Smart thermostats can function without an internet connection, but their capabilities are typically limited without it. Basic functions like adjusting the temperature or switching between heating and cooling modes can usually still be performed manually via the thermostat's interface. However, without internet access, features that require connectivity—such as remote control via a smartphone app, receiving software updates, integrating with other smart home devices, or accessing advanced energy-saving algorithms—will be unavailable. Despite these limitations, the thermostat can still maintain its primary function of regulating the home’s temperature based on its preset programming.
Best Smart Thermostats for Houses of May 2025
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced - Programmable Wifi Thermostat - Works with Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant - Energy Star Certified - Smart Home
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Save up to 26% per year on heating and cooling costs. ENERGY STAR certified. Automatically adjusts the temperature when you’re away to never heat or cool an empty home. Compared to a hold of 72°F.
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Enjoy comfort without compromise. Smart Thermostat Enhanced preheats or precools your home before you arrive, so it’s the perfect temperature the moment you walk in. Automatically adjusts to your desired temperature when you’re home or sleeping to keep you comfortable day and night. Adjusts the temperature to account for humidity so your home always feels like the temperature you’ve set.
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Easy to install and use every day, ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced comes with everything you need for installation. Most people install it themselves in about 45 minutes or less. Use your smart home platform and the ecobee app to control your thermostat from anywhere with your smartphone, tablet, or Apple Watch.
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ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced is made with quality materials and designed to last on your wall for over a decade. It’s hardwired so you never have to worry about losing control or replacing batteries. If you run into problems, our dedicated support team is available 7 days a week.
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium with Smart Sensor and Air Quality Monitor - Programmable Wifi Thermostat - Works with Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant
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Save up to 26% per year on heating and cooling costs. ENERGY STAR certified. Included SmartSensor (50 dollar value) adjusts the temperature in the rooms that matter most to reduce hot or cold spots to keep you comfortable. Compared to a hold of 72°F.
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Built-in air quality monitor alerts you to poor air quality, provides tips on how to improve it, and reminds you when it’s time to change your furnace’s air filter.
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Premium materials and advanced engineering mean a large, vibrant display with a cinematic interface, a timeless design, and next level occupancy sensing.
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ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is a complete home monitoring hub that includes built-in smoke alarm detection and alerts to possible break-ins when your system is armed. Get notifications during sudden temperature drops that could cause damage. ecobee Smart Security plan required
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Comes with a smart speaker and your choice of Siri or Alexa Built-in. Control your home using the power of your voice and listen to your favorite Spotify playlists and podcast through your thermostat’s speaker. Apple home hub required to enable Siri on Smart Thermostat Premium
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
Google Nest Thermostat - Smart Thermostat for Home - Programmable Wifi Thermostat - Snow
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ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat for home that helps you save energy and stay comfortable.Product note: You can also check your system’s compatibility before purchasing a Nest thermostat with our online Nest Compatibility Checker on the Google Nest support page.Connectivity Protocol : Wi-Fi.Connectivity Protocol : Wi-Fi
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The Nest Thermostat is designed to work without a C wire in most homes, but for some systems, including heating only, cooling only, zone controlled, and heat pump systems, you’ll need a C wire or other compatible power accessory. Lock feature: No
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Nest Thermostat turns itself down when you leave, so you don’t waste energy heating or cooling an empty home; easily program an energy efficient schedule in the Google home app on your Android or iPhone
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Remote control lets family members change the thermostat temperature from anywhere on a phone, laptop, or tablet[1]
4
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
Amazon Smart Thermostat – Save money and energy - Works with Alexa and Ring - C-wire required
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Smart upgrade - Amazon Smart Thermostat is an easy way to switch from a traditional thermostat and help reduce energy usage.
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Supports temperature sensors - use compatible Echo devices (Echo Dot (4th and 5th gen), Echo Dot with clock (5th gen)), and the Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor as temperature sensors to address hot or cold spots in your home.
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Save money - After purchase, Amazon will send you an email with details about rebates that may be available from energy providers in your area. Explore rebates above.
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Save energy - According to EPA estimates, ENERGY STAR certified thermostats save an average of $50 on yearly energy bills.
