The short version: The Honeywell Home X8S is Resideo’s new flagship, closer to a small smart display than a conventional thermostat. A 5-inch touchscreen, CO2 and particulate air quality monitoring, room sensor support, and live video from compatible Ring or First Alert doorbells make it one of the most feature-dense thermostats sold in Canada. Reviewers rate the hardware and design highly; the main knock is that its Matter implementation exposes fewer features than the certification badge implies.

Who It’s For

The X8S suits Canadian buyers who want a genuinely premium smart thermostat: a large touchscreen, indoor air quality tracking (relevant during wildfire smoke season in parts of the country), room-level sensors, and doorbell video integration if you already own a compatible Ring or First Alert device. It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home.

It’s not for buyers who want reliable core temperature control at a reasonable price: the X2S covers that for a fraction of the cost using the same basic installation. It’s also not the pick if full Matter feature depth matters to you; reviewers found the Matter integration covers core functions but not everything the hardware offers.

Design & Build

The X8S has a noticeably more modern design than Honeywell’s older T-series, with rounded edges and a 5-inch, 480×800 touchscreen that’s bright and legible from across a room. Reviewers describe it as visually appealing in a way Honeywell’s lineup previously wasn’t. It shares a backplate with the budget X2S, making it a straightforward swap if you’re upgrading from that model.

Setup & Compatibility

C-wire situation: Works across most forced-air systems, including furnaces, heat pumps, and central AC. Check Honeywell’s compatibility documentation for your specific configuration, particularly for heat pumps with auxiliary heat, common in colder Canadian regions.

Installation: Installation follows the same guided process as other Honeywell Home models, with the shared backplate design simplifying an upgrade from an X2S or older T-series unit.

Standout Features: Air Quality, Sensors, and Video Doorbell

The X8S doubles as an indoor air quality monitor, tracking CO2 and particulate matter alongside temperature and humidity, a feature that’s useful in Canadian cities affected by wildfire smoke in summer months and previously found mainly on pricier competitors like ecobee’s Premium. It supports room sensors for occupancy and temperature-based prioritization across the home, similar in concept to the Lyric T9’s sensor system.

The most unusual feature is doorbell video integration: if you own a compatible Ring or First Alert video doorbell, the X8S can display a live feed directly on its screen when someone rings, something no other mainstream thermostat currently offers.

App & Ecosystem

The X8S is Matter certified and works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home. One in-depth review flagged that despite certification, the Matter integration exposes fewer of the X8S’s advanced features (air quality data, video doorbell integration, sensor management) than Honeywell’s own app. If you want the full feature set, plan on using the Honeywell Home app rather than relying purely on a Matter-based platform.

Price & Value

Honeywell Home X8S
Price (CAD) ~$250–320
Warranty 2 years
Subscription required No
Matter certified Yes (core features; some advanced features app-only)

The X8S is Honeywell’s most expensive non-pro-install thermostat in Canada, priced in the same range as ecobee’s Premium and the Lyric T10 Pro. It’s ENERGY STAR certified — see Smart Thermostat Rebates in Canada by Province for current provincial rebate program details.

Pros & Cons

Pros:
– Large, attractive 5-inch touchscreen
– Genuine air quality monitoring (CO2, particulate matter), useful during wildfire smoke season
– Room sensor support for multi-room comfort
– Unique Ring/First Alert video doorbell integration
– Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home

Cons:
– Matter support doesn’t expose all advanced features
– More expensive than the X2S for the core thermostat function
– 2-year warranty, shorter than ecobee’s 3-year term
– Video doorbell feature only useful if you already own a compatible device

Honeywell X8S vs X2S vs Lyric T10 Pro: features, price, and ecosystem support compared

The Recommendation

Buy the Honeywell Home X8S if you want a genuinely premium smart thermostat with air quality monitoring, room sensors, and doorbell video, and you’re comfortable using Honeywell’s own app to unlock the full feature set. If you just want reliable core thermostat function, the X2S delivers most of the same installation and voice-assistant benefits for much less.

For the full new Resideo lineup, see Honeywell Home Thermostat Lineup: Which Model Should You Buy?

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the X8S show video from a Ring doorbell?
Yes, if you own a compatible Ring or First Alert video doorbell, the X8S displays a live video feed on its screen when someone rings.

Is the X8S’s Matter support fully featured?
Not entirely. It’s Matter certified and handles core thermostat control through Matter, but advanced features like air quality data and video doorbell integration are only fully accessible through Honeywell’s own app.

How does the X8S compare to the X2S?
The X8S adds a larger touchscreen, air quality monitoring, room sensor support, and video doorbell integration, for a meaningfully higher price. The X2S covers core smart thermostat functions for much less.

Is the X8S eligible for rebates in Canada?
It’s ENERGY STAR certified, the baseline requirement for most provincial and utility programs, but exact eligibility varies by province. Check Smart Thermostat Rebates in Canada by Province before assuming a specific rebate applies.

Does the X8S need a C-wire?
Check Honeywell’s compatibility documentation for your specific HVAC system before buying; requirements vary, particularly for heat pumps with auxiliary heat.

Is the X8S worth it over ecobee’s Premium in Canada?
Both offer air quality monitoring and room sensors at similar prices. ecobee has the more mature app, native HomeKit support, and a longer track record with Canadian utility rebate programs; the X8S’s standout is the video doorbell integration and its newer display.