The 3 Best HomeKit Compatible Smart Thermostats.
Apple HomeKit is one of the main smart home platforms, but it is by far the least popular due to its relatively narrow range of compatible devices and the complex setup required to control it remotely. But Apple fans, and therefore HomeKit fans, are a stubborn group.
Those who love the Apple ecosystem really love it, which has led to a slow but steady growth in HomeKit-compatible devices. While they are still difficult to find, there is hope.
However, smart thermostats are some of the most sophisticated smart devices for HomeKit. Basically, there are only two companies that make the best smart thermostats the average person can hear about: ecobee and Nest.
The ecobee4 smart thermostat is the best HomeKit compatible smart thermostat to date. This device claims to save homeowners up to 23% per year on heating and cooling costs and pays for itself in less than two years.
Another benefit is that the ecobee4 can be installed in homes without the C-wire, which has prevented the installation of a smart thermostat in the past. Built-in Alexa means you can do tasks that HomeKit can’t, as long as you’re within earshot of the thermostat. The ecobee app is available on both Android and IOS, but if you’re a die-hard HomeKit user, it’s safe to assume you have an iPhone too.
The $ 199 Ecobee4 won’t break the bank either. It is the best all-round choice in the face of limited space. An updated version of the ecobee4 is available for purchase, dubbed the voice controlled ecobee smart thermostat. This is an updated version of the ecobee4 that is currently less expensive and is offered with a smart switch.
ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat
As the name suggests, the ecobee3 Lite is a previous version of the more modern ecobee4. It works in much the same way as newer versions except for a few key features.
Ecobee3 does not have built-in Alexa and does not include a room sensor when purchased. However, it’s still compatible with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and even less-used assistants like Microsoft’s Cortana.
Ecobee3 also works in homes without a C-wire. Installation takes an average of half an hour and does not require professional assistance. All in all, it’s a worthwhile investment, especially if you don’t care about Alexa.
On the other hand, you may wonder why you would willingly buy an older model. The answer is simple: it’s more affordable. The Ecobee3 costs roughly $ 140 and is $ 60 less than the new version. If you live in a small house or apartment, no additional room sensors are needed.
After all, the thermostat doesn’t have to be – they just help it work more efficiently in larger homes.
Honeywell Lyric T5
Priced even lower than the ecobee3, Honeywell Lyric T5. At $ 120, it’s definitely more affordable than either of the other two options on this list.
You can control Honeywell Lyric via Wi-Fi and set 7-day schedules to keep your home the temperature you want, when you want it. You can also control Honeywell Lyric through Siri thanks to its HomeKit compatibility.
There are several interesting features worth mentioning about this thermostat. The first is the “adaptive recovery” setting. It learns how long it takes to reach the set temperature and automatically starts adjusting to reach that temperature by the set time. It will also send you push notifications when you need to change the filter or if the sensors detect sudden temperature changes.
Honeywell Lyric also uses geofencing for temperature control. If you have a preferred temperature when you are at home and your phone is within a preset range, Lyric will automatically start adjusting to reach that temperature when you arrive.
Despite the availability, there is a lot to look out for. Honeywell merged its smart home offerings into a company called Resideo about a year and a half ago, so the Honeywell Lyric T5 may not be available for an extended period.
There are several other brands that work with HomeKit, but none of them have the functionality of these three devices. Some reports say Nest may add HomeKit compatibility in the future due to the number of requests from the user base, but this has not been confirmed – and not something to hold your breath for.
Instead, take a look at one of these three options for the best smart thermostats for Apple HomeKit. They represent three different price levels, but each is a reliable smart thermostat.
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