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Orbit Clear Comfort Review

This highly programmable thermostat offers simplicity and functionality at an exceptional price
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Orbit Clear Comfort Review
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Price:  $55 List
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Manufacturer:   Orbit
By Nick Miley, Austin Palmer, and Adam Stout  ⋅  Jul 9, 2024
56
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#8 of 11
  • Ease of Use - 40% 7.4
  • DIY Installation - 25% 5.5
  • Scheduling - 20% 6.5
  • Smart Capabilities - 10% 0.0
  • Energy Saving - 5% 0.0

Our Verdict

We found the Orbit Clear Comfort superior to all other conventional, non-smart thermostats. Its straightforward design, sturdy construction, and customizable scheduling distinguish it from similar options. If you value these qualities and prefer a thermostat without advanced features or remote control capabilities, this model is an excellent choice. Be sure to check out our opinions on all the best thermostats in our best-in-class article.
REASONS TO BUY
Adjustable scheduling
Nice front cover
Batteries included
REASONS TO AVOID
Confusing DIY installation

Compare to Similar Products

 
orbit clear comfort
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Programmable Thermostat
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Thermostat
Best Buy Award
Best Value for a Smart Thermostat
  
Price $55 List
$46.33 at Amazon
$130 List
$99.99 at Amazon
$80 List
$79.99 at Amazon
$44 List
$28.01 at Amazon
$54 List
$27.49 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line This is a simple and effective programmable thermostat at a great priceThis thermostat brings great value thanks to the quality of its features and its excellent designThis is one of the best values in smart thermostats, with a super straightforward install and great featuresThis thermostat is about as basic as it gets, but it does offer scheduling and maintenance remindersThis enduringly classic and uncomplicated thermostat design remains reliable as long as you don't require advanced features or cold air control
Rating Categories Orbit Clear Comfort Google Nest Thermostat Amazon Smart Thermo... Honeywell Home RTH2... Honeywell Home CT87...
Ease of Use (40%)
7.4
9.4
6.8
6.8
6.8
DIY Installation (25%)
5.5
10.0
10.0
5.5
4.0
Scheduling (20%)
6.5
9.0
8.5
5.5
0
Smart Capabilities (10%)
0
7.2
6.4
1.5
0
Energy Saving (5%)
0
7.0
5.3
0
0
Specs Orbit Clear Comfort Google Nest Thermostat Amazon Smart Thermo... Honeywell Home RTH2... Honeywell Home CT87...
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 5.3" x 3.3" x 1.2" 3.3" x 1.1" 3.5" x 3.5" x 0.8" 4.7" x 3.3" x 1.0" 3.6" x 2.1"
Compatible Smart Home Ecosystems None Google Assistant, Matter Amazon Alexa None None
Model # Tested 83521 Thermostat - 1.4 S6ED3R RTH2300B1038 CT87K1004
Able to hook up external sensors No No No No No
Able to Lock No No No No No

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Orbit Clear Comfort's simplicity, durability, and adaptable scheduling make it stand out from similar options. It lacks smart features, an accompanying app, and any remote access capability, but the price is right, and the interface should be familiar to many.

Performance Comparison


The Orbit Clear Comfort's familiar control scheme will delight traditionalists.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Ease of Use


This metric is all about the everyday user experience of a thermostat. The Orbit Clear Comfort does well in some areas and is mediocre in others, but it should generally be a familiar format for many compared to more nuanced smart thermostats. The temperature setting was familiar and intuitive, with dedicated physical up and down arrows on the right side; however, the heat/off/cool slider is off to the left side, which you can't see from the front of the thermostat. We found it slightly inconvenient. We did like that it was a physical slider and not a soft toggle button, though.


Since this is not a smart thermostat, there is no mobile app to report on. Fan control modes are basic, with Auto and On being the only control you have for it. Temperature-holding settings are bare-bones as well but easy and simple to operate. Pushing the Hold button will keep the current temperature until you push the button again or until the next scheduled event.

orbit clear comfort - we logged the temperature accuracy of each thermostat side-by-side.
We logged the temperature accuracy of each thermostat side-by-side.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

The clarity and visibility of the information on the screen were really good on the Orbit Clear Comfort. Everything is clear and logically placed. The current temperature dominates the center of the screen in large font, while the set temperature and clock are off to the right. Fan and Heat/Cool status are displayed to the left. Our temperature-sensing data loggers were within 0.279 degrees Fahrenheit of what was displayed on the thermostat on average — making this one of the most accurate in our testing (though admittedly all thermostats are fairly accurate). We also appreciated the plexiglass screen covering to protect the display from damage and lend a sturdier feel to the product. It's the only thermostat we've seen with a design like this, and it's a nice touch.

