LUX - Smart Programmable Wi-Fi Thermostat - White

Bought this on clearance and for the money spent it is well worth it. Nothing Super Fancy about it but it works as its intended to and i works perfectly with the Amazon Alexa App which was the mail reason why i purchased this Lux Smart Thermostat. I can be at work which is 38 miles away and while using the Alexa App i can check the current temp on the Thermostat and adjust it to what temp i want just by asking Alexa.

Have been looking for a thermostat with the swing feature built in. They are very hard to find with all of the smart devices on the market now. Had installed this device in less then 10 minutes. Very pleased with all that it does, and saves me money on my energy bill. All the same features as the more expensive ones.

I bought two of these units so when I bought them I realized it required a C wire not so much. I called tech support they told me that if you don't have a C wire they can walk me through how to rearrange my thermostat wires on my furnace they gave me easy to do instructions and Bam I have a wireless thermostat two of them with the techniques followed from their tech support. I called an electrician to install a C wire some time ago. They wanted a fortune cuz of going through the wall and nonsense like that these two simple units save me a buttload of money. The application I use for Lux it's very simple to use I'm able to control it from work or wherever I love it. Thank You LUX and tech support.

The Lux thermostat is a great idea on paper. A low-end, low-price thermostat that costs a fraction of the high end thermostats, but does the same job? Sounds awesome! Unfortunately the performance of the Lux thermostat was on the low-end. Out of the box it's a pretty straight-forward thermostat installation. There are lots of helpful videos online should you run into any issues. I had no problem getting it on the wall and getting power to it. It did take me several tries to get it to connect to my wi-fi system. The app kept telling me the firmware was updating, while the thermostat kept saying it wasn't connected. I've had the app tell me several times since then that my wi-fi wasn't on or that it couldn't find the thermostat. My wi-fi is very close to the thermostat. I have checked several times after receiving that message, and the other devices in my home were getting a fine signal. The Lux has had difficulty staying connected for some reason. After that it has been hit or miss with how well it works. The app is very 'clunky' and figuring out how to set the schedule took a while. Once I did get it set it seems to stick to it fairly well....most of the time. There have been a couple of times it just didn't follow it, or the display on the thermostat would show a temperature that didn't match the app. Most frustrating is it doesn't always shut off when it hits the set temperature. There have been a handful of times that I've had to manually shut it off because it was still running, even though the house was a couple of degrees warmer than the setting--see the picture. It's not obvious, but it was running when I took this. The picture also shows the other big issue with this thermostat--frankly, it looks cheap. I'm assuming the big trade off in getting a wi-fi, voice controlled thermostat at this price is losing a lot of the information that most smart thermostats can show you--outside temperature, humidity levels in the home, etc. It's very 'low frills, The voice control also has a huge issue--I use Alexa and the app in Alexa seems to be new, and it's not great. The few times I've tried to change the temperature for even a short time it puts the entire schedule on hold and won't return to it until you manually go into the app and take it off hold. That's incredibly inconvenient (not to mention annoying the first time you discover it). The app can't tell you what your current temperature is in the home, or what the thermostat is set to. Not returning to the schedule (rather than simply be a temporary override) makes it way more trouble than it's worth for something that's supposed to be convenient. Overall I wouldn't recommend this unless you are in a situation where you must have a programmable or app-controlled thermostat and don't want to spend a fortune on it (maybe caring for someone who has difficulty getting around)--it is affordable. I've seen this thermostat on sale at prices that compare to non-smart thermostats, so it's definitely a great value---so long as you are prepared to give up a lot for that price.

I like that this thermostat offers WIFI control in a package that is traditional and familiar, but also clean and modern. My biggest issue is that some of the settings and features are not covered well in the included documentation. Pros - WIFI connection and control via app work well - Basic functions and controls are intuitive and work well - Large backlit display - Setting up and managing a basic schedule from the app was no issue - Usage data available via app is useful for comparing run time and temperature settings - Offers app based geofencing for location aware home and away modes - Connected to Alexa with no issue - voice control works for changing temperature, but is limited (tip: you have to enable the Lux Products skill to allow Alexa to find your thermostat) - Installation was straight forward and a small screw driver to tighten the terminal wires is included (make sure you turn off the power and label the wires or take a picture before removing your old thermostat) Things to Consider - No battery option - you must have a C-wire or purchase a separate power kit - Two features I found really useful in my old thermostat are missing: no humidity sensor and no service reminders based on run time (the only reminder available is for the air filter based on days) - No touch screen and only 3 physical buttons means a lot of clicking to change some settings locally - Some features are not well documented, requiring a visit to the FAQ or a bit of internet searching (see below) - Auto heat/cool mode only works properly when running a schedule, it blocks temperature changes from the app with no warning that this command is not available (you must switch modes first via the app then change the temp), temperature changes at the thermostat cause strange behavior in Auto (the heat and A/C constanly toggle) until you return to the schedule - again no warning, it has no awarness of outside temperature and it is recommended not to use it if it is colder than 50F outside to prevent A/C damage. - Many settings (reminders, calibration, heat/cool temperature limits, run time delay, temperature swing, display) cannot be changed via the app and are a bit cryptic due to the limited display/instructions. The basic functions of this thermostat work well and are easy to use. I did have a few minor issues, but it offers a lot of value and is a good choice if you like the design.

