There are few things more frustrating than arriving home on a scorching summer day or a frigid winter evening only to find your house far from the comfortable temperature you desire. We’ve all been there: fumbling with an outdated thermostat, waiting for what feels like an eternity for the HVAC system to catch up, or worse, realizing we’ve left the AC blasting all day while at work, needlessly wasting energy and money. It’s a common scenario that speaks to a fundamental problem: a lack of precise, convenient control over our home’s climate. This isn’t just about comfort; it’s about efficiency, cost savings, and peace of mind. Without a modern solution, we’re stuck in a reactive cycle, constantly adjusting, constantly wishing for a smarter way. This is precisely where a product like the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat steps in, promising to transform how we interact with our home environment.
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What to Consider Before Buying a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for optimizing home comfort, managing energy consumption, and providing unparalleled control over your HVAC system. It solves the perennial problems of energy waste from inconsistent temperature settings, the inconvenience of manual adjustments, and the discomfort of returning to an unregulated home. The main benefits include significant energy cost savings, enhanced comfort through automated scheduling, remote accessibility, and often, insightful energy usage reports.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing fluctuating daily schedules, those who travel frequently or have a second home, or individuals simply looking to upgrade their home into a smarter, more energy-efficient sanctuary. It’s perfect for the homeowner who wants to fine-tune their comfort zones while minimizing their carbon footprint and utility bills. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who prefer extreme simplicity with minimal features, or those with very specialized heating systems like electric baseboard heat (120-240V), as most smart thermostats are not designed for such setups. For those seeking absolute basic, manual control, a smart Wi-Fi thermostat might offer more complexity than desired, although its benefits typically far outweigh this perception.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: A thermostat’s physical size matters not just for aesthetics, but also for installation. Ensure the new unit covers any marks or unpainted areas left by your old thermostat. A compact design, like that of the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat, can often fit seamlessly without requiring touch-up painting, which is a common concern for many homeowners.
- Capacity/Performance: Look for robust Wi-Fi connectivity, reliable scheduling options (like 7-day programming), and intelligent features such as “Smart Response Technology” that learns and adapts to your home’s heating and cooling patterns. Voice control compatibility with popular smart home ecosystems like Alexa and Google Home is also a significant plus, offering hands-free convenience and enhancing overall smart home integration.
- Materials & Durability: Most modern thermostats are made of durable plastic. The quality of the touchscreen display and the internal wiring connectors are key indicators of long-term reliability. A responsive, clear display with customizable color options not only enhances usability but also allows the unit to blend aesthetically with your home’s decor.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A DIY-friendly installation process with clear instructions and labeled wires is highly desirable. Beyond installation, the intuitiveness of the mobile app and on-device programming is critical for daily enjoyment. Features like intelligent alerts for filter changes and energy usage reports simplify maintenance and help you stay on top of your HVAC system’s health and efficiency.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
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First Impressions and Key Features of the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat
Unboxing the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat was a reassuring experience. The packaging was compact and secure, revealing a sleek, modern device with a vibrant display. Included in the box were all the necessary components for a DIY installation: mounting hardware, wire labels, a user manual, and a thermostat ID card. The gray finish we tested possessed a metallic silver quality that we found quite elegant, lending a sophisticated touch to our wall.
Upon holding the unit, its compact dimensions (0.88″D x 4.5″W x 3.5″H) were immediately apparent, suggesting it would integrate seamlessly without demanding too much wall space or unsightly renovations. The color touchscreen, a signature feature, immediately impressed us with its crispness and potential for customization. This wasn’t just another utilitarian gadget; it felt like a deliberate design choice that could genuinely enhance a room’s aesthetic. Compared to some bulkier or less visually appealing thermostats we’ve encountered, the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat felt like a significant upgrade, marrying form with function. Its Wi-Fi capability and voice control readiness hinted at the advanced functionality we were eager to explore, promising a smart home experience that extended beyond basic temperature settings.
What We Like
- Seamless remote control via mobile app and voice assistants.
- Highly customizable color touchscreen display.
- Energy Star certified with detailed energy usage reports.
- Intelligent alerts for maintenance and extreme conditions.
- Flexible 7-day programming options with Smart Response Technology.
What We Didn’t Like
- Requires a C-Wire, which might necessitate an adapter or professional installation for some systems.
