perfect for households with irregular routines. The blue backlit display is large and easy to read, a thoughtful touch for older users or low-light environments. With compressor delay protection and filter change reminders, it helps extend HVAC life while keeping maintenance on track. For those seeking simple, dependable control without Wi-Fi clutter, this thermostat is a breath of fresh air.

In real-world use, the dual power option—24VAC or AAA batteries—means it can run even in homes without a C-wire, a major advantage over many competitors. The temperature calibration feature ensures accuracy within ±1°F, so your home stays consistently comfortable. It’s ideal for basic forced-air gas systems and 24V gas fireplaces but doesn’t support multi-stage or heat pump systems, limiting its use in more advanced setups. Installation requires careful wiring verification, and the interface, while simple, may confuse first-time DIYers.

Against the Honeywell RTH221B, the Suuwer offers more flexible scheduling with its 5-1-1 setup instead of a single weekly program. Compared to the RTH6360D, it’s similarly priced but lacks Smart Response Learning, meaning it won’t adapt to your furnace’s warm-up time. It’s the best budget non-WiFi option for users with basic single-stage systems who want clear display, battery backup, and essential automation. It proves that sometimes, less is more—especially when it works flawlessly.

The Honeywell Home RTH221B is the epitome of simplicity, designed for users who want basic automation without complexity. Its one-week identical program means you set it once and repeat it seven days straight—ideal for households with consistent daily routines. With four daily periods (wake, leave, arrive, sleep) and ±1°F precision, it delivers reliable comfort and energy savings without overwhelming menus or apps. For homeowners upgrading from manual thermostats or managing a secondary heating zone, this model offers straightforward, hands-on control with zero learning curve.

In practice, the non-backlit digital display is clean and easy to navigate, though visibility in dark rooms is limited. The tactile buttons provide clear feedback, and the thermostat retains settings during power outages—ensuring your schedule stays intact. It works with single-stage gas furnaces and heat pumps without auxiliary heat, but excludes multi-stage and electric baseboard systems, narrowing its appeal. There are no frills: no Wi-Fi, no touchscreen, no learning features—just dependable programming that does exactly what it promises.

Compared to the Suuwer S705, the RTH221B offers fewer scheduling options (no weekend override), making it less flexible for variable routines. Against the RTH6360D, it lacks adaptive learning and backlighting. Yet, it remains the best choice for simple programming, especially in garages, basements, or rental units where clarity and reliability matter most. It delivers bare-bones efficiency at a rock-bottom price, proving that sometimes, the simplest solution is the smartest.