Big Features, Easy Installation: Honeywell Home ElitePRO Voted Residential Product of the Year

A trade publication's readers have picked the Honeywell Home ElitePRO as their favorite smart thermostat of the year. It goes beyond basic temperature control: the touchscreen display can show weather, monitor indoor air quality (IAQ), send alerts when the system needs maintenance, and even show video from a doorbell camera. It also uses occupancy sensing to help cut energy use when no one is home.

The ElitePRO comes in four models and works with conventional furnaces and air conditioners, heat pumps, and dual-fuel systems (a furnace paired with a heat pump). Options include indoor or outdoor sensors and zoning control, which lets different parts of the house be heated or cooled separately, in some cases without running new wiring. It comes in black or white, and homeowners can customize the screen's look. The 5-inch touchscreen also lets you control multiple air quality devices from one app.

Two other products earned honorable mentions in the same category. The Ecoer TDi Select 2 is a heat pump system rated up to 18.5 SEER2 (a measure of cooling efficiency) that uses R32, a lower-impact refrigerant, and includes features meant to make installation and repairs easier. The Samsung WindFree Premium is a ductless mini-split system, meaning it doesn't require ductwork, aimed at rooms like additions or home offices. It uses motion sensing and learns household patterns to adjust temperature automatically while running quietly.