Our top pick for most homes is the Honeywell ElitePRO S1200 ($695 installed); our budget pick is the FocusPRO S200 ($452).
Contributed by: Jarod Meyer, Content Manager
Most people don’t think about their thermostat too much…until it doesn’t add up with what you’re feeling (or not feeling) in your home. Maybe the upstairs bedrooms are always too warm, your basement is too cold, or you just want to be able to adjust the temperature from your phone. The moment you start shopping for a new thermostat, you’re comparing touchscreens, room sensors, Wi-Fi connectivity, and prices that can swing by hundreds of dollars.
At Mattioni, our HVAC technicians install and service thermostats in homes across Southeastern PA every day. We know which ones hold up, which ones work with the heating and cooling systems we see in Chester, Montgomery, and Delaware County homes, and which ones homeowners actually enjoy using.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the five thermostats we install most, with our typical member prices for each. We’ll also cover how to tell which one fits your system best.
How We Chose These Thermostats
Each thermostat on our list is one our technicians trust to install and work reliably with the heating and cooling equipment we see in our area. We only recommend thermostats that have strong manufacturer support, and are easy for homeowners to use day to day.
Most of our picks come from Honeywell Home, because its professional-grade lineup covers everything from simple single-stage furnaces to heat pumps with dual fuel backup. We also install Aprilaire, the leader in whole-home air quality control, and Google Nest for homeowners already invested in Google Home.
What “Systems Supported” Means
Heating and cooling systems come in three types, and your thermostat needs to match yours:
- Single-speed systems are fully on or fully off. Any thermostat on this list works with them.
- Two-speed systems have two settings. They run on low most of the time to save energy, and switch to high on the coldest or hottest days. Heat pumps often add backup heat (typically electric resistance strips) for very cold weather. Your thermostat must support every speed, or your system can’t run as efficiently as it should.
- Variable-speed systems adjust their output in small steps to match exactly the level of heating or cooling your home needs. Many are compatible with any type of thermostat, however some “fully-communicating” HVAC systems require a special thermostat to run at every speed. If a fully-communicating system is paired with a standard thermostat, it will perform like a two-speed system and lose the comfort and energy savings you paid for.
Thermostat buying guide
Which Thermostat Fits Your Home?
Find the description that matches your home to see which thermostat we'd recommend.
If you have
A basic furnace and central AC
Our pick: FocusPRO S200 ($452), or the T6 Pro ($598) for a touchscreen
If you have
A heat pump or dual fuel system
Our pick: ElitePRO S1200 ($695), or the T6 Pro ($598) for heat pumps with one level of backup heat
If you have
Rooms that are always too hot or too cold
Our pick: ElitePRO S1200 ($695) with a wireless room sensor
If you have
A whole-home humidifier, air purifier, or ventilator
Our pick: Aprilaire Wi-Fi Thermostat ($1,049), or the ElitePRO S1200 ($695) for up to two devices
If you have
Older wiring with no C-wire, or a Google Home setup
Our pick: Google Nest Learning Thermostat ($802)
If you have
A fully communicating variable-speed system
Our pick: Your system brand's own thermostat, so it can run at every speed. We'll confirm what you have.
Not sure what you have? Take a photo of your HVAC equipment's label and the wires behind your current thermostat, then call us at (484) 341-3576.
1. Honeywell Home ElitePRO S1200 (Best Overall Smart Thermostat)
Best for: Most homes, especially two-story homes with hot and cold rooms, or homeowners who want air quality monitoring and smart home features in one place.
Systems supported: Works with single-speed, two-speed, and most non-communicating variable-speed systems, including heat pumps with backup heat, dual fuel, and boilers.
Room sensors: Optional at time of installation.
Air quality: Monitors humidity, VOCs, and estimated CO2. Can control up to two indoor air quality devices, like a humidifier, air scrubber, or ventilator.
Works with: Wi-Fi, Matter, the First Alert app
Typical Member Cost: $695
Member Warranties: 10-Year Parts and Labor
The ElitePRO S1200 is the newest flagship in Honeywell Home’s pro lineup, and it’s the thermostat we’d put in most homes. Its 5-inch customizable touchscreen is easy to read from across the room. It even streams video from First Alert and Ring doorbells, so you can see who’s at the door without getting up.
Where the S1200 really earns its place as Mattioni’s Best Overall Smart Thermostat is comfort. You’ll be free to add a wireless room sensor to any bedroom or home office, and the thermostat can focus heating and cooling where you and your family are actually spending time, instead of just the hallway where it’s mounted. That fact alone makes it a strong fit for homes where upstairs and downstairs never feel the same.
It may not be a good fit if you only want basic temperature control and don’t plan to use room sensors or smart home features. In that case, the T6 Pro or FocusPRO S200 costs less.
2. Honeywell Home T6 Pro Smart Thermostat (Best Mid-Range Smart Thermostat)
Best for: Homeowners who want a dependable touchscreen thermostat with app control, without paying for room sensors or air quality features.
Systems supported: Works with single-speed, two-speed, and most non-communicating variable-speed systems, including heat pumps with one level of backup heat.
