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