Our top pick is the Honeywell Home RTH8560D 7-Day Programmable Thermostat based on its flexible scheduling options, compatibility with a huge variety of heating and cooling systems, and clean, modern design. If you want an upgrade and either have a C-wire, or you’re willing to install one, the Honeywell Home Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Thermostat has all the same great features with the addition of Wi-Fi connectivity, which lets you control it via a smartphone app and integrate it with your smart home.
When selecting a programmable thermostat, it’s important to look for one that will work with your HVAC system. Most of the thermostats on this list work with single-stage heating and cooling a nd are compatible with various heat sources, including forced air and heat pumps.
If you have a multi-stage HVAC system, then it’s important to choose an option like the Honeywell Home RTH8560D, which specifically supports multi-stage heating and cooling. Other heating systems, like heated floors and electric baseboard heaters, have more specific requirements.
In terms of installation, the only important thing to look out for is whether a programmable thermostat requires a C-wire. Most don’t, but units that include advanced features like Wi-Fi sometimes do. If your programmable thermostat needs a C-wire, and your system doesn’t already have one, that makes installation more difficult. "If it’s your first time attempting it, you have to be very wary of the configurations of your thermostat," cautions Sarah Jameson, marketing director of Green Building Elements. You may even need to hire an electrician if you don’t have any experience with electrical wiring.
Programmable thermostats have three primary scheduling options: 7-day, 5-1-1, and 5-2. The first option allows you to set a separate heating schedule for each day, while the other two give you one schedule for the work week and then some flexibility on the weekend. Since 7-day thermostats are the most expensive, opting for a 5-2 or 5-1-1 will save you some money if you don’t need a separate heating and cooling schedule for every day of the week.
The easiest way to decide which type of programmable thermostat you need is to look at how your schedule varies throughout the week. According to James on, “7-day thermostats are best for homeowners with different work and home schedules throughout the week. Meanwhile, 5+2 or 5-1-1 can be good for families that almost have the same schedules of when they leave home and get home.”
Beyond the basic scheduling features found in all programmable thermostats, there are many extra features you may want to be on the lookout for. Auto-changeover is the most important if you live in an area that requires both h eating and cooling on the same day. If you’re worried about indoor air quality, fan mode is a useful feature that lets you circulate air through your home whenever you want.
Some thermostats include upgraded displays that are easier to see from farther away and have automatic backlights or intuitive touchscreen controls tha t are easier to use than standard push-button controls. These features don’t necessarily improve the functionality of a programmable thermostat, but they can make it easier to use one.
Wi-Fi connectivity is an option that allows you to control the thermostat remotely via a web interface or an app on your phone. Some thermostats work w ith smart home systems like Alexa and HomeKit to add voice controls and other advanced functionality.
FAQ
This article was written by Jeremy Laukkonen, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. His home heating and AC are competently managed by a Honeywell Programmable Wi-Fi thermostat, complete with Alexa voice controls, and he has over a decade of experience reviewing electronics for outlets like Lifewire and Digital Trends in addition to the Spruce.
Laukkonen contacted Sarah Jameson, marketing director of Green Building Elements, to receive her expert opinions on the most important smart thermostat features, advice on installation and programming, and how programmable thermostats stack up against smart thermostats. With Jameson’s insights in mind, Laukkonen prioritized factors like system compatibility, ease of installation, and intuitive controls to identify the best programmable thermostats for various situations.