We appreciate the outer protective layer.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

DIY Installation


Installation of the Orbit Clear Comfort isn't the easiest we've encountered, but it's certainly doable with the included paper instructions, as long as you are a least a little handy and have some basic tools. Unfortunately, Orbit didn't point us to any video guidance for this thermostat's installation, and there is no accompanying app to offer any help either. However, you might search around the web for some video help from other DIY users if you're having trouble with the instructions included.


We were slightly bummed but unsurprised that this Orbit thermostat came with the screw-in rather than the push-in wire connectors, which we strongly prefer as they're easier to manage. The screw-in wire connectors are more tedious to configure, generally requiring some precision work with a tiny screwdriver. However, we appreciated that Orbit reminded us to snap some photos of the old thermostat's wiring in case we need to reference it later. The wires connecting the HVAC system to the Orbit Clear Comfort are secured using a small screwdriver that conveniently locks and unlocks the wire ports. If this step presents difficulties, the Orbit Clear Comfort includes a comprehensive booklet with installation instructions and troubleshooting advice. This guide covers each installation step and addresses setup for less common HVAC systems — that said, we felt it could be a bit more clear, as we found ourselves sometimes struggling to follow the guidelines. There was no built-in level or wall plate included with this thermostat, which you will sometimes find on premium units. Again, this isn't a smart thermostat, so there was no accompanying app, WiFi, or tedious extra account creations needed to set this thermostat up, which is a big time save.

This installation took a little more work than most.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Scheduling


While it isn't a smart thermostat, the Clear Comfort has pretty decent and flexible scheduling. Seven individual days can be scheduled with up to four events per day. This was probably the best scheduling among all the non-smart programmable thermostats.


We especially appreciated the ability to copy a schedule from one day to another without having to manually program it. Still, this whole process is a bit tedious compared to thermostats with an accompanying smartphone app or a touchscreen interface dedicated to scheduling. The last thing we'll mention here is that there is no 'vacation' mode for when you are away for long periods of time. Some thermostats have it, many don't. Usually, we are able to find a workaround by either scheduling or holding functions.

orbit clear comfort - the comfort pro keeps it simple with the current temperature front...
The Comfort Pro keeps it simple with the current temperature front and center.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Smart Capabilities


The Orbit Clear Comfort isn't billed as a smart thermostat, and therefore, it doesn't have any smart features like geofencing, schedule learning, or smart home ecosystem compatibility.


If you're looking for a smart thermostat, we recommend skipping over to our thermostat review, where we tested many more feature-rich models with remote capabilities.

orbit clear comfort - no remote access here - you have to get up and make the changes...
No remote access here - you have to get up and make the changes yourself.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Energy Saving


Our energy savings metric is developed to test and evaluate features and practices that reduce strain on the electrical grid and lower environmental impact. The Orbit Clear Comfort Pro didn't score any points here, as it falls short in terms of energy efficiency features and sustainable packaging, and there are no published carbon offsets associated with its production.


Unlike modern smart thermostats, this basic model lacks eco-friendly modes, energy consumption reporting, and optimized grid usage. Nor did Orbit emphasize any sustainable packaging or carbon offset efforts for this product. You'll need to manually manage your temperature adjustments with the Orbit if you want to maintain good energy efficiency and keep power bills low.

orbit clear comfort - mode and fan controls are on physical slider switches on the side of...
Mode and fan controls are on physical slider switches on the side of the unit.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Should You Buy the Orbit Clear Comfort?


If you're looking for a basic programmable thermostat with flexible scheduling, this is the one to get. The price is right, and we prefer its looks and sturdy feel to those of other traditional thermostats like it. However, if you're looking to upgrade to a more feature-rich product than traditional thermostats, this might not fit the bill.

What Other Thermostat Should You Consider?


If you want to go beyond basic thermostats, we recommend the super smart Nest Thermostat. It can do everything a traditional thermostat does but also offers a ton of great convenience and energy-saving features. If you'd like something even more basic than this Orbit, you might like the Honeywell Home CT87K1004 The Round - Heat Only, which works best for those in cold climates who don't require AC. With this unit, you can simply turn the dial to your desired temperature and walk away — no fiddling with buttons or an app.

Nick Miley, Austin Palmer, and Adam Stout