Honeywell Home X8S Smart Thermostat Review with Room Sensor

Intelligent comfort control with air quality awareness and a refined display

Introduction

Smart thermostats have evolved far beyond simple temperature scheduling. Today’s homeowners expect comfort that adapts to real life, energy savings that happen automatically, and controls that integrate seamlessly with the rest of the smart home. The Honeywell Home X8S Smart Thermostat is built around these expectations.

With a large customizable touchscreen, advanced occupancy detection, indoor air quality control, and bundled wireless room sensor, the X8S aims to deliver targeted comfort where it matters most. Added features like video doorbell viewing and Matter certification further position it as a central hub for modern connected homes.

This in-depth review explores how the Honeywell Home X8S performs in everyday use, how it compares within its category, and why it stands out as a premium thermostat option for homeowners seeking both comfort and control.

Product Overview

The Honeywell Home X8S is a wall-mounted smart thermostat designed for conventional and heat pump HVAC systems. It supports advanced heating and cooling configurations while offering features traditionally found only in higher-end home automation systems.

At its core, the X8S focuses on three priorities:

• Precision comfort with room-by-room awareness
• Energy efficiency supported by intelligent automation
• Centralized control for climate, air quality, and smart-home interactions

Technical Specifications Table

Design and Build Quality

Modern, Minimalist Appearance

The X8S features a clean, modern design that blends effortlessly into contemporary interiors. Its white finish and slim profile prevent it from drawing unnecessary attention while still looking premium on the wall.

The large 5-inch touchscreen is a defining feature. Unlike smaller displays found on many thermostats, this screen provides clear visibility from across the room, making temperature readings and system status easy to check at a glance.

Customizable Display Experience

One of the standout design elements is the customizable display. Users can adjust colors and visual styles to match their home décor or personal preferences. This level of personalization transforms the thermostat from a functional device into a subtle design element.

Touchscreen Interface and Usability

Intuitive Navigation

The X8S touchscreen responds quickly to input and is designed for intuitive navigation. Menus are logically organized, allowing users to adjust temperature, review schedules, and access advanced settings without confusion.

Icons and text are clearly rendered, and the display remains readable under various lighting conditions. This ease of use makes the thermostat accessible to all household members, regardless of technical experience.

Visual Feedback and Clarity

The display provides real-time feedback on temperature, humidity, and system status. This transparency helps users understand how their HVAC system is performing and reinforces confidence in the thermostat’s automation.

Precision Comfort with Room Sensor Technology

Targeted Temperature Control

The included wireless room sensor is a core component of the X8S experience. Rather than relying solely on the temperature at the thermostat’s location, the system can prioritize comfort in specific rooms.

For example, living areas can be prioritized during the day, while bedrooms receive focused comfort at night. This approach ensures that heating and cooling align with actual occupancy patterns rather than fixed assumptions.

Extended Range and Flexible Placement

With an extended range of up to 200 feet, the room sensor offers flexible placement options. It can be placed on a shelf or adhered to a wall, allowing homeowners to position it where comfort matters most.

Advanced Occupancy and Presence Detection

Smart Adjustments Based on Activity

The X8S uses advanced occupancy and presence detection to automatically adjust settings. When the system detects that the home is occupied, it prioritizes comfort. When the home is empty, it shifts into energy-saving mode.

This automation reduces the need for manual adjustments while ensuring comfort is never compromised when someone is home.

Energy Savings Without Sacrifice

By responding to real-world activity instead of rigid schedules, the thermostat minimizes wasted energy. Over time, these intelligent adjustments contribute to lower energy bills without requiring users to change their habits.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Control

Beyond Temperature Management

The Honeywell Home X8S goes beyond basic temperature control by supporting indoor air quality management. It can help regulate humidity and ventilation, contributing to fresher, healthier indoor air.

Maintaining balanced humidity levels improves comfort, reduces allergens, and helps protect home furnishings. While additional HVAC accessories may be required, the thermostat provides the intelligence needed to manage them effectively.

