The Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat keeps you comfortable even when you do not adjust your thermostat every now and then.
In short, it promises to do everything that a good smart thermostat is expected to do. The Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat has a large 5-inch touchscreen. The full-color display lets you access the main menu, see the fan status, the current room humidity, temperature, and schedule. It also allows you to adjust the room temperature manually and tells you if the Wi-Fi signal is strong enough for the thermostat to be connected to the Internet.
Not that you are going to rely on the touchscreen too much. The Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat connects to your Wi-Fi, allowing you to control it using the companion mobile app. This means that you can use your smartphone to check on things, even when you are not home.
Additionally, you can control your thermostat using Amazon Alexa. You can turn the Bosch Connected Control on or off or adjust the temperature using only voice controls.
Accesses local weather data. Aside from having more ways to control your smart thermostat, the Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat also allows you to see what your local weather would be like, helping you know if you should bring an umbrella with you or wear something warmer.
Programmable. The Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat is programmable, allowing you to set temperatures according to schedule.
Dimensions. The Bosch Connected Control has a rectangular shape that measures 3.07 inches high by 5.20 inches wide by 0.67 inches deep.
What’s in the box
The Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat comes with everything you need to install and operate the thermostat. The package includes:
- Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat
- Wire labels
- Jumper wire
- Screws and anchors
- Flathead screwdriver
- Customer support card
- User guide
What you would like about the Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat
The Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat allows you to get more control over your desired temperatures. You can set up schedules for when you are at home, or for when you go on vacation. Each mode will allow you to set up eight periods daily. Each of these periods has its own temperature range. For instance, you can set cooler temperatures for two hours after you arrive home from work, set the temperatures a little warmer after that, and then set it to cooler temperatures one hour before bedtime. Additionally, you can gradually increase the temperature as the night wears on or as you sleep. This allows you to be more comfortable without minding your thermostat.
You would also love the runtime information that the thermostat stores, allowing you to see how much heating and cooling time you have, as well as when it’s time to change the air filter or water pad.
Furthermore, Bosch offers a five-year warranty for material and workmanship defects.
But the thing that you would love the most about the Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat is that it is very responsive to your adjustments. It also follows your programmed schedule to the letter.
The touchscreen display is very easy to read even when you are very far away from it. Plus, the Amazon Alexa support is also very responsive.
What could be better
The Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat requires a C-wire to power itself. This might be a problem for those whose systems do not have a C-wire because they would need to call in a professional in order to rewire their current HVAC systems. And if you have dehumidifiers and humidifiers, professional installation is also advised.
The full-color touchscreen display also uses a variety of icons to mean different things. For instance, a sun icon would mean heat mode is on, while a snowflake icon would mean that the cool mode is on. Knowing what the icons mean may take a little getting used to. It would have been better if the icons were also accompanied by a text label so that you do not have to whip out the owner manual to know what each icon means. The touchscreen display is certainly large enough to accommodate labels.
The schedules available to you are quite limited. The thermostat itself can handle two schedules without an Internet connection. To remove or create schedules, you need to use the mobile app because you won’t be able to do so on the thermostat unit itself.
The Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat is also not compatible with multi-zone systems.
Alternatives to the Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat
The Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat is very easy to install and will surely keep your room comfortably warm or cool. It also works rather well for a smart thermostat at its price. Selling on Amazon (Check out the latest price here!), it is more affordable than Ecobee4 and the third-generation Nest Learning Thermostat.
The higher price of these two smart thermostats, however, is very justified. The Ecobee4 and the third-gen Nest Learning Thermostat are considered to be the best ones out there. For one, they both support multiple zones, can access the local weather, and automatically adjust the temperature according to the weather outside. The Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat only lets you access local weather so you could check, and the rest depends on you.
When it comes to technology, the Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat has the bare minimum. Compare that to the farsight technology, the learning algorithms, and the eye-stunning design of the third-generation Nest, or the built-in Amazon Alexa speaker and the smart algorithms on the Ecobee4, the Bosch Connected Control pales in comparison.
Another area where the Bosch Connected Control Thermostat loses out to both Nest and Ecobee4 is the range of integrations. The Bosch smart thermostat only has Alexa compatibility. Ecobee4, meanwhile, works with Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT, and others. Nest, on the other hand, has its own “Works with Nest” program that certifies smart devices to work seamlessly with Nest products.
It would seem that, compared to the top two smart thermostats in the field, the only advantage that the Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat is its lower price point.
If the price is a primary concern for you, you might want to consider getting the Nest Thermostat E. It cost just about the same as the Bosch Connected Control, but has the learning algorithms and pretty much all the other technologies you see on the third-generation Nest Learning Thermostat.
The differences between the latest Nest Learning Thermostat and the Nest E are:
- Nest E has a muted design, with a minimalist white color that is intended to blend in with the background. Meanwhile, Nest Learning Thermostat stands out with its eye-catching design.
- The Nest E does not have the farsight feature of the learning version, which means you should be really close to the thermostat to see the display. This is not much of a problem because you can check on your thermostat using your mobile phone.
- Nest E might not be compatible with some HVAC systems.
If the Nest E is compatible with your heating and cooling system, and the updated design and the farsight feature are not important to you, then you should definitely think about getting it in lieu of Bosch. With the same price as the Bosh Connected Control, the Nest E gives you pretty much the same functionalities as the top-of-the-line Nest Learning Thermostat.
Ecobee, on the other hand, has both the Ecobee3 and Ecobee3 Lite for you to choose from. Ecobee3 is currently out of stock, so unless you find it on Amazon or if you are willing to settle for a refurbished unit, then you will have to content yourself with the Ecobee3 Lite.
The Ecobee3 Lite sells around the same price as the Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat. As with the case of the Nest thermostats, Ecobee3 Lite pretty much has the functionalities of the more expensive Ecobee4.
The differences between Ecobee3 Lite and Ecobee4 are as follows:
- Ecobee3 Lite does not come with any room sensors. The Ecobee3 Lite supports room sensors, but you would need to buy it separately.
- Ecobee3 Lite does not have Amazon Alexa built-in, but it does work with Alexa.
- Ecobee3 Lite does not have far-field voice technology.
Final say about the Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat
One thing you would notice about the Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat is that the manufacturer does not really highlight its savings. Bosch says that the Connected Control can keep you comfortable without having to do much. Unlike Ecobee and Nest, where there are promised savings percentages and even a savings calculator, Bosch keeps mum about savings when it talks about its smart thermostat. While we are pretty sure that the Bosch smart thermostat helps you save money, it still is disconcerting that the company does not say anything about it. So if you are looking to save on your heating and cooling costs and have a definite idea of the numbers, you might want to get Ecobee4, Ecobee3 Lite, Nest Learning Thermostat, or Nest Thermostat E. These smart thermostats promise up to 23% off your heating and cooling costs (for Ecobee), or up to 15% on cooling bills and 12% on heating bills (for Nest).
Nevertheless, the Bosch Connected Control Wi-Fi Thermostat does what it says it does. It performs rather well and can really deliver the comfortable temperature for your rooms. If you are looking for a simple way to smarten up your thermostat, this is a good choice. However, if you are looking for topnotch technology, then look elsewhere.
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