The best thermostat with humidity control for most homes is the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium: it can run a whole-home humidifier, a dehumidifier or both, and it can use your air conditioner to dry the air when you don’t have a dehumidifier. A thermostat like this takes the place of a separate humidistat, so one device on the wall manages both temperature and humidity.
The detail worth knowing before you buy is that almost every smart thermostat shows indoor humidity, but far fewer can control it. Control needs an accessory terminal for your humidifier or dehumidifier, plus the settings to run it. Every option below has both. If you only need a better thermostat, our best smart thermostats guide covers more models.
Quick Recommendations
- ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium — Best overall. Runs a humidifier and a dehumidifier, adjusts for cold windows and works with Apple Home, Alexa and Google.
- Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) — Best for Google Home. Controls a humidifier and a dehumidifier at the same time and lowers the humidity target in cold weather.
- Honeywell Home X8S — Best for Matter. One accessory terminal for a humidifier, dehumidifier or ventilator, with window frost protection.
- Sensi Touch 2 — Best value. Humidifier control and AC dehumidification for less than the big brands.
- AprilAire 8920W — Best for whole-home air quality. Humidifier, dehumidifier, ventilation and air cleaning from one professional-grade thermostat.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Product | Ecosystem | Key Feature | Approx. Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium | Apple, Alexa, Google | Two accessories + Frost Control | ~$245 (for the kit with 2 door and window sensors) | Best overall |
| Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) | Google, Apple and Alexa (Matter) | Humidifier and dehumidifier at once | ~$280 | Google Home |
| Honeywell Home X8S | Alexa, Google, Apple (Matter) | One U terminal + Window Protection | ~$234 | Matter homes |
| Sensi Touch 2 | Alexa, Google, SmartThings | Humidifier + overcooling up to 3°F | ~$187 | Lower budget |
| AprilAire 8920W | Alexa, Google | Humidity, ventilation and air cleaning | ~$552 | AprilAire systems |
Compatibility Matrix
| Product | HomeKit | Alexa | Google Home | Matter | Thread | Hub Required | Wiring/Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium | Yes | Yes (built in) | Yes | No | No | No | C wire or included Power Extender Kit |
| Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) | Via Matter | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | C wire not needed in most homes |
| Honeywell Home X8S | Via Matter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not stated | No | C wire required |
| Sensi Touch 2 | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | C wire required |
| AprilAire 8920W | Not stated | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | No | Equipment control module, professional install |
Humidity settings live in each brand’s own app. Through Matter, Apple Home and Alexa get the temperature and mode, not the humidifier. The ecobee is the only option here with native HomeKit, and the Sensi Touch 2 doesn’t work with Apple Home at all.
The Best Thermostats with Humidity Control for 2026
ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium — Best Overall
The Premium is the most complete humidity control thermostat for most homes. It runs a humidifier, a dehumidifier or a ventilator, it can handle two of them at once, and it can dry the air with your AC when you don’t have a dehumidifier.
Best for: Homes with a whole-home humidifier (or plans for one) that also want Apple Home, Alexa and Google support.
What stands out in real use
ecobee’s support pages say the Premium can control up to two accessories, as long as they’re different types, such as a humidifier and a dehumidifier. For a humidifier you can set a target humidity or turn on Frost Control, which lowers the target in cold weather to prevent condensation on your windows. In summer, Dehumidify Using AC with the AC Overcool setting keeps the air conditioner running a few degrees past your setpoint until the humidity drops. That helps in a humid house even without a dehumidifier.
The Amazon listing in stock today is ecobee’s Comfort and Security Bundle: the Premium with its room SmartSensor plus two door and window sensors. It includes everything in the standalone box.
Key specs
- Controls a humidifier, dehumidifier or ventilator (up to two, of different types)
- Frost Control and Dehumidify Using AC
- Air quality monitor (VOCs, estimated CO2, humidity)
- Alexa or Siri built in, works with Google Home
- Room SmartSensor and Power Extender Kit in the box
Pros
- The widest set of humidity features here
- Native HomeKit, plus Alexa and Google
- Can dehumidify with the AC alone
- Includes a room sensor
Cons
- Two accessories don’t work while you use the Power Extender Kit
- Frost Control isn’t available when two accessories are set up
- Two-accessory setup goes through ecobee’s installer menu
Installation and compatibility notes
A humidifier or dehumidifier wires to the ACC terminals (or PEK+ for a second one-wire accessory), and ecobee asks whether it’s a one-wire or two-wire device during setup. If you need the Power Extender Kit because you have no C wire, plan on one accessory only. The cheaper ecobee Essential doesn’t support accessories at all, so it can’t control a humidifier.
Price: ~$245 (for the kit with 2 door and window sensors)
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) — Best for Google Home
The 4th Gen Learning Thermostat is the best choice if your home runs on Google Home. It’s the only Nest that controls a humidifier and a dehumidifier, and it can run both at the same time.
Best for: Google Home users with a whole-home humidifier, dehumidifier or both.
