Top 6 Thermostats for Airbnb and Vacation Rental Properties

Thermostats are devices that are used to control the temperature in a property. They allow you to set a desired temperature and automatically adjust the heating or cooling system to maintain that temperature. For Airbnb hosts, a thermostat can be a valuable tool for ensuring guest comfort and managing energy costs. Additionally, a good thermostat can make a big difference in terms of energy efficiency, helping to minimize the environmental impact and utility bill of the property.

The best Airbnb thermostats include:

• Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen): Best Rated
• Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat: Most Budget-Friendly
• ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control: Most Reliable
• Honeywell Home Lyric T5 Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat: Most Space-Efficient
• Emerson Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat: Top Luxury Option
• ecobee4 Smart Thermostat: Most High-Tech

Consider the Vivint Thermostat and complete home security system for an integrated experience. Vivint offers smart locks, sesors, cameras, and more in an integrated system. Get the smart doorbell and professional installation for free with a qualifying purchase.

How We Selected the Best Airbnb Thermostats

Choosing the right thermostat for an Airbnb or vacation rental property can make a big difference in terms of comfort and energy efficiency. In our evaluation, we carefully considered a number of key factors.

We selected the best Airbnb thermostats based on:

• Host Recommendations: We reached out to several verified Airbnb hosts and asked for their recommendations on the best thermostats for vacation rentals.
• Online Reviews: We also looked at a wide range of online reviews from both experts and users, paying attention to the pros and cons of each thermostat.
• Price: We took into consideration the cost of each thermostat and its features.
• Durability: We evaluated the durability of each thermostat and its ability to withstand the wear-and-tear of frequent use.
• Ease of Use: We considered the ease of use of each thermostat, including the user interface, set-up process, and overall user experience.
• Smart Features: We looked at the smart features available on each thermostat, such as remote control, voice commands, energy monitoring, and more.

According to our criteria the best thermostat for Airbnb hosts is the Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen). This is one of the best rated thermostats on the market, known for its sleek design and advanced features such as learning and energy-saving capabilities.

The best Airbnb thermostats include:

1. Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen): Best Rated

With 4.5 out of 5 stars and nearly 30,000 ratings on Amazon, the Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) is popular for its sleek design and advanced features, which still work well despite being released in 2015. This is available on Amazon. You can visit the Google Store for more information.

This thermostat is designed to learn preferences over time, and automatically adjust the temperature to match different needs. It also has energy-saving capabilities like a signal to indicate an energy-efficient temperature, helping to reduce energy costs for Airbnb hosts.

We love its ability to be controlled remotely via a smartphone app. This allows hosts to adjust the temperature from anywhere, ensuring guest comfort and energy efficiency.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Its main feature (i.e., learning preferences) may not be applicable for short-term rentals, and since it can be on the pricey side, it may not be worth it to invest in one.

It's important to mention that this thermostat requires a C-wire (common wire) to operate, if your HVAC system doesn't have one, it might be a challenge to install it. Additionally, Nest thermostats are compatible with most HVAC systems, but it's always recommended to check the compatibility with your specific system before purchasing.

2. Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat: Most Budget-Friendly

The Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat is a budget-friendly option that was first seen in 2019. Despite the low price tag, it still offers a range of smart features and easy-to-use controls. Get this on Amazon. See the Honeywell Home website for more.

This thermostat is designed to work with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice control and is compatible with Samsung SmartThings and the Apple HomeKit, which allows for easy adjustments from anywhere. It also features a large, easy-to-read display and intuitive controls, which makes it easy for guests to adjust the temperature to their liking.

One of the key features that is relevant to Airbnb hosts is the thermostat's Smart Room Sensing technology which uses multiple sensors (sold separately) to ensure the temperature is comfortable in the rooms that matter most. Additionally, the thermostat's Smart Alerts can notify the host when the temperature is too high or too low, which can help with energy efficiency.

