Lux KONO Smart Thermostat Review: A Stylish and Efficient Temperature Control Solution

Introduction

Walking into a room with the perfect temperature is a great relief from the scorching heatwaves of summer, the ice-cold days of winter, and the wet, dry, and humid days in between. According to our research, this desire for the perfect temperature is the reason thermostats for homes and offices have been a popular purchase in the modern world for decades. However, with so many thermostat brands on the market today, many people become overwhelmed when making a purchase decision.

One thermostat brand that has been popular for over a century is Lux. The company is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and also manufactures timers, smartphone apps, and other power accessories. From our research, we found that Lux sells over 1 million thermostats each year. The latest Lux thermostat to be released is the Lux KONO Smart Thermostat, which has currently sold over 16 million units. This article will provide an in-depth review of the latest Lux thermostat, including its features, specifications, pros and cons, price range, and comparison to competing brands.

Overview of the Lux KONO Thermostat

The Lux KONO Smart Thermostat is best known for being Wi-Fi and smartphone compatible, allowing you to control the temperature of your home from virtually anywhere. You can also voice-control this thermostat with Apple Home Kit, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. Its sleek, elegant outer design makes it stand apart from most other thermostats on the market, and it comes with the option of 11 interchangeable decorative color plates to effortlessly match the style of your home. This thermostat also features several energy-efficient settings and usage reporting modes.

Specifications of the KONO Thermostat

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Pricing of the KONO Thermostat

If purchased directly from the Lux website, buyers can expect to pay $152.99 plus shipping and handling for the Lux KONO Smart Thermostat, which is slightly above the manufacturer-suggested retail price of $149.99. A rebate of up to $150 is also available from the Lux website. The Lux KONO can also be purchased from Walmart for $149.99 and eBay for about $90. "Unauthorized" versions are available on Amazon for about $95, but they will not be compatible with Wi-Fi, smartphones, or any other smart devices.

How It Compares with Its Competitors

To get a better picture of how the Lux thermostat compares to comparable brands, we researched the most popular models of three other thermostat brands: Honeywell, Nest, and Ecobee.

Honeywell Thermostat

Honeywell has been a popular thermostat and home appliance brand for several decades. This particular Honeywell thermostat is compatible with Alexa for voice control (Amazon Alexa device sold separately), is ENERGY-STAR certified, and can be controlled via a seven-day scheduling program or geofencing.

• Price: Available on Amazon for just under $100, eBay for $69.95, and other online retailers like Newegg.com and Crutchfield PLA for $149.99.
• Ease of Use: The touchscreen interface is easy to use and understand. If you know how to connect the thermostat to your home or office Wi-Fi, the overall use of the product shouldn't be too much trouble.
• Assembly Time: Most customers find this Honeywell thermostat easy to assemble, install, and connect to their home network. Professional help is available from experienced HVAC technicians if needed.
• Build Quality: The Honeywell thermostat has a sleek, modern-looking design with touchscreen capability and an overall minimalist aesthetic. It is designed to conserve energy when you're away from home.
• Warranty: While Amazon states a one-year warranty, the Honeywell website's warranty policy states 60 months (five years) from the date of installation for defects due to materials or workmanship. All other Honeywell products have a 12-month (one-year) warranty.

Nest Thermostat

Nest is known for its minimalist thermostat design and ability to control temperature through your smartphone or other smart device. It "programs itself, then pays for itself" due to its energy efficiency and high-functioning, almost A.I.-like capabilities. Nest thermostats are available in four different colors.

• Price: At $249 for a single thermostat, the Nest-brand thermostat is among the most expensive thermostats featured in our review. A two-pack is available for $448 (saving about $50). Some online retailers have it available for about $220.
• Ease of Use: The touchscreen interface is easy to use and understand. If you know how to connect the thermostat to your home or office Wi-Fi, the overall use of the product shouldn't be too much trouble.
• Assembly Time: People with no experience installing technical or electrical equipment will likely have an easy time correctly setting up this thermostat. Once installed, just connect it to your Wi-Fi and it's ready for use.
• Build Quality: The Nest thermostat has a stainless-steel design, easy turn-dial operation, and LED interface that create a smooth, sleek aesthetic. However, it is known to occasionally short out on users and remain defective.
• Warranty: Nest thermostats come with a limited two-year warranty for defects in materials and workmanship from the date of delivery, and a one-year limited warranty for refurbished models. If a Nest professional technician installs the product, you'd be eligible for an additional three years added to your warranty.

Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat

The Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat comes with built-in Amazon Alexa Voice Service, allowing the thermostat to perform Alexa's many skills and abilities like fulfilling everyday tasks and providing important daily information. It also includes a room sensor to manage hot or cold spots.

• Price: Available from the Ecobee website for $249 (same as the Nest thermostat) or slightly cheaper on Amazon for $243.95 with free one-day shipping for Prime members.
• Ease of Use: The Ecobee4 thermostat is very easy for most customers to use and program to their desired specifications. The remote sensor is helpful with averaging the temperature between all rooms. Customers familiar with Amazon Alexa will have an even easier time using the Ecobee4.
• Assembly Time: This thermostat is about as easy to install and set up as the other thermostats reviewed. Consider hiring an HVAC professional if you're not confident in your thermostat-installing abilities.
• Build Quality: The Ecobee4 thermostat has a stunning design with an impeccable but minimal aesthetic. Its touchscreen LED interface is effortlessly smooth, reminiscent of the smartphone experience.
• Warranty: The Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat features a three-year limited warranty for defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service. It's not as good as the Nest thermostat's warranty, but it's close.

Pros and Cons of the Lux KONO Smart Thermostat

Like most electronic devices, the Lux KONO thermostat has its general upsides and downsides.

Pros

• Elegant, stylish design and customizable appearance
• Easy to install and set up
• Wi-Fi compatibility complete with the support of multiple voice platforms

Cons

• Doesn't integrate with smart home devices other than Google, Apple, and Amazon Alexa
• Lack of external room sensors and IFTTT support

Our Final Thoughts in this KONO Review

If you want a convenient, sleek, futuristic, and environmentally conscious way of controlling the temperature in your home, the Lux KONO Smart Thermostat is one of the best choices out there today. Not many thermostats let you color coordinate with the décor of your home, so it's nice that Lux made a product that could step up to the challenge of replacing the standard, boring white thermostats with tons of buttons. Although it isn't compatible with every smart home device currently on the market, it's nice for most consumers to know that the Lux KONO still connects with Google, Apple, and Amazon devices. Setting up the Lux KONO is also incredibly easy, making it a worthwhile addition to the electronic devices in your home.