Alarm.com Smart Thermostat
Score: 78/100
Emerson Sensi Pro
Score: 83/100Rankings
The Emerson Sensi Pro is a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled thermostat with a touchscreen LCD, offering broad HVAC compatibility and robust smart-home integration. Its main drawbacks are the need for a C-wire for certain features and lack of battery backup, limiting installation flexibility. Ideal for homeowners seeking extensive features and a long warranty.
The Alarm.com Smart Thermostat is a Z-Wave-enabled thermostat featuring a high-resolution color touchscreen and machine-learning HVAC health monitoring. Its main drawbacks are the required Alarm.com subscription, mandatory C-wire, and a limited operating temperature range. It is best suited for existing Alarm.com security customers who want deep integration and humidity control.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
— | 5 yearsbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.14 kgbest | 0.336 kg |
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| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
General(1) | ||
HVAC Compatibility | Heat up to 3 stages, Cool up to 2 stages, Heat pump (O/B), Fan (G), Humidifier/dehumidifier/vent (Z1/Z2 configurable) | Single/multi-stage gas, oil, electric, heat pump (up to 4H/2C), dual fuel, boiler, cool‑only, AC with AUX heat |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Smart Home Integration | Alarm.com, Z-Wave | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings |
Power & Installation(1) | ||
Power Source | 24 VAC | Battery, Hardwire/Common, Power Sharing |
Display(1) | ||
Display Type | color touchscreen | Glass LCD touchscreen (backlit) |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Device Weight (kg) | 0.14 kg | 0.336 kg |
Device Dimensions (H×W×D) (mm) | 50.8×203.2×203.2 mm mm | 25.4×149.35×95.25 mm mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers highlight the thermostat's seamless integration with Alarm.com, noting the built-in Z-Wave hub reduces hardware clutter and the machine-learning HVAC monitoring provides valuable early-warning alerts. They also praise the sleek touchscreen design and straightforward installation, while cautioning that the product requires an Alarm.com service subscription and has a limited temperature operating range.
Everyday users appreciate the convenience of remote app control, real-time alerts, and the ability to manage humidity, but they commonly express frustration over the mandatory C-wire requirement and the need for an ongoing Alarm.com subscription to unlock full features.
Professional reviewers and editors commend the Sensi Touch 2 for its straightforward, app-driven installation, robust smart-home ecosystem compatibility, and contractor-focused features such as batch registration and keypad lockout. Its energy-saving functions and 5-year warranty further bolster its reputation, earning it an Editors' Choice accolade. The primary criticisms revolve around the need for a C-wire for HomeKit and the absence of battery backup.
Consumers generally praise the thermostat's remote access, intuitive scheduling, and useful humidity and temperature alerts. Recurring complaints focus on the requirement for a C-wire in some setups and the limitation to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, as well as the lack of battery backup during power outages.
