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BEST · Smart Thermostats

The Best Smart Thermostats

Measured runtime reduction across a winter.

By Daniel Reyes, Smart Home Editor · Published August 3, 2026 · 2 min read

Digital control panel for home heating

Photograph: Freestocks.org / StockSnap

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We logged boiler runtime in two matched properties across a full heating season.

Where savings come from

Almost all measured savings came from not heating an empty house, not from clever algorithms. Any thermostat with reliable presence detection captures most of the benefit.

Our picks

Independently tested

Digital control panel for home heating
Editor's Choice

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)

The scheduling that actually reduces boiler runtime, in the best-looking package.

Score
8.9 / 10
Price band
$250 – $300

Best for: Households wanting set-and-forget savings

Price band last checked 2026-08-11. Live pricing arrives with our retailer feed.

Methodology

Every product here was tested in a working home against standardised tasks. Scores are the mean of five measured criteria and are never adjusted for commercial reasons. How we test · How we review.

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