Overview of the best smart thermostats that do not require a common wire for installation.

Smart thermostats are a fantastic way to save money on your energy bills and make your home more comfortable. But installing one can be a hassle, especially if you don’t have a C wire. A C wire provides constant power to your thermostat, so it can maintain its settings and communicate with your Wi-Fi network even when your HVAC system is off. But don’t worry! There are plenty of smart thermostats available that don’t require a C wire.

These thermostats use a variety of clever tricks to get the power they need, such as drawing power from your HVAC system itself or using a battery backup. In this article, we’ll be exploring 14 of the best smart thermostats without a C wire, covering a range of brands, features, and price points. Whether you’re looking for a basic model or something with advanced features like voice control or compatibility with other smart home devices, we’ve got you covered.

We’ve carefully considered factors like ease of installation, compatibility with different HVAC systems, and user experience to create a list of the top options available. Whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned DIY enthusiast, we’re confident you’ll find the perfect smart thermostat for your home on this list. So, let’s dive in and find the perfect smart thermostat to help you save money and stay comfortable all year round.

QUICKLIST
Item	Image	Where to buy	Rating	Read More
Honeywell RTH2300B			N/A	Jump to Review
Honeywell RTH2450D			N/A	Jump to Review
Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Generation)			N/A	Jump to Review
ecobee3 Lite			N/A	Jump to Review
Emerson Sensi Touch			N/A	Jump to Review
Lux Products Z-Wave Plus Smart Thermostat			N/A	Jump to Review
Venstar ColorTouch			N/A	Jump to Review
Honeywell Lyric T5			N/A	Jump to Review
RedLINK WiFi Thermostat (5000 Series)			N/A	Jump to Review
Aprilaire 8900 Smart Thermostat			N/A	Jump to Review
GoControl Z-Wave Plus Thermostat			N/A	Jump to Review
Honeywell TH8320WF			N/A	Jump to Review
Venstar WiFi Thermostat			N/A	Jump to Review
Honeywell RTH6580WF			N/A	Jump to Review

Table of Contents

Honeywell RTH2300B

A simple and affordable thermostat that doesn't require a C wire for installation. It's compatible with both gas and electric heating and cooling systems.

Specifications :

Type: Non-programmable
Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Features: Temperature display, fan control, hold feature
Compatibility: Gas and electric heating/cooling systems
C wire required: No

Reasons to buy :

Budget-friendly
Easy to install
Simple to use

Reasons to avoid :

Basic features
No smart home integration

What you need to know :

Buy it if

You're on a tight budget and just need a simple thermostat to control your HVAC system.

Don't buy it if:

You want smart features like scheduling, geofencing, or voice control.

Bottom Line:

The Honeywell RTH2300B is a great option for those who are looking for a simple and affordable thermostat without the need for a C wire. It’s easy to install and use, but it doesn't offer the smart features of other models on the market.

Honeywell RTH2450D

Find more on 16 Best Smart Thermostats for Home Comfort

This thermostat is a step up from the RTH2300B, with a few extra features and a more modern design. It's also compatible with both gas and electric heating and cooling systems.

Specifications :

Type: Programmable
Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Features: 7-day programmable schedule, temperature display, fan control, hold feature
Compatibility: Gas and electric heating/cooling systems
C wire required: No

Reasons to buy :

Affordable
Easy to install
Programmable

Reasons to avoid :

Basic features
No smart home integration

What you need to know :

Buy it if

You want a programmable thermostat that's easy to use and doesn't require a C wire.

Don't buy it if:

You want smart features like scheduling, geofencing, or voice control.

Bottom Line:

The Honeywell RTH2450D is a good option for those who want a programmable thermostat without a C wire. It's a bit more feature-rich than the RTH2300B, but it still lacks the smart features of other models. It’s a decent choice if you’re on a budget and want a basic, programmable thermostat.

Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Generation)

This popular smart thermostat is known for its sleek design and intuitive learning algorithms. It can learn your heating and cooling preferences and adjust the temperature accordingly.

Specifications :

Type: Learning
Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Features: 7-day programmable schedule, geofencing, temperature display, fan control, hold feature, remote access, energy reports, Nest Aware subscription for additional features
Compatibility: Gas, electric, and oil heating/cooling systems
C wire required: No (requires a Nest Power Connector for installation without a C wire)

Reasons to buy :

Sleek design
Learning algorithms
Smart features
Easy to use

Reasons to avoid :

More expensive than other models
Requires a Nest Power Connector for installation without a C wire

What you need to know :

Buy it if

You're looking for a smart thermostat with a sleek design and advanced features.

