Our Carrier thermostat review guide provides an overview of the product lineup, including programmable and Wi-Fi thermostats from Carrier. We cover performance specifications, pros and cons, and top picks from each product category, giving you information to compare with other brands you're considering, like the Trane thermostats we reviewed here.
Carrier, one of America's best-known HVAC brands, is known for product quality and performance. After decades as an independent company, Carrier was bought by United Technologies Corporation in 1979. According to our research, Carrier has more than 40,000 employees and serves customers in 170 countries around the world. Bryant, a Carrier brand, offers a virtually identical thermostat lineup except in name.
Carrier divides its thermostat options into "Wi-Fi Thermostats" and "Non Wi-Fi Thermostats," also called controls.
As with its HVAC equipment lineup, these Carrier thermostats are available in three series:
These four Carrier thermostats allow you to control your home's HVAC system from anywhere using an Apple or Android smartphone and the Carrier app. The Wi-Fi models are divided into good, better, and best categories with some variation in series names:
While covering a lot of ground, here are the basics to get your research started:
Comfort Series non-WiFi Carrier thermostats are made in two programmable and four non-programmable models to match the type of components you have – furnace only, furnace/AC or heat pump, and whether the system offers multi-stage heating and cooling. The single Comfort Series Wi-Fi thermostat is programmable and suitable for any heating and cooling system. All Comfort Series models are push-button control, not touchscreen. Comfort Series Carrier thermostats are backed by 5-year warranties.
Performance Series non-WiFi Edge Series thermostats include two models with humidistats for use when whole-house humidifiers are part of the HVAC system. All can be used with Performance or Comfort Series HVAC systems. Some are compatible with dual fuel systems with both a heat pump and gas furnace. These are 7-day programmable thermostats. Dimensions are 5.2 inches square and less than one inch thick. Six faceplate cover colors are available. Edge thermostats are backed by a 5-year warranty.
Performance Series Comfortzone II thermostats are 7-day programmable and accommodate either 4 or 8 zones depending on the model. The display is backlit LCD. The zone panel control is 24"x20". A 10-year warranty is included with Comfortzone II models.
The Côr Series Wi-Fi thermostat is a programmable thermostat designed to reduce your home's energy use. A four-day forecast for local weather is part of the Wi-Fi capability. It is compatible with all Carrier HVAC systems including dual fuel heating and some zoned systems. The Côr thermostat is 4 inches square and 1 inch deep. It features a full-color, touchscreen display with a silver faceplate. The Carrier Côr thermostat is backed by a 5-year warranty.
Infinity Series controls are 7-day programmable thermostats that control up to 8 zones. They support all HVAC systems including dual fuel heating. Infinity Series Carrier thermostats manage temperature, humidity, ventilation, airflow and indoor air quality, based on system components. Energy tracking allows you to see peak times for energy use. The full-color LCD display has touchscreen functionality with current outdoor temperature and 5-day forecast available. Overall dimensions are 4.5"Hx5.4"Wx1.25"D. Silver, black and white faceplates are available, and Infinity Series controls come with a 10-year warranty.
What do these controls offer that makes them worth considering, and what potential disadvantages are there? Let's explore Carrier thermostat pros and cons:
The selection of a thermostat is secondary to your choice of an HVAC system. Once that is in place, you'll know what capabilities the thermostat must have such as staged cooling or zoned control.
There are many brands of standard and Wi-Fi thermostat controls that will work with Carrier HVAC systems. So it will be worth comparison shopping brands like White-Rogers, Emerson, Honeywell, Nest and Ecobee in addition to Carrier for the price/performance combination you want.
Non-programmable, programmable or Wi-Fi – what is the best thermostat for you? If your schedule is very consistent, then a non-programmable thermostat might be sufficient. However, a programmable model offers the convenience of not having to turn it up or down to match your away/sleep schedule, and it will reduce your energy use if you make those adjustments. If your schedule of leaving and returning home is very unpredictable, then a Wi-Fi thermostat might be worth the additional money they cost.
Choosing the right Carrier thermostat depends on your HVAC system and your lifestyle, and the large Carrier selection means there's a perfect fit for both. If this guide has clarified the key decisions for you or helped you understand thermostat technology, perhaps your friends and followers would appreciate you passing it along to them. And leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions too!