What stands out in real use
Google added extra terminals to the 4th Gen, so a humidifier and a dehumidifier can share one thermostat. Its Humidity Helper settings live in the Google Home app. Smart Humidity lowers the humidity target when it’s below 40°F outside, with three condensation-avoidance levels, and Quiet Time stops the humidifier from running at night. Cool to Dry uses your AC to lower the humidity in summer, cooling at most 3°F below your set temperature and never below 75°F.
The cheaper Nest Thermostat (2020) doesn’t support humidifiers or dehumidifiers, so don’t buy it for humidity control.
Key specs
- Humidifier only, dehumidifier only, or both
- Smart Humidity and Cool to Dry
- Up to 3 heating and 3 cooling stages (5H/3C on heat pumps)
- Nest Temperature Sensor in the box
- Works with Google Home, plus Matter for Apple Home and Alexa
Pros
- Runs a humidifier and a dehumidifier at once
- Automatic cold-weather humidity adjustment
- Doesn’t need a C wire in most homes
- Includes a room temperature sensor
Cons
- Humidity settings are only in the Google Home app
- Apple Home and Alexa only see temperature and mode through Matter
- The highest price of the mainstream options here
Installation and compatibility notes
Google strongly recommends a professional for humidifier and dehumidifier wiring, and its compatibility page warns that choosing the wrong settings can damage your system. Amazon sells the 4th Gen partly through third-party sellers, so check that the listing says new and includes the sensor.
Price: ~$280
Honeywell Home X8S — Best for Matter
The X8S is Honeywell’s top consumer thermostat and the best option here for a Matter home. It has one accessory terminal that can run a humidifier, a dehumidifier or a ventilator.
Best for: Homes with one humidity device that want Alexa, Google and Apple Home through Matter.
What stands out in real use
Honeywell’s manual lists one U terminal as the relay for a humidifier, dehumidifier or ventilator. During setup you choose a steam, bypass or fan-powered humidifier, or a whole-house dehumidifier. The X8S can also dehumidify with your air conditioner. Window Protection limits humidity in cold weather to prevent frost on your windows, using the outdoor temperature from Honeywell’s app.
Its humidity sensor is rated at ±5% between 30% and 50% relative humidity, which is typical for a thermostat.
Key specs
- One U terminal for a humidifier, dehumidifier or ventilator
- Humidification range 0% to 90%, dehumidification 10% to 100%
- Window Protection for cold weather
- 5″ touchscreen, Matter certified
- Works with Alexa, Google and Apple Home (via Matter)
Pros
- Matter support for all three major platforms
- Window frost protection
- Supports room sensors for other rooms
- Sold by Amazon.com
Cons
- Only one accessory terminal
- Matter doesn’t pass humidity settings to other apps
- Needs a C wire
Installation and compatibility notes
The X8S needs a C wire, and Honeywell includes a voucher for a free C-wire adapter. Don’t confuse it with the newer Honeywell X7S: the X7S shows humidity but its U terminal isn’t used, so it can’t run a humidifier. For more models, see our best Honeywell thermostats.
Price: ~$234
Sensi Touch 2 — Best Value
The Sensi Touch 2 is the lower-cost way to get a humidistat thermostat. It runs a whole-home humidifier and can lower humidity with your air conditioner. Our Sensi thermostat review compares it with the other Sensi models.
Best for: Homes on a smaller budget that use Alexa or Google.
What stands out in real use
Sensi’s setup guide shows the humidifier on the ACC terminals, either as a one-wire or a two-wire connection, with a switch on the back to match. It runs the humidifier during heating when the humidity drops below your setting. For summer, Optimal Dehumidification overcools by up to 3°F to remove extra moisture, and it needs no extra wiring. On compatible systems, a wire on W2 can also slow the blower to remove more moisture. You set the humidity in 5% steps on the thermostat or in the Sensi app.
Key specs
- Humidifier control on the ACC terminals (1 or 2 wire)
- Overcooling up to 3°F to dehumidify
- Color touchscreen
- Works with Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings
Pros
- Lower price than the ecobee, Nest and Honeywell
- Clear setup guide for humidifiers
- Dehumidifies with the AC, no extra equipment needed
- Sold by Amazon.com
Cons
- Doesn’t work with Apple Home or Matter
- Needs a C wire for every installation
- No cold-weather humidity adjustment in Sensi’s guide
Installation and compatibility notes
Sensi requires a C wire for the Touch 2 in every installation. Running a dehumidifier and ventilator as well needs Sensi’s Equipment Interface Module, which an HVAC professional sets up.
Price: ~$187
AprilAire 8920W — Best for Whole-Home Air Quality
The 8920W is built for homes that treat indoor air as a system. It controls humidifiers, dehumidifiers, ventilation and air cleaning from one 7″ touchscreen.
Best for: Homes with AprilAire humidifiers, dehumidifiers or ventilation, installed by an HVAC professional.
What stands out in real use
AprilAire says its humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers and ventilation products can all be controlled from its IAQ thermostats, and the 8920W is one of them. An outdoor temperature sensor comes in the box, which lets automatic humidification lower the humidity as it gets colder outside. AprilAire also says its ventilation control won’t let fresh air push indoor humidity above 60% on humid days.