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Google Nest Thermostat E - Programmable Smart Thermostat for Home - 3rd Generation Nest Thermostat - Works with Alexa,White
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Programmable smart thermostat that learns the temperatures you like and programs itself to help you save energy and stay comfortable; start with a simple schedule and easily adjust it whenever you like in the Nest app
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Home/Away Assist automatically adjusts itself to an Eco Temperature after you leave, so you don’t heat or cool an empty home. Connectivity requirements-Wi-Fi internet connection, Phone or tablet running iOS or Android, Nest app
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Remote control lets family members change the temperature on this smart thermostat from anywhere using a phone, laptop, or tablet[1]
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The Nest Thermostat E has HVAC monitoring, which looks out for your heating and cooling systems; sends an alert if something doesn’t seem right, along with helpful reminders to make maintenance easier[2]
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Works with the Nest Temperature Sensor (sold separately) to help make sure a certain room is the exact temperature you want it to be
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
Google Nest Learning Thermostat - 3rd Gen (2015) - Programmable Smart Thermostat for Home - Works with Alexa - White
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Programmable smart thermostat that learns your schedule and the temperatures you like and programs itself to help you save energy and stay comfortable
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Home/Away Assist automatically adjusts itself to an Eco Temperature after you leave, so you don’t heat or cool an empty home; remote control lets you change the temperature from anywhere on your phone, laptop, or tablet[1]
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With Energy History, just check your phone to see how much energy you used and why, or use Quick View on the display to reach Energy History, settings, or your schedule; the Nest Leaf appears when you choose a temperature that saves energy
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Smart thermostat with HVAC monitoring, which looks out for your heating and cooling systems; sends an alert if something doesn’t seem right, along with helpful reminders to make maintenance easier[2]
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The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the Nest Temperature Sensor (sold separately) to help make sure a certain room is the exact temperature you want it to be
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Beautifully designed, with polished metal finishes and bright, high resolution display; Farsight shows you the temperature, weather, or time on your thermostat when you walk in the room
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat, 7 Day Programmable, Touch Screen, Energy Star, Alexa Ready, Gray
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Compatible with: Alexa, SmartThings, Google Home, IFTTT.Central Air Conditioning : Yes. Heat Pump with Auxiliary heat. Yes..WiFi Specifications : 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 2.4GHz range.
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Check to see If your new thermostat qualifies for a utility rebate; Auto-updates for daylight savings; adjusts for 12/24-hour and multi-language needs
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Customizable touchscreen in full Color with easy to read numbers and text, view your local weather including indoor and outdoor relative humidity levels
8
Rating is 4.3 out of 5
Honeywell Home RTH8800WF2022, T5 WiFi Smart Thermostat, 7 Day-Programmable Touchscreen, Alexa Ready, Geofencing Technology, Energy Star, C-Wire Required
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High use of the scheduling feature of the T5 thermostat saved customers between 8 and 16% on heating and cooling bills. Dollar savings range based on nationwide average annual single-family detached home's heat and cooling bills; actual savings varies based on consumption.
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Save Energy and Get Rewarded. Check with your energy provider about available energy savings rebates to save on your purchase. Plus, eligible customers can enroll in their local Utility's "DEMAND RESPONSE PROGRAM" which can reward you for allowing the utility to slightly adjust your AC or furnace temperature settings when there is high energy demand.
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7-Day Flexible Scheduling or Location Based Temperature Control. It’s your choice. 7-day scheduling programs your thermostat. Geofence technology helps make you comfortable by using your smartphone’s location to know when you’re away and when you return.
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Auto Home and Away Mode. Enjoy ideal temperatures at home, then save when away.
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ENERGY STAR certified. Help save energy, track your heating and cooling with monthly energy reports and get personalized tips on reducing energy use.
How do smart thermostats function without the internet?
Smart thermostats can function without an internet connection, though their functionality is limited compared to when they are connected. Here's how they typically operate offline:
- Local Controls: Most smart thermostats have a physical interface or a touchscreen that allows you to adjust temperature settings and modes directly on the device. This means you can still set your desired temperature, switch between heating and cooling modes, and turn the system on or off manually.
- Pre-Programmed Schedules: Many smart thermostats allow users to set schedules in advance. These schedules are stored locally on the device, so even without internet access, the thermostat can follow these pre-configured heating and cooling schedules.
- Sensor Operations: Smart thermostats often come with built-in sensors that detect temperature, humidity, and sometimes occupancy. These sensors function independent of the internet, allowing the thermostat to make real-time adjustments based on the immediate environment.
