Samsung SmartThings might not be the only smart home control and automation platform on the market, but it’s certainly one of the best. With excellent user-friendliness and tons of SmartThings compatible devices, it’s a fantastic choice for beginners and serious tech-heads alike. Smart thermostats have become increasingly popular. Even renters can upgrade to a smart thermostat. For SmartThings users, there are plenty of options to pick from. Check out the best Samsung SmartThings thermostat choices in 2023!
What is Samsung SmartThings?
Several different Internet of Things communication protocols exist. Samsung SmartThings uses both Z-Wave and Zigbee. Although many Zigbee and Z-Wave products should remain compatible with Samsung’s smart home platform, SmartThings certified products are guaranteed to work. Both ZigBee and Z-Wave offer benefits, with Z-Wave featuring a longer mesh network range and fewer congestion issues, whereas ZigBee is an open standard and less power-hungry.
Best SmartThings Thermostat for Most Users – ecobee Smart Thermostat
The ecobee SmartThermostat isn’t just the best overall Samsung SmartThings thermostat money can buy. It’s the best connected thermostat period. Onboard, you’ll find Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant. Build quality is superb, with a premium glass finish and a lovely touchscreen interface. There’s a powerful quad-core processor which makes for a snappy experience. Dual-band Wi-Fi wireless networking and a far-field microphone are built-in.
Aside from Samsung SmartThings compatibility, the ecobee SmartThermostat features integrations for Apple Home Kit, IFTTT, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. The ecobee SmartThermostat with voice control iterates on the ecobee4 which I have installed in my home. It adds Alexa calling capabilities, Spotify Connect compatibility, and Bluetooth streaming. On the connectivity side, an ecobee SmartSensor is bundled. Installation is a breeze and documentation is top-notch. At just shy of $300 USD, it’s a bit expensive. To save a bit of cash, you could snag the ecobee4 which touts most of the same functionality as the ecobee SmartThermostat with voice control. Alternatively, the ecobee3 and ecobee3 Lite are cost-effective connected thermostat options. But if you’re willing to plunk down the cash, the ecobee SmartThermostat with voice control is hands-down the greatest SmartThings thermostat for most users.
Pros:
- Easy installation
- Excellent documentation
- User-friendly
- Amazon Alexa voice assistant onboard
- Compatible with Spotify Connect
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
- Includes room sensor
- Tons of integrations including Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home Kit
- Aesthetically-pleasing
- Android, iOS, and web apps available
Cons:
- Expensive
Best-looking Connected Thermostat for Samsung SmartThings Honeywell Total Connect
A well-known name in heating and cooling, Honeywell’s Total Connect thermostat works with SmartThings. It’s got a full-color touchscreen and Wi-Fi built-in. It’s controllable via web app or Android and iOS apps. Set up is fairly straightforward. Its rectangular shape mimics the look of a traditional non-smart thermostat, but its vivid color display is pleasing to the eye. Its home screen features tons of information including the current indoor temperature, humidity, outside temperature, date and time.
Installation isn’t necessarily difficult, although the Honeywell Total Connect does require a C wire. So if you don’t have a C wire already installed, you’ll need to find a workaround. That’s not a major issue, but it does make the Honeywell Total Connect better for power users and confident do-it-yourselfers (DIYers) rather than fresh newcomers. Everyday use is incredibly simple whether via one of the corresponding apps or on the Honeywell thermostat itself. Aside from manual control, you can configure the Total Control smart thermostat to learn your habits, similar to a Nest learning thermostat. In addition to basic settings, tons of power user options are available for the likes of fan control. For a no-frills SmartThings thermostat, the Honeywell Z-Wave thermostat is a simplified connected thermostat. You might also consider the Honeywell Lyric T5 or the Nest lookalike Lyric Round. User-friendly, affordable at under $150, and extremely capable, the Honeywell Total Control SmartThings-compatible thermostat is an excellent upgrade for any home.
