Best smart thermostats that will help save you money in 2024, reviewed

Google’s Nest thermostat looks great and performs brilliantly. Walk towards it and the screen turns on as you approach, which is an oddly intimate experience. It’s not a touchscreen, but you spin the stainless-steel outer ring to turn the temperature up or down (which is also satisfying). When you interact with it, it learns your favourite temperatures and when you want them, creating a weekly program. You can create your own schedule as well. It will recognise when you’re home or away, based on where your smartphone is, so it can turn the heat down when you go away. It can also control your hot water tank, again knowing to not heat water when you’re not there.

Google recommends professional installation, which we think is best for all but the keenest DIYers with a stout constitution. Once it’s in place, it’s a dream to use. It also confers with other Nest devices like smoke detectors, so it will cut out if it learns there’s a fire.

There are different versions of this system so you can choose what you need. The strength of the Honeywell is that each individual area can be controlled separately from the colour touchscreen display unit or the smartphone app. The controls are sophisticated and allow you to schedule the heating as you need, and for up to 12 separate heating zones. This system comes with two wireless radiator controllers, though it’s also available without them for £249.99.

The Tado is highly affordable but doesn’t stint on clever features, such as learning your behaviour and adjusting its heating schedule accordingly. It also tracks your presence and absence through your smartphone. Additionally, if you choose the brand’s smart radiator valves, sold separately, it can control the temperature in different zones. The simple but attractive design means most of the controls are accessed through the smartphone app. Unlike some devices, it’s compatible with Apple HomeKit. Professional installation is available for £120, and there’s an optional Auto Assist subscription for some services such as energy costs and automated open window detection, for £3.99 a month.

The Hive mini is exceptional value and has a highly attractive, mirrored touchscreen design. Like the Tado, you mostly control it through your smartphone rather than on the device itself. It doesn’t have the learning smarts of the Nest, but it offers portability as it’s powered by four AAA batteries. If you are upgrading from the original hive, you don’t need to buy the receiver, it works with the one from the original. Like the Tado, there are optional smart radiator valves available, not to mention window and door sensors, smart lights and more. There’s also a £3.99 per month subscription with tips to save energy and a carbon calculator.

If you like the look of the Nest above but want something more affordable, this is what you’re looking for. It has a familiar round design but with a frosted display made of plastic rather than metal and glass. The thermostat E is capable and useful but lacks the features of the pricier model – though there are some learning capabilities here, where it takes note of your routines in the first few days, for instance. There’s a built-in stand which means you can put it anywhere, and Nest says this model is easier for DIY installation than its more expensive sibling. It works with central heating systems but isn’t as compatible as the bigger thermostat, so check compatibility before you buy.

The Netatmo looks especially slick, thanks to the involvement of French industrial architect, Philippe Starck, in the design. It’s a white box with a coloured surround which comes in four colours – orange, green, blue and yellow. It’s fully compatible with Apple HomeKit, so responds when you talk to Siri, as well as working with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. The display is quite subtle: it’s black-and-white because it’s E-ink, like an ebook reader. There are limited controls on the thermostat itself – it’s mostly controlled by the smartphone app. Because it’s powered by three AAA batteries, you can place it anywhere or wall-mount it. Netatmo also makes smart radiator valves which you can add.