The short version: The Honeywell Home X8S is Resideo’s new flagship, and it’s less a traditional thermostat than a small smart display that happens to control your HVAC. 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 on the market. Reviewers rate the hardware and design highly; the main knock is that its Matter implementation is thinner than the certification badge implies.

Who It’s For

The X8S fits buyers who want a genuinely premium smart thermostat experience: a large, attractive touchscreen, indoor air quality tracking, 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 just want reliable temperature control at a low price — the X2S covers that for roughly a third of the cost with the same underlying installation. It’s also not the pick if Matter feature depth specifically matters to you; reviewers found the Matter integration limited despite certification.

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, closer to a small smart display than a conventional thermostat. It shares a backplate with the budget X2S, so it’s 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 multi-stage or heat pump systems with auxiliary heat.

Installation: Installation follows the same guided process as other Honeywell Home models, with the shared backplate design making it simpler if you’re replacing an X2S or an 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 previously found mainly on higher-end competitors like ecobee’s Premium. It supports room sensors for occupancy and temperature-based prioritization across your home, similar in concept to the Lyric T9’s sensor system.

The genuinely 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 specifically flagged that despite the 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 — Matter here covers core thermostat control well, not the full feature set. If you want everything the hardware offers, plan to use the Honeywell Home app rather than relying purely on a Matter-based smart home platform.

Price & Value

Honeywell Home X8S
Price (USD) ~$220–300
Warranty 2 years
Subscription required No
Matter certified Yes (core features; some advanced features app-only)

At roughly three times the price of the X2S, the X8S is Honeywell’s most expensive non-pro-install thermostat, priced in the same range as ecobee’s Premium and the Lyric T10 Pro.

Pros & Cons

Pros:
– Large, attractive 5-inch touchscreen
– Genuine air quality monitoring (CO2, particulate matter)
– 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
– Roughly 3x the price of 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 a fraction of the price.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the X8S really show video from a Ring doorbell?
Yes, if you own a compatible Ring or First Alert video doorbell, the X8S can display a live video feed on its screen when someone rings. It’s the only mainstream thermostat currently offering this.

Is the X8S’s Matter support fully featured?
Not entirely. Reviewers found that while the X8S is Matter certified and handles core thermostat control through Matter, 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 5-inch touchscreen, air quality monitoring, room sensor support, and video doorbell integration, for roughly three times the price. The X2S covers core smart thermostat functions for much less.

Does the X8S support Apple HomeKit?
Yes, via Matter, alongside Google Home and Amazon Alexa.

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?
Both offer air quality monitoring and room sensors at similar prices. ecobee has the more mature app and native HomeKit support with fewer caveats; the X8S’s standout is the video doorbell integration and its newer, higher-resolution display. Choice largely comes down to whether the doorbell feature or ecobee’s more established software matters more to you.