- Some users report occasional inaccuracies with the internal thermometer or local weather display.
- Flimsy push-in wire connectors can be prone to breakage if not handled carefully.
A Deep Dive into the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat’s Performance
Effortless Installation and Reliable Connectivity
Our journey with the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat began with the installation, an area where many smart devices can either shine or falter. We approached the DIY task with a moderate electrical background, following the clear instructions to take a picture of our existing wiring before disconnecting anything. The inclusion of helpful wire labels in the box proved invaluable, making the transition from our old unit straightforward. Most of our wires lined up perfectly, simplifying the process considerably.
However, we quickly realized, as many users have, that the “C-wire required” stipulation is not to be underestimated. Our system fortunately had the necessary common wire, which made powering the thermostat a non-issue. For those without a C-wire, this is a critical consideration. We’ve seen feedback from others who had to purchase an “Add-A-Wire Kit” or even run new wire, which can add an extra layer of complexity or necessitate a service call. One user shared a specific challenge with heat pump systems, noting that some, like Trane, may not immediately recognize the orange and white wire functionality for switching between heating and cooling. This highlights the importance of checking your specific HVAC system’s requirements and potentially consulting online resources or a professional if unusual wiring configurations are present.
Once wired, connecting the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat to our home Wi-Fi network was a breeze. The on-screen prompts guided us through the process, and soon, we had it integrated with our mobile app. The seamless connectivity extended to voice control, linking effortlessly with our Amazon Alexa setup. We found the ability to simply tell Alexa to adjust the temperature from across the room or from bed to be incredibly convenient. While some feedback points to the push-in wire connectors as being “flimsy” or prone to breaking if wires are removed and reinserted improperly, we exercised caution and didn’t encounter this issue. The initial setup and robust connectivity form the bedrock of this thermostat’s appeal, allowing us to manage our home’s climate from virtually anywhere with ease. To explore more about its comprehensive features and ensure compatibility with your system, you can check out the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat and its full specifications.
Intuitive Control and Smart Programming for Ultimate Comfort
The customizable color touchscreen of the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat is undeniably one of its standout features. We appreciated the ability to personalize the display, choosing colors that seamlessly integrated with our home’s interior décor. It transforms what is often a utilitarian device into a subtle, elegant fixture on the wall. While some users noted the touchscreen feels like an “old school touch” requiring a firm press compared to modern smartphones, we found it responsive enough for daily interactions, offering clear visual feedback with each tap.
Beyond aesthetics, the true power lies in its programming capabilities and remote control. The 7-day programmability allowed us to set detailed schedules for different days, accommodating our varied weekly routine. Whether it was lowering the temperature while we were at work or ensuring the house was perfectly warm before we woke up, the thermostat handled it effortlessly. We particularly valued the “permanent, temporary, or vacation hold settings,” which provide immense flexibility for unexpected changes in plans or extended trips away from home. Being able to remotely adjust these settings via the mobile app was a game-changer. For instance, we could turn on the heating or cooling an hour before heading home, ensuring a perfectly comfortable environment upon arrival, a convenience widely echoed by other users.
The integration with voice control, specifically Amazon Alexa and Google Home, further elevated our experience. The sheer simplicity of adjusting the temperature by voice command from any room instantly became an indispensable part of our smart home routine. This hands-free operation is a luxury we now wouldn’t want to live without. The “Smart Response Technology” works subtly in the background, learning the optimal time to reach desired temperatures, while the “Auto Change” feature seamlessly switches between heating and cooling, maintaining consistent comfort without manual intervention. These intelligent features contribute significantly to the overall user satisfaction, making the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat a true smart home asset.
Energy Efficiency and Intelligent Home Management
One of the most compelling aspects of upgrading to a smart thermostat like the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat is the promise of energy savings, and in our testing, it delivered. As an Energy Star certified device, it’s designed from the ground up to optimize your HVAC usage. We regularly consulted the monthly energy usage reports provided by the mobile app, which offered clear insights into our consumption patterns. These reports, coupled with personalized tips for reducing energy consumption, empowered us to make informed decisions about our thermostat settings, ultimately leading to noticeable reductions in our utility bills. This proactive approach to energy management is a major draw for environmentally conscious users and those looking to cut costs.