---- Summary ---- Pros: - Simple to install - Universally compatible with different systems - Really does help save energy/money - Voice controllable with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa - Can know when you’re home/away and adjust accordingly - Controllable from anywhere via mobile app - Alerts for filter changes and dangerous temperature warnings - Customizable temperature scheduling Cons: - Design seems outdated compared to others on market - Lightweight plastic and loud clicking buttons make it feel cheap - Mobile app is very basic, not elegantly designed ---- Review ---- Installation: Included in the box are the thermostat, power wire (for installation without a C-wire), mounting screws, wall anchors, wire labels, wall plate, and mini screwdriver. This was my first time installing a thermostat, and I was pleasantly surprised by how easy the process was. After turning off the circuit breaker to my heating/cooling system, I removed the faceplate from my existing thermostat, labeled the wires with the cleverly included wire labels, and removed it from the wall. After that, I attached the LUX thermostat’s base to the wall and the wires to their matching terminals then snapped the thermostat to its base and proceeded with the setup process. My system has a C-wire, so I can’t speak to the installation process using the power wire, which looks a little more complex. Nonetheless, you don’t have to have a C-wire to install this LUX thermostat. The part that took me the longest was drilling holes and covering up the previous ones because I preferred not to use the included wall plate that’s quite large. Depending on the size difference between your existing thermostat and the LUX thermostat, and whether you prefer to use the wall plate or not, the time it takes to install will vary, but I like that there are just a few steps clearly defined in the installation manual. I didn’t experience any hiccups during installation. Design: I’m disappointed with the design and quality of this LUX smart thermostat. Put simply, it looks and feels cheap, which is not what I’d expect from a smart thermostat. The pictures look nice online, but it gives off a different vibe in person. Even something as simple as the buttons are offputting to me due to a loud click noise upon pressing them. Though it’s on the low end of the smart thermostat price range, there are similarly priced ones with better build quality and a modern look. This thermostat looks outdated and seems to be mostly made of lightweight plastic. Though a thermostat doesn’t need to durable or be a beautiful art piece on your wall, it just seems that there wasn’t much thought put into the design of this LUX thermostat, and that’s a shame because the features of it contend with alternatives on the market. Features & Mobile App: Where this LUX thermostat stacks up with the competition is features. I like the “geofencing” feature that switches the system to energy-saving mode when you’re not home and the ability to set temperature schedules in the mobile app. Both of these features help save energy and money. Additionally, I appreciate the ability to change the temperature from anywhere via the app, as well as the Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support. These add convenience to changing the temperature. In my case, I use Google Assistant and it works great. Alerts are a feature I haven’t tested (and hopefully will never have to), but having alerts gives me peace of mind because they can warn you of dangerous freezing or heat conditions. Filter change reminders are a nice feature to have as well. When it comes to features, there’s really not much more I could ask for in a smart thermostat. However, like the thermostat’s design, the app could use some work. It was pretty easy to set up, and I haven’t experienced any glitches, but it’s very basic and not an elegant user interface. That aside, I think this LUX thermostat provides plenty of helpful features that add convenience to my life and help me save energy. Verdict: I really wanted to like this thermostat more than I do. It has all the features I look for in a smart thermostat, like scheduling, controlling from anywhere, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa support, and home/away awareness. Additionally, I was relieved to find that the installation process was simple. What makes this thermostat difficult to recommend is the lackluster design. If it’s appealing to you, I’d say this is a good smart thermostat that’s worth your consideration. I understand that design preferences vary from person to person. I just think some of the other similarly priced smart thermostats on the market have the same features but much more premium, modern looks. With that in mind, I can only give this thermostat a three-star, “average” rating.

Installation is simple if you read and follow the instructions carefully. Be sure to take the before picture of your wiring and you’re good to go. As soon as you flip the power back on, the unit scans your setup and walks you through steps to bring it online. It takes several minutes to upgrade the firmware once connected to your Network. The app is okay, prettier than it is functional. They could have made scheduling a lot easier, and changing the temp would be easier with simple up down arrows than the pseudo dial in the app. The thermostat itself is simple enough—large buttons, even larger print. No need to grab your readers to see when adjusting manually. You can read it across the room. One thing I dislike is the big side graphic and logo. Very gaudy and unnecessary. There is no mention of how to pair it with your digital assistant. I assume most folks will know how to do that with there assistant of choice, just as they pair it to other devices. Once installed and paired, it’s simple to adjust the settings from anywhere through the app or by command.

I own another brand of "smart" thermostat so I am comparing my experience with the LUX to that other product which is 3 years old. I still had a "dumb" thermostat upstairs so I was anxious to get it replaced with something I could control by app or voice. My experience with the LUX did not start well as the Quick Start instructions had the wrong phone number printed on it. I know this because I called the phone number, got the message saying "The number you called is no longer in service," researched the support number through a Google search and called the correct number which is one digit different from the one published on the accompanying Quick Start sheet.. I was immediately greeted with a recording that said that, "We are aware of issues with our app and therefore you may experience a long wait time." - another red flag. I did not have to wait too long to speak to a technician. The technician explained that the company had recently been purchased by Johnson Controls and it was the JCI Marketing team that had sent out the wrong number. Mergers are always tough and they do not always produce the best customer service, especially in the short term, but the JCI acquisition for me was another red flag based on my personal experience with them as a conglomerate. From there, the tech answered my question and I was able to wire the thermostat. Connecting to WiFi took several attempts. I imagine most of the problems they are experiencing related to the app have to do with this connectivity. Finally, I got it to work. The app is not very elegant - basic dashboard info, slider for selecting the desired temp, and then Statistics, Settings and Schedule tools across the bottom. As for Adding additional users was as easy as sending them an email. Unfortunately, I was never able to connect it to Alexa - it would not be discovered after several attempts. There may be a more "manual" way to do it, so I will have to wait until a day that I have several hours free to be able to call their Tech Support and work through their app connectivity problem. Bottom line - it is better than using a "dumb" thermostat, but there are far better alternatives out there.