Don't buy it if:

You're on a tight budget or don't want to deal with the extra cost and complexity of the Nest Power Connector.

Bottom Line:

The Nest Learning Thermostat is a great option for those who want a smart thermostat with a sleek design and advanced features. It's easy to use and can learn your heating and cooling preferences, but it's more expensive than other models. It requires a Nest Power Connector to operate without a C wire, which is an added cost and complexity.

ecobee3 Lite

This affordable smart thermostat is packed with features, including remote access, voice control, and scheduling. It's a great option for those who want a smart thermostat without breaking the bank.

Specifications :

Type: Smart
Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Features: 7-day programmable schedule, remote access, voice control, temperature display, fan control, hold feature, energy reports
Compatibility: Gas and electric heating/cooling systems
C wire required: No

Reasons to buy :

Affordable
Smart features
Easy to use

Reasons to avoid :

No geofencing
Limited smart home integration

What you need to know :

Buy it if

You're looking for an affordable smart thermostat with a variety of features.

Don't buy it if:

You need geofencing or want a thermostat that's deeply integrated with other smart home devices.

Bottom Line:

The ecobee3 Lite is a great option for those who want a smart thermostat without breaking the bank. It's packed with features, including remote access, voice control, and scheduling. The ecobee3 Lite is a great value, offering a lot of smart features at an affordable price.

Emerson Sensi Touch

This smart thermostat is known for its intuitive touchscreen interface and its ability to integrate with other smart home devices. It's a great option for those who want a stylish and easy-to-use thermostat.

Specifications :

Type: Smart
Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Features: 7-day programmable schedule, remote access, voice control, temperature display, fan control, hold feature, energy reports, smart home integration
Compatibility: Gas and electric heating/cooling systems
C wire required: No

Reasons to buy :

Sleek design
Smart features
Smart home integration

Reasons to avoid :

More expensive than other models

What you need to know :

Buy it if

You're looking for a stylish and easy-to-use smart thermostat with smart home integration.

Don't buy it if:

You're on a tight budget.

Bottom Line:

The Emerson Sensi Touch is a great option for those who want a stylish and easy-to-use smart thermostat with smart home integration. It's a bit more expensive than other models, but it offers a lot of features and a great user experience.

Lux Products Z-Wave Plus Smart Thermostat

This thermostat is a great option for those who want a smart thermostat that's compatible with Z-Wave smart home hubs. It offers a variety of features, including remote access, scheduling, and energy reports.

Specifications :

Type: Smart
Connectivity: Z-Wave Plus
Features: 7-day programmable schedule, remote access, temperature display, fan control, hold feature, energy reports
Compatibility: Gas and electric heating/cooling systems
C wire required: No

Reasons to buy :

Z-Wave compatibility
Smart features
Affordable

Reasons to avoid :

Limited smart home integration

What you need to know :

Buy it if

You have a Z-Wave smart home hub and are looking for a smart thermostat that's compatible with it.

Don't buy it if:

You're looking for a thermostat that's deeply integrated with other smart home devices.

Bottom Line:

The Lux Products Z-Wave Plus Smart Thermostat is a great option for those who have a Z-Wave smart home hub. It's compatible with a variety of Z-Wave hubs and offers a variety of smart features, including remote access, scheduling, and energy reports.

Venstar ColorTouch

This smart thermostat is known for its vibrant color touchscreen display and its ability to integrate with other smart home devices. It's a great option for those who want a stylish and feature-rich thermostat.

Specifications :

Type: Smart
Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Features: 7-day programmable schedule, remote access, voice control, temperature display, fan control, hold feature, energy reports, smart home integration
Compatibility: Gas and electric heating/cooling systems
C wire required: No

Reasons to buy :

Stylish design
Smart features
Smart home integration

Reasons to avoid :

More expensive than other models

What you need to know :

Buy it if

You're looking for a stylish and feature-rich smart thermostat with smart home integration.

Don't buy it if:

You're on a tight budget.

Bottom Line:

The Venstar ColorTouch is a great option for those who want a stylish and feature-rich smart thermostat with smart home integration. It's a bit more expensive than other models, but it offers a lot of features and a great user experience.

