For landlords, simple controls and remote management come first in the best smart thermostat for rental property. Owners need clear displays and schedules tenants can follow, plus app access from anywhere. Physical buttons, color touchscreens and filter reminders all help a rental stay on track.
Manufacturer specifications and owner feedback helped us judge rental models. Rated and value options appear in our best rated smart thermostat and best value smart thermostat guides. See our Editorial Policy for how we judged rental models. Turn off power at the breaker before removing an old thermostat. Thick 120V or 240V wires mean line-voltage heat, so call a licensed electrician.
Top 3 Smart Thermostats for a Rental Property
Honeywell Home X2S Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat
- Matter-certified control, with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home
- Auto-away and filter reminders, with a humidity display
- Flexible schedules, from 7-day to non-programmable
Honeywell Home RTH6580WF Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat
- Big backlit digital display, with simple controls for tenants
- Total Connect Comfort or Honeywell Home app control, for owners
- Alexa and Google Assistant, for voice help in a rental
Sensi Smart Thermostat (ST55)
- Physical buttons, with a traditional look tenants already know
- Same wall space as a traditional thermostat, for easy swaps
- Built-in level, with step-by-step app install for owners
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Rental Property Picks Side by Side
| # | Product | Key Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Honeywell Home X2S Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat |
| Check Latest Price |
| 2 |  Honeywell Home RTH6580WF Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat |
| Check Latest Price |
| 3 |  Sensi Smart Thermostat (ST55) |
| Check Latest Price |
| 4 |  Honeywell Home T5 Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat |
| Check Latest Price |
| 5 |  Honeywell Home RTH9585WF Smart Color Thermostat |
| Check Latest Price |
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1. Honeywell Home X2S Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat
Best Remote Pick
- Matter-certified control, with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home
- Auto-away and filter reminders, with a humidity display
- Flexible schedules, from 7-day to non-programmable
- First Alert app control, for remote management
- C wire is required, with no exception for rental units
- Electric baseboard heat is not supported here
- Power: C wire required
- App: First Alert
- Standard: Matter certified
Matter-certified control and First Alert app control help a landlord manage remotely.
Flexible schedules and filter reminders help tenants and owners stay on track.
Right buyer for the Honeywell X2S
Choose this if Matter support and remote management suit a rental.
Wrong buyer for the Honeywell X2S
Set this aside if electric baseboard heat is the rental system.
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2. Honeywell Home RTH6580WF Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat
Best Display Pick
- Big backlit digital display, with simple controls for tenants
- Total Connect Comfort or Honeywell Home app control, for owners
- Alexa and Google Assistant, for voice help in a rental
- Smart Response, which learns how long a system takes to reach the set temperature
- A C wire is required for this rental model
- This model does not fit electric baseboard heat
- Power: C wire required
- Feature: Smart Response
- Display: Big backlit digital
A big backlit display and simple controls make tenant use clear, day to day.
Smart Response learns how long a system takes to reach the set temperature.
Right buyer for the Honeywell RTH6580WF
Pick this if a big display and simple tenant controls matter most.
Wrong buyer for the Honeywell RTH6580WF
Put this aside if no C wire is available in the rental.
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3. Sensi Smart Thermostat (ST55)
Best Traditional Pick
- Physical buttons, with a traditional look tenants already know
- Same wall space as a traditional thermostat, for easy swaps
- Built-in level, with step-by-step app install for owners
- Usage reports, equipment alerts and filter reminders, for owners
- Touchscreen is not included, so wall control is buttons only
- Only Alexa works as a voice assistant here
- Reports: Usage and filter reminders
- Voice: Alexa
- Controls: Physical buttons
Physical buttons and a traditional look make tenant use familiar, without training.
A built-in level and step-by-step app install help owners mount it straight.
Right buyer for the Sensi ST55
A good choice for buttons and a familiar wall fit in a rental.
Wrong buyer for the Sensi ST55
Look elsewhere if tenants prefer a touchscreen.
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4. Honeywell Home T5 Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat
Best Schedule Pick
- 7-day scheduling, or geofencing that uses a phone’s location
- Auto home and away mode, with vacation mode for empty units
- Fan control and auto changeover, for varied rental days
- Monthly energy reports, with tips, for Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit
- A C-wire power adapter may be needed in some rentals
- Compatibility should be checked before buying for a rental
- Power: C-wire adapter may be needed
- Rating: ENERGY STAR certified
- Schedule: 7-day or geofencing
Seven-day scheduling or phone-location geofencing gives a rental two ways to stay on track.
Auto home and away mode, vacation mode and fan control cover empty and occupied days.
Right buyer for the Honeywell T5
Use this if flexible scheduling or geofencing suits a rental.
Wrong buyer for the Honeywell T5
Choose another model if compatibility checks are not wanted first.
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5. Honeywell Home RTH9585WF Smart Color Thermostat
Best Color Pick
- Color touchscreen, matched to decor in a rental
- 7-day programming, with peak-rate pricing options for rentals
- Monthly energy reports, for owner checks each month
- Forced air, hot water, steam and heat pumps with electric backup are supported
- C wire is required, with no workaround in a rental
- Baseboard heat on electric systems does not work here
- Power: C wire required
- Rating: ENERGY STAR certified
- Display: Color touchscreen
A color touchscreen matched to decor makes a rental feel cared for.
Monthly energy reports and peak-rate pricing options help owners check use.
Right buyer for the Honeywell RTH9585WF
Best for a color touchscreen and monthly reports in a rental.
Wrong buyer for the Honeywell RTH9585WF
Skip this if the rental has no C wire available.
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How to Manage the Best Smart Thermostat for Rental Property
- Choose simple controls first, so tenants do not need training to use heat and cooling.
- Use remote management for vacant units, rather than visiting in person each time.
- Set clear schedules for occupied units, and keep hold options simple for tenants.
- Check filter reminders monthly, so upkeep does not slip between tenancies.
- Keep install guides and original units, for easy swaps at move-out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which model has physical buttons tenants already know?
The Sensi ST55, with physical buttons and a traditional look, for a familiar wall fit.
Which thermostat has a big backlit display for a rental?
The Honeywell Home RTH6580WF, with a big backlit digital display, simple controls and app control.
Which model gives monthly energy reports for owners?
The Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004, with monthly energy reports, peak-rate pricing options and a color touchscreen.
Which model supports Matter and First Alert app control for a rental?
The Honeywell Home X2S, with Matter certification and First Alert app control. It also has auto-away and filter reminders.
Our Verdict
The best smart thermostat for rental property is simple and easy to manage remotely. Pick a big display, physical buttons or Matter support, depending on your rental.
Best Remote Pick: Honeywell Home X2S Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat Check Latest Price
Best Display Pick: Honeywell Home RTH6580WF Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat Check Latest Price
Best Traditional Pick: Sensi Smart Thermostat (ST55) Check Latest Price
Keep tenant controls simple, and manage the rest from the app.
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