- Basic Energy Management: Thermostats can typically still perform basic energy management operations, such as keeping the temperature at an energy-efficient level when you're away if they have occupancy detection capabilities.
However, without an internet connection, you lose certain advanced functionalities:
- Remote Access: You cannot control the thermostat remotely via a smartphone app.
- Integration with Other Smart Devices: Any integration with home automation systems or other smart home devices that requires cloud communication will be unavailable.
- Software Updates: Without internet access, the thermostat won’t be able to receive firmware updates that may fix bugs or add new features.
- Energy Usage Reports: Access to historical energy usage data and insights derived from it might not be available.
Overall, while smart thermostats can perform basic functions offline, their full potential is realized with an internet connection.
How does two-stage heating work with smart thermostats?
Two-stage heating systems operate in two different levels or "stages" of heat output: a low stage and a high stage. This approach allows for more efficient heating by adjusting the operating capacity of the system based on the current demand for heat. Smart thermostats complement these systems by optimizing their performance and improving energy efficiency. Here's how two-stage heating works with smart thermostats:
- Low and High Stages:
Low Stage: The system runs at a lower capacity, maintaining a consistent and steady temperature. This is the most efficient and quieter mode of operation, used when the heating demand is not high.
High Stage: The system switches to a higher capacity when the demand for heating is greater, such as during extreme cold temperatures or when a significant temperature change is needed quickly.
- Compatibility and Setup:
When setting up a smart thermostat with a two-stage heating system, you need to ensure it is compatible with multi-stage equipment. Most modern smart thermostats support two-stage systems, but it's crucial to check in advance.
During installation, you will configure the thermostat settings to recognize and control both stages of the heating system.
- Adaptive Control:
Smart thermostats use sensors and algorithms to learn the heating patterns and adjust the stages automatically. Based on the temperature data and usage patterns, the thermostat decides when to operate in the low stage and when to ramp up to the high stage.
- Energy Efficiency:
By running more frequently in the energy-efficient low stage, smart thermostats help to reduce energy consumption and minimize wear and tear on the heating system.
They can also integrate with home automation systems or schedules to further optimize energy use, turning down heating when rooms are unoccupied or overnight.
- Remote Access and Monitoring:
Smart thermostats offer remote access via smartphone apps, allowing users to monitor and control their heating system from anywhere. This is particularly useful for adjusting settings while away from home or receiving alerts about system performance.
- Improved Comfort:
The precise control over heating stages means that smart thermostats can maintain more consistent indoor temperatures, improving overall comfort levels in the home.
Overall, smart thermostats enhance the functionality of two-stage heating systems by optimizing their operation for both comfort and efficiency.
What are the benefits of using a smart thermostat with internet access?
Using a smart thermostat with internet access offers several benefits:
- Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings: Smart thermostats help optimize heating and cooling schedules based on your lifestyle patterns, leading to more efficient energy use and potential cost savings on utility bills.
- Remote Access and Control: With internet connectivity, you can control your thermostat from anywhere using a smartphone app. This allows you to adjust settings remotely, ensuring comfort when you arrive home and saving energy when you're away.
- Learning Capabilities: Many smart thermostats have learning algorithms that adapt to your preferences over time, automatically adjusting settings to maximize comfort and efficiency.
- Integration with Smart Home Systems: Smart thermostats can integrate with other smart home devices, such as voice assistants (like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant), providing a seamless, centralized way to manage your home environment.
- Zoned Heating and Cooling: Some systems allow for zoning, where different areas of a home can be heated or cooled independently, increasing comfort and reducing unnecessary energy use.
- Usage Reports and Insights: Smart thermostats typically provide detailed reports on energy usage, offering insights that help you identify patterns and opportunities for further energy savings.
- Custom Scheduling: You can easily create schedules to adjust the temperature according to your daily routine, thereby ensuring comfort when needed and energy savings when possible.
- Eco-Friendly Features: Many smart thermostats have eco-friendly features, such as automatically adjusting temperature settings when you're away or asleep, contributing to a greener home.
- Alerts and Maintenance Reminders: They can send alerts for system issues, filter replacement reminders, or extreme temperature warnings, helping maintain efficient operation.
- Enhanced Comfort: By optimizing temperature settings based on various factors such as time of day, occupancy, and weather, smart thermostats enhance overall home comfort.
Overall, a smart thermostat with internet access can contribute to a more efficient, convenient, and comfortable living environment.