Honeywell Lyric T5

This smart thermostat is a great option for those who want a thermostat that's easy to use and has a variety of smart features. It's also compatible with a variety of smart home devices.

Specifications :

Type: Smart
Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Features: 7-day programmable schedule, remote access, geofencing, temperature display, fan control, hold feature, energy reports, smart home integration
Compatibility: Gas and electric heating/cooling systems
C wire required: No

Reasons to buy :

Smart features
Smart home integration
Easy to use

Reasons to avoid :

More expensive than other models

What you need to know :

Buy it if

You're looking for a smart thermostat with a variety of features, including geofencing.

Don't buy it if:

You're on a tight budget.

Bottom Line:

The Honeywell Lyric T5 is a great option for those who want a smart thermostat with a variety of features, including geofencing. It's a bit more expensive than other models, but it offers a lot of features and a great user experience.

RedLINK WiFi Thermostat (5000 Series)

This smart thermostat is a great option for those who want a thermostat that's compatible with a variety of smart home devices. It's also known for its reliability and easy-to-use interface.

Specifications :

Type: Smart
Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Features: 7-day programmable schedule, remote access, temperature display, fan control, hold feature, energy reports, smart home integration
Compatibility: Gas and electric heating/cooling systems
C wire required: No

Reasons to buy :

Smart features
Smart home integration
Reliable

Reasons to avoid :

More expensive than other models

What you need to know :

Buy it if

You're looking for a reliable smart thermostat with smart home integration.

Don't buy it if:

You're on a tight budget.

Bottom Line:

The RedLINK WiFi Thermostat (5000 Series) is a great option for those who want a reliable smart thermostat with smart home integration. It's a bit more expensive than other models, but it offers a lot of features and a great user experience.

Aprilaire 8900 Smart Thermostat

This smart thermostat is a great option for those who want a thermostat that's compatible with a variety of smart home devices and has a variety of advanced features. It's also known for its user-friendly interface and stylish design.

Specifications :

Type: Smart
Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Features: 7-day programmable schedule, remote access, geofencing, temperature display, fan control, hold feature, energy reports, smart home integration
Compatibility: Gas and electric heating/cooling systems
C wire required: No

Reasons to buy :

Smart features
Smart home integration
Stylish design

Reasons to avoid :

More expensive than other models

What you need to know :

Buy it if

You're looking for a stylish and feature-rich smart thermostat with smart home integration.

Don't buy it if:

You're on a tight budget.

Bottom Line:

The Aprilaire 8900 Smart Thermostat is a great option for those who want a stylish and feature-rich smart thermostat with smart home integration. It's a bit more expensive than other models, but it offers a lot of features and a great user experience.

GoControl Z-Wave Plus Thermostat

Check this blog on 15 Best Smart Thermostats with Voice Control: Convenience at Your Command

A reliable and affordable thermostat that offers basic smart features like scheduling and remote control.

Specifications:

Connectivity: Z-Wave Plus
Features: Scheduling, remote control, temperature sensing
Compatibility: Z-Wave hubs and networks

Reasons to buy:

Affordable price: It's one of the more budget-friendly smart thermostats on the market.
Easy installation: It's relatively simple to install, even for DIYers.
Z-Wave compatibility: It works with a wide range of Z-Wave hubs and smart home ecosystems.

Reasons to avoid:

Limited features: It lacks some of the advanced features found in more expensive thermostats, such as voice control and geofencing.
Basic design: Its design is relatively basic and may not appeal to all users.

What you need to know:

Buy it if:

You're looking for a budget-friendly smart thermostat with basic features.
You have a Z-Wave hub and want to add smart control to your HVAC system.

Don't buy it if:

You need advanced features like voice control or geofencing.
You prefer a more stylish or modern design.

Bottom Line:

The GoControl Z-Wave Plus Thermostat is a solid choice for budget-conscious homeowners who want to add basic smart features to their HVAC system. It's easy to install, works with a wide range of Z-Wave hubs, and offers reliable temperature control. However, if you're looking for a thermostat with advanced features or a more stylish design, you may want to consider other options.

Learn more about 15 Best Smart Thermostat with Sensors: Greater Control and Comfort

Honeywell TH8320WF

Check this blog on The 20 Best Smart Thermostats to Buy in 2024

This Wi-Fi thermostat offers a range of features, including scheduling, remote control, and compatibility with popular voice assistants.

