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Best Deals on Smart Thermostats: Save Over $62 on Emerson, Honeywell, Google Nest and More

Worried about spending too much on utility bills with your normal thermostat? A smart thermostat can be a solid investment.

Adam Oram Senior Editor
Adam Oram is a Senior Editor at CNET. He studied Media at Newcastle University and has been writing about technology since 2013. He previously worked as a Senior Writer at iMore, Deals Editor at Thrifter, and as an Apple Genius. His spare time is spent watching football (both kinds), playing Pokémon games, and eating vegan food.
Expertise Deals, Apple
Adam Oram
3 min read
$100 at Amazon
Google's Nest thermostat
Google Nest Thermostat: $100
Save $30
$108 at Amazon
Emerson Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat displaying 72 degrees
Emerson Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat: $108
Save $62
$202 at Amazon
nest-thermostat-redo-1
Google Nest Learning Thermostat: $202
Save $47
$216 at Amazon
Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat displaying 72 degrees
Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat with a smart room sensor: $216
Save $5
$80 at Best Buy
GE Lighting's Cync smart thermostat.
GE Lighting Cync Smart Thermostat: $80
Save $40 with My Best Buy Plus or Total

Saving money on utilities is very much on everyone's mind, what with how expensive things are getting and the way the economy is going. If you want to decrease your electricity bill, a smart thermostat is worth taking a look at. Some of them can learn when to change the air conditioning based on factors like your schedule or when the power is cheapest, so they can be a solid investment in the long run.

Yes, they can be expensive, with some models starting at $200 or more. But if you're a budget-conscious buyer, there are some deals out there that'll help you pick one up for less. We've rounded up some of the best smart thermostat deals currently available. 

Best smart thermostat deals

James Martin/CNET

Those aiming to balance smarts and price need not look further than the Google Nest Thermostat. The attractively designed thermostat offers Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa support, easy scheduling options and tips on how you could tweak your usage to save some cash. While it doesn't adapt to your habits automatically as the Nest Learning Thermostat does, it's half the price and boasts most of the features the average homeowner needs.

Read our Nest Thermostat (2020) review.

Emerson

With a color display and touchscreen controls, the Emerson Sensi Touch is an inexpensive option worth considering, thanks to its current savings offering. Despite its relatively low price, the device doesn't skimp on smart features with support for Alexa, Google Assistant and HomeKit. 

Read our Emerson Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Thermostat review.

Tyler Lizenby/CNET

The Nest Learning Thermostat is Google's premier thermostat. You get all the functionality of the cheaper Nest thermostat and a few more bells and whistles. The Learning Thermostat works with Google Assistant and Alexa and learns your schedule to make adjustments to your heating and cooling settings accordingly.

Read our Google Nest Learning Thermostat review.

Honeywell

The Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit and offers reliable performance with a solid app. The device also pairs with Honeywell's remote humidity, proximity and temperature sensors, which are some of the smartest sensor accessories around. This smart thermostat and sensor bundle detects when people are in a room and keeps the temperature comfortable. You can also get just the thermostat for $145 right now. 

Read our Honeywell Home T9 review.

GE Lighting

This thermostat is a Wi-Fi- and Bluetooth-enabled thermostat that works with Alexa and Google Home and has a touchscreen display. It doesn't require a C-wire, which should make for easier installation than some of the other smart thermostats listed here. 

Can a smart thermostat actually lower my bills?

Replacing your standard thermostat with a smarter alternative without modifying your usage habits won't automatically reduce your energy bills. That being said, smart thermostats offer a variety of features that will help you figure out changes you can make to your energy usage patterns to help you shave a few bucks off your bills. 

These include simple scheduling features that are probably easier to use than the ones offered by your old-school thermostat, as well as smart home and away modes that automatically adjust energy usage based on your proximity. 

Outside of smart features, the extra information and more accessible controls provided by a smart thermostat allow you to be more readily able to make the most of opportunities to save some energy and cash. 

How easy is it to install a smart thermostat?

A smart thermostat's ease of installation can vary greatly and depends on your existing HVAC system and the thermostat you choose to go with. If you're not comfortable with minor electrical work, it's always best to call in a professional electrician.

Most smart thermostats do offer step-by-step guidance for a DIY installation and can be completed by anyone comfortable with some basic wiring. Our guide to installing the Nest Smart Thermostat can give you an idea of the process, although it may vary for different systems and thermostat options. 

Before you buy any smart thermostat, it's best to check that it's compatible with your HVAC system.