Honeywell Home X8S Premium Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat Specifications
- Model Honeywell Home X8S Premium Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat
- Color White
- Display 5-inch touchscreen with customizable idle-screen color and style
- Video doorbell compatibility First Alert VX1 and Ring streaming video doorbells; sold separately
- Doorbell features Video viewing and two-way speaking from the thermostat
- Indoor air quality controls Humidity and ventilation control; additional HVAC equipment or accessories may be required
- Occupancy detection Built-in occupancy and presence detection
- Heat pump compatibility Up to 3 heat and 2 cool stages with electric backup
- Conventional system compatibility Up to 2 heat and 2 cool stages
- Supported system types Hot water heat and forced-air systems using gas, oil, or electric heat
- Not compatible with 120–240 V electric baseboard heat
- Room sensor compatibility Honeywell Home Room Sensors, sold separately
- Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz; supports 802.11ax/ac/a/b/g/n wireless routers
- Wiring C-wire required; package includes a voucher for a complimentary Honeywell Home C-Wire Adapter by mail if needed
- Smart home protocols and platforms Matter certified; compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home
- Remote control First Alert app
- Energy certification ENERGY STAR certified
The Honeywell Home X8S is designed to make a thermostat feel less like a wall control and more like a useful part of a connected home. Its large, customizable screen gives the familiar temperature display a more polished presence, while the option to change its look helps it blend in rather than announce itself as another gadget. At $215.37, it sits in premium territory, so its appeal depends on whether you’ll use more than basic heating and cooling controls.
The standout idea is bringing compatible video doorbells into the thermostat experience. Being able to check who’s at the door and speak with a visitor without reaching for a phone is a genuinely convenient extension of the display—especially in a busy household. That feature depends on a supported doorbell, however, and the camera itself is sold separately. It’s a compelling extra, not a reason to assume every doorbell will work.
Comfort and energy management are the X8S’s other strengths. The thermostat can respond to occupancy and presence, helping balance a welcoming home with less waste when nobody’s around. Its humidity and ventilation controls may also be useful for households looking beyond temperature alone, though some air-quality functions depend on compatible HVAC equipment or accessories. Room sensors are optional as well, so the full setup can cost more than the thermostat’s price.
Smart-home flexibility is a welcome part of the package. The Honeywell Home X8S works with major voice-assistant ecosystems and Matter, while the First Alert app provides remote control alongside compatible Resideo devices. That makes it easier to fit into a home that already uses connected products, though shoppers should check their existing equipment and preferred app workflow before buying. A smart thermostat is most useful when its controls feel natural, not when it adds another disconnected layer.
Compatibility deserves a careful look before installation. The X8S supports many common forced-air and heat-pump setups, but it isn’t intended for electric baseboard heating. It requires a C-wire; if your system lacks one, the included voucher for an adapter can help, but installation still takes planning. These aren’t unusual considerations for a connected thermostat, yet they matter more here because the product’s premium price makes a surprise compatibility snag especially frustrating.
For households that want a polished touchscreen, remote temperature control, energy-conscious scheduling, and a closer connection between the thermostat and the rest of the smart home, the Honeywell Home X8S makes a persuasive case. Its best features are thoughtful conveniences rather than necessities: doorbell access, occupancy-aware adjustments, and humidity control all add value when they match the way you live. Buyers who only need simpler temperature control may find the price harder to justify; those ready to use its broader smart-home features will get a more compelling experience.
Pros
- The spacious 5-inch touchscreen makes schedules, temperature changes, and thermostat settings easier to manage at a glance.
- Compatible video doorbells can bring visitor video and two-way talk to the thermostat, adding a handy home-entry feature beyond temperature control.
- Matter support and compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home make this smart thermostat a flexible fit for many connected homes.
- Built-in occupancy detection can help the thermostat respond to whether someone is home, while customizable idle-screen styling adds a personal touch.
- Humidity and ventilation controls offer more ways to manage indoor comfort, and ENERGY STAR certification is a welcome plus for energy-conscious households.
- Broad support for common forced-air and hot-water systems, along with multiple heating and cooling stages, makes it suitable for many homes.
Cons
- A C-wire is required for installation. The included adapter voucher may help, but it adds an extra step for homes without compatible wiring.
- Video doorbell viewing and speaking work with select First Alert VX1 and Ring models, which are sold separately; other doorbell brands may not be supported.
- Humidity and ventilation features may need additional HVAC equipment or accessories, so they may not be ready to use out of the box.
- It isn’t compatible with 120–240 V electric baseboard heating, ruling it out for some homes and apartments.
- Room sensors are optional extras, so monitoring temperatures in multiple rooms can increase the overall cost.
- The 5-inch touchscreen and connected features may be more than needed for anyone looking for a simple, lower-cost thermostat.
