photo of Honeywell Home X8S Smart Thermostat installed on a wall inside a home.
Resideo

Honeywell Home X8S Smart Thermostat: A Complete Guide to Resideo’s Newest Smart Comfort Upgrade

A premium Matter-certified smart thermostat with live video doorbell streaming, indoor air quality insights, and intelligent energy-saving features for modern connected homes.

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Resideo has introduced its most advanced thermostat yet: the Honeywell Home X8S Smart Thermostat, a device that combines precision temperature control, whole-home awareness, and smart convenience into a single, sleek touchscreen hub. As smart home owners demand more than just temperature automation, the X8S pushes the category forward with features such as built-in video doorbell streaming, indoor air quality monitoring, and proactive HVAC diagnostics.

In this guide, GearBrain explains everything buyers need to know before purchasing the Honeywell Home X8S Smart Thermostat—including key features, smart home compatibility, installation needs, energy-saving benefits, and who this thermostat is best suited for.


Design and Display: The Largest Touchscreen in Its Class

The Honeywell Home X8S immediately stands out for its five-inch edge-to-edge touchscreen, the largest available on a mainstream smart thermostat. Unlike traditional thermostats with small LCD panels, the X8S behaves more like a smart display:

  • Full-color customizable themes
  • Adaptive brightness
  • A clean, modern UI designed for quick adjustments
  • Optional idle screens for weather, indoor air quality, clocks, and custom information

Available in bold black or classic white, the X8S easily blends into most modern interiors.

Major New Feature: Live Video Doorbell Streaming on Your Thermostat

Photo of a man live streaming video from. his video doorbell to Honeywell Home X8S smart thermostat Major New Feature: Live Video Doorbell Streaming on Your ThermostatResideo

One of the most innovative features of the X8S is its video doorbell integration, allowing homeowners to:

  • View live video feeds from compatible First Alert or Ring video doorbells
  • Use two-way talk directly from the thermostat
  • See who is at the door without opening an app or picking up a phone

This is the first thermostat in the U.S. and Canada designed to stream live video from multiple brands of doorbells. For smart home enthusiasts, this introduces a new category of convenience—the thermostat becomes part of the home’s security ecosystem.

Note: Compatible video doorbells are sold separately.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Intelligence Built In

photo of Honeywell Home X8S screen showing indoor air quality results. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Intelligence Built InResideo

Beyond temperature control, the Honeywell Home X8S monitors real-time indoor air quality and displays trend data right on the screen or in the First Alert app. IAQ awareness is becoming a key factor for home wellness, and the X8S tracks:

  • Humidity levels
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
  • Estimated CO₂ levels

If paired with compatible HVAC equipment, installers can enable features such as:

  • Whole-home humidity control
  • Ventilation system optimization
  • Fresh air cycling

These tools help maintain healthier indoor air—especially important for allergy sufferers or homes with pets, smokers, or tightly sealed modern construction.


Proactive HVAC Alerts and Diagnostics

One of the most impactful features for homeowners is the X8S’s proactive HVAC performance monitoring. The thermostat continuously analyzes system behavior and sends alerts when it detects unusual patterns. These alerts can:

  • Prevent minor problems from becoming major breakdowns
  • Notify the homeowner and a connected technician
  • Reduce emergency repair costs
  • Improve long-term HVAC efficiency

Once paired with a professional installer, the device enables a service relationship that is far more personalized and proactive than traditional maintenance schedules.

Smart Energy Savings and Adaptive Automation

Smart Energy Savings and Adaptive AutomationResideo

The Honeywell Home X8S leverages several intelligent features to reduce energy use while maintaining comfort:

Smart Room Sensors (Optional)

These wireless sensors help the thermostat manage comfort based on the actual number of occupied rooms, not just the hallway.

Adaptive Recovery Technology

The thermostat learns how long your HVAC system takes to reach a scheduled temperature and adjusts beforehand to deliver comfort on time.

Auto-Away Optimization

Using motion sensing and the First Alert app, the system automatically adjusts when no one is home—reducing energy waste.

Estimated Annual Savings

Based on Honeywell Home ENERGY STAR thermostat data, users can save an average of $204 per year when following smart scheduling recommendations.

Smart Home Compatibility and App Control

Smart Home Compatibility and App ControlResideo

The X8S is designed to integrate seamlessly with the most common smart home ecosystems:

Voice Assistant Support

  • Amazon Alexa
  • Google Assistant
  • Apple Home

This allows homeowners to adjust temperatures, check IAQ status, or activate routines hands-free.

Matter-Certified

Because the X8S supports Matter, it works across multiple platforms with a more straightforward setup and long-term reliability.

First Alert App Control

The app lets users:

  • Adjust temperature and schedules
  • View IAQ trends
  • Receive HVAC alerts
  • Enable geofencing and auto-away controls
  • Manage optional room sensors

Installation: What Homeowners Need to Know


Photo of wires being inserted into Honeywell Home T9 mounting bracket. Insert wiring into Honeywell mounting bracket for T9 smart thermostat. GearBrain

The X8S is built for easier installation using Honeywell’s familiar UWP wall-mounting plate, which is compatible with many previous Honeywell Home thermostats. It supports a wide range of HVAC configurations and includes dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz).

While many homeowners can install the unit themselves, nearly half of buyers prefer a professional installation, according to Resideo’s surveys. HVAC pros can ensure:

  • Proper wiring
  • IAQ features are enabled correctly
  • Smart home integrations are optimized
  • Proactive HVAC monitoring is connected

Buyers can find installers through the Honeywell Home “Find a Pro” directory.

Pricing and Availability

  • Price: $219.99 (U.S. MSRP)
  • Available at: HoneywellHome.com, major U.S. retailers, and select Canadian retailers
  • Colors: Bold Black and Classic White

This pricing places the X8S in the mid-premium category, competing with devices like the Nest Learning Thermostat and Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium—but adding features neither currently offers (such as doorbell video streaming).


Who Should Buy the Honeywell Home X8S?

This thermostat is ideal for:

  • Smart home owners who want an integrated comfort + security experience
  • Homeowners with Ring or First Alert video doorbells
  • Anyone looking for proactive HVAC alerts and energy savings
  • Users interested in monitoring and improving indoor air quality
  • Buyers wanting Matter-certified devices for future-proof compatibility

If you already own Honeywell Home thermostats or IAQ accessories, the X8S is a natural upgrade.

Final Thoughts

The Honeywell Home X8S Smart Thermostat is one of the most comprehensive smart comfort devices available today, combining IAQ insights, energy savings, predictive HVAC diagnostics, and industry-first video doorbell streaming. With strong Matter-based smart home integration and a premium design, it serves as a significant upgrade for homeowners looking to build a healthier, smarter, and more connected environment.

GearBrain’s Compatibility Find Engine can help you verify which devices work with Matter, Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, Bluetooth, and off-grid power systems so you can build the perfect smart camping setup for your next adventure.

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