REASONS TO BUY
Simple
Classic design
REASONS TO AVOID
No fan controls
No off button
Honeywell Home CT87K1004 Round Heat Only Review
This classic and simple thermostat design has stood the test of time for those who don't care about modern features or need cooling controls
Credit: Honeywell
RELATED: Best Thermostat of 2024
Our Verdict
The Honeywell Home CT87K1004 Round thermostat is a simple and classic design. Its straightforward manual settings make it easy to use for those who appreciate traditional dial controls. However, it lacks many functionalities, such as cooling and fan controls and smart capabilities, focusing solely on heat settings. While its classic appearance may appeal to some, it falls short in terms of energy efficiency features and sustainable practices compared to modern smart thermostats. Overall, the CT87K1004 provides a basic, no-frills thermostat solution suitable for users who prefer simplicity and traditional design for folks who live in cold places. See all the best options in our top-ranked thermostats review.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product Honeywell Home CT87K1004 Round Heat Only | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Thermostat |  Best Value for a Smart Thermostat | Best Programmable Thermostat | ||
| Price | $54 List $27.49 at Amazon | $130 List $99.99 at Amazon | $80 List $79.99 at Amazon | $55 List $46.33 at Amazon | $44 List $28.01 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This enduringly classic and uncomplicated thermostat design remains reliable as long as you don't require advanced features or cold air control | This thermostat brings great value thanks to the quality of its features and its excellent design | This is one of the best values in smart thermostats, with a super straightforward install and great features | This is a simple and effective programmable thermostat at a great price | This thermostat is about as basic as it gets, but it does offer scheduling and maintenance reminders |
| Rating Categories | Honeywell Home CT87... | Google Nest Thermostat | Amazon Smart Thermo... | Orbit Clear Comfort | Honeywell Home RTH2... |
| Ease of Use (40%) | |||||
| DIY Installation (25%) | |||||
| Scheduling (20%) | |||||
| Smart Capabilities (10%) | |||||
| Energy Saving (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Honeywell Home CT87... | Google Nest Thermostat | Amazon Smart Thermo... | Orbit Clear Comfort | Honeywell Home RTH2... |
| Energy Star Certification | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Learning / Adaptive Controls | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Need a C wire? | Not Required | Generally work without one | Yes or Power Adapter Kit (purchased separately) | Not Required | Not Required |
| Color Options | White | Snow Sand Fog Charcoal |
White | White | White |
| Measured Dimensions | 3.6" x 2.1" | 3.3" x 1.1" | 3.5" x 3.5" x 0.8" | 5.3" x 3.3" x 1.2" | 4.7" x 3.3" x 1.0" |
| Compatible Smart Home Ecosystems | None | Google Assistant, Matter | Amazon Alexa | None | None |
| Model # Tested | CT87K1004 | Thermostat - 1.4 | S6ED3R | 83521 | RTH2300B1038 |
| Able to hook up external sensors | No | No | No | No | No |
| Able to Lock | No | No | No | No | No |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Honeywell Home CT87K1004 thermostat features a simple and classic design, ideal for users who prefer traditional looks and dial controls for their heat-only system. Although it lacks advanced features such as scheduling, fan, and cooling controls and has zero smart capabilities, this unit's timeless appeal may resonate with those seeking a retro aesthetic and feel.
Performance Comparison
If you've got a heat-only system and appreciate it's simplicity and classic charm, the Honeywell Home CT87K1004 The Round is pretty nice.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Ease of Use
When assessing the user-friendliness of a thermostat, we evaluate many aspects, including its interface, mobile application, fan management, hold functions, and the clarity of information displayed on its screen. The CT87K1004 falls short in these tests because it's missing a lot of the features that this testing was built around, namely a screen and digital user interface. However, we enjoyed some things about interacting with this heat-only thermostat.
We are fans of its classic design and simple dial control scheme for setting the temperature. The temperature control panel features four labeled temperatures (50, 60, 70, 80), while all other settings are indicated by tic marks spaced every two degrees. It's simple enough to hit the big round numbers, but setting the temperature to a value such as 67 requires a bit of mental counting to position the indicator arrow accurately between the marks. Additionally, for those unfamiliar with this type of system, it might not be immediately clear which indicator corresponds to temperature adjustment, adding an extra layer of uncertainty during setting. The top points to the current temp setting, and the bottom points to the current room temperature.
We measure the accuracy of every thermostat's temperature reading against a temperature-sensing data logger.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
As for mobile app connectivity and fan controls, there are none, so the CT87K1004 didn't pick up any points there. Since there is no screen, clarity and visibility of information are tricky until you get used to the two red indicators. This thermostat is easy to read when close up, as the red temperature indicators on the dial stand out starkly against the white background. However, this is another story in the dark, as it's impossible to read without another light source. The accuracy of the temperature that is displayed on the dial is within -0.056 degrees Fahrenheit compared to average readings from a nearby temperature-sensing data logger.
Here we are evaluating temperature accuracy from our data logging. Although all thermostats are pretty on-the-nose with their accuracy, the Honeywell Home CT87K1004 had some of the best accuracy in our testing.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
DIY Installation
When it came to the DIY-friendly installation, this unit didn't score as well as others that come with apps and videos to guide the way. All you get with the CT87K1004 is a paper manual to follow along with, but it does tell you what tools to gather up for the installation.
This wasn't as easy to install as some others that feature step-by-step videos and app-based guidance.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The manual made no mention of taking a picture of the outgoing thermostat's wires to reference laster, which we would've given bonus points for. Wiring this unit was more of a hassle than most thermostats because you need a tiny flat screwdriver to work in the tiny opening of the base plate on this unit. We were pleased to find that the CT87K1004 is packaged with a 5.5-inch diameter circular backplate for a clean install, though. It was also nice not having to worry about all of the WiFi setup and app registration, which are more common among modern thermostats.
Scheduling
The CT87K1004 has no scheduling features. It's real-time manual settings only for this classic design.
Smart Capabilities
The CT87K1004 lacks any smart features apart from its aesthetic appeal and mechanical design. In essence, it doesn't offer the advanced functionalities of modern smart thermostats, such as schedule learning, geo-fencing, or maintenance reminders.
Once you're finished with the precision screwdriver work, simply snap the thermostat into its wall cradle. No tedious WiFi and account registrations for this product.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Energy Saving
In terms of energy efficiency features, sustainable practices, and carbon offset initiatives, the CT87K1004 again has nothing to offer. This basic thermostat does not come with any energy savings. If you're looking for a product that helps you keep an eye on your energy footprint, check out other units in our top-ranked thermostats review.
For those unconcerned with modern features or cooling controls, this classic and simple thermostat design endures.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Should You Consider the Honeywell Home CT87K1004 Round Heat Only?
The Honeywell Home CT87K1004 thermostat offers a straightforward and timeless design, catering to users who appreciate traditional aesthetics and dial controls for their heat-only air conditioning system. If you want to keep it simple and don't require any advanced functionality or cold-air controls, there's nothing quite like this classic. However, if you've got a more advanced HVAC system or live in a hot climate, this one will not work for you.
What Other Thermostat Should You Consider
If you're big on aesthetics and charm for your household gadgets, but you want something way more modern and versatile than the CT87K1004, check out the excellent Nest Learning Thermostat. It's a sleek and modern classic, but expect to pay several times the price for all that it offers. If you want something in between a premium smart thermostat and the bare bones Honeywell Round, check out the extreme value of the Amazon Smart Thermostat.
—
Austin Palmer and Adam Stout
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