Room sensors: No wireless room sensors (optional wired sensors)
Air Quality: Basic
Works with: Wi-Fi, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit
Typical Member Cost: $598
Member Warranties: 10-Year Parts and Labor
The T6 Pro is a long-standing, tried-and-true thermostat that’s been relied on by homeowners for years. It handles multi-stage furnaces and heat pumps, has a clear touchscreen, and lets you adjust your temperature from anywhere with your phone.
Geofencing automatically transmits your phone’s location to save energy while you’re away, and brings your home back to a comfortable temperature before you open the front door. You can also set an entire 7-day schedule, if you typically leave your home around the same times each day.
It may not be a good fit if you have rooms that are always too hot or too cold, since it doesn’t work with wireless room sensors. For about $100 more, the S1200 adds room sensors, a larger screen, and air quality monitoring.
3. Honeywell Home FocusPRO S200 (Best Budget Smart Thermostat)
Best for: Simple, reliable replacements, rental properties, or anyone replacing a much older basic thermostat.
Systems supported: The basic version handles single-speed systems, the multi-stage version adds two-speed and most non-communicating variable-speed systems, heat pumps with backup heat, and dual fuel.
Room sensors: No
Air quality: No
Works with: Wi-Fi, the First Alert app, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home, and Matter
Typical Member Cost: $452
Member Warranties: 10-Year Parts and Labor
The FocusPRO S200 is the most affordable smart thermostat we install, and it offers everything you need to manage your home’s comfort. It has a large, easy-to-read display, connects to Wi-Fi so you can adjust the temp from your phone, and it’s ENERGY STAR certified.
The FocusPRO offers flexible scheduling and geofencing, so it can save energy while you’re out. It’s also certified for Matter, the smart home standard, meaning it works with nearly any major smart home platform.
It may not be a good fit if you want a touchscreen, room sensors, or air quality control. The T6 Pro adds a touchscreen for about $150 more.
4. Aprilaire Wi-Fi Thermostat (Best for Whole-Home Air Quality)
Best for: Homes with (or planning to install) a whole-home humidifier, dehumidifier, air purifier, air scrubber, or fresh air ventilation system.
Systems supported: Works with single-speed, two-speed, and most non-communicating variable-speed systems, including heat pumps with backup heat and boilers.
Room sensors: No
Air quality: Full control of humidity, air cleaning, and fresh air ventilation
Works with: Wi-Fi, the Aprilaire app, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Typical Member Cost: $1,049
Member Warranties: 10-Year Parts and Labor
The Aprilaire Wi-Fi Thermostat (model 8920W) is less a thermostat and more a control center for your home’s indoor air quality. Its 7-inch color touchscreen puts temperature, humidity, air cleaning, and ventilation on one screen.
It’s built as a two-part system: the touchscreen on your wall and an equipment control module near your furnace. Paired with an Aprilaire whole-home air purifier, its event-based cleaning lets you run a cleaning cycle after cooking, as guests arrive, or more often during allergy seasons. That makes it popular among families managing allergies or asthma, and those who frequently host guests.
It may not be a good fit if you don’t have, and don’t plan to add, air quality equipment. Without it, you’re paying for features you probably won’t use, and the S1200 could be a better value.
5. Google Nest Learning Thermostat (Best for Google Home Users)
Best for: Homeowners already using Google Home devices who want a thermostat that learns their routine.
Systems supported: Works with single-speed, two-speed, and most non-communicating variable-speed systems, including heat pumps with backup heat.
Room sensors: Includes one Nest Temperature Sensor.
Air quality: No
Works with: Wi-Fi, the Google Home app, Google Assistant, Matter
Typical Member Cost: $802
Member Warranties: 10-Year Parts and Labor
The Nest Learning Thermostat watches how you adjust your temperature and builds a schedule around your habits. If you tend to turn the heat down at bedtime and back up in the morning, it’ll start to do that for you. It connects seamlessly with Nest doorbells, cameras, and speakers.
Nest is designed to work without a C-wire, the extra power wire most smart thermostats need, which can make it a good fit for older homes with limited thermostat wiring.
It may not be a good fit if you don’t use Google Home. The S1200 costs about $100 less and offers more room sensor compatibility and air quality options.
Compare at a Glance: Best Thermostats for 2026 & 2027
| Thermostat | Best for | Systems supported* | Room sensors | Air quality control | Typical Member Cost (installed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honeywell ElitePRO S1200 Best Overall | Most homes; hot and cold rooms | Single-, two-, and variable-speed; heat pumps with backup heat; dual fuel; boilers | Optional | Monitors air and controls up to 2 devices | $695 |
| Honeywell T6 Pro Best Mid-Range | A dependable touchscreen with app control | Single-, two-, and variable-speed; heat pumps with one level of backup heat | No (optional wired sensors) | Basic | $598 |
| Honeywell FocusPRO S200 Best Budget | Simple, reliable replacements | Basic version: single-speed only. Multi-stage version: two- and variable-speed, heat pumps with backup heat, dual fuel | No | No | $452 |
| Aprilaire Wi-Fi Thermostat Best for Air Quality | Homes with humidifiers, purifiers, or ventilators | Single-, two-, and variable-speed; heat pumps with backup heat; boilers | No | Full: humidity, air cleaning, ventilation | $1,049 |
| Google Nest Learning Thermostat Best for Google Home | Google Home users; older wiring | Single-, two-, and variable-speed; heat pumps with backup heat | Yes (1 included) | No | $802 |
*Variable-speed support covers most standard (non-communicating) systems. Fully communicating systems need their own brand's thermostat to run at every speed.
