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When winter comes, we all like our house to be at a comfortable temperature and away from hypothermia. To achieve this, the ideal is to have a heating system at home together with a thermostat to control it. The problem is in the time that passes from when we get home and turn on the heating, until it begins to heat up. To solve this, there are smart thermostats, of which today we will tell you everything you need to know and we will talk about some interesting options.
What is a smart thermostat and what is it for?
Heating systems differ: a boiler, furnace, heat pump or electric heater may use different controls. The following terms describe common components, not every installation:
- Boiler : is the place where heat generation occurs using different techniques and fuels.
- Thermostat : it is the element, which is normally a small console that is installed on the wall, which will serve as a control to manage the different functions of the heating system. We can turn it off, turn it on, regulate the temperature or, for example, program it to activate at certain times. The disadvantage of this last function is found when we do not always arrive home at the same time.
The best thing about having a smart version as a thermostat is that, depending on the model, we can perform different actions with it through our phone . Although now we will see some of them in more detail, the best without a doubt is to be able to turn off and turn on the heating from anywhere while away from home.
Details before buying a smart thermostats
Now that we know well what the thermostat is and what the function of the thermostat is, let’s see the different details to take into account before buying one of these devices. If we want to acquire an option that adapts well to our needs, we should take into account the following:
- Thermostat type : we could classify these elements by different characteristics, but the most common is to divide them into fixed or wireless . While the “connected” model would be attached to the wall like the “classic” thermostats, the cordless would give us the ability to move it around the house and continue to work. The latter is usually connected to a bridge that we must connect to our installation via radio frequency.
- Compatibility with your heating : this is perhaps the most important detail of all. It is useless if we buy the best or most expensive thermostats if it is compatible with gas installations and our heating is electric. Therefore, it is essential that you take a good look at what type of facilities you can use this equipment before buying it.
- Installation: check the exact system, control voltage, wiring diagram and manufacturer compatibility tool. Two wires alone do not establish compatibility. A 24V HVAC controller, mains-voltage thermostat and boiler relay are different. Use a qualified installer when required or when the wiring/system is uncertain; follow the manufacturer’s isolation and installation instructions.
- Home automation : although this may be an additional feature, it is interesting that the model you choose integrates correctly with your home automation. Check the assistants with which this is compatible, which can be Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri , and then choose the one that best suits what you need.
Best smart thermostats
Now that you know all about these devices responsible for controlling the temperature of your home, it is time for you to decide on a model to take home. To facilitate your search among all the available possibilities, compare the following manufacturer families and their compatibility tools. Prices and stock depend on country and exact kit, so old under-€50 examples are not current quotes.
Honeywell Home
Honeywell Home/Resideo offers different thermostats for different systems and countries. Confirm the exact model, heating stages, control voltage and any C-wire or power-adapter requirement. Use the manufacturer compatibility checker and the regional installation guide; brand-level assistant support does not apply to every thermostat.
tado ° Smart Thermostat
Separate tado X from V3+ and earlier products. tado’s compatibility guidance says the X and V3+ product families are not interchangeable. X uses Thread with suitable border-router hardware; check the exact boiler/control protocol and kit. No tado product is automatically compatible with all heating systems.
Netatmo NTH01-ES-EC
The standard Netatmo Smart Thermostat needs a heating system controlled by a compatible dry-contact on/off room thermostat. A Smart Modulating Thermostat has different OpenTherm requirements. Use the Netatmo compatibility guidance, relay instructions and exact boiler model rather than assuming the product supports every boiler or electric heater.
Nest Learning thermostat
Identify the generation and country before buying a used Nest. Google ended cloud support for first- and second-generation Nest Learning Thermostats, including the European second generation, on 25 October 2025. Those devices retain local controls but no longer provide the supported app and remote features described in older comparisons.
Newer Nest models have their own heating-system and power requirements. Check Google’s compatibility tool and the exact installation guide; a Nest designed for one regional system is not a universal replacement elsewhere.
Match heating and home automation
Confirm whether you need room sensing, radiator valves, scheduling, remote control or a specific voice assistant. Review any subscription, hub and cloud dependency before purchase. See home-automation apps and ecosystems and smart plug limitations when planning the rest of the system.