If you’re like most people, you love the feeling of walking into a room that feels like it’s the perfect temperature. It’s a great relief from scorching heatwaves of summer, the ice-cold days of winter, and the wet, dry, and humid days in between. Who wouldn’t want that perfect-temperature feeling in the comfort of their own home? Perfect temperature desires are the reason thermostats for homes and offices have been a popular purchase in the modern world for decades. However, there are so many thermostat brands on the market today that 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 so popular, in fact, that it sells over 1 million thermostats each year. Lux is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and also manufactures timers, smartphone apps, and other power accessories. 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.
The Lux KONO Smart Thermostat is probably best known for being Wi-Fi and smartphone compatible, as you can 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.
Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
Color: | Black Stainless-Steel Changeable Cover (snap covers sold separately) |
Height: | 4 ½ inches |
Width: | 4 ½ inches |
Depth: | 1 inch |
Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
Conventional: | Home & Away Aware™ |
Heat Pumps: | Up to 2 Heat/1 Cool with Aux/Emergency |
Furnace: | Gas, Oil, Electric Furnace |
Power: | C wire or PowerBridge (included) |
Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
Geofencing: | Up to 2 Heat/1 Cool Conventional Systems |
Smart Scheduling: | Utility Cost Estimated |
Smart Tips: | Learning & Adaptive |
Engine Fan: | Indoor Air Quality Mode |
Utility: | Demand/Response Capable |
Temperature: | Adjustable Swing |
Reporting: | Energy & Run Time Usage |
Apps: | iOS & Android |
Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
Radio: | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
Frequency: | 4 GHz |
Encryption: | SHA256RSA |
Platforms: | Amazon Alexa, Apple Home Kit |
| Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars |
|---|
If purchased directly from the Lux website, buyers can expect to pay $152.99 plus shipping and handling for the Lux KONO Smart Thermostat. This is actually slightly above the manufacturer-suggested retail price of $149.99. There is also a rebate available from the Lux website for up to $150. The Lux KONO can also be purchased from Walmart for $149.99 and eBay for about $90. You can also buy “unauthorized” versions on Amazon for about $95, but they will not be compatible with Wi-Fi, smartphones, or any other smart devices.
The Lux KONO Smart Thermostat is clearly a frontrunner in thermostat sales around the country, but it still has some tough competition in terms of sales and customer recommendations. 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 to see how they stack up against Lux.
Honeywell has been a popular thermostat and home appliance brand for several decades. This particular Honeywell thermostat is compatible with Alexa for voice control, though the Amazon Alexa device is sold separately. This thermostat is also ENERGY-STAR certified and can be controlled via a seven-day scheduling program or by a process known a geofencing, which controls temperature based on location.
While you can purchase the Honeywell thermostat on Amazon for just under $100, it’s also available from other online retailers for varying price ranges. For example, eBay has the same thermostat on sale for just $69.95, while Newegg.com and Crutchfield PLA selling the same thermostat for $149.99. There are other online retailers that have the Honeywell thermostat on sale for about $130.
| Ease of Use: | Assembly Time: |
|---|---|
| Once the thermostat is set up and ready for use, most people don’t have a problem with it. The touchscreen interface is remarkably easy to use and understand, which is good news for people who want to utilize features like geofencing or the seven-day temperature preset. 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. | Most customers have commented on the fact that this Honeywell thermostat is pretty easy to assemble, install, and connect to your home network. As long as the user’s IP address is dynamic, not static, and the Wi-Fi’s security protocol is correctly set, the assembly time for this thermostat should be minimal. If users have trouble installing the Honeywell thermostat on their own, there is always professional help available from experienced HVAC technicians. |
| Build Quality: | Warranty: |
|---|---|
| At first glance, the Honeywell thermostat is a sleek, modern-looking piece of equipment with touchscreen capability and an overall minimalist design. The thermostat is also designed to conserve energy when you’re away from home, which is a clear sign of the thermostat quality being above average. | While Amazon states that this Honeywell thermostat comes with just a one-year warranty, the Honeywell website’s warranty policy states that the warranty lasts for 60 months, or five years, from the date of installation. If the product is defective due to materials used or workmanship problems, it gets returned to Honeywell and is either replaced or credited to the buyer’s account. All other Honeywell products fall into the 12-month or one-year warranty category. |
Another popular thermostat brand on the market, Nest is known for its minimalist thermostat design and ability to control temperature through your smartphone or other smart device. A popular slogan with this device is that it “programs itself, then pays for itself” due to the thermostat’s energy-efficient status and high-functioning, almost A.I.-like capabilities. Nest thermostats are available in four different colors.
