Best non-programmable thermostat under $50 in 2022
When choosing a thermostat for your heating and cooling systems, you want something effective and durable. However, most good quality thermostats can be quite expensive, and with a budget to keep, your options can be limited. Hopefully, the following list of top thermostats that we compiled after thorough research and carrying out some tests, would help you find the best nonprogrammable thermostat under $50.
Top 5 Non-Programmable Thermostats Under $50
| Name | Display | Compatibility | Doesn't Work With | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson 1F83C-11NP | Large Font Backlit Screen | - Conventional (1H/1C) - Up to 1 stage of heating and 1 stage of cooling - Heat Pump (1H/1C) - Up to 1 stage of heating and 1 stage of cooling - Heat only and Cool only - Gas, Oil, Electric applications - Millivolt and 3-wire zone valve systems | Line voltage (110V / 220V baseboard heating) Proprietary/ communicating/ serial protocol | C-Wire | |
| Honeywell RTH111B1016/E1 | Easy to read but is not backlit | single-stage heating/cooling systems, heating, cooling, heat pumps without backup heat, mill volt, pellet stoves and fireplaces | electric baseboard heat (120-240 V), heat pump systems with backup heat and multi-stage heating/cooling. | C-Wire | |
| Honeywell TH5110D1006 | Large backlit screen | 1 Heat/1 Cool Conventional and Heat Pump 24 Vac conventional and heat pump systems or 750 mV heating systems. | Anything with auxiliary heat | Battery or C-Wire | |
| Honeywell RTH5160D | Large backlit display | Single-Stage Heating and Cooling: Yes Multi-Stage Heating and Cooling: Yes Heating Only: Yes Cooling Only: Yes Compatible with Warm Air Furnace: Yes Compatible with Central Air Conditioning: Yes Compatible with Heat Pump (No Aux./EM): Yes Compatible with Heat Pump (With Aux./EM): Yes Compatible with Hot Water: Yes Compatible with Steam or Gravity: Yes Use with Floor/Wall Furnace 24V or 750mV: Yes Use with Volt Gas Fireplace 24V or 750mV: Yes Auto System Change from Heat to Cool: Yes | Use with Pellet Stove for mV Thermostats: No Use with Electric Baseboard 120V-240V: No | 2 AA Batteries | |
| Honeywell TH1100DV1000/U Pro 1000 | Backlit display | C-Wire |
Emerson 1F83C-11NP Conventional (1H/1C) Non-Programmable Thermostat
The Emerson 1F83C-11NP is a non-programmable thermostat with a big clear display, backlight buttons, keypad lock, and temperature limits. For easy installation, it features built-in level indicator, streamlined configuration menu and pluggable terminals. It is compatible with most heating, cooling, and pump systems and is designed to work with existing wires in users’ homes.
Pros
- It is easy to install
- Easy to read
- It is accurate
- It is affordable
Cons
- Can accidentally push the menu button due to its positioning
- Blade type terminal connection is susceptible to damage
Honeywell RTH111B1016/E1 Digital Non-Programmable Thermostat
This Honeywell thermostat is another good option if you are looking for the best nonprogrammable thermostat under $50 for basic heating and cooling. It retains setpoint temperatures in case there is a power outage. Also, the display is large enough and is easy to read.
Pros
- It is easy to install
- It is easy to use
- It is fairly-accurate
- Reliable customer support from Honeywell
- It is affordable
Cons
- The display is not backlit and is difficult to read in the dark
- Inconvenient battery replacement
Honeywell TH5110D1006 Non-Programmable Thermostat, Up To 1 Heat/1 Cool
With a clear and backlit display, the Honeywell TH5110D1006 is easy to read even in low light conditions. It can be powered by battery or hardwire, and works effectively with up to 1 heat/1 cool conventional systems and heat pumps with no auxiliary heat dimensions.
Pros
- It is easy to install
- It is easy to read
- It is accurate
- Reliable customer support
Cons
- It is a bit pricey
- Inaccurate display images by seller
Honeywell RTH5160D Digital Non-Programmable Thermostat
With a backlit display, automatic heat to cool change and retainable setpoints after power outages, this unit is the best nonprogrammable thermostat on a budget for basic heating and cooling. It features +/-1oF temperature control, basic buttons and a straight forward display for easy operation.
Pros
- Easy to install
- It is easy to use
- Easy to read
- Simple and nice-looking design
- It is affordable
Cons
- Inconvenient code-oriented setup and alerts
- Only uses batteries
Honeywell TH1100DV1000/U Pro 1000 Vertical Non-Programmable Thermostat
The TH1100DV1000/U Pro 1000 is another budget thermostat from Honeywell. It is a vertical and features a backlit LCD display. The unit comes two AAA batteries, even though it doesn’t require batteries. There are also mounting screws with anchors and a set of instructions for the user.
Pros
- Easy to read
- It is easy to use
- Accurate
- It is affordable
Cons
- It a heat-only thermostat
- Can be difficult to remove the cover
Non-Programmable Thermostat Versus Programmable Thermostats
Non-programmable thermostats are the basic kind of heating and cool control systems. They are manual and lack the automation found in the advanced thermostat models. However, they can be installed to work with almost all heating and cooling systems. These types of thermostats can come with convenient features like digital displays, backlit displays or touchscreen.
Programmable thermostats, on the other hand, lets you set the temperature schedules. They will then automatically adjust your heating and cooling system. With these units, a user can program the thermostat with a setting for the time they are home and another for when they are not.
Check this too: Best Smart Thermostat Under $100
When choosing your thermostat, it can be difficult to decide on the one to buy. Do you install a programmable or non-programmable thermostat for your home? This decision solely depends on your needs and preferences. Programmable thermostats can be very expensive because of the many convenient features that they come with. However, if you have a budget to keep and don’t really need all the extra features, then a non-programmable unit will still do the job. You can get a cheap nonprogrammable thermostat with convenient features as well.
How to Choose a Non-Programmable Thermostat
There are many different models of non-programmable thermostats available. It can therefore before hard to decide on the right one to buy. When choosing a thermostat for your home heating and cooling systems or other applications, there are several things to consider.
The price of the thermostat is one of the things you need to look at. Non-programmable thermostats are often more affordable, but there are those that are more expensive than others. While some can cost more than $50, you can still get the best nonprogrammable thermostat under $50.
Another thing to look at when looking for your thermostat is the ease of installation and use. How easy is it to install and use the unit you are considering buying? Installing your non-programmable thermostat should be a DIY and it thus shouldn’t be hard. It should come with clear installation and use instructions. Some convenient features such as a large, clear and backlit display are also a plus in the thermostat.
With the above guide, it should be easier to find the best nonprogrammable thermostat under $50 for your heating and cooling systems. Make sure you go through the customer reviews to see what others have to say about a thermostat before making your purchase.