Best Smart Thermostat for Alexa

The Short Answer

“Works with Alexa” means you control the thermostat through an Echo or the Alexa app. “Alexa built in” means the thermostat itself has a microphone and speaker and can act as an Echo. Every pick here was chosen from manufacturer specifications; we do not test products in-house.

1. ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium: Best Overall for Alexa

The only pick with Alexa built in, so you can talk to the thermostat directly instead of needing an Echo in the room. It also has the strongest heat pump support here (2 heat / 2 cool plus 2 stages of aux heat), and it ships with a SmartSensor and a Power Extender Kit for homes without a C wire.

Worth knowing: it is the most expensive pick. If you already have Echo speakers everywhere, the built-in Alexa matters less.

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Products are chosen on published specifications; we do not test them in-house (how we choose).

ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

Alexa built in; SmartSensor and Power Extender Kit included; strong heat pump controls.

View on Amazon

2. Amazon Smart Thermostat: Best Budget Pick

Amazon’s own thermostat is built on Honeywell Home (Resideo) technology and, per Resideo, is ENERGY STAR and UL ECOLOGO certified. Everything runs through the Alexa app, which also lets you enrol in some utility demand-response programmes.

Amazon has added Alexa features around it: Alexa can act on Hunches for thermostats, and can shift the set point by one degree to times when the grid may have lower emissions, if you opt in.

Worth knowing: Amazon lists it as C-wire required, and the listing below is a 2-pack. If you need help with setup or resets, see how to reset an Amazon Smart Thermostat.

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Products are chosen on published specifications; we do not test them in-house (how we choose).

Amazon Smart Thermostat

Runs from the Alexa app; ENERGY STAR certified; C wire required. This listing is a 2-pack.

View on Amazon

3. Honeywell Home T5: Best Simple Touchscreen

A straightforward Wi-Fi touchscreen with 7-day scheduling and geofencing. Honeywell lists it as ENERGY STAR certified, working with Alexa, and supporting heat pumps up to 3 heat / 2 cool. The Amazon listing for this version says a C wire is required.

Worth knowing: Honeywell marks some T5 versions as discontinued on its own site, so check the listing is in stock.

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Products are chosen on published specifications; we do not test them in-house (how we choose).

4. Sensi Lite: Best If You Have No C Wire

Sensi’s comparison page lists the Lite as working with Alexa and a C wire as not required for most systems. It supports heat pumps up to 2 heat / 1 cool but does not support room sensors.

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Products are chosen on published specifications; we do not test them in-house (how we choose).

5. Honeywell Home T9: Best for Uneven Rooms

The T9 works with Alexa and supports Smart Room Sensors, so it can go by the temperature in the rooms you actually use rather than the hallway. The listing below includes one sensor, and Honeywell includes a C-wire adapter in the box.

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Products are chosen on published specifications; we do not test them in-house (how we choose).

Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat

Works with Alexa; one Smart Room Sensor and a C-wire adapter included.

View on Amazon

What About Nest?

Google’s Nest thermostats work with Alexa through the Google Nest skill, but Google lists limits: Alexa cannot control a Nest thermostat that is in Eco mode, Off, Emergency Heat or Emergency Shutoff. The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) is also Matter-certified. If you live mainly in Alexa, the picks above are the smoother fit; if your home is split between Google and Alexa, Nest is a reasonable choice.

What Any of These Will Save

ENERGY STAR puts the average saving from a certified smart thermostat at about 8% of heating and cooling bills, or about $50 a year. The brand matters much less than whether you use the schedule and away modes. Work out your own payback with our smart thermostat savings calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which thermostat has Alexa built in?

Of the thermostats compared here, the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium has Alexa built in, with its own microphone and speaker. The others work with Alexa through an Echo device or the Alexa app.

Is the Amazon Smart Thermostat worth it?

For an Alexa home on a budget, yes: it is ENERGY STAR certified and runs entirely from the Alexa app. It needs a C wire (or an adapter), and it does not offer the heat pump controls of the ecobee Premium.

Does Nest work with Alexa?

Yes, through the Google Nest skill, but Google says Alexa cannot control a Nest thermostat while it is in Eco mode, Off, Emergency Heat or Emergency Shutoff.

Which Alexa thermostat works without a C wire?

The Sensi Lite works without a C wire on most systems. The ecobee Premium and Honeywell T9 need power but include an adapter in the box.

Related Guides

• Best smart thermostat without a C-wire — if your wiring has no common
• Best cheap smart thermostats under $100 — budget options
• Ecobee vs Nest — the two premium options compared

Sources

• ecobee: Smart Thermostat Premium
• Resideo: Amazon Smart Thermostat in utility programs
• Amazon: sustainable device features
• Honeywell Home: T5 Smart Thermostat
• Honeywell Home: T9 Smart Thermostat
• Sensi: thermostat comparison
• Google Nest Help: Nest with Alexa
• Google Store: Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)
• ENERGY STAR: Smart Thermostats FAQ