Amazon Smart Thermostat Review

For the price, the Amazon Smart Thermostat is actually pretty impressive. With a super straightforward app-guided installation, robust scheduling features, and solid energy-saving features, this thermostat punches well above its weight class.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

In the tests for this metric, we evaluate every thermostat based on our daily use experience. We note how easy it is to set the temperature modes, fan controls, and hold settings and compare the clarity and quality of the information layout on the display. Lastly, we check accuracy by placing a data logging thermometer near the thermostat and comparing measured temps. The Amazon Smart Thermostat did well here but didn't wow us in any particular area.

Temperature and modes can be adjusted from either the thermostat or the app, and in our experience, the app-based controls are much more pleasant to use. The thermostat's temperature setting is easy enough to work with, but cycling through modes was a bit cumbersome compared to selecting the right one from the get-go on the app. Fan controls are also pretty good with Auto, On, and Circulate modes. However, beyond that, you don't have much control over the fan as far as setting timers and minimum run times. The Hold control is pretty basic, but it does what it claims to do and gives you the ability to hold a temperature until the next scheduled event.

The screen clarity on the Amazon Smart Thermostat is good, but it isn't as sharp as some others; it has a bit of a frosty look. While the numbers are big and clear, we wish the display would give us a little more info. You can't see both the set and current temperatures simultaneously — you have to hit a button for that. However, all other basic info is covered on the display. A row of icons below the current temperature shows modes, temperature adjustment arrows, and an info icon for notifications. Operating the thermostat up close is a breeze — its screen lights up when you're using it and dims when on standby. But if you want to check the temp from a distance, the dim light can be a bit hard to read. Still, we could see the temperature even from 12 feet away in our testing setup. You can also tweak the brightness levels from 1 to 5 if you feel you need it. Lastly, in our accuracy testing, we measured the temperature displayed on the thermostat to be within -0.783°F of our data logging thermometer that we placed near the unit during our testing, showing that this is one of the most accurate units in our lineup.

DIY Installation

The Amazon Smart Thermostat had some of the best installation guidance of any that we encountered during our review. The installation process was app-guided, with short video clips to explain things along the way. This thermostat features push-in wires, which we always prefer to screw-in. We also appreciated that the directions reminded us to take a photo of the old thermostat's wiring for reference.

Overall, this installation was very easy, and the thermostat even included a wallplate to cover up the hole from the old thermostat, if needed. WiFi connection and registration were a cinch if you already have an Amazon account.

Scheduling

Like some other thermostats, the Amazon Smart Thermostat uses “Comfort” based schedule settings with modes labeled Home, Away, and Sleep.

There is no limit to the number of events you can schedule within these modes, but all scheduling must be done from the app and is not accessible from the thermostat itself. We find the scheduling for this unit a bit limited for some cases, such as setting the temperature differently for that one day a week when you work from home.

Smart Capabilities

The Amazon Smart Thermostat is middle of the pack in this metric. While it certainly qualifies as a smart thermostat, it leaves out a few features found on the smartest of thermostats. It's only compatible with Amazon's Alexa smart home ecosystem, and the accompanying app is the Alexa app. The app itself is nice and simple to use, though. We weren't able to find any sort of geofencing capability to trigger events based on our distance from home on this thermostat, but perhaps there is more to explore in the Alexa ecosystem. It certainly wasn't obvious to us, though.

This thermostat has really good maintenance reminders, and since it's so well integrated with Amazon, it can even go so far as to reorder filters and supplies for you when they are ready to expire. Pretty cool! If that makes you uncomfortable, don't worry. You can set it up to just notify you before spending your money, and the system will also alert you if the cost of filters (and other supplies) rises more than 10% above what you last paid before it pulls the trigger.

Schedule learning on the Amazon Smart Thermostat is really interesting. You can forego setting a schedule manually by choosing specific Home, Away, and Sleep temperatures, allowing Alexa to adjust accordingly based on your activities. Enabling “Thermostat Hunches” in the Alexa app empowers Alexa to automatically adjust the thermostat when it senses nobody is home, or everyone is asleep, leveraging cues such as inactivity or interactions with smart devices. Additionally, you can inform Alexa of your bedtime or departure by simply saying, “Alexa, goodnight” or “Alexa, I'm leaving,” further enhancing its ability to adapt to your routines.

Energy Saving

The Amazon Smart Thermostat does well in terms of its energy-saving features and associated sustainability practices. An Eco Icon pops up whenever the heat is put below 68 degrees Fahrenheit and also appears when cooling is set over 75. This lets you know the system is running in an energy-efficient range. You can access carbon impact insights through the Alexa app, allowing you to see the cleanliness of available electricity and plan electricity usage when CO2 emissions are lower. By enabling this feature in the app settings, Alexa can automatically adjust your Amazon Smart Thermostat to minimize usage. However, you retain the option to manually override these adjustments at any time to prioritize comfort and control.

The Amazon Smart Thermostat and its accessories contain 34% post-consumer recycled plastics, excluding the installation tool, with no bioplastics included. Additionally, 93% of the device's packaging consists of wood fiber-based materials sourced from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources, according to the manufacturer.

Should You Buy the Amazon Smart Thermostat?

At its price, the Amazon Smart Thermostat is impressive. It boasts a remarkably easy installation guided by the app, robust scheduling capabilities, and compelling energy-saving features, making it a standout choice for anyone looking for the best bang for their buck on a smart thermostat.

What Other Thermostat Should You Consider?