The Amazon Smart Thermostat costs $79.99, about $50 to $60 less than the entry Nest and ecobee models, and it runs entirely through the Alexa app. This Amazon Smart Thermostat review looks at what you get for that price, where it falls short, and how it compares with ecobee and Nest.
The short answer: it’s worth it if your home already runs on Alexa, you have a C wire (or don’t mind adding an adapter), and your heating and cooling system is a simple one. It isn’t the right choice if you use Apple Home or Google Home, have a dual fuel or high-voltage system, or want a touchscreen and room sensors you can buy separately.
Amazon Smart Thermostat at a Glance
Here’s the Amazon Smart Thermostat review in one table.
| Amazon Smart Thermostat | |
|---|---|
| Price | ~$80 at Amazon.com (~$115 with a C-wire adapter) |
| Works with | Alexa only (no Apple Home, Google Home or Matter) |
| App | Alexa app; the Ring app can also control it after setup |
| Wiring | C wire required, or a C-wire adapter at the furnace |
| Systems | Most 24V systems, including air-to-air and geothermal heat pumps; not dual fuel or high-voltage baseboards |
| Room sensors | Compatible Echo devices, up to 10 |
| Warranty | One-year limited warranty |
| Verdict | The best value for Alexa homes with a simple system |
What the Amazon Smart Thermostat Does Well
It’s built into Alexa. There’s no separate thermostat app and no account to link. You set it up in the Alexa app, which walks you through the wiring, and from then on it shows up with your other Alexa devices. Voice control works from any Echo speaker, and Alexa routines can change the temperature too, for example when you say “good night.” Amazon built it with Resideo, the company behind Honeywell Home thermostats, so the hardware comes from an established thermostat maker. If you’d rather have a Honeywell-branded model that also works with Apple Home and Google Home, our guide to the best Honeywell thermostats compares them.
Your Echo speakers can act as room sensors. According to Amazon’s help pages, the Echo (4th Gen), Echo Dot (5th Gen), Echo Dot with Clock (5th Gen), Echo Dot (6th Gen) and the Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor can all report the temperature to the thermostat. You can select up to 10 of them, and Alexa uses the average of all the readings. ecobee and Nest sell their room sensors separately, so if you already own a couple of recent Echo Dots, you get a feature they charge extra for. Our guide to thermostats with remote sensors compares how each brand does it.
Alexa can adjust it for you. Alexa automatic control (the thermostat’s version of Alexa Hunches) sets a sleep temperature and an away temperature when Alexa detects you’re asleep or out. You can also build a regular schedule in the Alexa app, with several time periods a day, and copy one day to the rest of the week.
The energy features are useful. It’s ENERGY STAR certified, and ENERGY STAR estimates certified smart thermostats save about 8% on heating and cooling costs. A setting called Choose Cleaner Energy moves the temperature by one degree to match the hours when your local power grid is cleaner, and the Alexa app’s Energy Dashboard and a weekly report show the effect. Amazon’s help pages also explain how to enroll in utility energy savings programs, where your utility offers them. Our article on whether smart thermostats save money explains what to expect.
It’s inexpensive. At $79.99, it costs about $50 less than the Google Nest Thermostat and $60 less than the ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential. Amazon.com sells it directly, so you don’t have to worry about third-party sellers, and it often goes on sale during Prime events.
Where It Falls Short
It only works with Alexa. This is the big one. There’s no Apple Home, no Google Home and no Matter support, so if anyone in the house uses Siri or Google, they can’t control it. If you might switch platforms later, it won’t come with you. The Ring app is the only other app that can control it.
It needs a C wire. Amazon’s wiring guide says the thermostat needs a wire on the C terminal to power it. If your current thermostat doesn’t have one and there’s no spare wire in the wall, you need a C-wire adapter, which installs at the furnace or air handler’s control board. Amazon sells the thermostat in a bundle with one. Our C-wire adapter guide explains how they work.
It doesn’t fit every system. According to Amazon, it works with air-to-air and geothermal heat pumps, but not with a heat pump that uses a gas or oil furnace as backup (a dual fuel system). It also won’t work on high-voltage systems: if your current thermostat has 110V or 220V labels, L1 and L2 wires, or wires joined with wire nuts, Amazon says it won’t work. Amazon doesn’t list support for multi-stage equipment either, so if your furnace or air conditioner has second-stage wires (W2 or Y2), run Amazon’s compatibility checker on the product page before you buy.
The display is basic. You get a simple LED temperature readout with up and down arrows, not a touchscreen. Everything beyond changing the temperature happens in the Alexa app.
Smaller limits worth knowing:
- Alexa automatic control works on only one thermostat per account. If you have two zones with two thermostats, the second one runs on schedules, voice or manual control.
- It connects only to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
- The warranty is one year, compared with three years for the ecobee Essential.