Beyond direct energy savings, the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat excels in intelligent home management. We found the intelligent alerts particularly useful. Notifications for air filter or humidifier pad changes served as timely reminders for essential maintenance, helping to ensure our HVAC system ran efficiently and prolonging its lifespan. Furthermore, alerts for extreme high/low indoor temperatures or humidity provided immense peace of mind, especially when we were away from home. Imagine being notified if your pipes might freeze or if humidity levels are conducive to mold growth – these are critical functionalities for protecting your property.
The additional features, such as local weather information displayed on the screen and a 5-day forecast available through the app, added another layer of convenience, helping us anticipate and plan our home’s climate needs. While one user mentioned the “local” outside temp being “vastly way way off,” we found it generally reliable for our location. Moreover, the eligibility for utility rebates and Demand Response Programs represents an additional financial incentive, allowing homeowners to potentially recoup some of their initial investment while contributing to grid stability. The comprehensive suite of features positions the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat as more than just a temperature controller; it’s a sophisticated tool for efficient and worry-free home climate management.
Reliability and Compatibility in Real-World Application
In our extended use, the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat demonstrated a commendable level of reliability in maintaining our desired temperatures. We observed that it consistently turned our heating and cooling systems on and off precisely when scheduled, ensuring our home remained comfortable throughout the day and night. The remote control access proved invaluable, allowing us to make adjustments on the fly, whether we were away from home or simply relaxing in another room.
However, no product is without its nuances, and we did take note of a few points raised by others that warrant discussion. A recurrent theme among some users revolved around the accuracy of the internal thermometer. While we didn’t experience drastic discrepancies, a few individuals reported their thermostat showing higher or lower temperatures than external thermometers in the same room, leading to prolonged HVAC run times. This suggests that while generally accurate, individual experiences may vary, and calibrating or comparing with another trusted thermometer can be a good practice.
Compatibility is another crucial factor. The Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat is broadly compatible with forced air (gas, oil or electric), hot water and steam, and heat pumps with electric backup. However, it explicitly states it does NOT work with electric baseboard heat (120-240V). This distinction is vital for potential buyers. We also learned from user feedback about specific heat pump systems, where a “brown wire” in terminal “B” might actually need to function as the “C” (common) terminal to power the thermostat. These nuanced wiring challenges, combined with occasional reports of touchscreen unresponsiveness (though customer service was often praised for resolving issues like blown fuses resulting from wiring mistakes), underscore the importance of careful installation and, when in doubt, seeking professional help. Despite these minor considerations, the core functionality and reliability for compatible systems remain strong, making the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat a solid performer in its class. Interested in enhancing your home’s efficiency and comfort? You can learn more about the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat’s features and compatibility.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our expert evaluation of the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat is strongly supported and deepened by the extensive feedback from other users. The overarching sentiment we observed is one of high satisfaction, particularly regarding its ease of use, remote control capabilities, and sleek design. Many users, like us, found the installation process to be surprisingly straightforward, often citing the clear instructions and wire labels as instrumental. One individual enthusiastically stated, “This thing works fantastic and allows remote control access while I’m laying in bed or away from the house set up was a breeze.” Another echoed this, appreciating that it “makes life way easier when we’re not home” by allowing them to adjust temperatures via the app. The vibrant, customizable display also received frequent praise, with comments highlighting its “sleek with its vibrant display” and calling it an “elegant” addition to home décor.
The integration with smart home ecosystems like Alexa was a consistent positive, with users reporting seamless connectivity and the convenience of voice commands. Many also highlighted the energy-saving functionalities, with one reviewer noting a significant reduction in their electric bill after switching from a less efficient smart thermostat. We found the collective experience confirmed our own findings that the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat does an excellent job of “maintaining the temps in our home by turning the a/c and heater on and off exactly when it’s supposed to.”
However, user feedback also brought to light a few consistent concerns that we also touched upon. The C-wire requirement was a recurring point, with some users needing to acquire an adapter or run new wiring, leading to added complexity. One user mentioned the “plastic things you plug the wires in broke easily” during installation, indicating a need for careful handling. Another significant concern, which we also noted, was the occasional inaccuracy of the internal thermometer, with one reviewer stating it was “incredibly inaccurate possibly by accident but I question whether it manipulated by internal programming.” Despite these isolated issues, which sometimes required troubleshooting with customer service (often praised as “top notch”), the overall consensus remains overwhelmingly positive, affirming the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat as a highly effective and appreciated smart home upgrade.