The thermostat on the wall connects to an equipment control module near your furnace or air handler with three wires, and the module does the switching.
Key specs
- Humidifier, dehumidifier, ventilation and air cleaning control
- Outdoor temperature sensor and equipment control module included
- 7″ color touchscreen
- Up to 3H/3C conventional or 4H/2C heat pump
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
Pros
- Controls more air quality equipment than any other option here
- Automatic humidity based on outdoor temperature
- Only three wires needed at the thermostat
Cons
- The most expensive option by far
- Designed around AprilAire equipment
- Needs professional installation
- No Apple Home or Matter support listed
Installation and compatibility notes
AprilAire sells the 8920W for installation by an HVAC professional, and it makes the most sense when your humidifier or ventilation is already AprilAire. If you only have one humidifier, the ecobee, Nest or Honeywell costs much less.
Price: ~$552
Showing Humidity vs Controlling It
A humidity reading on the screen doesn’t mean the thermostat can do anything about it. A thermostat with humidifier control needs a terminal for the humidifier or dehumidifier and the settings to run it. The Honeywell X7S, the ecobee Essential and the Nest Thermostat (2020) all show or track humidity but can’t run a humidifier. The same was true of Honeywell’s older T9, while the T10 Pro could; our Honeywell T9 vs T10 comparison explains the difference.
There are two ways a thermostat with humidity control can work:
- With a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier. The thermostat turns it on and off to reach your target, so you don’t need a separate humidistat.
- With your air conditioner. The ecobee, Nest, Honeywell and Sensi can run the AC longer or cooler to remove moisture. This needs no extra equipment, but it only works in cooling season and it uses more energy.
A portable humidifier is a different thing: it plugs into the wall, has its own humidity sensor, and is controlled from its own app. If that’s what you need, see our best smart humidifiers, and our humidifier vs dehumidifier guide explains which one your home needs.
How to Choose a Thermostat with Humidity Control
Check your equipment first. Look at the humidifier or dehumidifier’s control wires and at your current humidistat. A one-wire device takes its power from the HVAC system, while a two-wire device has its own transformer. Every option here handles both, but the setup is different, and a wrong setting can damage equipment. Our thermostat wiring guide explains the usual terminals.
Count your accessories. If you have a humidifier and a dehumidifier, choose the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen), the ecobee Premium (without the Power Extender Kit) or the AprilAire 8920W. The Honeywell X8S has one accessory terminal.
Check the C wire. The Honeywell and the Sensi need one. The ecobee includes an adapter, but using it rules out a second accessory, and the Nest doesn’t need one in most homes. Our C-wire adapter guide covers the options.
Look for a cold-weather setting. Frost Control (ecobee), Smart Humidity (Nest) and Window Protection (Honeywell) lower the humidity target as it gets colder outside, which prevents condensation on windows.
Set a sensible target. The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60%, ideally between 30% and 50%. Our guide on what the humidity should be in your house shows the winter and summer levels.
Plan for a professional. Google strongly recommends one for humidifier wiring, and AprilAire sells through HVAC installers. If you aren’t comfortable working in the furnace, have an HVAC technician connect the humidifier.
Conclusion
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is the best thermostat with humidity control for most homes: it runs a humidifier and a dehumidifier, prevents window condensation and works with every major platform. Choose the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) for Google Home, the Honeywell Home X8S for a Matter home with one humidity device, and the Sensi Touch 2 for a smaller budget. The AprilAire 8920W is the choice for a full AprilAire air quality system.
What is the best thermostat with humidity control?
For most homes, the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is the best thermostat with humidity control. It can run a humidifier and a dehumidifier, lowers the humidity target in cold weather with Frost Control, and works with Apple Home, Alexa and Google.
Can a smart thermostat control a whole-house humidifier?
Many can, but not all. You need a thermostat with an accessory terminal, such as the ecobee Premium, the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen), the Honeywell Home X8S or the Sensi Touch 2. The ecobee Essential, the Nest Thermostat (2020) and the Honeywell X7S show humidity but can’t control a humidifier.
Can the Nest thermostat control a humidifier?
The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) can control a humidifier, a dehumidifier or both at the same time. The cheaper Nest Thermostat (2020) doesn’t support humidifiers or dehumidifiers. Google strongly recommends professional installation for the wiring.
Do I still need a humidistat with a smart thermostat?
Not if the thermostat controls your humidifier directly. A humidistat thermostat like the ecobee Premium or the Honeywell X8S reads the humidity and turns the humidifier on and off, so it replaces the separate humidistat.
Can a thermostat lower humidity without a dehumidifier?
Yes, by running the air conditioner longer. The ecobee uses Dehumidify Using AC, the Nest uses Cool to Dry, and the Sensi Touch 2 overcools by up to 3°F. This only works in cooling season and uses more energy than a dehumidifier.
What humidity should I set on my thermostat?
The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60%, ideally between 30% and 50%. In winter, set it lower when it’s very cold outside to avoid condensation on windows, or turn on your thermostat’s frost or window protection setting.
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.