Amazon Smart Thermostat vs ecobee
The closest ecobee to the Amazon Smart Thermostat is the ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential, ecobee’s entry model. The Google Nest Thermostat is the other common alternative at this price, so it’s in the table too. For more thermostats you run on a schedule, see our guide to the best programmable thermostats.
| Amazon Smart Thermostat | ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential | Google Nest Thermostat | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$80 | ~$140 | ~$130 |
| Works with | Alexa | Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home | Google Home, plus Alexa and Apple Home through Matter |
| Display | LED readout with arrows | Full-color touchscreen | Mirrored display with a touch strip |
| C wire | Required, or an adapter | Power Extender Kit (sold separately) if you don’t have one | Needed on heat pumps and some other systems, or the Nest Power Connector |
| Room sensors | Compatible Echo speakers | ecobee SmartSensors, sold separately | Not supported |
| Matter | No | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 year | 3 years | 1 year |
The Amazon Smart Thermostat vs ecobee choice comes down to platforms and hardware. ecobee works with Alexa, Apple Home and Google Home, so it suits a home with more than one platform, or one that might change. It has a full-color touchscreen, it works with ecobee’s SmartSensors for room-by-room temperatures, and its warranty is three times longer. It costs about $60 more.
The Amazon Smart Thermostat wins on price and on how well it works inside Alexa. If you already own recent Echo speakers, it gets you room-temperature averaging without buying sensors, and setup happens entirely in an app you already use. For the rest of the ecobee lineup, see our ecobee Essential vs Enhanced vs Premium comparison.
The Nest Thermostat sits in between: it’s Google’s thermostat, but because it supports Matter, it also works with Alexa and Apple Home. However, Google says Alexa can’t control a Nest thermostat in Eco, Off or Emergency Heat mode, and it doesn’t support remote sensors at all.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the Amazon Smart Thermostat if:
- Your smart home runs on Alexa and you have one or more Echo speakers
- You have a C wire, or you’re comfortable adding an adapter at the furnace
- You have a conventional single-stage system, or an air-to-air or geothermal heat pump
- You want the lowest price on a smart thermostat from a major brand
Skip it if:
- Anyone in your home uses Apple Home or Google Home
- You have a dual fuel system, a multi-stage system or electric baseboard heat
- You want a touchscreen, a longer warranty or dedicated room sensors
For more options, our guide to the best smart thermostats for Alexa compares every way a thermostat can connect to Alexa.
The Amazon Smart Thermostat and Its Alternatives
Amazon Smart Thermostat — Best for Alexa Homes
The best value in smart thermostats if you already use Alexa and have a C wire.
Best for: Alexa households with a simple heating and cooling system.
What stands out in real use
Everything happens in the Alexa app: setup, schedules, automatic sleep and away temperatures, and the energy reports. Compatible Echo speakers also act as room sensors, and Alexa averages their readings, which helps if the thermostat sits in a hallway that runs warmer or cooler than the rooms you use.
Key specs
- Works with Alexa; controlled in the Alexa app and the Ring app
- Senses temperature and humidity
- Up to 10 compatible Echo devices as temperature sensors
- 24V systems, including air-to-air and geothermal heat pumps
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, one-year limited warranty
Pros
- Low price, sold directly by Amazon.com
- Native Alexa control without a skill or account linking
- Free room sensing with compatible Echo speakers
- ENERGY STAR certified, with a Cleaner Energy setting
Cons
- Alexa only: no Apple Home, Google Home or Matter
- C wire required
- Basic LED display without a touchscreen
- Not for dual fuel or high-voltage systems
Installation and compatibility notes
Turn off power to the HVAC system at the breaker before you start. The Alexa app guides the wiring, and Amazon’s compatibility checker on the product page tells you whether your system works and whether you need an adapter. If you’re not sure about your wires, our smart thermostat installation guide covers the basics.
Price: ~$80
Amazon Smart Thermostat with C-Wire Adapter — Best Without a C Wire
The same thermostat, bundled with the C-wire adapter Amazon recommends for homes without a C wire.
Best for: Alexa homes whose current thermostat has no C wire and no spare wire in the wall.
What stands out in real use
The adapter installs next to the furnace or air handler’s control board and gives the thermostat the constant power it needs. You get the adapter Amazon recommends in the same box, and the Alexa app’s setup covers the adapter wiring too.
Key specs
- Amazon Smart Thermostat plus a C-wire adapter
- Adapter installs at the HVAC control board
- Same Alexa features as the thermostat alone
Pros
- Solves the most common reason the thermostat won’t install
- Everything you need in one box
- Setup steps for the adapter are in the Alexa app
Cons
- You have to open the furnace or air handler to install the adapter
- Honeywell says its C-wire adapter doesn’t work with heat-only systems
Installation and compatibility notes
At the thermostat, the Y wire is relabeled K and moves to the K terminal; at the furnace, the adapter connects to the control board. When you’re done, the thermostat has wires on C and K, and none on Y or G. If opening the furnace isn’t something you want to do, the cost of a professional install is usually small next to the thermostat’s price.