Keep in mind that some customers have reported that the thermostat's Smart Room Sensing technology is not as accurate as they would like and the Smart Alerts can be quite frequent.

3. ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control: Most Reliable

The ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control first came out in 2019. It is a reliable option that offers a range of advanced features such as voice control and energy monitoring. This is available on Amazon and on the ecobee store. 

The thermostat is compatible with popular voice assistants and smart home setups like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings. It also has a simple and understandable display that makes it easy to use.

The manufacturer states that you can save up to 26% annually on heating and cooling costs with its features, like the ability to adjust the temperature from anywhere and its sensing abilities which include automatically pausing heating or cooling when a door or window is left open. Keep in mind that the latter requires SmartSensors and a Smart Security subscription (starting at $5/month).

All the extras, combined with the thermostat’s base price, means that this option can get quite pricey. If these advanced features aren’t very appealing to you, then we highly suggest getting the Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat instead.

4. Honeywell Home Lyric T5 Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat: Most Space-Efficient

First seen in 2016, the Honeywell Home Lyric T5 Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat is a compact and space-efficient, yet still smart, option. Get this on Amazon, or visit the Honeywell Home website.

Measuring just 7.17 x 7.09 x 3.19 inches, this thermostat can be placed in any room with a compatible HVAC system. It works with most home systems and assistants, and has a very intuitive and large display.

The key feature that we love is the thermostat's geofencing technology which allows the thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature based on the phone’s location. This feature can help hosts save energy and costs, because the thermostat will know when the guests are at the property and when they're not, and adjust the temperature accordingly.

However, this feature only comes with downloading the app—which may or may not be useful, depending on how long your guests choose to stay in your property. Still, this is a good investment, considering this is one of the cheaper smart thermostats available.

5. Emerson Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat: Top Luxury Option

Released in early 2017, the Emerson Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat is our top luxury option with advanced features such as a colored touchscreen display, voice control, and home monitoring and alerts. Despite its luxury features, it’s an affordable choice. Get it on Amazon or view the Emerson Sensi site.

This appliance works well with Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings, among others. Hosts and guests alike can remotely control this thermostat using the Sensi app for mobile and tablet. The Sensi app also has an included geofencing feature that programs your thermostat depending on when you leave and when you return.

For Airbnb hosts, we especially like the thermostat’s 7-day programmable feature that allows the host to set a temperature schedule that aligns with the guests’ check-in and check-out time. You and your guests will love the Emerson’s extra safety and privacy features, which guarantee that personal information and thermostat data stay private.

With all these advanced features for an affordable price, the biggest downside to this thermostat is its looks. Though it comes in three different sleek finishes to suit any home (e.g., black, white, and silver), the thermostat is bigger than average and will look conspicuous in the room. For a more unobtrusive option, we recommend the Honeywell Home Lyric T5 Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat.

6. ecobee4 Smart Thermostat: Most High-Tech

For our most high-tech pick, we love the ecobee4 Smart Thermostat (released in May 2017). This is available on Amazon or on the ecobee site.

This is compatible with popular home systems and comes with built-in Alexa voice control. Additionally, its large panel and easy-to-navigate interface makes it simple for your guests to control. It also works in conjunction with the ecobee Room Sensor that monitors room occupancy and temperature to switch to the right settings to keep the room comfortable for everyone.

Unlike the other thermostats on our list, this doesn’t require a C-wire to install. Instead, it comes with a Power Extender Kit for systems without a C-wire.

It should come as no surprise then that this thermostat is pricier than average. Still, keep in mind the inclusions of the package. Aside from the thermostat, you get a Power Extender Kit and one Room Sensor. Extra sensors can be bought online.

Key Takeaway

Ultimately, the best thermostat for an Airbnb or vacation rental will depend on the specific needs of your property. These 6 choices are all great options, but out of all, the Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) is a standout. We love its sleek design, simple controls, and advanced features such as learning and energy-saving capabilities. This is a great choice for hosts who want to provide a top experience for their guests while saving money on energy costs.