At $249 for a single thermostat, the Nest-brand thermostat is among the most expensive thermostats featured in our review. You can even purchase this thermostat in a two-pack for $448, which would save you about $50. Some online retailers have the Nest thermostat available for about $220. If you’re looking to save money or stay within a specific budget, you may be better off purchasing a cheaper thermostat like Lux or Honeywell.
| Ease of Use: | Assembly Time: |
|---|---|
| Once the thermostat is set up and ready for use, most people don’t have a problem with it. The touchscreen interface is remarkably easy to use and understand, which is good news for people who want to utilize features like geofencing or the seven-day temperature preset. 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. | What’s remarkable about the Nest thermostat is that people who normally have no experience installing technical or electrical equipment in their homes will most likely have an easy time correctly setting up this thermostat. Once the thermostat is installed, all the user needs to do is connect it to their home or office Wi-Fi and the Nest thermostat will be ready for use. |
| Build Quality: | Warranty: |
|---|---|
| The Nest thermostat is arguably one of the more eye-catching thermostat designs on the market today. Its stainless-steel materials, easy turn-dial operation, and LED interface work together to create a smooth, sleek aesthetic for your home or office. However, this thermostat is known to occasionally short out on users and remain defective. | 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 if the thermostat is a refurbished model. If a Nest professional technician installs the product for you, you’d be eligible for an additional three years added to your warranty. All in all, we believe it’s a pretty good warranty for a thermostat. |
Ecobee is an up-and-coming thermostat brand. The Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat comes with built-in Amazon Alexa Voice Service, meaning you can have your thermostat perform the many skills and abilities that Alexa has become known for, like fulfilling everyday tasks and letting users know important information about the day. The thermostat also includes a room sensor to manage any hot or cold spots in your home or office.
The Ecobee4 thermostat is available from the Ecobee website for $249, making it the same price as the relatively expensive Nest thermostat. You can also purchase the Ecobee4 thermostat for slightly cheaper on Amazon for $243.95, which includes free one-day shipping if you’re an Amazon Prime member.
| Ease of Use: | Assembly Time: |
|---|---|
| By all accounts, the Ecobee4 thermostat is very easy for the majority of customers to use and program to their desired specifications. The remote sensor on the thermostat is also said to be incredibly helpful with averaging the temperature out between all rooms in the house. Additionally, customers who are already familiar with how Amazon Alexa works will have an even easier time getting used to the Ecobee4 thermostat. | This thermostat is about as easy to install and set up as the rest of the thermostats in our review. If you’re not confident in your thermostat-installing abilities, consider hiring an HVAC professional. You’ll have to spend more money, but the peace of mind of knowing your thermostat is correctly installed may be worth it. |
| Build Quality: | Warranty: |
|---|---|
| At first glance, the Ecobee4 thermostat is a stunning little device with impeccable but minimal design. Its touchscreen LED interface is effortlessly smooth enough to remind users of the ease of the smartphone experience. | The Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat features a three-year limited warranty. The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service. It’s not as good as the Nest thermostat’s warranty offering, but it’s pretty close. |
It’s hard to deny that Lux makes high-quality thermostats, the Lux KONO Smart Thermostat included. However, it’s not a perfect device according to many customers, and customer experiences vary in terms of quality and performance. Like most electronic devices, the Lux KONO thermostat has its general upsides and downsides.
One of the most talked-about positives among consumers is the Lux KONO thermostat’s elegant, stylish design and customizable appearance. Most customers also report that this thermostat is easy to install and set up. Another popular upside to the Lux KONO is the Wi-Fi compatibility complete with the support of multiple voice platforms.
There aren’t many downsides to the Lux KONO thermostat. However, according to a considerable number of customer reviews, the Lux KONO doesn’t integrate with smart home devices other than Google, Apple, and Amazon Alexa. Some customers also complained of the thermostat’s lack of external room sensors and IFTTT support.
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.