As an Airbnb host, we know you strive to up the coziness factor for your guests while keeping your eye on those utility bills. Enter the thermostat: this simple piece of equipment can set the perfect temperature in your rental while keeping your energy bills in check.
In this article, we'll show you the top 6 thermostats that all Airbnb hosts should know about. Because whether you're an Airbnb veteran or someone just starting out, the right thermostat can make your hosting life a whole lot easier.
Here are our top picks:
- ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control: Best Overall Thermostat
- ecobee3 Lite: Best Budget Pick
- Nest Learning Thermostat: Best Smart Thermostat
- Honeywell Home T9: Best for Energy Savings
- Emerson Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat: Best User-Friendly Option
- Honeywell RTH9585WF: Best for Design-Focused Hosts
Trouble finding the perfect thermostat or amenity for your Airbnb? The professional design team at Summer is here to help you find, purchase, and install the right amenities for your Airbnb property.
How We Selected the Best Thermostats for Airbnb
Choosing the right thermostat for your Airbnb can make a world of difference. Our goal is to help you find a thermostat that not only meets your needs but makes your guests' stays more enjoyable.
Here’s how we selected the best of the best thermostats for Airbnb:
- Reviews: We analyzed customer reviews and ratings from different platforms.
- Host Recommendations: We then sought recommendations from verified STR hosts in our network.
- Energy Efficiency: We focused on thermostats designed to optimize energy use without compromising guest comfort.
- Smart Features:. We prioritized models with Wi-Fi connectivity, mobile app controls, and smart learning capabilities for effortless control.
- Compatibility: We wanted to highlight thermostats that work seamlessly with systems like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit.
- Value for Money: Lastly, we considered the price point in relation to the features offered.
Based on these factors, we’d recommend the ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control. This thermostat has it all: a mid-range price point, easy-to-use controls, and energy efficiency. Let’s dive into it below.
1. ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control: Best Overall
The ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control shines as our top pick. It’s an intuitive and energy-efficient solution–need we say more? We also love its ability to seamlessly integrate with various smart home ecosystems so your guests can control the Airbnb’s climate through simple voice commands.
Don’t get us wrong: this option isn’t the cheapest at $209.21 on Amazon. But with up to 26% in energy savings per year, this is a gift that will keep on giving.
Aside from its exceptional energy-saving capabilities, what truly stands out from this pick is how easy it is to use. It comes with features like the SmartSensor that optimizes heating and cooling based on a room’s occupancy and location plus modes so that it can keep your property at an optimal temperature even while your guests are away. Plus, it’s very easy to install and is compatible with most 24VAC HVAC systems.
Unfortunately, its price tag can be inaccessible. Still, the ecobee SmartThermostat is the ideal mix of style, functionality, and energy efficiency. Its sleek design and easy-to-use interface makes it a perfect fit for any space, which is why so many Airbnb hosts rave about it.
2. ecobee3 Lite: Best Budget Pick
If you find the ecobee SmartThermostat too pricey, we have great news for you. The ecobee3 Lite offers many of the features of its more advanced counterparts at a lower price point. At $138.49 on Amazon, it’s the best pick for budget-conscious hosts who still want quality performance.
It works seamlessly with popular smart home ecosystems and can be combined with an Alexa device to control it via voice. And, with up to 23% in energy savings per year, this is a great investment in both your guests’ comfort and your expense management.
Like all ecobee options, this model is designed for easy installation, even for those who aren’t particularly handy. It’s also compatible with most 24VAC HVAC systems.
But, unlike our top thermostat pick, the ecobee3 Lite doesn’t come with any extras like SmartSensors–understandable, due to its price. If you want to manage hot and cold spots in each and every room, you’ll need to purchase the sensors separately which will bump the price up.
If you’re not worried about purchasing more sensors, the ecobee Lite allows hosts to enjoy advanced temperature-regulating features without a hefty price tag, making it our top choice for budget-minded property owners.
3. Nest Learning Thermostat: Best Smart Thermostat
When it comes to smart thermostats, the Nest Learning Thermostat is our top pick. This thermostat doesn’t just control your temperature; it learns schedules and preferences, adjusting itself to save energy when the house is empty.
