Honeywell Home X7S smart thermostat tested and reviewed

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

Most smart home upgrades promise convenience, but this one really shines only if your home’s layout works in its favor. After installing the First Alert VX1 HD Video Doorbell and pairing it with Honeywell Home X7S smart thermostat in my home in Florida, I realized how useful it can be to have your video feed from your front door displayed right on your thermostat screen, especially if that thermostat is in a high-traffic area like a kitchen, living room, or main hallway.

In homes where the thermostat is centrally located, this setup can streamline how you check on visitors and deliveries. In my case, the thermostat is located at the top of the stairs, which makes the feature less practical for everyday use. This isn’t a flaw of the products themselves, but it’s an important consideration before you get too excited about the integration.

Also worth noting: the smart thermostat also integrates with Ringing of bellsso if you already have one of these, you can pair it with Honeywell Home to watch your thermostat’s emissions.

Installing the Honeywell Home X7S

Everyday life is easy with the Honeywell Home X7S smart thermostat. Installation took about the same time as my previous Google Nest – remove the old unit, install the base plate and match the labeled wires to the clearly marked terminals. If you already have a C-wire, this is a simple replacement; if not, an adapter solves this problem. Mine also came with a wireless room sensor (batteries included) which was a big win in my four bedroom home with one air conditioner. My office heats up during the day while the rest of the house stays cooler, and the sensor helps the system make smarter decisions without freezing everyone else out. The touchscreen is bright and responsive, and when someone rings the doorbell, the video appears almost instantly. You can even speak directly through the thermostat, which feels surprisingly futuristic when you first try it.

Installing First Alert VX1

The First Alert VX1 Doorbell was just as easy to install. It connects to the two existing bell wires and mounts with a few screws – very similar to the one it replaced. Once you paired it with the app, it was up and running in minutes. Design-wise, it’s not the most attractive bell I’ve tested, but it feels solid and durable in the hand. The built-in light is useful at night, and the speaker quality is clear from both ends. The conversations between the doorbell and the thermostat do not sound compressed or distorted, which is not always true with video doorbells.

Streaming load time

What really impressed me was the speed. If I manually open the app and tap the live feed, it loads in about two seconds or less. Recorded clips download almost instantly. That responsiveness makes more of a difference than you’d expect—especially compared to other brands I have tested where lag can make the experience frustrating. When paired with the thermostat, the near-instant power pop-up feels seamless rather than gimmicky. It’s a small detail, but it makes this integration feel polished.

Pricing

Price is perhaps the biggest consideration. The thermostat runs just over $200, and the doorbell hovers around $160 — firmly in Google Nest territory. In my opinion, Nest products win with looks. The First Alert and Honeywell Home units don’t have the same “wow” factor on the wall. But they feel solid, and more importantly, they’re fast and responsive. You’re paying for performance and build quality, not design flair. If your thermostat is in a central location where you’ll actually see it, this performance-driven integration can really improve the functioning of your smart home.

The latest (and best) deals

What’s better than finding a great price on what you need? We’ve rounded up our favorite deals on power tools, portable generators, and more.