Honeywell Smart Thermostat Now Answers Your Ring Doorbell
▼ Summary
– The Honeywell Home X8S is a new premium smart thermostat from Resideo, costing $219.99 and featuring a 5-inch touchscreen with Matter compatibility.
– Its key features include indoor air quality monitoring, support for room sensors, and the ability to display video feeds from compatible Ring and First Alert doorbells.
– The thermostat is EnergyStar-certified, works with various HVAC systems, and uses presence detection to enable energy-saving auto-away settings.
– Control and setup are managed through the First Alert app, as Resideo is consolidating its consumer products there following its acquisition of the company.
– It is available for self-installation and represents an upgrade with more advanced system support and a modern interface compared to the company’s previous models.
For homeowners seeking a premium smart thermostat that seamlessly integrates with their existing video doorbell system, the new Honeywell Home X8S presents a compelling option. This device combines advanced climate control with a unique intercom feature for Ring and First Alert doorbells, all housed within a sleek 5-inch touchscreen display. Priced at $219.99, the Energy Star-certified X8S is a feature-rich competitor to brands like Nest and Ecobee, offering broad compatibility thanks to Matter support and comprehensive indoor air quality monitoring.
Beyond basic temperature adjustments, this thermostat acts as a central hub for home awareness. Its screen can display a live feed from compatible video doorbells, allowing you to see and speak with visitors directly from the thermostat. The unit also tracks indoor humidity, outdoor temperature, and provides a five-day weather forecast on customizable idle screens. You can even select different color themes to better match your home’s interior design.
A key selling point is its sophisticated sensor ecosystem. An onboard radar detects room occupancy to power an auto-away feature for energy savings. The system also works with new wireless room sensors that monitor temperature, humidity, and motion in other parts of the house. This data allows for more precise, room-by-room climate control, which is a significant advantage for comfort and efficiency. The thermostat is backward-compatible with existing T9 sensors for those upgrading from older Honeywell systems.
Installation is designed to be straightforward for many users, utilizing a universal wall plate and supporting dual-band Wi-Fi. It is important to note that the X8S does require a common C-wire for power. It supports complex HVAC setups, handling multiple stages for both heat pump and conventional systems. Remote management, however, occurs through the First Alert app, as Resideo, Honeywell’s parent company, is consolidating its consumer products under that brand following an acquisition.
The X8S represents a notable step up from the company’s earlier, budget-friendly Matter thermostat, the X2. Its main enhancements include support for room sensors, the large touchscreen interface, and the integrated video doorbell functionality. The thermostat is available for purchase directly from Honeywell or through major retailers like Amazon, with a professional installation model also offered for those who prefer it.
(Source: The Verge)