Pros:
- User-friendly
- Touchscreen
- Total Connect web app, Android, and iOS apps available
- Lots of settings
- Learning capabilities
Cons:
- Requires a C-wire, installation may be tricky depending on whether or not you have one
Best Samsung SmartThings Thermostat for Electric Baseboards – Stelpro Maestro Smart Thermostat
Electric baseboards are excellent for heating but notoriously difficult for smart thermostat functionality. The Stelpro Maestro smart home thermostat however boasts electric baseboard compatibility. What’s more, it works well on 120V, 208V, and 240V systems. There’s multi-zone capability and it’s an easily programmed ZigBee thermostat. Disappointingly, unlike many competing thermostats, the Stelpro Maestro lacks learning capabilities. And it only packs ZigBee, so the Maestro can’t communicate with anything other than SmartThings and ZigBee products. The Stelpro Ki is a bit dumbed down compared to the Maestro, although a great sub-$100 ZigBee thermostat. Still, for anyone with electric baseboards seeking a compatible smart thermostat, the Stelpro Maestro is a solid buy.
Pros:
- Works with electric baseboards
- ZigBee onboard
- Multi-zone capabilities
- Easy to program
Cons:
- Limited connectivity, only ZigBee
- No learning capabilities
Best Budget SmartThings Thermostat – Zen Thermostat
The Zen Thermostat is a fantastic budget smart thermostat. It’s well under $100, installation is a breeze, and its simplified LED screen remains crisp, clear, and easy to read. Both ZigBee and Wi-Fi are on board for a range of connectivity options. The matrix LED display shows the indoor temperature and whether the HVAC is heating or cooling. Using buttons four different buttons, you can change what’s on the display by scrolling up, down, left, and right. While additional power is required, in the absence of a C-wire you can just use four AA batteries instead. Aside from SmartThings compatibility, the Zen Hub works with Amazon Alexa. However, lack of a hub means you’ll need to use its interface which, while uncluttered, can be a pain to navigate. Competitively priced and user-friendly to the extreme, the Zen thermostat is perfect for beginners and smart home enthusiasts alike.
Pros:
- Clean, uncluttered interface
- Easy to install
- Can use C-wire or 4 x AA batteries
- Affordable
- LED matrix display
- Wi-Fi and ZigBee onboard
Cons:
- On-device navigation is a pain
Best Portable SmartThings Thermostat – GoControl Z-Wave Battery-powered Smart Thermostat
If you need the power of SmartThings to go, the aptly-named GoControl Z-Wave connected thermostat is an excellent, and unique, choice. It’s battery-powered for unrivaled portability. There’s Z-Wave connectivity built-in, and it’s compatible with a host of different HVAC systems including standard 2-stage HVAC configurations and heat pump HVAC systems with 3-stage heating and 2-stage cooling. In addition to SmartThings hub compatibility, the GoControl functions with Amazon Alexa. For an older home without modern wiring or a rental where retrofits aren’t possible, the GoControl is an awesome portable SmartThings thermostat.
Pros:
- Portable, battery-powered
- Works with Z-Wave hubs and SmartThings hubs
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa
- Tons of functionality
- Lots of HVAC connectivity options
Cons:
- Lacks some power-user features
- Basic display
Best Samsung SmartThings Thermostat FAQs
There are tons thermostats that are compatible with SmartThings including options from ecobee, Honeywell, and Stelpro.
No, Samsung is not discontinuing SmartThings, and in fact continues to develop its smart home platform with features like Matter support.
Yes, since January 14, 2021, Nest thermostats, doorbells, and cameras now work with Samsung SmartThings.
Yes, ecobee works with SmartThings and is the best overall smart thermostat for Samsung SmartThings.
Best Samsung SmartThings Thermostat 2023 – Final Thoughts
A smart thermostat is one of the best upgrades you can make. My ecobee4 has netted me cost savings, plus I’ve configured a range of different automations for adjusting the temperature as I come and go. While traveling, I’ve been able to turn the heat or air conditioning up in transit so that my home is at my desired temperature upon arrival. And SmartThings simplifies the connected device journey. If you want the best SmartThings thermostat, go for an ecobee. Honeywell makes a top-contender as well, and the Zen is a great cheap smart thermostat. If you require portability, the GoControl is a unique thermostat that won’t break the bank.
Your turn: What Samsung SmartThings thermostats do you recommend?
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