Health-Focused Comfort

For households concerned about air freshness, allergies, or seasonal dryness, IAQ control adds meaningful value. The X8S positions climate control as a holistic comfort solution rather than a single-variable system.

Video Doorbell Viewing and Intercom Functionality

Integrated Smart-Home Awareness

A unique feature of the X8S is its compatibility with select streaming video doorbells. Users can view and speak to visitors directly from the thermostat’s display, adding an extra layer of convenience.

This integration reduces the need to reach for a phone when someone rings the doorbell, especially in busy households.

Compatible Doorbell Ecosystem

The thermostat is compatible with doorbells such as those from First Alert and Ring, expanding its role as a smart-home command center.

Remote Control and Smart-Home Integration

Control from Anywhere

Using the First Alert app, users can control the X8S remotely. Whether adjusting the temperature before returning home or checking system status while away, remote access adds peace of mind and flexibility.

Matter Certification for Interoperability

Matter certification ensures that the X8S works seamlessly across multiple smart-home ecosystems. This reduces compatibility concerns and simplifies integration with other connected devices.

Voice Assistant Support

The thermostat is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home, allowing hands-free temperature adjustments and status checks.

Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings

ENERGY STAR Certification

The Honeywell Home X8S is ENERGY STAR certified, confirming that it meets strict energy efficiency guidelines. This certification reflects its ability to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing performance.

Utility Program and Rebate Eligibility

Many energy providers offer rebates or incentives for ENERGY STAR smart thermostats. The X8S is designed to participate in such programs, potentially lowering the overall cost of ownership.

HVAC System Compatibility

Broad System Support

The X8S works with a wide range of HVAC systems, including:

• Up to 3 heat / 2 cool heat pump systems with electric backup
• Up to 2 heat / 2 cool conventional systems
• Forced air systems powered by gas, oil, or electricity
• Hot water heating systems

Clear Compatibility Boundaries

It does not support electric baseboard heating systems operating at 120–240V. Understanding this limitation helps ensure proper installation and avoids compatibility issues.

Installation and Setup Experience

Straightforward Installation

For homes with compatible wiring and systems, installation is straightforward. The thermostat’s guided setup process simplifies configuration, and the included room sensor pairs easily.

App-Guided Configuration

The app walks users through Wi-Fi setup, system configuration, and sensor placement. This guided approach reduces installation anxiety, even for users new to smart thermostats.

Everyday Use Scenarios

Busy Families

Families benefit from room-based comfort and occupancy detection, ensuring living areas remain comfortable during the day and bedrooms stay cozy at night.

Remote Workers

For home offices, the room sensor ensures consistent comfort throughout the workday without over-conditioning unused spaces.

Energy-Conscious Households

Households focused on reducing energy consumption appreciate the thermostat’s ability to save energy automatically when no one is home.

Advantages and Considerations

Key Advantages

• Large customizable touchscreen
• Included long-range room sensor
• Advanced occupancy detection
• Indoor air quality support
• Matter certification and broad smart-home compatibility

Considerations

• Additional HVAC accessories may be required for full IAQ control
• Not compatible with electric baseboard heating
• Premium feature set may exceed basic thermostat needs

Long-Term Value and Reliability

Honeywell Home’s reputation for durability and reliability adds confidence to the X8S. Its forward-looking features, such as Matter certification and IAQ integration, ensure it remains relevant as smart-home standards evolve.

The combination of comfort, efficiency, and interoperability positions the X8S as a long-term investment rather than a short-term upgrade.

Conclusion

The Honeywell Home X8S Smart Thermostat with Room Sensor delivers a refined and intelligent approach to home climate control. Its large customizable display, room-based comfort targeting, advanced occupancy detection, and indoor air quality support set it apart from standard smart thermostats.

By combining energy efficiency with smart-home integration and user-friendly design, the X8S provides a balanced solution for homeowners seeking comfort, control, and future-ready technology. For those looking to elevate their home’s climate system into a connected, adaptive experience, this thermostat offers substantial value.