What's The Most Popular Smart Thermostat Brand In The US?

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Thermostats aren't the most exciting item to think about for your home, but it's an essential piece of equipment — and something you'll be forced to think about if it isn't working well. Nobody likes feeling too hot or too cold or constantly having to tinker with their thermostat. That's why it's a good idea to invest in one from a trustworthy brand — doubly so if you're considering a smart thermostat for your home. Though these high-tech models can save you money on heating and cooling bills and are projected to become even more popular in the near future, they can be pricey upfront.

A recent survey from Lifestory Research found that Honeywell is the most popular smart thermostat brand in the United States. Pulling from a dataset of feedback from more than 4,000 consumers over the past year, researchers gave this company an exceptionally high Net Trust Rating. In other words, its smart thermostats consistently received positive reviews and earned customers' trust. This marks the fourth year in a row that Honeywell topped the list. It even beat out other popular brands like Trane, Nest, and Ecobee. So, if you're looking to install a smart thermostat or upgrade your current one to conserve energy, this is a solid, reputable brand to consider.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Honeywell has a storied legacy as an innovative and reliable manufacturer of home and commercial technologies. It's the eighth most popular home appliance brand in the world. Research from 2022 found that nearly 80% of Honeywell customers show loyalty to the brand, according to data from Statista. It sells a range of Energy Star-certified smart thermostats, which it bills as efficient, high-tech, and highly customizable. 

Case in point: the brand's popular Wifi Smart Color Thermostat. This sleek model features a customizable touch screen, pairs with a wide range of other smart devices, and allows you to program different heating or cooling settings for every day of the week. However, some reviewers have cautioned that its app is quite glitchy, and since there is no local control for this model, it will stop working if your Wifi goes out. Before installation fees, and not accounting for potential rebates from your utility company, it will set you back $179; that said, its 4.5-star average rating on Honeywell's website bodes well for customer satisfaction.

There's also the Honeywell T9 Smart Home Thermostat, which was named as another popular pick in the survey from Lifestory Research. Though it's not quite as pretty to look at, this smart thermostat is reportedly easy to install, super reliable (no drastic temperature swings!), and features advanced adaptive technologies like geofencing. It can be programmed remotely and even detect when you're home versus out of the house. At $209.99 before rebates and installation fees, this slightly pricier choice would work well for anyone who doesn't want to be constantly monitoring their thermostat but still wants to reduce energy costs at home.

Trane is the second most-popular smart thermostat brand nationwide, per the aforementioned survey from Lifestory Research. Known for its energy-efficient technologies, this U.S.-founded, internationally headquartered brand offers a number of smart thermostats. The Trane ComfortLink II is one popular model that features a user-friendly interface and robust programming control. Currently on sale for $325 on Amazon, it costs a pretty penny (and remember, that price tag doesn't include the cost of installation). However, if your priority is ease of use, or your HVAC system is also manufactured by Trane, this could be a solid option that's easy to integrate into your home.

Regardless of which brand you choose, be sure to do your research before you splash out on a fancy thermostat upgrade. Not every HVAC system is compatible with every smart thermostat, so you'll want to check for that online by looking up your HVAC system's manufacturer. It's a good idea to price out installation fees, too. Though smart thermostats are relatively easy to install on your own, they do involve some electrical wiring. If that's not in your wheelhouse, then you'll have to hire a pro to complete the process for you.