Orbit Clear Comfort Review

The Orbit Clear Comfort's simplicity, durability, and adaptable scheduling set it apart from similar options that we used during our testing. This model lacks smart features and an accompanying app and does not offer any remote access, but the price is right, and we think the interface should be familiar enough for most users to quickly get the hang of.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

This metric is all about the everyday user experience of a thermostat, and here, the Orbit Clear Comfort has its pros and cons. It does well in some areas and is mediocre in others, but in general, it should be a familiar format for most people, especially when compared to more nuanced smart thermostats that some users might not want to deal with. The temperature setting was familiar and intuitive, with dedicated physical up and down arrows on the face of the thermostat; however, the heat/off/cool slider is off to the left side, so you can't see it from the front of the thermostat. We found it slightly inconvenient, but we did like that it was a physical slider and not a soft toggle button, though. This provides a more tactile feel to let us know what mode we were on.

Since this is not a smart thermostat, there is no mobile app to report on. Fan control modes are basic, with Auto and On being the only control options you can decide between. The temperature-hold settings are bare-bones as well, but because of this, they are easy to operate. Pressing the Hold button once will keep the current temperature until you push the button again (or until the next scheduled event).

The clarity and visibility of the information on the screen were really good on the Orbit Clear Comfort. All the information is clearly visible and placed in a way that seems logical to us. The current temperature is the largest feature, dominating the center of the screen in large numbers. The set temperature and clock are off to the right, slightly smaller but still legible, while the Fan and Heat/Cool status indicators are displayed to the left. In our accuracy test, our temperature-sensing data loggers found the displayed temperature to be within 0.279°F of the real room temperature on average — making this one of the most accurate models in our testing (though admittedly all the thermostats we tested are fairly accurate). We also appreciate the plexiglass screen covering. It protects the display from damage and lends a sturdier feel to the product. It's the only thermostat we've seen with a design like this, and it's a nice touch.

DIY Installation

Our experience installing the Orbit Clear Comfort wasn't the easiest, but it's certainly doable if you follow the included paper instructions. However, it helps to be at least a little handy and have some basic tools. Unfortunately, Orbit didn't point us to any video guidance for installation, and there is no accompanying app to offer any help either. Your best bet might be to search around the web for some video help from other DIY users if you're having trouble with the setup.

We were slightly bummed but unsurprised that the Orbit came with screw-in rather than push-in wire connectors, which we strongly prefer as they're easier to manage. The screw-in wire connectors are more tedious to configure and generally require some precision work with a tiny screwdriver. However, we do appreciate that Orbit reminded us to snap some photos of the old thermostat's wiring in case we need to reference it later. The wires connecting the HVAC system to the Orbit Clear Comfort need to be secured using a small screwdriver that conveniently locks and unlocks the wire ports. If this step is confusing, the Orbit Clear Comfort includes a comprehensive booklet with installation instructions and troubleshooting advice. It covers each step of the installation and addresses setup for less common HVAC systems. That said, we felt it could be a bit more clear, as we found ourselves sometimes struggling to follow the guidelines and looking to other user videos for help. There was no built-in level or wall plate included with this thermostat, features that you sometimes find on premium units. On the upside, the fact that this is not a smart device means there is no accompanying app, WiFi, or tedious extra account creation needed to get up and running, which is a big time save.

Scheduling

While it doesn't have learning abilities like a smart thermostat, the Clear Comfort has pretty decent and flexible scheduling. Seven individual days can be scheduled with up to four events per day, which gives it some of the most comprehensive scheduling abilities among all the non-smart programmable thermostats.

We especially appreciated the ability to duplicate a schedule from one day to another without having to repeat the steps to manually program each day. Still, this whole process is inevitably more tedious compared to thermostats with an accompanying smartphone app or a touchscreen interface dedicated to scheduling. The last feature we missed in terms of scheduling is a 'vacation mode'. This is a great way to control energy usage when you are away for long periods of time. Some thermostats have it, but many don't, so the Clear Comfort isn't alone in this. Usually, we are able to find a workaround by either resetting the schedule or using the hold function.

Smart Capabilities

The Orbit Clear Comfort isn't billed as a smart thermostat, and therefore, it doesn't have any smart features like geofencing, schedule learning, or smart home ecosystem compatibility, which makes evaluating this metric quick and simple.

If you're looking for a smart thermostat, we recommend skipping over to our thermostat review, where we tested many more feature-rich models with remote capabilities.

Energy Saving

Our energy savings metric is developed to test and evaluate features and practices that reduce strain on the electrical grid and lower environmental impact. The Orbit Clear Comfort Pro didn't score any points here, as it falls short in terms of energy efficiency features and sustainable packaging, and there are no published carbon offsets associated with its production.

Unlike modern smart thermostats, this basic model lacks eco-friendly modes, energy consumption reporting, and optimized grid usage. Nor did Orbit emphasize any sustainable packaging or carbon offset efforts for this product. You'll need to manually manage your temperature adjustments with the Orbit if you want to maintain good energy efficiency and keep power bills low.

Should You Buy the Orbit Clear Comfort?

If you're looking for a basic programmable thermostat with flexible scheduling, this is the one to get. The price is right, and we prefer its looks and sturdy feel to those of other traditional thermostats like it. However, if you're looking to upgrade to a more feature-rich product than traditional thermostats, this might not fit the bill.

What Other Thermostat Should You Consider?