Costs shown are typical Mattioni member pricing and may vary based on your home's installation requirements.
What to Check Before Choosing a Thermostat
- Your heating and cooling system. Single-speed, two-speed, or variable-speed, plus whether you have a heat pump or dual fuel. Your thermostat has to support every speed your system has.
- Your wiring. Many smart thermostats need C-wire for steady power. If your home doesn’t have one, a thermostat with an equipment module or one designed to work without a C-wire avoids the need to cut open walls.
- Room-to-room comfort. If some rooms are always too hot or too cold, a thermostat with wireless room sensors can balance comfort where you spend your time.
- Air quality equipment. If you have, or plan to add, a whole-home humidifier, dehumidifier, or ventilator, choose a thermostat that can control it.
- Your smart home device. Alexa, Google, Apple Home, or Matter. Pick a thermostat that works with the devices you already use.
Want to learn more about your options? Visit our thermostat services page, or explore our indoor air quality services.
Finding the Right Thermostat for Your Home
There’s no single best thermostat for every home. The Honeywell ElitePRO S1200 is a great fit for most, but a tight budget, a home full of air quality equipment, or a house built around Google Home can make another thermostat the smarter choice. Here’s the simple way to choose the right one:
- Look at your system. Note what heats and cools your home, and check the wires behind your current thermostat.
- Call Mattioni. We’ll help you choose a thermostat that fits and give you an upfront, flat-rate price.
- Enjoy every room. We install and set it up correctly the first time, so you get comfortable rooms and lower energy bills without the guesswork.
For over 75 years, people across Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties have trusted Mattioni with their heating and cooling. Call us today at (610) 400-8510 or book your appointment online, and come home to a house that feels just right.
Quick answers: Best thermostats for 2026 & 2027
What is the best smart thermostat for 2026?
For most homes, Mattioni recommends the Honeywell Home ElitePRO S1200. It has a 5-inch touchscreen, works with wireless room sensors, monitors indoor air quality, and can control humidifiers and ventilators. Typical Mattioni member cost is $695, installed.
How much does it cost to install a smart thermostat?
Mattioni member prices for a new smart thermostat, installed, range from $452 for the Honeywell FocusPRO S200 to $1,049 for the Aprilaire Wi-Fi Thermostat. Homeowners across Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties get an upfront, flat-rate price before any work begins.
What is the best budget smart thermostat?
The Honeywell FocusPRO S200 is Mattioni's top budget pick. It's ENERGY STAR certified, connects to Wi-Fi, and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home, and Matter. Typical Mattioni member cost is $452, installed.
What is the best thermostat for a heat pump?
The Honeywell Home ElitePRO S1200 is Mattioni's top pick for heat pumps. It works with heat pumps that have backup heat and with dual fuel systems that pair a heat pump with a gas furnace. Typical Mattioni member cost is $695, installed. For a lower-cost option, the Honeywell T6 Pro works with heat pumps that have one level of backup heat for $598, installed.
Will a smart thermostat work with my variable-speed HVAC system?
Usually, yes. Most variable-speed furnaces, heat pumps, and air conditioners work with standard smart thermostats like the Honeywell ElitePRO S1200, T6 Pro, Aprilaire Wi-Fi Thermostat, and Google Nest. Fully communicating systems are the exception: they need their own brand's thermostat to run at every speed, and with a standard thermostat they perform like a two-speed system.
Do I need a C-wire for a smart thermostat?
Many smart thermostats need a C-wire for steady power. If your home doesn't have one, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat is designed to work without a C-wire in most homes, and the Aprilaire Wi-Fi Thermostat uses an equipment module near your furnace. A Mattioni technician can also check your wiring and recommend the simplest option before installation.
Which thermostat is best for hot and cold rooms?
A thermostat with wireless room sensors is the best fit for rooms that are always too hot or too cold. The Honeywell Home ElitePRO S1200 lets you add room sensors so it can focus heating and cooling where your family spends time, for a typical Mattioni member cost of $695, installed. The Google Nest Learning Thermostat includes one temperature sensor.
Can a thermostat control my whole-home humidifier or air purifier?
Yes. The Aprilaire Wi-Fi Thermostat controls humidity, air cleaning, and fresh air ventilation from one 7-inch touchscreen, for a typical Mattioni member cost of $1,049, installed. The Honeywell Home ElitePRO S1200 can control up to two indoor air quality devices, like a humidifier, air scrubber, or ventilator.
