The short version: The Honeywell Home X2S, launched at CES 2025, is Resideo’s new budget entry, replacing much of what the old T-series covered at the low end. At an MSRP around $80, it’s Matter-certified out of the box, works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home, and reviewers consistently call it a strong value for first-time smart thermostat buyers. It’s basic by design — no room sensors, no advanced zoning — but for the price, professional reviewers rate it well above what you’d expect.

Who It’s For

The X2S is built for buyers upgrading from a dumb thermostat who want Wi-Fi control, geofencing-adjacent automation, and voice assistant support without spending $150+. It works with most conventional and heat pump systems. If you want Apple Home support without paying for ecobee, the X2S is one of the few budget options that offers native Matter compatibility rather than a workaround.

It’s not for buyers who want room sensors or an air quality monitor — for that, step up to the X8S. It’s also worth noting that some reviewers flagged limited Matter feature depth despite the certification; it covers basic control well but doesn’t expose every advanced function through Matter yet.

Design & Build

The X2S has a simple, approachable display showing current and target temperature clearly, with physical push buttons rather than a full touchscreen. Reviewers describe the interface as easy to navigate even for someone new to Wi-Fi thermostats. It shares a backplate design with the X8S, meaning a future upgrade to the X8S doesn’t require re-wiring or a new mounting plate.

Setup & Compatibility

C-wire situation: The X2S is designed for easy installation across most HVAC systems, including furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps. Check Honeywell’s compatibility documentation for your specific setup before buying, particularly for heat pumps with auxiliary heat.

Installation: Reviewers consistently rate the X2S as easy to install, one of its selling points for buyers who haven’t installed a smart thermostat before. The shared backplate with the X8S is a genuine convenience if you think you might upgrade later.

App & Ecosystem: Matter, But Basic

The X2S supports Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Home via Matter — real ecosystem breadth for an $80 thermostat. That said, one review flagged that Matter support, while present, is fairly minimal in terms of what features are exposed through the Matter integration compared to Honeywell’s own app; core temperature control and automations work, but don’t expect the depth of a native app experience purely through Matter.

Scheduling and remote control run through the Honeywell Home app, which is straightforward for basic on/off and occupancy-based adjustments. There’s no room sensor support at this tier.

Price & Value

Honeywell Home X2S
Price (USD) ~$80–120 (MSRP ~$79.99)
Warranty 2 years
Subscription required No
Matter certified Yes

Reviewers repeatedly frame the X2S against pricier alternatives that cost up to 3x as much for similar core functionality — for straightforward temperature scheduling and remote control, it undercuts the category significantly.

Pros & Cons

Pros:
– Genuinely low price with real ecosystem breadth (Alexa, Google, Apple Home via Matter)
– Easy installation, well-suited to first-time smart thermostat buyers
– Shares a backplate with the X8S for an easy future upgrade
– ENERGY STAR certified

Cons:
– Matter integration exposes fewer features than the native app
– No room sensors or air quality monitoring
– Basic display without a full touchscreen
– No advanced zoning

Honeywell X2S vs X8S vs T6 Pro: features, price, and Matter/ecosystem support compared

The Recommendation

Buy the Honeywell Home X2S if you want a genuinely budget-priced smart thermostat with real Alexa, Google, and Apple Home support, and you don’t need room sensors or an air quality monitor. Step up to the X8S if you want the 5-inch touchscreen, sensors, and video doorbell integration.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Honeywell X2S Matter certified?
Yes, it’s Matter-certified and works with Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa. Note that Matter support covers core functions; some reviewers found the feature depth through Matter more limited than using Honeywell’s own app.

Does the X2S need a C-wire?
Check Honeywell’s compatibility documentation for your specific system before buying; requirements vary by HVAC configuration, particularly for heat pumps.

How does the X2S compare to the X8S?
The X8S adds a 5-inch touchscreen, air quality monitoring (CO2 and particulate matter), room sensor support, and Ring/First Alert video doorbell integration, for roughly 3x the price. The X2S covers core smart thermostat functions well without those extras.

Is the X2S a good first smart thermostat?
Yes. Reviewers specifically recommend it for buyers new to Wi-Fi thermostats, citing the low price and straightforward setup.

Does the X2S support Apple HomeKit?
Yes, via Matter, which is notable since older Honeywell models (T6 Pro, T9, T10 Pro) don’t support Apple’s ecosystem at all.

Can I upgrade from an X2S to an X8S later without rewiring?
Yes. The two models share the same backplate, so upgrading is largely a swap rather than a full reinstall.