Emerson Sensi Touch
Score: 82/100
Honeywell Home RTH9600WF
Score: 78/100Rankings
The Emerson Sensi Touch provides a color LCD touchscreen, geofencing, and wide smart-home compatibility while being ENERGY STAR certified. Mandatory C-wire power and lack of 5 GHz Wi-Fi or battery backup constrain some installations. It fits homeowners wanting reliable scheduling and voice-assistant control without premium pricing.
The Honeywell Home RTH9600WF is an ENERGY STAR-certified smart thermostat featuring a vibrant color touchscreen and extensive smart-home integration. Its requirement for a dedicated C-wire and incompatibility with certain heating systems limit installation flexibility. Ideal for homeowners with compatible 24 VAC systems seeking advanced display and remote control.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
3 yearsbest | 2 years | |
| ↓ lower better | — | 0.318 kgbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
General(2) | ||
HVAC Compatibility | Single/multi-stage gas/oil/electric, heat pumps, heat/cool only; not millivolt or 3-wire zone | Works with 24 VAC systems (forced air, heat pump, hydronic, hot water, steam); requires C-wire; incompatible with millivolt, 120/240V baseboard heat, heating-only oil furnaces without C-wire |
Warranty (years) | 3 years | 2 years |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Smart Home Integration | Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, SmartThings | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, iOS, Android |
Power & Installation(1) | ||
Power Source | Hardwired 24V | Battery |
Display(1) | ||
Display Type | Touchscreen color LCD | LCD color touchscreen with backlight |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Device Dimensions (H×W×D) (mm) | 85.9x142.9x25.4 mm mm | 89x22x114 mm mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers, including USA Today's Reviewed.com, named the Sensi Touch the best overall smart thermostat for multiple years, praising its intuitive menus, clear backlit display, precise control, and smart alerts.
Everyday users consistently commend the easy installation, straightforward app, and effective geofencing that delivers noticeable energy savings. Common criticisms focus on the mandatory C-wire, occasional Wi-Fi reliability issues, and the lack of room sensors or battery backup.
Professional reviewers such as Consumer Reports evaluate the RTH9600WF on smart-feature performance (Smart IQ), manual operation ease, and automation capabilities, but detailed ratings are behind a subscription wall, leaving only a general acknowledgment of its comprehensive smart-thermostat functionality.
