Why You Can Trust CNET Amazon Smart Thermostat or Wyze Thermostat: Which Budget Model is Right for You?
Both smart thermostats cost less than 100 bucks, but they have some key differences.
The Amazon Smart Thermostat and the Wyze Thermostat are the two most affordable connected thermostats I've tested. Both models can be controlled with an app or voice commands and both cost less than 100 bucks. So, which one is the best for you? We've got a side-by-side comparison below so you can see their main differences and determine which budget-friendly smart thermostat to choose.
Disclaimer: We aren't recommending that consumers purchase Wyze products at this time. Over the past several years, Wyze has suffered from repeated data leaks and security breaches, including a 2019 user data leak, exposed databases in 2022, and exposed video files that same year. More recently, Wyze has seen both 2023 and 2024 security flaws that let at least 13,000 people see through other Wyze security cams owned by unrelated users.
Wyze's forum report on the latest breach includes an update from February 2024: "Our engineering team has added a new layer of verification between users and event videos to prevent this from happening again. We've also removed the client library and will not be using caching until we can find a new client library and stress test it for extreme scenarios like we saw on Friday."
This response is a start, but Wyze has repeatedly struggled to reliably update its approach to security and meaningfully communicate with its users. While we have seen security companies bounce back from security problems in the past, we haven't seen this kind of improvement from Wyze yet. So we are not endorsing their products or any services where you need to create a Wyze account with your personal info.
We'll keep you updated on Wyze's security and privacy if our recommendations change. If you're looking for security brands that have made notable security improvements or have good privacy track records, we can recommend products from Ring, Google's Nest, Blink, and Arlo.
The Amazon Smart Thermostat is just $60. For your money, you get the thermostat, mounting hardware and tools and an optional wall plate to cover old paint and holes.
If your current thermostat wiring doesn't include a C-wire, you'll need Amazon's C-wire adapter. Unlike most thermostat companies, Amazon doesn't include a C-wire adapter by default. You can either buy it bundled with the thermostat for $75 or buy one separately for $30. Like all C-wire adapters, it takes some extra electrical work to install one, but Amazon details the steps in the Alexa app.
The Amazon Smart Thermostat has a minimal design with an easy-to-use touchscreen display, and it's simple to install and configure using the Alexa app. It also works seamlessly with Alexa voice commands, but isn't compatible with Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit.
Because of its excellent price (especially if you don't need the C-wire adapter), solid design and easy integrations with the Alexa app and Alexa voice commands, this model won an Editors' Choice Award. There are a couple things that make the Wyze Thermostat stand out, though, so let's see what it has to offer in comparison.
Read my review of the Amazon Smart Thermostat for more details.
Wyze Thermostat
The Wyze Thermostat costs $71. In addition to the thermostat, your purchase includes mounting hardware and tools and an optional wall plate and C-wire adapter. Wyze's app has a detailed tutorial for installing and configuring the Wyze Thermostat. The app is also easy to use to adjust your thermostat's temperature, create schedules and view your current settings after the initial setup.
It works with Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, if you have a compatible smart speaker or display.
The thermostat dial felt cheap, however, and was difficult to use to adjust the temperature. You also either need a C-wire or have to install the included C-wire adapter. Wyze details how to install the C-wire adapter if you need one, but it will require some additional electrical work. The Wyze Thermostat isn't compatible with Apple HomeKit, either, so you can't use the Home app or Siri with this thermostat.
Due to the wonky control dial and higher price compared to the Amazon's thermostat (if you don't need Amazon's C-wire adapter), Amazon's model edges out the Wyze Thermostat. However, if you only plan to control your thermostat with the app or voice commands, the cheap dial won't be as much of an issue.
Read my Wyze Thermostat review for more information.