The Nest Learning Thermostat is priced at $169, and you can purchase it on Amazon.
Like the other options on our list, this has the ability to integrate seamlessly with other smart home devices, like Google Assistant and Alexa. For hosts, it has an auto-schedule function and remote control via smartphone that makes managing your property’s temperature easy.
It’s also a very easy-to-use thermostat: it displays a “leaf” when the temperature saves energy, taking the guesswork away from the process. However, aside from these, this thermostat doesn’t have many advanced features that will set it apart.
And while it might not be the best solution for Airbnb hosts that market their properties out for shorter stays (as it does take time for the thermostat to “learn” guest preferences), it’s still a fantastic, wallet-friendly option that’s easy to set up and use.
4. Honeywell Home T9: Best for Energy Savings
The Honeywell Home T9 should be your go-to thermostat if energy savings are your top priority. This smart thermostat is designed to optimize your home’s energy use by learning guest patterns and adjusting the temperature accordingly. You can also purchase smart room sensors that work to make each room in your rental comfortable.
It is Energy Star-certified, and has geofencing capabilities that adjust the thermostat when guests leave and return, cutting down on unnecessary energy use. Plus, the smart sensors can detect motion and occupancy, ensuring energy isn't wasted on empty rooms.
You can find the Honeywell Home T9 plus one sensor for $182.98 on Amazon which is very reasonable considering the savings–and even rebates–you can get by having this in your property.
And while some customers complain about the size of the touchscreen and sluggish response time, we still think the Honeywell Home T9's energy-saving features and smart integrations make it a worthwhile investment, especially for hosts who want to drastically reduce their bills.
5. Emerson Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat: Best User-Friendly Option
If user-friendliness is what you’re after, the Emerson Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat is the perfect match. This thermostat has a large, backlit display that makes adjusting settings a breeze, even for guests who might not be techy.
This makes temperature control extremely simple and intuitive. But that doesn’t mean that it lacks advanced features: it’s compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant, among other home systems. It also has geofencing features which adjust the temperature based on who’s at home.
With this thermostat, you get notifications for extreme temperature fluctuations, ensuring that your energy bills don’t skyrocket, even when you’re not there.
Surprisingly, it won’t break the bank either. The Emerson Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat is available for $147.96 on Amazon. While the lack of color options–and the fact that you can’t change the color display–means it might not match your aesthetics, the price, plus its features, make it a great entry point for property owners who want to make their tech more accessible for guests.
6. Honeywell RTH9585WF: Best for Design-Focused Hosts
If you want your thermostat to complement your stylish decor a little better, the Honeywell RTH9585WF is great. Unlike other thermostats, it has a customizable color touchscreen that allows you to match the display with your home’s interior. But it’s not only aesthetic–it’s very functional as well.
It has a very easy-to-understand display, flexible programming capabilities, and is compatible with home assistants like Alexa. This thermostat also gives you monthly energy reports, which help you monitor and reduce energy usage.
The Honeywell RTH9585WF is also generously priced at only $130 on Amazon.
However, if you’re looking for more advanced features like geofencing then you’re looking in the wrong place. While the RTH9585WF is a very solid choice, it does lack the advanced features that higher-end thermostats have. But, if you just need a reliable thermostat to match your Airbnb’s aesthetic, and you don’t want to spend too much, then take a look at this option!
Bottom Line
A great Airbnb host knows that creating a comfortable atmosphere is extremely important. However, it should never come at the expense of your budget. If you’re struggling to keep your costs down, consider investing a few hundred dollars on a thermostat. The right thermostat will make your rental more comfortable, while allowing you to keep an eye on your energy bills. So, make the smarter choice today!
Choosing the right products for your Airbnb is just the first step in maximizing your rental’s potential.
With SummerOS, you can streamline daily operations by centralizing tasks like guest communication, property management, and owner relationships into one platform, making it easier to manage your business efficiently. With Summer Forecast, you’ll gain advanced data insights, including revenue projections, occupancy trends, and market comps, to help you optimize pricing, evaluate new investments, and improve overall property performance.
Whether you're an individual host or managing a full vacation rental portfolio, Summer helps you make smarter decisions and boost your revenue. Explore SummerOS and Forecast today!