Specifications:

Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Features: Scheduling, remote control, voice control (with compatible assistants), geofencing, energy reports
Compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT

Reasons to buy:

Comprehensive features: It offers a wide range of features, including voice control and geofencing.
Intuitive interface: Its interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate.
Energy savings: It can help you save energy with features like geofencing and energy reports.

Reasons to avoid:

Higher price: It's more expensive than some other smart thermostats on the market.
Not compatible with all smart home systems: It doesn't work with all smart home ecosystems.

What you need to know:

Buy it if:

You're looking for a feature-rich smart thermostat with voice control and geofencing.
You want a thermostat that can help you save energy.

Don't buy it if:

You have a limited budget.
You need a thermostat that's compatible with a specific smart home system.

Bottom Line:

The Honeywell TH8320WF is a great choice for homeowners who want a feature-rich smart thermostat that's compatible with popular voice assistants. Its intuitive interface, energy-saving features, and comprehensive functionality make it a compelling option for those looking to upgrade their HVAC system. However, its higher price and limited compatibility with certain smart home ecosystems may be drawbacks for some users.

Venstar WiFi Thermostat

A user-friendly and affordable Wi-Fi thermostat that offers a good balance of features and price.

Specifications:

Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Features: Scheduling, remote control, energy reports, compatibility with some smart home ecosystems
Compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant (with limited functionality)

Reasons to buy:

Affordable price: It's a budget-friendly option for those who want smart thermostat features without breaking the bank.
Easy to use: Its interface is simple and intuitive.
Good value: It offers a good balance of features and price.

Reasons to avoid:

Limited features: It lacks some of the advanced features found in more expensive thermostats, such as geofencing and voice control.
Limited compatibility: It's not compatible with all smart home ecosystems.

What you need to know:

Buy it if:

You're looking for an affordable Wi-Fi thermostat with basic smart features.
You want a thermostat that's easy to use and set up.

Don't buy it if:

You need advanced features like voice control or geofencing.
You need a thermostat that's compatible with a specific smart home ecosystem.

Bottom Line:

The Venstar WiFi Thermostat is a good value for homeowners who want a budget-friendly Wi-Fi thermostat with basic smart features. It's easy to use, offers reliable temperature control, and can help you save energy with its scheduling and energy reports. However, if you're looking for a thermostat with advanced features or compatibility with a specific smart home system, you may want to consider other options.

Honeywell RTH6580WF

This Wi-Fi thermostat provides basic smart features like scheduling and remote control, as well as compatibility with voice assistants.

Specifications:

Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Features: Scheduling, remote control, voice control (with compatible assistants), energy reports
Compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant

Reasons to buy:

Affordable price: It's a budget-friendly option for those who want basic smart thermostat features.
Easy to use: Its interface is simple and easy to navigate.
Voice control compatibility: It's compatible with popular voice assistants, allowing for hands-free control.

Reasons to avoid:

Limited features: It lacks some of the advanced features found in more expensive thermostats, such as geofencing and smart home integration.
Basic design: Its design is relatively basic and may not appeal to all users.

What you need to know:

Buy it if:

You're looking for an affordable Wi-Fi thermostat with basic smart features.
You want a thermostat that's compatible with voice assistants.

Don't buy it if:

You need advanced features like geofencing or smart home integration.
You prefer a more stylish or modern design.

Bottom Line:

The Honeywell RTH6580WF is a good option for budget-conscious homeowners who want a Wi-Fi thermostat with basic smart features and voice control compatibility. It's easy to use, offers reliable temperature control, and can help you save energy with its scheduling and energy reports. However, if you're looking for a thermostat with advanced features or a more stylish design, you may want to consider other options.

So, there you have it! We've compiled a list of 14 top-rated smart thermostats that don't require a C wire, offering you a hassle-free way to upgrade your home's heating and cooling system. From budget-friendly options to feature-packed models, we've got something for everyone. With these smart thermostats, you can enjoy the convenience of remote control, automated scheduling, and energy savings without the need for complex wiring.

Remember, choosing the right smart thermostat depends on your individual needs and preferences. Consider your budget, desired features, and compatibility with your existing HVAC system. If you're still unsure, consult with a professional HVAC technician for personalized advice.

By embracing the power of smart technology, you can transform your home into a more comfortable and energy-efficient space. These smart thermostats provide a simple and effective way to take control of your heating and cooling, making your life easier and your wallet happier.

So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of smart thermostats and unlock the potential for a more comfortable and sustainable home!