Resideos' first consumer thermostat, the Honeywell Home T9 supports remote temperature sensors. Now, it has finally delivered the long-awaited HomeKit feature.
Resideo licensed the brand and Honeywell spun it out in 2018. The T5 thermostat (also known as Lyric T5) already supports Apple's smart home system, but this device does not have any external sensors. Sensors can be used to make sure you are comfortable in the space you're in.
Verge editor Dan Seifert stated in his review of Honeywell T9 that its sensors were very good and capable of measuring humidity as well as temperature. This is something Ecobees remote sensors cannot do. They are able to sense motion and presence, and adjust the system for rooms that it perceives as people. The T9 is $199 and includes one remote sensor, as well as support for up 20.
Resideo claims that Honeywell Home T9 smart thermostats can be controlled using HomeKit. Users can use Siri to control the thermostat or the Apple Home app. You can connect to the thermostat and use automations to adjust it or ask Siri for help. The Ecobee SmartThermostat does not have a voice assistant. You will need an Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, or HomePod Mini to activate the assistant. Resideo did not specify whether you will be able use motion or temperature from the sensors to trigger routines within the Home app. Honeywell Home T9 already supports Amazon Alexa, Google Home.
It remains to be determined if this matters considering smart thermostats are included in the first Matter specification (the smart home standard that will unify all connected devices in our home). Resideo sits on the Connectivity Standards Alliance's board. It is therefore likely that its thermostats will be Matter-enabled by the standard's launch next year. As long as the thermostat supports Matter, users will be able to control it with any smart home ecosystem they choose.
In the meantime, T9 owners can keep their feet toasty this holiday season by speaking a few words to their Apple voice assistant.
