Aqara Smart Thermostat W200 — Built-In Presence Radar & Touchscreen

What is it and what's it for?

It's a smart thermostat like this ranking's Nest, but with two extras: a "presence radar" (a miniature version of the radar cars use to detect obstacles, but here it detects whether a person is in the room) and a 4-inch touchscreen so you can control it without your phone. It's also its own "Matter controller": think of it as a built-in universal translator — it doesn't need a separate device to speak the common language that Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home understand.

Real-world use cases

How to avoid buying the wrong one

• Like the Nest, it connects to your HVAC system's wiring (not plug-and-play) — check your system's compatibility (some setups need an extra C-wire) before buying.
• It works standalone, but it's at its best paired with an existing Aqara or Matter hub (like this catalog's Aqara Hub M3) to sync automations across several rooms.
• It costs more than this ranking's Nest — that extra cost is worth it if you value the presence radar and touchscreen; if not, the Nest covers the basics for less money.