Price: ~$115
ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential — Best for Apple Home and Google Home
The better choice if your home uses more than one platform, or if you want a touchscreen and room sensors you can add later.
Best for: Homes that use Apple Home or Google Home, or a mix of platforms.
What stands out in real use
The Essential works with Alexa, Apple Home and Google Home, so nobody in the house is locked out. Its full-color touchscreen shows more than the temperature, and you can add ecobee SmartSensors later to balance a room that runs too hot or too cold. Amazon’s listing for it is sold by third-party sellers right now, so this button goes to ecobee’s own store.
Key specs
- Works with Alexa, Apple Home and Google Home
- Full-color touchscreen
- Works with ecobee SmartSensors (sold separately)
- Three-year warranty
Pros
- Works with all three major platforms
- Touchscreen with no dials or buttons
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- About $60 more than the Amazon Smart Thermostat
- Room sensors and the Power Extender Kit cost extra
- Doesn’t support Matter
Installation and compatibility notes
The Essential ships with just the thermostat. If you don’t have a C wire, ecobee sells the Power Extender Kit separately for $24.99. Use ecobee’s compatibility checker before you buy if you have a heat pump or a two-stage system.
Price: ~$140
Google Nest Thermostat — Best With Matter
Google’s entry thermostat, and the one in this guide that works with Google Home, Apple Home and Alexa through Matter.
Best for: Google Home users, and homes that want a thermostat that works on any platform through Matter.
What stands out in real use
The Nest Thermostat is set up in the Google Home app, and Matter adds Apple Home and Alexa. Its mirrored display with a touch strip on the side looks more finished than the Amazon Smart Thermostat’s LED readout. However, it doesn’t support remote room sensors, and through Alexa it can’t be controlled in Eco, Off or Emergency Heat mode.
Key specs
- Google Home app; Alexa and Apple Home through Matter
- Mirrored display with a touch strip
- Works with most 24V systems, including heat pumps
Pros
- Works with all three major platforms through Matter
- Sold by Amazon.com
- Often on sale
Cons
- No remote sensor support
- Limited Alexa control in some modes
- One-year warranty
Installation and compatibility notes
Google says heat pumps, heat-only, cool-only and zoned systems need a C wire or the Nest Power Connector. Our best Matter thermostats guide covers the other thermostats that work across platforms.
Price: ~$130
Is the Amazon Smart Thermostat Worth It?
Yes, for the right home. The result of this Amazon Smart Thermostat review is simple: if you use Alexa, have a C wire (or buy the bundle with an adapter) and have a simple system, the Amazon Smart Thermostat does what a $130 to $140 thermostat does for about $80, and your Echo speakers make it better. If your home uses Apple Home or Google Home, the ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential or the Nest Thermostat is worth the extra money. For more options at every price, see our guides to the best smart thermostats and the best smart thermostats under $100.
Does the Amazon Smart Thermostat work with Google Home or Apple Home?
No. The Amazon Smart Thermostat works only with Alexa. It doesn’t support Google Home, Apple Home or Matter, so you control it through the Alexa app, an Echo speaker or the Ring app.
Does the Amazon Smart Thermostat need a C wire?
Yes. Amazon says it needs a wire on the C terminal. If your home doesn’t have one and there’s no spare wire in the wall, you need a C-wire adapter installed at the furnace or air handler, and Amazon sells the thermostat in a bundle with one.
Is the Amazon Smart Thermostat better than ecobee?
It’s cheaper, and it works more closely with Alexa, including using compatible Echo speakers as room sensors. The ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential costs about $60 more but works with Alexa, Apple Home and Google Home, has a full-color touchscreen and a three-year warranty.
Does the Amazon Smart Thermostat work with heat pumps?
Yes, with air-to-air and geothermal heat pumps. Amazon says it doesn’t work with dual fuel systems, where a heat pump uses a gas or oil furnace as backup heat, and it doesn’t work with high-voltage systems such as electric baseboards.
Can I use an Echo as a temperature sensor for the Amazon Smart Thermostat?
Yes. Amazon lists the Echo (4th Gen), Echo Dot (5th Gen), Echo Dot with Clock (5th Gen), Echo Dot (6th Gen) and the Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor as compatible. You can select up to 10 in the Alexa app, and Alexa uses the average of their readings.
Who makes the Amazon Smart Thermostat?
Amazon developed it with Resideo, the company behind Honeywell Home thermostats, and sells it directly on Amazon.com. It launched in 2021 and is still the current model.
Written by Evan Mercer
Founder & Lead Researcher, Smart Home Matrix
Evan digs through spec sheets, firmware changelogs, and thousands of owner reviews so you don’t have to. Every guide starts with a compatibility check and ends with picks he would install in his own home. Read more about Evan and this site, or see exactly how we choose products.