Best Budget Smart Thermostat

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More and more people are opting for smart thermostats to save energy and on power bills. Most of the best smart home thermostats in 2024 will cost you more than $200. How about if you’re on a budget and looking for the best budget smart thermostat that won’t break the bank?

We reviewed some affordable smart thermostats available in the market right now and shortlisted the top four to help you choose the best.

List of Best Cheap Smart Thermostats to Consider in 2024

Cheapest Smart Thermostat: Amazon Smart Thermostat Under $100

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  • Smart upgrade - Amazon Smart Thermostat is an easy way to switch from a...
  • Save money - After purchase, Amazon will send you an email with details...
  • Save energy - According to EPA estimates, ENERGY STAR certified thermostats...
  • Automatic comfort - Alexa can do the programming for you, updating the...

If you are looking for a well-made and yet the cheapest thermostat, you don’t need to read further. Pick this one and you won’t regret it for one-fourth the price of our top pick. It is made with reliable Honeywell Home Thermostat technology.

It is energy star certified and hence will help save a bit on your energy bills. Being an Amazon product, it supports Alexa. Although it does not have its own speaker/microphone it can be controlled through voice commands using Echo or Alexa app.

It requires a c-wire so you need to check your wiring before shortlisting this one. If you don’t have a c-wire, you have an option to power it up with a c-wire adapter but it will increase the ownership cost. Alternatively, you can check out our list of smart thermostats that work without a c-wire.

Aesthetically speaking, it looks great and is small in size (3.5”x3.5”). It has a digital temperature display with 3 buttons temperature up/down arrow and a mode selection button.

It lacks features like a remote sensor, geofencing, or automatic scheduling but there are some useful features that make it worth considering. It allows you to control your HVAC system using voice commands through the Alexa app or Echo or remotely set a schedule.

It does allow you certain automatic control or scheduling using thermostat hunches in the app. For eg: during the night Alexa may have a hunch that everyone is sleeping if no one has interacted for a while. 

If it is enabled, this feature helps Alexa learn about your daily usage patterns and its hunches improve significantly over a period of time.

GE CYNC Smart Thermostat

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  • Set your optimal temperature: Preset the ideal temperature around your...
  • Voice control with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant: Turn up the heat...
  • Out-of-home control: Get temperature control away from home through the...
  • Create custom schedules: Set the ideal temperature for different times of...

Cync smart thermostat by GE was launched in January 2022 and is a new entrant in the market. Its performance in our review has been impressive, especially the smart thermostat that cost around $100.

The GE CYNC lineup is getting stronger with each launch and this affordable smart thermostat is equipped with all the major features you will need. It supports Alexa and Google Assistant and works without any need for a smart home hub.

It also supports temperature sensors and is compatible with most HVAC systems (check compatibility here). You can set and schedule remotely through the Cync app.

Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat (ST55) – Under $100

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  • PRIVACY PROTECTION*: Sensi won’t sell your personal information to third...
  • SAVE ABOUT 23% ON HVAC ENERGY*: The ENERGY STAR-certified Sensi smart...
  • EASY DIY INSTALLATION: Use the built-in level and step-by-step app...
  • SMART MAINTENANCE: Sensi can help monitor the performance and efficiency of...

Sensi is a value-for-money smart thermostat that is easy to install and priced very well looking at the features. It is energy star certified and helps you save energy.

It lacks a touchscreen color display but that helps to keep its price well under $100. It’s a great buy if you don’t need the touchscreen since that’s the only major weakness when compared with the already popular Sensi Touch.

It works seamlessly with Apple Homekit, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings. It also features geofencing that will help you set the right temperature before you are home. 

It not only allows flexible scheduling but also changes settings remotely through the Sensi app. You can also monitor your daily consumption through the app and make changes accordingly.

Google Nest Thermostat

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  • ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat for home that helps you save energy...
  • The Nest Thermostat is designed to work without a C wire in most homes, but...
  • Nest Thermostat turns itself down when you leave, so you don’t waste...
  • Programmable thermostat that lets you create an energy efficient schedule...

Nest thermostat by Google is another great contender in the budget smart thermostat category. The price may be over $100, but it is worth considering.

It is a programmable thermostat with energy star certification that saves energy. It can work without a c-wire for most HVAC systems but some systems that heating or cooling only may need a c-wire or c-wire adapter.

It can be remotely accessed through the web or mobile app. More importantly, the savings finder feature suggests changes in your schedule for extra savings on power consumption. It also sends alerts in case there is a malfunction or the temperature goes beyond the limits.

Eco Temperature is another useful setting that helps in further saving if the thermostat senses that no one is at home. It switches to Eco Temperature mode.

If you own an Amazon Echo device, you can send voice commands to the thermostat.