Comparing the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat to Its Top Alternatives
1. Emerson Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
- EDITORS CHOICE BEST OVERALL SMART THERMOSTAT by USA Today’s reviewed.com.SMART MAINTENANCE: Sensi can help monitor the performance and efficiency of your...
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The Emerson Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat stands as a direct competitor, offering a similar suite of smart features including Wi-Fi connectivity, a color touchscreen, and compatibility with Alexa. Like the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat, it is Energy Star certified and requires a C-wire for power, making the installation considerations nearly identical. Where the Emerson might edge out is in its reputation for a highly intuitive app interface, which some users find slightly more refined. Both thermostats excel at remote control and intelligent scheduling, but the Sensi Touch often boasts a slightly more modern, minimalist design aesthetic, appealing to those who prefer a less customizable but perhaps sleeker look. If you prioritize app-based usability above all else and appreciate a very clean design, the Emerson Sensi Touch is a compelling alternative.
2. Honeywell Home CT410B Thermostat
- This thermostat is a non-programmable line voltage manual control (120-240 Volts)
- Compatible with electric baseboards, convectors and non-inductive rated fan-forced heaters
The Honeywell Home CT410B Thermostat represents a vastly different category compared to the smart, Wi-Fi-enabled Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat. This is a manual, line-volt thermostat designed primarily for electric baseboard or radiant heating systems, which the RTH9585WF1004 explicitly does not support. There are no smart features, no Wi-Fi connectivity, no programmable schedules, and certainly no app or voice control. Its appeal lies in its extreme simplicity, reliability, and specific compatibility for line voltage applications. For homeowners with older homes or specific heating systems that rely on 120-240V power, the CT410B is a functional and cost-effective solution. However, for anyone seeking modern conveniences, energy efficiency reports, or remote management, it simply cannot compete, serving a completely different user base and system requirement.
3. Honeywell Home RTH221B Programmable Thermostat
- ONE WEEK PROGRAMMING: Set one identical program for the entire week with four program periods per day including wake, leave, arrive and sleep.
- PRECISE TEMPERATURE CONTROL: Precise temperature control of plus/- 1 degree Fahrenheit
The Honeywell Home RTH221B Programmable Thermostat occupies a middle ground, offering programmability but without the Wi-Fi connectivity or advanced smart features of the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat. This unit allows for 7-day programming with four program periods per day, providing a good balance between manual control and automated comfort. It’s a non-touchscreen, LCD display, which means no color customization or sleek modern aesthetics. While it can help save energy by sticking to a schedule, it lacks the remote control, energy usage reports, intelligent alerts, and voice assistant integration that define a true smart thermostat. It’s ideal for those who desire basic schedule-based temperature management and prefer a simpler, perhaps more budget-friendly option without needing any internet-connected features or a C-wire (as it often runs on batteries). If your priority is basic programmability without the complexities or cost associated with smart home integration, the RTH221B is a capable choice.
Final Verdict on the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat
After extensive testing and cross-referencing with a wealth of user experiences, we confidently assert that the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat is an exceptional smart home upgrade for most homeowners. Its primary strengths lie in its robust Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing seamless remote control via a user-friendly mobile app, and its intuitive voice control compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. We were consistently impressed by the customizable color touchscreen, which blends aesthetic appeal with practical functionality, along with its Energy Star certification and the insightful energy usage reports that genuinely help in reducing utility costs. The flexible 7-day programming and “Smart Response Technology” ensure consistent comfort tailored to any schedule.
While the mandatory C-wire requirement might pose an initial hurdle for some installations, this is a common prerequisite for advanced smart thermostats and can often be addressed with an adapter or minor wiring adjustments. We also acknowledge occasional user feedback regarding the internal thermometer’s accuracy and the fragility of the wire connectors, but these appear to be isolated incidents or manageable challenges that don’t detract significantly from the overall positive experience. For anyone seeking a reliable, feature-rich, and energy-efficient solution to modernize their home’s climate control, the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat stands out as a top contender, offering a powerful blend of convenience, customization, and cost-saving potential.
If you’ve decided the Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API